Police use force to remove protesters blocking Stryker convoys
November 8, 2007
OLYMPIA — Members of Olympia Port Militarization Resistance (OlyPMR) blocked several convoys of military combat veh...
Police use force to remove protesters blocking Stryker convoys
November 8, 2007
OLYMPIA — Members of Olympia Port Militarization Resistance (OlyPMR) blocked several convoys of military combat vehicles called Strykers beginning late last night and continuing into the morning. Dozens of protesters blocked the road with their bodies as one convoy after another exited the Port of Olympia. In each case, the convoys eventually passed after police shoved and struck protesters with batons and dragged them from the road in order to clear the way.
The demonstration began at 9:00PM when about 100 people gathered outside the port entrance chanting anti-war slogans. Large numbers of police in full riot gear marched onto the scene around 11:15PM.
At 2:30AM police doused a cluster of about 20 people with pepper spray in order to grab one man in their midst; Shyam Khanna was arrested and charged with pedestrian interference and resisting arrest. John Stiner was arrested earlier and charged with pedestrian interference. No other arrests were made.
Protesters said that police force was consistently excessive. Several people reported minor injuries, including Emiliano Guevara whose lip was split open and received other facial injuries when he was hit with a baton.
On Monday, the USNS Brittin arrived at the Port of Olympia, with a return shipment of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division Stryker Combat Team. In May of 2006, OlyPMR attempted to block the outgoing shipment of this very same brigade; 37 people were arrested over a period of 10 days.
The soldiers of the 3rd Brigade returned to Fort Lewis about 2 weeks ago, minus the 48 who died from injuries sustained in Iraq.
When members of OlyPMR learned late last week of the incoming shipment, they released the following statement:
"We oppose Olympia's complicity in a war whose disastrous effects have been felt worldwide and we will actively resist the use of Olympia's port to further that war.
... Through nonviolent actions we intend to stop the Port of Olympia from becoming a revolving door of military machinery furthering illegal war. This war has taken the lives of 3,845 U.S. soldiers, over one million Iraqis, and has displaced millions more. These weapons are returning to be repaired and refitted for further combat. We see this as a continuation of the war despite our nation's and the Iraqi people's overwhelming opposition to the war."
OlyPMR has declared an intent to "contain" the equipment at the Port of Olympia so that it may no longer be used for illegal and immoral U.S. imperial pursuits.
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The funniest part of all of this was that the unit was on its way home so wouldn't you think that if you were protesting to keep soldiers home you would want to let them COME HOME!!!! It would have made more sense to protest when they were leaving, although that would have been ridiculous also.
i understand that we are lucky to live in a country where we can do this, but it doesnt make it right. you can support the soldiers, but not the cause. i dont support this war, its illegal and wrong. the government should be charged with war crimes. the people united will never be defeated.
Protesters like this are fags... i'd love to waste a combat load on unappreciated fucks like people in this video. Next time i just might not see you and run ur ass over... Go fuck yourselves
this is complete and total horse shit. this is why i joined the army. To give you faggots the right to protest like assholes and blame your problems on the soldiers. THANKS! I hate hippies but like i said, we do this for YOU.
All I saw was a bunch of collage kid's who have no idea how lucky they realy are . I mean to be able to protest in the open against their government and military and not be arested or shot or beat'n for it ! WOW !!!
WHY would you want to hate a soldier for doing his job when he aint the one that start's the war ? The military are our guard dog's and their damn good at it ! You have your right's and freedom's becouse of them and their willingness to protect them and you !
who's saying anything about hating the poor fools who are being exploited by the powerful US government (aka the soldiers)? I'm pretty sure the protest was over the legality of the war in Iraq since globally speaking it has yet to be justified.
I hear ya man . I was in Iraq and Even I don't think we should still be there . I'm all for our right's and useing them to their max, but this is wrong these kids are abuesing their right to protest . In no way, shape, or form do they have the right to block a military convoy . If they want to march around waveing peace sign's then cool, but sitting down infront of a big rig is just damn stupid !
I admire the courage but wonder about the effect. I mean what have you done? The police R just encouraged to use force because you guys are blocking the road, the military gets annoyed because you block their movement and in the end you've accomplished nothing. You're better off 2 go there, talk to the police and educate them on your cause. U R better off running for political and civil offices to try to make change at a local level. This is just ineffective IMO, although i do admire the action.
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I hate hippies but like i said, we do this for YOU.
WHY would you want to hate a soldier for doing his job when he aint the one that start's the war ?
The military are our guard dog's and their damn good at it ! You have your right's and freedom's becouse of them and their willingness to protect them and you !