As reported by Peace News Now this week, a homeless man named Leo, also called “The Journeyman Hacker,” was arrested after midnight for sleeping on a New York City Park bench. The out of work engineer’s crime was “trespassing.” He made headlines earlier this year when partnering with Patrick McConlongue to receive programming lessons.
Heather Callaghan at the Activist Post wrote an awesome article about this incident that I’d like to share with you.
Patrick had provided Leo with a laptop at his expense, and free software, books, Wi-Fi, and one hour lessons each day starting in August. Leo was set to go on The Today Show on Wednesday morning until police arrested him and confiscated his laptop and a new phone gifted to him. Patrick fought to have him released and push the hearing up so Leo could do his interview.
At 10am Tuesday, Patrick made this update: Quote,
Leo was released early this morning, in an incredible turn around time. He was taken to the hospital in the middle of the night for throwing up (sounds like stress) but the hearing after went quickly. Leo said, “The Police were doing their job, the officer who arrested me was just following orders and was very polite.” The laptop and prototype phone were not returned but after walking back to the 10th precinct this morning, we were told some paperwork needed to be changed for it to be released and to return at 12:00AM to talk with the arresting officer.
Business Insider reported:
McConlogue said he went to the precinct but was unable to retrieve Leo or Leo’s personal belongings, including the Samsung computer McConlogue purchased himself. Officer Carr said he was unable to return the computer because McConlogue could not provide a serial number for the device, though he did show Carr a receipt for the computer.
The two implored respect for the police and drew different kinds of jeers for their emphatic defense of the cops who arrested Leo. It almost sounded like a PSA to comply with the NYPD. They expressed sentiments for NYPD such as comparing them to 9/11 heroes and: “have faith in NYPD,” “they did nothing wrong,” “just doing their jobs,” “just following orders…” Whose orders?
If they did nothing wrong to arrest Leo, then why get him out – he would be a law breaker; and if NYPD acted rightly, that would mean they were justified in enforcing that law. Leo harmed no one – should he have been locked up and his few possessions taken and kept? It’s one thing to peacefully accept the crapstorm and find a solution; but it’s wholly another to eagerly defend unacceptable infringements. That complicity keeps bad behavior going.
Patrick made a point about the police action being part of an imperfect system. Meaning, they do not deserve scrutiny – it’s not their faults. Yet, how do broken systems continue? By its many enforcers who push empathy aside to “follow orders.” They did have a choice in the situation and they CAN give back Leo’s belongings.
Do You work in a bureaucracy? Remember that you are not just a cog in a machine. Your actions matter. The Milgram experiment proved the world is filled with people who will harm and even kill strangers when ordered by an authority. Be the exception. Think for yourself, and choose to do what is right.
h/t http://www.activistpost.com/2013/10/update-homeless-journeyman-hacker.html