After the Protests: G20 demonstrators in oakland get roughed up by the cops

[forloveoffilm]

You go to where some somebody said there was going to be a free concert, you find instead riot police. A thoughtful person will...

a.) stick around because violence is imminent and can cause death or discomfort.

b.) leave and find the free concert.

c.) find the fool that lied to them and beat them.

d.) both b&c

[SeeYouNextFall]

It looks like the cop were just trying to start trouble.

The whole "hippy dippy" stance towards this type of Police aggression is ineffective in my opinion.

The police laugh, we need police to be in fear.

And you cant do that with peace sings and chants Im afraid.

People from all political parties need to organize and physically put the fear of god into the police/government.

Thats just my opinion, your welcome to disagree.

[ManoftheBeret]

@SeeYouNextFall There were a couple of times in the previous few days when cops were beaten back with rocks and dumpsters. But in this case, there really was no way to fight back. The cops outnumbered us about 3 to one and they were armed to the teeth. I wish more than anyone that the evening had ended with police vans on fire and bloody cops. But it wasn't to be.

[Marcusthegladiator]

This shit makes me want to cry... Its fucking scary. Its fascism in its purest form. If history taught us anything, we learned not to just put our hands behind our backs, thats what the jews did. And all 15 million people were saying, "That would never happen."

[CrackerJayherber]

last night a Cop told me that I was suspicious for going for a walk after 12:30 am and interrogated me for no reason. Anyone who wants to be a Cop these days needs to get his head examined. They want New world order cops who are willing to persecute us and rape us of our freedoms.

[ApocalypticRedIX]

not all the people who join law enforcement are corrupted or " new world order" cops, they are mistakenly portrayed as city bullies because of the ones in this video, there are oathkeeper police too, you just don't see too many of them

[littlerich]

like all protests, the cops attempt to intimidate people into silence and compliance. it happened with the viet nam protests of old, and the various protests at political conventions, and the protests during the speeches given by politicians. In short -- the cops appear to tell people to shut up. If you comply, of course, freedom and free speech and assembly die.  The authority of police can never be greater than the authority of civilians. Remember the courage of Tieneman Square.

[pinetree65]

The police are your enemy, pure and simple.

I hate cops with an utter passion. And I have never even been arrested. Hell, I even waited till I was 21 to drink and even actually buy all my music...and I still hate cops.

[subversive81]

Civil unrest is inevitable. Check out what the thugs did to protesters in Rochester. How can WE accept permits from the very government we assemble to protest. Then they can just stick our protest somewhere no one can see or hear us.

[bernieklown2]

Freedon of speech as long as you say only the right things. Fuck'em! I'm from Balto. and we would not take this shit from the cops.

[jointdistribution]

Police offices must be prosecuted.

[snake413]

this was a protest against the brutal ways police acted during the summit!!

[llamasapplepie]

People keep asking me what the people in Oakland were protesting friday night using the argument that G20 was over, using the argument I want to know why the hell all those cops were still in my city. *shakes head*

[99minerkc]

My inside informant told me that the police were using this as an opportunity to

1. Give the officers PRACTICE for the expected resistance of the mandatory vaccine which soon goes into effect!

2. This incident was an opportunity for people to START to become familiar( desensitize) with what will soon be a daily practice.

IT"S STARTING PEOPLE, IT'S STARTING!

[soxsux70]

Maybe you all shouldn't have intimidated the leaders gathering for the G20. What goes around comes around.

[llamasapplepie]

How are people sitting in a park surrounded by police officers a threat to twenty people who had already left the city five hours prior?

[lopalvas]

hey people. feel very sorry for u, but we went through such things long time ago (and stay with it, thanks america)... is it any information in main news? no word we can read or watch outside usa in news...things are getting under fully control by government...

[nlanzendorfer]

Hi, Im Nathan. Im actually the one being assaulted with rubber bullets near 7:18. The first shot is fired at 7:29. You can actually hear my screams at 7:34/:35 when the 3rd shot hit my funny bone. Not so funny. The police used excessive force upon law abiding students and citizens. And so then a couple of you pathetic morons watch a few clips and think you fully understand the events that took place and begin make irrational, and irrelevant comments suggesting the constitution is wrong. FCK OFF

[JoelBitarProductions]

Welcome to the United Police States of America. It's time to get very scared.

[taekwondoer101]

FRK walking by in his badass Family Dollar sweatshirt and Halo 3 shirt at 5:08

[sink275]

haha thats me in the black shirt and plaid shorts at 5:35 walking

I was one of the 110 arrested, as a Pitt student in the cathedral lawn while trying escpe

Some who I met in holding, who claim to have done nothing wrong, I see chanting in the video when they said disperse.

