Where is the outrage over this attack. So now I guess you can be prohibited from entering a government building for wearing a sticker that says "I Love ________ fill in the blank with any group the administration doesn't approve of".

I called the speaker's office. The lady who answered the phone said that the speaker is not responsible for the capitol police. I notified her that even if that was the case, she should issue a statement condemning this violence against the Reverend's civil rights.

I am sick of watching people face down on the floor with officers kicking them or kneeing them in the back. The Democrats need to do something about this. Please call or email your representatives. This cannot be tolerated. You could be next.

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I assume the Reverend will be using this tape as evidence.
It will be a great visual seeing the Reverend entering court in a cast with the big burly policemen accussing him of assault.
Would love to be there for that.

On the flip side: my advice when police confront you is don't tense up when they reach for you as they think you are going to take a pop at them and will jump all over you ( you can see the Reverend tensing up in the video ). Just go limp or let them drag you away, you will always have the moral high ground as the dissenting voice being muffled.
Though why on earth the police felt they needed to employ these heavy handed tactics against a middle aged cuddly minister is beyond me ( perhaps further proof of the rapidly falling level of general intelligence in the police force )

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We no longer need to fear the criminals...because that's what this administration has made all of us!!

According to Mr. Bush's newest play...all we have to do is talk bad about Iraq and the Dept. of Treasury can seize all of your assets, not to mention what law enforcement is going to do to us.

Here is what GW is up to now...

"I have issued an Executive Order blocking property of persons determined to have committed, or to pose a significant risk of committing, an act or acts of violence that have the purpose or effect of threatening the peace or stability of Iraq or the Government of Iraq or undermining efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq or to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people." -GWBush

In substance, under this executive order, opposing the war becomes an illegal act.

Link to article

We are now living in a totalitarian state, just waiting for marshal law to be declared so that the rest of the Constitution can be wiped out and we can be declared the slaves we have always been, without realizing it.

There simply isn't enough beer in the world to drink it away, nor enough bullets in the world to kill the crazy fucks that have driven our country into the shitter.

Yeah, I'm pissed off!

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I saw it all. The Rev tried to break those poor law enforcement heroes' huddle with his multi-directional folding leg weapon.

Plus, I don't think the Rev has any bank accounts in an offshore tax haven. How did he get through the gates in the lobby?

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America the beautiful! LMFAO

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Shame on the capitol police for "planting" verbal evidence or trying to make it seem like the Reverend had instigated this. A cop tells the Reverend, "You realize you just assaulted a police officer." It sounded more like a question on the tape.

The officer clearly trying to lay the groundwork for assault charges because when the cops realize his leg is broken, all of a sudden the cops start telling the Reverend that he assaulted a police officer. You know they realize they fucked up. They know that someone is going to pay for this. That is why they start "planting" the seeds of accusations by accusing the Reverend of assault. The cops are aware that a camera is recording them. They are playing to it.

You can see this tactic often used by cops to try to justify excessive force. The cops yell, "Quit resisting. Quit resisting," all the while they are pushing down on him with their knees. They are saying, "Quit resisting. Quit resisting," because they think that it will cover them from any liability. But they clearly understand what they are doing is illegal. They are even trying to block the camera from filming the illegal police assault.

There is like twelve cops on one man. He is laying face down, and they broke his leg. He wasn't resisting. They tried to unlawfully remove him, so he tried to walk away. He didn't push anyone. A cop jumped in his way, and then they tackled him.

This is an outrage! We have seen police use these under-handed tactics before. They know how to deal with crowds and individuals in order to suppress their message. We see these tactics time and time again. I am so pissed right now I can't stand it. I already called the capitol and the speaker's office. Please watch the film and do something about it.

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Where those who are seen as threats to the power structure will be treated just as this minster was. I am disgusted and horrified.

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"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." - First Amendment to the United States Constitution

Too bad we can't find time for the First Amendment regardless of who it is...

In addition to the right of the people peaceably to assemble, we always seem forget about that last part. You know, the one about petitioning the Government for redress of grievances...

It’s enough to make me sick at the way our public officials control the debate and shut out the public trying to petition the Government for a redress of their grievances.

It's a sad day when we can't find the time to allow people who take the time and effort to travel to our nation's capitol peaceably to assemble and are not even allowed to exercise their constitutional rights!

Can our public officials actually listen to and understand what citizens of this Untied States have to tell them and/or allow them to exercise their First Amendment Rights? Or was that Oath they took to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America in bad faith?

