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

OccupyLA held a peaceful candlelight vigil honoring and supporting both Bradley Manning and America's Sex Workers at 5pm this Saturday night. While exercising our First Amendment right to Free Speech ANYWHERE in the country (not just in "Designated Free Speech Zones, which in this case meant anywhere beyond the West Side Steps at City Hall), two protestors got arrested for standing in the sidewalk while placing handmade signs and balloons on the "Non-Free Speech Zone" of the chain link fence surrounding Solidarity Park.

Our second comrade was not just arrested but brutalized for standing on the sidewalk like the rest of us.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• California
• occupy #ows
• occupyla #ola

[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.

[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.

[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. //

[JohnMSawyer]

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

[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.

[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]

@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

[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 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.

[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]

@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?