Police: No arrest for retired captain in uniform controversy

[ellisonz]

Ray Lewis, a retired Philadelphia police captain, was across the street from City Hall Monday protesting threats made against him for wearing his old uniform at Occupy Wall Street demonstrations. (Robert Moran / Staff)

Posted: Mon, Mar. 19, 2012, 7:00 PM
By Robert Moran
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Ray Lewis, the retired Philadelphia police captain who became a hero to the Occupy Wall Street movement, will not face legal consequences for wearing his old uniform at protests, a Police Department spokesman said Monday.

"He will not be arrested," said Lt. Raymond Evers, spokesman for Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey.

"He's exercising his First Amendment rights, and we're fine with that," Evers said.

That position is in stark contrast to a letter Ramsey signed in November demanding that Lewis "immediately cease and desist" from wearing his old uniform in public.

More: Philadelphia Inquirer Story

Ray Lewis -

[MannyGoldstein]

1. A hero. A genuine hero.

We need more like him. And they will come.

[annabanana]

2. It takes courage to

walk the walk.

[KoKo]

3. Thankfully...a bit of good news, here!

Hopeful sign! Setting a precedent for the future if someone in uniform helps OWS out...?

[U4ikLefty]

4. That's my kinda cop!!!

[Pachamama]

5. I think Philadelphia needs a new Police Commissioner....

Commissioner Lewis....reporting for duty and the people of Philadelphia and Liberty and Justice!!!

[Chan790]

6. Ramsey's kind of an idiot.

He already got ran out of DC for being grossly incompetent as police commissioner. Is Philly next?

[gkhouston]

7. Proud to K&R. n/t

[ut oh]

8. Good to see at least one person in law enforcement....

is on the right side of this issue...

now, if only other's in law enforcement would join the cause, we might not have so much police violence against OWS protesters.

[gateley]

9. Good news! I'm always surprised when something goes the way it should! Thanks for posting!! nt

[leveymg]

10. I still respect the badge because of guys like Capt. Lewis. Not enough of them.

[Alcibiades]

11. That uniform is his personal property

He did his service and earned it. For that matter, it's also perfectly legal for someone to dress in any uniform they want, because it's a free country.

If Neo-Nazis can parade around like jackasses, I think someone like Captain Lewis can wear the uniform he wore before he retired. It is a free country, or at least used to be.

[UnrepentantLiberal]

12. I saw him at the Occupy march on Wall Street.

It looked so odd to seem right in the middle of the police violence. This is something you don't expect to see.

[unionworks]

13. Feast Your Eyes People

This is what the forgotten and discarded concept of "PROTECT AND SERVE" looks like in the living flesh.