Taser torture witness at press conference

In a town already cursed with a reputation for police brutality, comes an outrageous incident that sounds more like the workings of Gestapo thugs, than officers of the peace. During a very
peaceful rally in downtown Eugene on May 30th, 2008 to support the elimination of roadside pesticide spraying, police officers targeted one of the participants and subdued him, beat him,
and tasered him at least three times. Fortunately for those of us who are concerned about past occurrences of police brutality and non discretionary use of tasers, this incident was
witnessed by around twenty people, and partially captured by photographs and video. Use of tasers in our community is new and very controversial due to the potential for abuse by
overzealous officers. That an investigation is needed is obvious. Whether a thorough one is conducted or not will be a test of the recent voter demand for more oversight of the Eugene
Police Department. Though the voters have demanded this oversight be provided, it is not certain that this will occur. With the recent character attacks from the local Police Union website
directed at Councilwoman Bonnie Bettman who has been pushing for independent oversight of the Eugene Police, one need not be much of a detective to figure out why she is being
attacked. These attacks are dangerous to us all. In my opinion, this independent oversight is long overdue, following a string of events where police officers seemed only too eager to use
unnecessary force. Macing protesters up in trees, abusing vulnerable women which ended up costing our city millions of dollars to settle in court, killing an emotionally disturbed teenager
armed with only a knife are a few of the most disturbing events. Amazingly, as the city gave these officers an award for killing the teenager, the killer professed that he was "humbled and
honored". Is this really our Eugene? Unfortunately, yes. We have a big problem and we need everyone's help.
It is possible to correct this local outrage, but only if community support comes forward. The students who need our support are asking us to aggressively write letters and make phone
calls for now. FYI, here are some valuable leads:

Letters to the Editor, Register Guard mailto:rgletters@guardnet.com main newspaper, comments limited to 250 words, must include full name, address and phone

Letters to the Editor, Eugene Weekly mailto:editor@eugeneweekly.com local progressive newspaper, comments limited to 250 words, must include full name, address and phone.

Call the Mayor of Eugene Kitty Piercy and let her know that you want a full investigation of these events. Phone 541-682-5010 or fax 541-682-5414.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• taser
• police
• torture
• abuse
• eugene
• pesticides

[shippox0]

also srry for double posting but they video taped the entire event but they are withholding the tape up to the incident so there is something they dont want us to see

[richwa2]

It is not a "right" to resist; it is a duty to resist when one feels one's rights are ignored or trampled upon. If one is not willing to fight for her/his rights, then he/she will lose them.

Our countries founding fathers and mothers greatest fear (look it up) was not from a foreign power, rather it was a fear of their own government.

[ReligionisaCult]

FTP FTG

[fibromyalgia1inil]

Awesome presentation here. I unfortunately have been in them shoes myself.

The officer chose to listen to the lies of an 11 year old girl whose brother had previously tried raping my daughter and decided it was okay to taser a disabled man on his own property and my wife witnessed the whole incident.

Peoria county Illinois police department needs to be investigated. I have had them here 4 times in the past 3 weeks over lies being told by a girl up the street from me. They do not care HELP!

[Zyworski]

Just like you or I the police have a right against self incrimination, so it is critical that their contract have a compelled testimony clause in it. The union will kick, scream, and threaten to walk out, but the wall of silence the police use to defend themselves must be brought down. Eugene is a small town so a group of 50 well versed advocates can go door to door and educate the public.

[Zyworski]

The thing that is needed is a police ombudsman with the authority to subpoena witnesses, take compelled testimony, and launch independent investigations. Without any oversight the police department is just another example of absolute power corrupting absolutely. The 3 powers of investigation I have listed are critical and nothing short of this is satisfactory for any major community. City governments kowtow before the police union so the matter must come before a vote of an informed electorate.

[NinetailedKingx]

Why worry about going to hell? Living in america we're already there.

[ArizonaSean]

American p[igs hurting people? Never. I just can't imagine that. Thank God we all have video cameras now. Never leave home without your camera.

[giammira]

What does the law in US say about taser use? Life and death situation or when it suits them to get things done with less effort/risk (for themselves)? Why can't they stick to the allowed use? You know why, I think it's to easy to use and allegedly harmless, and it doesn't leave marks thus proves, it's the tecnological version of the old "beat the nose and forehead with a phonebook" routine...

[giammira]

@gotgank Taser for fun? Wanna play?

[CornFedArmen]

she's so annoying. please, someone taser her.