Ryan Barton Lash, the Occupy DC protester who was tased by U.S. Park Police Sunday, has been released from police custody.
</div> <p>Lash, 25, said Park Police provoked him Sunday by throwing a Park Service flyer into his tent. The flyer warned the Occupy protesters that police would start enforcing the camping ban at McPherson Square on Monday. Lash said he threw the flyer back at the cops and an argument broke out.</p> <p>A video of the incident shows Lash walking away from police. When two officers grabbed his arms, a struggle began and a third officer tased Lash in the back, causing him to fall to the ground.</p> <p>Lash said on Monday that he was taken to the hospital, where he refused medical attention. He was arraigned Monday afternoon on two counts of disorderly conduct. He’s required to perform 16 hours of community service and is banned from McPherson Square until Friday, he said.</p> <p>Occupiers on Monday rallied around Lash at a protest against the Park Services’s camping ban, chanting his name under a giant tarp they spread over a statue of Gen. James McPherson.</p>
