Too Much Power Used on Presidents Day at the Santa Rosa Mall

Poisonous power polluting our judicial system is detrimental to the well being of U.S. citizen's exercising their constitutional rights.

On Feb. 17, at the Santa Rosa Plaza several peaceful protesters well within their rights were unjustly harassed by over zealous mall security guards and their power hungry leader, Russell Aharonian, then Santa Rosa Plaza security director. The protestors lead a peaceful protest on Presidents Day in down town Santa Rosa for 13-year-old Andy Lopez who was shot and killed by Sonoma County Sheriff’s Deputy Erick Gelhaus on Oct. 22 because of the BB gun he was carrying.

Gelhaus, 48, who was in a sheriff’s patrol car with another as-yet-unidentified deputy, told Santa Rosa police he thought the rifle was real and ordered Lopez to drop it. Gelhaus fired eight shots, seven of which struck Lopez, who died at the scene. According to Santa Rosa police, Gelhaus said he thought his and the other deputy’s life were in danger when the barrel of the rifle rose as Lopez turned toward him. (http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/01/29/police-investigation-into-andy-lopez-shooting-sent-to-da/) The Jan. 29 article "Police Investigation Into Andy Lopez Shooting Sent to DA" also states that the parents of Lopez are suing the police department and that their sons killer Gelhaus suffered from vision problems and that the 24-year veteran had used excessive force and unjustifiably drew and misfired his firearm in the past.

On Mon. Feb. 17, The parents of Lopez, Sujey and Rodrigo were among the peaceful diners at the malls food court who were subjected to the blatant fiasco of power Aharonian and his crew were inflicting upon them on Presidents Day. The protestors were ordered to leave the mall or remove their T-shirts which read; RIP Andy Lopez.

Activist Nicole Guerra and her son complied to the lame demands, and then Gurerra called attorney Jonathan Melrod. Melrod soon arrived and restored wisdom to the chaos the Nazi imitator's, the SR Plaza mall security guards were trying to thrust upon the protestors. (http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20140306/articles/140309709) Vast details can be found on the web pages Mar. 6 article "Suspended Security Chief Says Santa Rosa Mall Made Guards 'Scapegoats' in Lopez Dispute," written by Martin Espinoza.

Simon Property Group which employees the Santa Rosa mall security guards wisely fired its ridiculous ring leader Aharonian and officially apologized to the parents of Lopez.

Whether someone is a police chief, or head of security, having a jerk screening in the hiring process might be a good idea.