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It is typical of the cowardly gang of pigs in blue to ASSAULT one person if they have the ONE person outnumbered.
Otherwise, these cowards don't possess the courage.

Finally, I am glad this tape exists to show that this man was standing still when they assaulted him.
How soon will the SS brownshirts edit it to destropy the proof of their attack on a U.S. citizen?
I hope he sues and WINS!!
It is NOT that he may win taxpayer money, it IS that the actions of the cowards brought about the basis for a suit.
I love my country however, my government is disgusting.

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DAMN!, I can't wait for the rebellion to begin! Just what is wrong with wearing a plastic button, whatever is written on it?
I wonder why those tin gods just didn't shoot the Reverend while he was lying on the floor, surely a plastic button is worth a few slugs in the head, and as for trying to enter the hallowed halls, well thats gotta be life doesn't it? And as for the Reverends assaulting an officer, Jeez, why wasn't the National Guard, CIA, FBI, 101st, ETC, ETC called in, after all a man of the church with a plastic button and a broken leg deserves all the us can muster doesn't he?
You stupid, stupid people, dont you get it yet? Surely you are not all so dumb that you cant see where you are heading!

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Why was the Reverend not allowed to enter in the first place? Was it really over the button or did the police know ahead of time that he was going to be disruptive? There were plenty of disruptive people at the hearing. At least it sounded so from listening to it on the radio. Is this Reverend known to be a "rabble rouser"? Was anyone else wearing buttons or t-shirts with a political message? Just curious as to why he was singled out.

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i cried when i watched this video - this is what my country has come to? no one is gonna liberate us, my friends.

why won't more people wake up to the FACT that bushco is taking over just like hitler did? i'll ask too - where is the outrage?

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for thinking I lived in a "democracy".

Pelosi is in charge of these thugs but her office claims that's not true? Pelosi is simply part of the National WarParty.

That's why I will do all I can to support Sheehan and other people who will run against these entrenched and favored members of the National WarParty!

Power from the people!

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here in the UK, the police burst into a crowded tube train and pumped seven bullets into a young electrician's head. True, he had overstayed his visa, but his real crime was almost resembling a Muslim.

Afterwards they lied about it and tried to confiscate the CCTV footage. The inquiry did not find any of the officers or their superiors culpable.

For abuse of power, nobody does it better than England, the birthplace of the invaders and occupiers of what would become the USA.

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I worked in juvenile hall for over 3 years (I had to leave as a "hostage' risk, basically because I liked the kids...) and what you see in this video is what goes on over and over in the hall. That is the procedure called "dipping" and the more you try to ask why it is happening or in any way express yourself, the more you are slammed and twisted and roughly restrained. This is the current level of Natzi-esque training that our guards are given - drive the "offender" into complete submission, escalate any situation that can possibly be resolved with simple communication by applying force instead of reason, or, god forbid, any form of justice.... And of course after this we expect them to move out into the world again and become model citizens. Well, we actually don't expect this - we expect them to return again and again until we lock them up in prison permanently. Amerika, yeah, land of freedom - the freedom to do anything we please to anyone we don't understand or agree with. EXPECT A LOT MORE VIOLENCE.

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Abraham Heschel said, "In a free society, some are guilty, all are responsible."

Let's all do what we can to right this horrid wrong: Please send this story to everyone you know asking them to contact Nancy Pelosi.

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why isn't this clip even on youtube?

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MARILYN MANSON LYRICS

"The Death Song"

we're on a bullet
and we're headed straight into god
even he'd like to end it too
we take a pill, get a face
buy our ticket
and we hope that heaven's true
I saw a cop beat a priest on the TV
and they know they killed our heroes too

We sing the death song kids
because we've got no future
and we want to be just like you
and we want to be just like you

Let's sing the death song kids

we light a candle on an earth
we made into hell
and pretend that we're in heaven
each time we do we get
the blind man's ticket
and we know that nothing's true
I saw priest kill a cop on the TV
and I know now they're our heroes too

We sing the death song kids
because we've got no future
and we want to be just like you
and we want to be just like you

we write our prayers on a little bomb
kiss it on the face and send it to god

[CHORUS]

We were the world
but we've got no future
and we want to be just like you
we want to be just like you.

