Two LA Occupiers get arrested, one is brutalized by police 12.17.11

[SusanBasko]

This protest does not look as if it is being conducted with dignity and common sense. It is a waste of effort to hold protests in such a way that they turn into conflicts with the police. To me, it looks like people at Occupy LA need to be trained in how to lead protests and how to participate in protests. Normal responsible citizens do not want to be associated with something like this. //

[lauradiamondprops]

If you notice at 5:10-5:19 in this video, one (black) police officer steps back out of the way of the camera so she can continue to video the one (black) arrestee among the group of people on the sidewalk. He looked upset at the arrest, not at 'us'(I was not there). I noticed this before hearing that there was apparently a race issue.

[Tlow187]

@lauradiamondprops He did no such thing, he was adjusting his stance. It's easy to tell by his posture he has one foot on the road the other on the sidewalk. Please don't make this about race, I see at least 3 other ethnic groups in police uniform. If you start the video at 3:35 you will see the arestee jerk his arm loose from the cops grip. This is seen as an act of aggression by police, whether your Black, White, Indian, or Hispanic.

[mdcaigoy]

Police need to really appreciate that we're unarmed for a reason.

We're not all allergic to weapons and violence, or untrained in either. We are unarmed on PRINCIPLE. We are walking out there knowing we are at the disadvantage, knowing we're not marching into civil war—hoping we're right about society's rationality and compassion; wagering our own safety as collateral to prove that we're here for what WE BELIEVE.

We're not playing games--those people went home well before the busses arrived.

[JohnMSawyer]

@mdcaigoy That's an excellent statement of the purpose for nonviolent protest.

[Tlow187]

@Shirleyghh The protesters broke the rule/law of "Non-Free Speech Zone" or whatever it is. They knew this, just go do your time in jail, get out and do it again! Now I agree this "Non-Free Speech Zone" is a violation of our rights, but do you think these street cops came up with it? Do you think it was they're idea to put up the fence? No! They was ordered to do it. It is easy to arrest someone you hate, hard to arrest someone you respect. Hate creates more hate, simple and plain.

[Tlow187]

@shirleyghh I agree with you, but acting in this way accomplishes nothing. These are street cops following orders. Do you really think they want to be dealing with protesters? Like I said I'm sure there are some who can't wait to beat down a protester. Throwing out stereotypes and labels at people who are being used and screwed like the rest of us is pointless. This will cause a police officer who once was either on your side or the fence hate you. Why? Because you hate them!

[Shirleyghh]

LA Police = Hired Thugs of the 1%

[Tlow187]

I'm all for protesting! Supported this thing from the beginning! The police are not the enemy, sure there are some asshole cops who can't wait to do something. In this video though, the protesters look like a bunch of assholes. Cops repeatedly asking you to back up 5 feet with some saying PLEASE and your response is every insult you can think of? Sounded like a bunch of fucking neanderthals. Result? backed up 5 feet, one guy went to jail, and you got an embarrassing video to post on you tube.

[Shirleyghh]

@Tlow187 The Police should have backed off of violating these folks First Amendment rights.

[Tlow187]

@Shirleyghh The protesters broke the rule/law of "Non-Free Speech Zone" or whatever it is. They knew this, just go do your time in jail, get out and do it again! Now I agree this "Non-Free Speech Zone" is a violation of our rights, but do you think these street cops came up with it? Do you think it was they're idea to put up the fence? No! They was ordered to do it.  It is easy to arrest someone you hate, hard to arrest someone you respect.

[TheLizzie1998]

It does not matter what anyone says to the police. As she said, "our only weapons are our voices." Saying that the protesters should not "force the hand" is the same argument an abusive teacher uses for going off on a teenager that gets the crap beaten out of them. Bully officers need to lose their jobs. Look at the video of the kids putting hearts on the fence in New York as a message to Mayor Bloomberg. It is this same mentality used by police w/guns on their hips and something to prove.

[Tlow187]

@TheLizzie1998 "Our only weapons are our voices" This is true and they was wielding it like an Uzi, but aiming at the wrong people. It's a chess game and they are attacking the pawns. I agree with you about the bully officers needing to go! Attacking every police officer on the scene with slander is counter productive. When decent police officers across the nation see this and share it with friends and family, what kinda picture do you think it paints? 800,000 police x family x friends

[amazon261]

You do realize there was no brutality until you guys started cussing the police and screaming at them. Come on! I'm against you guys getting beat up but when someone is calling the police "f***ing motherf***ers, facist pigs" and screaming you're gonna get arrested and people are gonna get hurt! Sure they shouldn't hit you but why try to force their hands?

[Shirleyghh]

@amazon261 You do realize there was no cussing and screaming until the Police violated these peaceful protesters First Amendment rights? What other way do they  have to fight the oppression?

[PMbeers]

Steven is one of the nicest people I have ever met.