[sink275]

Walking towards 5th ave, I see some of the hundreds of police fire multiple OC grenades. Out of the smoke runs out this stumbling dredlocked protester Thats when I said I've got to get the fuck out of here and starting running By then it was too late

[kotafxnchaos]

and yes, there was a concert earlier in the day

[kotafxnchaos]

i saw myself:]

[kamshamm]

Thank you for sticking it out and standing up for our rights. I want to hug the guy who had the megaphone informing the cops about the 1st amendment... oh and the "we the people have the right to assemble" chant...great! if only the cops would've listened x_x

[newspolis]

It is clear there was no "impromptu concert" and the cops were there to break up an illegal assembly of disorganized hooligans (equipped with goggles and masks, aint that convenient?) who were hanging around with no purpose but to cause trouble.

You're roaming around in the street in the middle of the night confronting the police in the middle of a riot control situation What did you expect, that they would give you a lollipop and send you on your way?

Here's an idea... GO HOME!

[sbainesmiller]

"We already say a cop with his hand on his pistol so we know things are going to get bad..." Then get the hell out of there! Use common sense instead of throwing a hissy fit and demanding to stay where you shouldn't be. And the people WERE protesting and chanting... Also, if there wasn't a "plan" to protest and intimidate police, why did most of the people bring their own goggles and bandanas in anticipation of instigating the cops to get maced? YOU PROTESTERS are the instigators.

[strangerwithcandy360]

A) I wasn't protesting anything, I'd rather not be lumped in with that group. I was just trying to get some footage, and provide some kind of narrative.

B) People WERE NOT protesting or chanting prior to the introduction of tear gas that evening.

C) Most of the people in the park were gathering to celebrate earlier. They had bandana's and goggles to protect them in the same way the cops had night sticks and helmets.

THE PROTESTERS DID NOT INSTIGATE THE ATTACKS ON THEM...

[strangerwithcandy360]

(Correction) There was a 9-11 protester that appeared on scene prior to the introduction of tear gas. He did not have a group with him, and couldn't draw any support from either the protesters or students. His ramblings did nothing to promote or influence the mood of the crowd.

[strangerwithcandy360]

Listen, at the point we started rolling tape, the INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION had already left the city. There were no leaders in town then. The students were told by Pitt that they were allowed to convene at the park for a concert. The constitution gives us the right to assembly, if you'd like to give up your rights and become a police state, that's on you. The students and bystanders deserve respect and admiration for standing up for their rights.

[ToBiOh2]

Yeah this is what democracy looks like! It's bullshit! Smash capitalism!

[FluxRostrum]

thanks for sticking it out.

[SuperDuperHeather]

I was there and I am 7 months pregnant. We were not there as protesters my Boyfriend actually had to help broadcasters with the G-20 coverage. we stayed at the Holiday Inn and on this night we went to get some pics and happened to be cornered by the police and chased and had the smoke bombs or tear gas whatever it was. we posed no threat and neither did the college kids watching the police just stand in formation. Kids in Toga's usually are not protesters. Neither is a 7 month pregnant woman.

[readytoride08]

Ignore the idiots strangers they are feds trying to discredit you.

[seiveew]

Wow, I really admire that guy with the megaphone. That is a brave and good man.

[strangerwithcandy360]

I'm going to upload some footage of him later that is pretty great as well. His name, literally, is Vermin Supreme . He's a great guy, and has an interesting story.

[IWannabeJew]

WTF? "My camera was damaged"?

What a lame-ass excuse for not showing us the proof of your claims.

[strangerwithcandy360]

I don't need proof, just youtube search for events from last night. There were a lot more cameras than just mine covering the events last night.

[FluxRostrum]

You obviously have never been brutalized by the police. Asshole.

[IWannabeJew]

Your comment has NOTHING to do with a lack of video proof to back-up the claims.

So go back to bed and have sweet dreams of being brutalized by policemen.

[strangerwithcandy360]

was that at IWannabeJew , or me?

[FluxRostrum]

it was for IwannabeJew.

In my experience cops steal and/or smash cameras frequently. Specifically to destroy the evidence of their misconduct.

[strangerwithcandy360]

Regardless of the damage to my camera, the misconduct of the police is non debatable. Attacking civilians, students, and children who aren't involved in any way with rioting, chanting, or demonstrating is wrong. No matter how you slice it.

[IWannabeJew]

Have you been able to get a sense of how many of these stormtroopers are actually American? When they've done this sort of thing in Israel, to expel Jews from their homes, there has been talk that some of the troopers were Europeans, saying stuff like, "Get your paws off of me you filthy Jew!"

[strangerwithcandy360]

The police weren't that vocal. Aside from the officers that were engaging people directly, their message was predominantly broadcasted on their loudspeaker.