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Cops LOVE it when you "resist" as in, don't do what they tell you after a couple of "warnings" then baby, it's carte blanche on your a$$. This is a perfect example of the intolerance of the police. There should have been a series of steps these cops took, as they have been TRAINED for exactly this kind of thing. They should have first told him the reason why he was not being let in, rather than simply, "You're not going in." Once the reverend knew the reason he was not being let in, he could have rectified it, i.e, removed his "I love the Iraqi people" button, or at least had the choice of doing so. If the button wasn't the reason or not the only reason, the reverend still had a right to know what that reason was. This wasn't a NYC nightclub where the bouncers pick and choose who comes onto private property, for cryin' out loud! The cops are too da*ned black-and-white heavy-handed. One more thing; when the reverend "resisted" why didn't the cops merely escort him out? There were several of them, it would have been pretty easy for them to lift him up by the armpits and walk him out, even CARRY him out for pete's sake without injuring him, or at least SEVERELY injuring him! Still, I'm afraid the cops are going to win this one, as you can see the reverend tense up and resist slightly; that's all the judge needs to see. Sorry reverend...

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What is it about a pile of white cops on top of a single black man that urges me to renounce non-violence?

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Probably the same goons who attacked Rep. Cynthia McKinney. Hard for me to believe there's no racial profiling here. Hip-hop=dangerous. General Petreus can handle Iraq but not a public hearing?

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Can someone please explain to me what the rationalization was to prevent someone access to a public place because they wear a pin? Isn't there something called "Freedom of Speech"?

So, basically, if they don't like what you're wearing, they can ban you from public proceedings? Smells no different to me than banning people wearing the Star of David, or whose skin is a different colour, or who wear a Burqa or a turban. It's discrimination, plain and simple. No ifs, ands or buts. And the Police are the ones making that call. If that doesn't scare the pants off you, then I don't know what will.

And if people with a dissenting voice are not allowed to be present in public proceedings, then it's not exactly a system for the people, by the people, now is it!

When the effects of a change in ethos filter this far down the chain, when Police can make such an arbitrary decision, then the stench of tyranny has definitely taken a stranglehold on your country.

And just remember, the German people also went along with the Nazi atrocities. It wasn't just a small handful of deranged crazies. The whole country allowed it to happen. And it can start with something as simple as this.

And if you doubt that the whole moral compass of the US hasn't shifted, then start watching how it's changed perceptions in main stream media. When I watched the movie "Next" with Nicolas Cage, I was stunned just how off the cuff Julianne Moore's character is with the fact that they have strapped Cage's psychic to a chair, bound him physically, used an apparatus to hold his eyes open, and basically told him that his life is meaningless in the face of 8,000,000 others potential deaths, so she can do whatever she wants. And she's with the FBI!

And that's only one movie. Countless TV shows and other movies have echoed the same things. And that doesn't include the view presented in many of shows on the worthlessness of the lives of people from other countries!

When the rights of anyone, no matter what their beliefs, or what their status, race, gender, or sexual preference, have less value in the eyes of ANY official, or even worse, in the eyes of OTHER CITIZENS, then democracy has failed! Morality has failed!

When you start to think it's okay to confine, torture or kill others to protect "yourself" then you have lost your moral compass and started down the slippery slope to evil.

This act against this man was an moral outrage! And no one will be punished...nothing will happen...and it will disappear under the rug like everything else.

"First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me."

Pastor Martin Niemöller

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Just tried Speaker Pelosi's office to make a comment and got shunted to her mailbox, which was full. So I called back and told them that, then I asked who IS in charge of the Capitol Police? The answer is, in this case, the House Sergeant at Arms, Wilson Livingood. The Senate Sergeant at Arms is former DC police chief Terrance Gainer, and both of them can be reached through the Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121.

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The video I saw indicated that the police had notified this guy he was under arrest, and started to begin to cuff him in a nonviolent manner.

At that point, the man yells "No I am NOT getting arrested" and *he* initiates a physical struggle to avoid restraint - not the police. This plainly indicates he *clearly knew* he was being placed under arrest, and physically attempted to avoid it - its textbook.

At that point, under police procedure the police bring him to the ground for their safety and the safety of others, and cuff him. Also textbook.

Now, why he was refused entry is an entirely different matter altogether, but the video I watched is clearly misrepresented by the gratuitously hyperbolic and inflammatory headline.

