Caught on Tape! Priest Busted For “Public Disturbance”

Father James Manship was led of out My Country Store in East Haven last month in handcuffs, charged with interfering with a police officer and creating a public disturbance as he tried to videotape officers removing license plates from a store wall. 

"They say it's illegal to have the license plates, they say you have to take off the plates," Marcia Chacon, owner of My Country Store, told the New Haven Independent.

Father Manship, who is Pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in New Haven, believed it went further than decorations. He believed the East Haven police officers have been unfairly targeting Latinos and their businesses.

"The Latin people, they stop, they don't have any reason. They stop everybody. The Father, he wants to help, that's why he came that day because he need proof," said Chacon.

Manship Arrest, Pt. 1
 
Manship Arrest, Pt. 2
 

Manship will get a chance to explain it to a judge on Wednesday.

Chacon said the police also tried to take the store's surveillance video, but were told they couldn't have it. Police have previously denied targeting Latino businesses or customers. East Haven Mayor April Capone Almon said the town works hard to include all residents and businesses in the community. As far as these allegations go, she said it's up to the courts to decide what went on. Father Manship will face a judge on Wednesday.

"A situation like this is certainly unfortunate on every level, no matter how you look at it, it's unfortunate. And this is what the process is for so, the legal process and the court system," said Capone Almon.

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