Not guilty plea expected in Stamford sign case

STAMFORD — A Hartford man who describes himself as a “liberty activist” has pleaded not guilty to a charge of breach of peace for carrying a sign police felt was “offensive” outside their downtown station.

Michael Picard, 29, an open carry supporter who protests DUI and distracted driving checkpoints around the state by carrying similar signs warning drivers of police activity, says his First Amendment rights were violated when Stamford Police Chief Jon Fontneau ordered his arrest. Picard was carrying a sign that read, “F*** Free Speech - Stamford Police.”

Picard’s sign was in support of Stamford resident Michael Friend who was appearing in court that day on a charge of interfering with police. Friend was arrested last month for holding a sign warning motorists about a distracted driving checkpoint on Hope Street. Friend’s charge was dismissed earlier this week.

According to the arrest report, Picard was standing on the front steps to the police station and jumped in front of a pedestrian. The sign displayed “offensive and indecent language,” according to the police report of the arrest.

The report also said Fontneau contacted Stamford State’s Attorney Richard Colangelo, who advised the chief that Picard was in violation of the breach of peace statute.

Fontneau warned Picard, but the arrest report said he refused to put down the sign.

Picard said he had a video camera attached to him and denies jumping in front of anyone. He also insists he was standing on the sidewalk — not the steps of the police station — the entire time.

“There are a lot of lies in the report,” Picard said in an email to the Stamford Advocate.

jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com