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Because the ONLY thing cowardly bullies- like these particular cops-understand is getting the shit kicked out of them nothing else has ever-can now-or will ever in the forseeable future -work. If you are a man, you KNOW what I mean. If you are a woman ,then ask yourself how many victims of sadistic brutal DV were (are) able to 'talk' their tormentor out of his second nature addiction?
Not all white cops are like these sadistic psycho vermin , not all black cops are 'colored boy cop lackeys' eager to join in the 'fun',but all too many are. So what is my point about a 'brawl'? Simple. In watching the tape (video) I saw not one but TWO sad ,sad, abominations. One being the cops' cowardly racist sadistic brutality. That much is plain. The other was the blithe ,matter of fact comportment of his fellow 'protestors' waiting in line and who stood and watched the entire thing play out without so much as a whimper of GENUINE outrage expressed RIGHT THERE AND THEN. The instant that man was put on the ground ...all goddamn pandemonium should have busted out. BECAUSE IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO PUT YOUR ASS ON THE FUCKING LINE TO STOP AN OUTRAGE THAT IS RIGHT IN YOUR FACE ..EXACTLY HOW MUCH CREDIBILITY WILL YOU BE SEEN TO HAVE IN TERMS OF YOUR "OUTRAGE" AT SOME ATROCITY THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY.
In other words people like that may be rightfully perceived as
'loud mouthing' cowards at root , prepared to shoot their traps off only on (about) situations safely far removed from their presence and the possibility of having to physically jeopardize themselves. Each of these cops should be terminated from their employment and criminally prosecuted. Obama ,Edwards ,Clinton AND Pelosi AND Reid should unequivocally denounce this episode. Careers should end as a result of this episode at the senior administrative supervisor level.
THIS SHOULD NOT JUST VANISH INTO THE MEMORY HOLE.

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this is just so typical of the america the rest of the world has come to know
shame on all of you, shame on the police and shame on the justice system that refuses to be just
they broke his leg for what, for nothing
because he wore a badge saying I love Iraq
shame on all of you

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Whether or not it was right to deny him entry, it's clearly visible that he refused officers' orders to move away, and even tried to push by them after being told he wasn't admitted. By attempting to push by the officers, he entered their space and even made contact with them, which is assault.

From what little the video shows, I don't think he should have been denied entry, but it was wrong for him to disobey officers' orders and to charge towards them.

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The situation in Washington at the Betrayus debacle where the police decided that Rev. Yearwood should be bullied illustrates just how far the Bush Adminstration has pushed our country into fascism. This is the result of those who are afraid to speak out. "First they came for the (fill in the blanks)".

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Not all of them, just the ones in uniform!!!!!

Angry and Black.

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Typical cop behavior. They push and push and push. If they perceive the slightest resistance, POW! they kick the shit out of you. Just like the playground bullies of yesteryear. Oh, except these bullies hurt you a lot more and, in the end, they charge you with assault.

By and large, cops have the among the dimmest views of humanity, yet they are given among the most power as individuals... and they expect total compliance from the populace they resent.

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So when will they start shooting the dissenters on site ?
WAKE UP !! IT'S ALMOST TOO LATE .
They'll be coming for YOU ALL that oppose this criminal administration .
Oh," they were just following orders ",that's what they said at the Nuremberg war crimes trials.

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We've got every comment against the police from aggression to racial motives, etc, etc.

Did anyone stop to think this is the capitol, and as such has a level of security that is very important to several different aspects? Just because he has a Minister's clerical clothing, why should anyone believe he is a Minister? Just because a man is carrying a newborn, does it mean he is not a threat, that he doesn't have 25 pounds of explosives in the diaper bag?

In the video, before he is taken down, it seems while he was talking/being talked to, he breaks left of the officer, while facing toward the door. That should mean to anyone there, or anyone watching the video, he is trying to enter. While the officer in the back has his hands on him, the Minister makes a sudden jolt like he is going to fight/threaten citizens/run/pull a gun/detonate explosives/all of the above, he is contained before any of that happens.

I do say it stinks he has got a broken leg in the scuffle, but that is the result of an escalation. I'm sure there is no officer that will go through a verbal questioning at first, and not have reason to believe you're dangerous/off your meds/escaped from the farm/suicidal/want to kill government officials, etc, etc.

So, plain and simple, it seems he had a problem at first, and then escalated until he made two undeniably sharp moves that said "I'm threatening", and he was treated as such.

