Occupier arrested for bank robbery in PA (Updated)
Dave Gorczynski being arrested
Sometimes it really is not a good idea to take a “You are being robbed” sign into a bank.
Dave Gorczynski who is allegedly part of Occupy Easton (Pennsylvania) went into a bank in Easton with just such a sign, as well as another sign apparently saying, “Give a man a gun, he can rob a bank. Give a man a bank, he can rob a country,” . It is not entirely clear what went on in the bank while he was there, but apparently a bank employee hit a panic alarm reporting a bank robbery in progress.
Police arrived and placed Gorczynski under arrrest, charging him with attempted robbery, terroristic threats and disorderly conduct.
Other Occupiers have claimed that he was merely protesting, and have raised 10 % of his $10,000 bail and bailed him out.
Friends and family of Gorczynski demonstrated outside the Easton Police Department after his arrest, calling the charges excessive.
The district attorney said he would be scrutinizing the legality of the charges, indicating he is a strong supporter of First Amendment rights.
UPDATE:
The district attorney has, as predicted, dropped the charge of attempted robbery. However, the disorderly persons and terroristic threat charges remain.
“Terroristic threat” is a common charge made when one person threatens another. It has nothing to do with any actual real terrorism.
Here is a picture of what he looked like going into the bank with the sign:
Photo from bank security camera Credit: Easton Police
Citizen Journalist 