Burlington Police Militarize Scene of Tragic Death

Burlington Police Militarize Scene of Tragic Death
11/10/11 BURLINGTON, VT - Following the tragic death of a fellow protestor and military veteran, Occupy Vermont community organizers left a nearly two week long occupation to meet in good faith in City Hall with Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss and Police Chief MIchael Shirling. At which point over twenty police officers arrived on the scene according to a Burlington Free Press reporter. Typically less than 10 officers are on duty in the entire city of Burlington at any given time. Burlington police brought to the site of today's tragic death a unprecedented militarization for Vermont: AR-15's, tear gas guns and pepper spray guns. Officers even threatened to taze a 23 year old woman. The irony of this police escalation in the wake of such a tragedy and while protestors were meeting in good faith with City policy makers and police was not lost on the community organizers.

Filmed and Edited by Jonathan Leavitt

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• #OWS
• #OccupyVermont
• Occupy
• #OccupyWallSt
• VT
• BTV

[rocketsauced]

"Hands off!!! Hands off!!! How dare you!!! We're having a dialog!!!" HAHAHAHA!!!! Fucking pussy fag. You tea baggers fucking hate America, lulz.

[Newenglander1984]

Big surprise that BTVification posts another slanted, irresponsible video.

Consider this: the family has a right to a thorough investigation of the death of their loved one. Occupy Burlington can go occupy wherever they please, but you cannot move a crime scene that has to be investigated. For the sake of the family, and out of respect for the deceased, let the police do their job!

I believe in the Occupy Wall St. Movement, but Occupy Burlington is a joke!

[beastshawnee]

Even our justice system has been corrupted so due process means nothing to me anymore. Read the patriot act. You have no rights under this unconstitutional piece of crap legistlation.

[beastshawnee]

@lifelinesguide I would expect the police to protect and serve the protesters who are expressing their freedom of speech. Not falsly arrest them. I would expect the police officers to enforce the constitution. Not go in disguise in the crowds and act as rabble rousers and threaten violence as they have now been caught doing in NYC. I would expect the police to realize that they are part of the 99% of us being screwed out of our money, our country and our constitution. wake up already..

[JOHN27398]

hi i am watching this in Vermont.i am john.

[lifelinesguide]

What right do OWS-ers have to usurp due process? Someone gets arrested and the protesters can't possibly know the whole story behind the arrest. So they protest for her release. SOME allegedly threaten violence. Someone threatens violence against me and guess what I'm doing...I'm suiting-up. How dare they protect themselves! lol! Honest to God - what do you expect the police to do?

[Rockyj2]

Shame on you Burlington Police Dept.!

[melvin6767]

US CONSTITUTION trumps local & state laws. Protect 1st Amendment right!