[IWannabeJew]

"Free Concert" might have been bait for a show-of-force demonstration by the Powers-That-Be.

[tinafisher]

Enjoy your hope and change?

Watch the media in this country ignore this.

drink the kool aid and be good sheep, let the Universities ram their liberal Bull shit down your throat kids, and be good little slaves.

[strangerwithcandy360]

It's going on again tonight. The pitt kids are gathering as we speak for a "Go Pitt! Fuck the Police!" protest. It has the propensity to get nasty again.

[Dottyeyes]

I like 2:48, where it looks like a B-movie "Diplodocus Attacks the Storm Troopers." Dippy never knew he'd be in a scary movie!

[Dottyeyes]

Was there from 7-9:30 4 free concert. Figured G20 crap was over. Beautiful night; people & wee ones on blankets picnicking and enjoying music. Peaceful, friendly, seemed almost "middle class." I'm so naive, when I saw cops milling, I figured they were outside police waiting 4 buses 2 go back 2 their base after G20. Took wrong turn up Craig heading home, passed several vehicles filled w/ cops. Sensed getting weird. Glad I headed home then. I'm too old (54) t/b teargassed 4 attending a concert.

[celebrityfeetpics]

a little tear gas never hurt anybody

[rowedahelicon]

It can cause blindness and respiratory failure.

[IWannabeJew]

Yeah, and when combined with fire, it's a great way to torch a Branch Davidian compound.

[Rauterkus]

Where was (is) Lawyer, Mark Nordy, as this all has unfolded?

[MockEmpire]

what do you fucking expect

basically the public figureheads of the "illuminati" were there..

don't be scared! Put styrofoam in your molotovs.

[strangerwithcandy360]

Incorrect, at this point, the dignitaries from the G20 had already left the city. This was hours after the end of the summit.

[MockEmpire]

hmm well, uncle sam is a paranoid bastard I guess.. we just have to get millions of people to stand up and they won't be able to do shit

[wunc65]

You guys wouldn't being bitching if a group of foreign terrorist blew up our beautiful city we call home! Would you? The Pittsburgh police just had to do what they had to! Foreign terrorist groups hate us Americans, whether you can accept it or not! It's the cold hard truth! Pittsburgh is a very important U.S. city, they had to protect it!

[strangerwithcandy360]

We wouldn't be bitching at all if the police were protecting us from foreign terrorists. What happened in Oakland wasn't that. This was a group of students who were given permission to convene peacefully in the park. Without provocation or reason the students and bystanders were shot and sprayed into submission. They weren't terrorists, and they posed no harm to the city, themselves, or the police officers at the scene.

[d4ninjeh]

Those Who Sacrifice Liberty For Security Deserve Neither. - Benjamin Franklin

[Dottyeyes]

It is a tuff thing, I agree, considering what 20 terrosists did to WTC on 9/11. But balance must be sought; seems unlikely foreign terrorists intent on mass destruct. were at Pitt campus on Friday night. I do think there were leftover "anarchists," but there are also macho police w/ attitude too. Don't know the answer myself. Glad to see that most folks here at least are discussing issues rather than just snarking @ disagreemetns. Best way to improve the world!

[superplus88]

thats crazy shit. glad i went home

[cdsaylor2]

You know who I'm pissed at WAY more than police? The groups that ADVERTISED this as riot as an event using the concert for cover.

You just came down for a concert? Funny, cause usually when I do that I just wear a t-shirt & jeans, not saftey goggles & dual bandannas.

The real story: A bunch of good hearted college students might lose their chance of a future because of a bunch of well trained rioters, to afraid to show their face, tell them to come somewhere.

[strangerwithcandy360]

There was going to be a concert in the park. THere was a band setting up a drum kit and instruments when we got there. There were families, students, and others there simply expecting a night of free entertainment.

[strangerwithcandy360]

As a side note, we were wearing bandanas because we were taping the protests downtown earlier in the day. We heard that the police showed up the evening before and attacked students, so we didn't want to take any chances.

[bennnn1]

you seem really confused in this video so let me try to explain.

there was a riot in oakland the night before.

thats why the police were there.

it's just that simple.

[strangerwithcandy360]

There wasn't a riot the night before. There were drunk pitt students that wouldn't disperse fast enough for the police. On the 25th, there was no reason for the police presence, because there have been large protests in oakland before, on friday nights, and it never gets out of control. The Pittsburgh Police manhandled a perfectly peaceful situation.

[zombiehunter86]

america is completely fucked . sorry about that buddy. but the US / UK controls the media around the world. We shall do a protest where all people need to get out and protest . Just like V for Vendetta comic book ;)

[jcrc65]

you have the right to.....shut the fuck up and do as I say!

[strangerwithcandy360]

sad isn't it?