DAVID NASH
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Nov 3, 2004 6:52 am US/Eastern

NEW YORK (AP)--
An emotionally disturbed man in a wet suit tried to seize Governors Island by hoisting a pirate's flag. The incident caused a massive response by the U.S. Coast Guard and New York City police.

Police arrested 41-year-old David Nash of Amherst, Virginia. The New York Daily News says Nash told police he swam to the island - although police said he did not have an oxygen tank or mask and his wet suit was dry.
The newspaper says Nash claimed he was trying to seize Governors Island for the Blue Tulip Party, a political organization he started.
Police took him to Bellevue Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.
Workers on Governors Island saw Nash raising a pirate flag at 6:40 yesterday morning and they called the Coast Guard.
Nash's mother, Pat, in Amherst told The News that her son suffered from psychological problems. She says he was in New York to sight see. Nash said he was a presidential candidate in 2000, running for the Blue Tulip Party.

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THE TULIP KING

One man's quest to claim Governors Island with a pirate flag and a dream.

By Jim Knipfel

I'm kind of a shy, timid person," David Nash told me from his home just outside of Amherst, VA. "Strange as it sounds, I'm not a publicity hound."

Yet during the second week of November, 2004, the following small item appeared at the bottom of the New York Press Crime Blotter:

Democracy proved itself alive and well at least for a few minutes on Nov. 2, when 41-year-old Virginian David Nash flopped ashore on Governors Island. Nash, who was wearing a wetsuit, raised a pirate flag and attempted to claim the misbegotten rock in the name of the Blue Tulip Party. As soldiers led Nash quietly away to Bellevue, his mother admitted to reporters that he is, yes, a little touched in the head.................................................(full article)