Philadelphia - A man was acquitted Tuesday after being arrested for refusing to heed a police officer's command he stop singing in a public park. A judge found Anthony Riley not guilty of disorderly conduct, saying "This is America, not Afghanistan."
Riley, 20, had faced a three month sentence after loudly singing "A Change is Gonna Come" in Rittenhouse Square in downtown Philadelphia in March.
Greg Wilkinson, the arresting officer, testified Riley was singing so loud his voice drowned out his police radio.
"All he had to do was lower his voice and this never would have happened," prosecutor William James said.
Witnesses testified that Riley had asked Wilkinson what the law was restricting him from singing in the park. Wilkinson responded that he was the law. When Riley asked Wilkinson whether he was still in America, Wilkinson replied "this is Afghanistan," according to witnesses.
The city is now reviewing what sorts of music should be allowed in its public parks.
Defense attorney Evan Shingles said Riley had every right to ignore the officer's unlawful command.
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