{news} Rell Question Arrest of Political Activist At Inauagural Parade

[Green Party-CT]

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     http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-rel-active,0,7618314.story?track=rss 
   
  Rell Questions Arrest Of Political Activist At Inaugural Parade 



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       -->Associated Press

January 8 2007, 1:56 PM EST

HARTFORD, Conn. -- Gov. M. Jodi Rell is questioning the arrest of a political activist who allegedly stepped toward her during her inaugural parade last week.

The activist, Ken Krayeske, was on a list of people labeled political threats by police. Rell, in a letter to the state's public safety commissioner, said today that she was "disturbed" to learn of the existence of such a list.

She called on Commissioner Leonard Boyle to review the circumstances of Krayeske's arrest and determine how he came to the attention of state police and how his name and photograph were provided to the Hartford Police Department.

"In this environment of heightened security, the use of information must be balanced with the individual rights of our citizens," Rell said in the letter. "In providing security and protection, we cannot permit the rights of individuals to be trampled."

Krayeske, 33, of Hartford, was charged with breach of peach and interfering with an officer after he was detained during Wednesday's parade through downtown Hartford. Rell was sworn in that day to her first full term as governor.

Krayeske's attorney said Krayeske was working as a freelance journalist and was trying to photograph Rell.

According to a police report, officers at the parade recognized Krayeske from a picture provided by state police and the Connecticut Intelligence Center, a multi-agency entity under the umbrella of the state's homeland security programs.

Officers said they recognized Krayeske when they saw him speed up on his mountain bike, dump it and jump off, then run up the street and step off the curb into the parade route.

Krayeske was campaign manager for Cliff Thornton, the Green Party's candidate for governor. During the campaign, he took issue with Rell's refusal to debate Thornton, appearing at Rell's campaign headquarters and at least one event. Members of the state police provide security for the governor at such events.

A group of state lawmakers planned a 2 p.m. news conference at the Legislative Office Building on today to react to Krayeske's arrest. 
  Copyright 2006 Associated Press 
  
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