[Hannibal]

Wednesday, January 26, 2005

The force of the law is against 'Star Wars' squatter

By SUSAN PAYNTER
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER COLUMNIST

The streets are safe again for law-abiding citizens. "Star Wars" fanatic Jeff Tweiten's mini-encampment has been removed from the sidewalk in front of the Cinerama Theatre.

Tweiten and his tiny blue couch were made to move by Seattle Police just hours after a police spokesman told me Tweiten had not been booted because there had been no complaints. Not one since the 27-year-old began a 139-day squat in anticipation of the May 19 opening of "Episode III: Revenge of the Sith."

Suddenly, according to SPD spokesman Sean Whitcomb, an anonymous caller did complain. "So the individual (Tweiten) was provided with a copy of the (no sit/no lay) ordinance, the individual was given a verbal admonition and told that, if he did not move, the individual would be cited the next day," Whitcomb said.


"They told me they didn't really want to do it. In fact, one said they felt like asses," Tweiten claimed.

Some who've reacted to Tweiten's ouster agree. "Seattle did its best to drive out the characters that made the city what it was," Scot Ranney said. "In the '80s and '90s Seattle turned from a city of art and interest to a city of Microsoft and dot-com money. A city of people who look at their toes instead of at people as they run down the sidewalks making sure they're not late for their Starbucks luncheon with others ... who think the acquisition of money and power is what life's all about."

Others insist that the law is the law. If homeless people are told to move along and not sit or sleep on sidewalks and in doorways, then why should a "Star Wars" fan skate just because he's a paying customer who is helping to promote a big-money movie?

Still others simply see Tweiten as a self-indulgent slacker who ought to be working.

To his credit, Tweiten did try to apply and pay for a street use permit, but the Department of Transportation turned him down.

"What next? Will we be denied the right of assembly?" Tweiten asked. "Then let's not have voting anymore. Let's just have the lawyers decide like they're doing in the governor's race."

By this point Tweiten was pretty fired up. And he may need that zeal if he's going to literally make a stand. "I figure I can stand 16 hours a day if I take little breaks," he said. He admits it won't be comfy or easy but just the idea of being told he can't be out there fuels his motivation. "This time I'll either leave in shackles or an aid car," Tweiten vowed. "And, as soon as I get out of the hospital, I'll be back."

Law-abiding citizens, consider yourselves warned.

[J m HofMarN]

You gotta admire that guys guts.

[barend]

he musn't of seen the first two films...
some should tell him it's not worth it...

[Hannibal]

Understandable. However this says two things to me: 1. it is the end of an era, the end of a period in History that future generations will never understand. 2. The end of America...when a star wars geek can no longer waste his time in line for a year to see another star wars film because of the neofascism of the political climate. For God sake, I think its stupid to sit in line for a year, but I will fight to the death to preserve his right to do so. Or whatever you call it...I guess it doesn't matter, its all over with anyway.

A sad day when star wars geeks are stopped by jackboots from participating in a 20 year tradition...maybe Lucas was the guy who phoned in the complaint...

[J m HofMarN]

What the fuck did the complaint sound like?

"Um hello police? Theres a guy sitting on the ground outside... He's kinda, you know... sitting there... threateningly..."

"Well sir, we have an escaped rapist down the street and while we were taking your call three people were probably murdered, but thanks for reporting this trouble maker, ASSHOLE!"

[DBrennan3333]

^^^^^^

JM, Very funny!

People, read his mock-dialogue up there! It's funny!

[CowboyCurtis]

I would've appreciated the story more if he had been sitting outside of Lucas' gates protesting the fall of the franchise...

[barend]

yeah, there's something wrong with criminally charging someone for showing up early to a film screening.

This post has been edited by barend: 27 January 2005 - 06:51 PM

[littlejerryseinfeld]

yeah, there's something wrong with criminally charging someone for showing up early to a film screening.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

whats the cutoff point? if i show up 2 hrs early for a movie, am i loitering?

the man is obviously insane for getting in line early for this dissappointment, but come one. the cinerama should rope off an area and let these geeks camp out. set up a designated area or something.

i still want to know the cutoff time for waiting in line for a movie.

please forward to the king county police dept.

[barend]

well apparently, 20 underaged drinkers sitting around smashing bottles in a public park is okay... but a geek hoping to be at the front of what will be a long line to a film...

2 months is dumb... but there's no law against that...

there are far more premium acts of stupidity out there being commited constantly, that no one cares about.

the local drunk who keeps walking into traffic causing accidents

the crazy freak who mistreates the crap out of his pets

the unholy crime against nature that is sibling spawned offspring

why are these things okay... but being an increadible dork is punishable...

[Despondent]

If it was my theatre, I wouldn't project it, thank you very much.

And heck. If fans came to camp out for weeks or months, who would I be to spoil their fun?

[barend]

i'd tip off the local prostitutes and hot-dog vendors for a finders fee...

what cinema owner would do less.