Last night’s arrest of Michael Lacey and Jim Larkin was not the first time the New Times has had trouble with the police.

The New Times Empire was founded as an anti-police publication. The first paper began in response to the Arizona State University’s police refusal to put the flags at half-mast following the Kent State shootings.

In 2005, the anti-po po tradition continued when the Miami New Times ran a story on Arthur Teele Jr., the Miami City Commissioner who was indicted on corruption charges. The piece ran police reports that Teele had dalliances with numerous with male prostitutes. The day the story ran, Teele went into the Miami Herald office and shot himself in the head. Awkward.

Lacey and Larkin have both been released from jail since last night’s arrest. Though this arrest and the media shield bill are separate issues, this violation of first amendment rights should show the importance of the legislation when it reaches the Senate.