I don't understand the "without warning" quote; once the Minister escalated during questioning, the Minister created the mark on the scale of how the officers needed to deal with him. If a person is calm and willing to be arrested, he/she will be arrested in a calm manner. If a person is not calm, and defensive, then that person will need to be dealt with quickly and decisively where there might be a tussle, and it might be very fast to the ground.

tf

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Without Limabaugh and the like,there was not Bu$co.
Soon or later their followers will fall victims of their own
invent,if already many of them are not in some dire predicament.This will not afect the ones that oppose this
regime only.Few days ago in Miami the Cubans truckers
were rioting because of increases in fuel prices.I had a good
time watching the sobs,the very ones to help this to occur.
I bet many of those listeners of cacaamradio are soon to be evicted because of the mortgage crisis,I wish them the worst.

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Reichstag burning 02/27/1933 = Terror Attacks 9/11/2001

enough said...

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It's obvious to anyone with eyes in their head that this man was resisting arrest. Anyone with sense will know the consequences of doing so. The man was grandstanding and has paid the price, he should have done what the officers told him to do instead of having a hissy fit.

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"Anti-War Minister Is Attacked, Gets Leg Broken for Trying to Enter Petraeus Hearing"

The very title of this piece is dishonest. The minister was not attacked for trying to enter the hearing as is clear to anyone with eyes in their head. He was arrested for resisting arrest. This is so typical of the intellectual dishonesty that is epidemic in both the media and the internet.

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The unprovoked attack on the minister is typical of the Bush misadministration namely Brute Force and Ignorance.
Naturally this incident will not get a court hearing as all the defence evidence need is the showing of this video. That is if it not supressed by the same "brownshirts" sorry I mean the so called police force

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I watched the video,didn't see the things mentioned in the article.Don't know why the rev. was denied admission but he was . It seemed like he was asked politely to leave several times. He didn't. The police have a job to do also. They probably had no idea why he was denied admission either , they were just doing their jobs, and they were doing their job a million times more politely than I would have. It was the rev that initiated the physical confrontation not the police. One lone man that (obviously) has no combat training should not argue with 6 policemen. Besides assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest can we add being" just plain stupid" to the list of charges

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From what I have watched, and heard on the tape, and read, he was stopped from going in because he and jumped in front of some people in line. They were holding him to the side and questioning him. When he realized he wasn't going to get in he through his little verbal hissy fit. Then when they tried to escort him away, he tried to break free and run through the doors. I do not know if they tripped him or if he tripped over himself, but he went down. Following typical police conduct they kept him on the ground until they could contain the situation (put handcuffs on him or find some other means of making sure he wasn't going to try and get back in.

So, where is the football tackle? Where are the knees and kicks? Where is the injustice? He broke the rules (cutting in line) and resisted the police escort (he tried to break free and run for the door) and some how it is Bush's fault? There were plenty of people there with buttons and t-shirts. Why don't you get your facts straight before blaming your enemy? I am pretty sure every single one of you blames Bush for getting us into a war by blaming an enemy for something they didn't do. Aren't you using the same tactics here?

I hope that anyone with half a brain realizes that all of these latest anti-bush cards are just taking the place of the "race card" that people got sick of hearing.

P.S. I am not a Bush "fan boy." I just wish that claims and arguments were logical and based on fact, not fabricated mud slinging...

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can come out now..OK?? It's safe for you to say something against these cop thugs..here's your excuse and some FACTS
for you other racists... :O)
The FACTS

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If you watch the video repeatedly you can see that the Rev shakes off the officer's hand so that he can simply stand there. He does not make a move anywhere else. And the officers wrestle him to the ground.

Regardless, I believe it is illegal to deny someone entry to a public hearing. Does this mean that it is legal to resist arrest?

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I agree with the posts that says that the Rev. was not "severely beaten". I wasn't there, of course, but from the video, it is hard to tell what is being done to Yearwood, because the cops are crowded around him. But these cops did not seem brutal, and I see no real "attack" in the video. On the contrary, it looks as if at least one of the cops was particularly trying NOT to hurt the Rev. There were no nightsticks, pepper spray, fists, or Tasers used on him by the cops, as far as I can tell from the video. So I hope this forum thread doesn't just turn into police-bashing.
All that said, it is still outragous. He should simply have been allowed to go inside with the others. For some reason, perhaps it was his button, he was singled out and when he refused to leave the cops took him down. He may have broken his leg and suffered other injuries, but so far I haven't seen confirmation of that. (CORRECTION: according to a spokesperson- I forget her name- his leg WAS broken)
Don't get me wrong. I am completely against Bush and his obscene warmongering. I'm incensed and terribly saddened at the same time at the inaction of the congress we elected to stop the war. I believe Bush, Cheney and others should be charged with treason and put on trial by an international court. If ever we had a "president" that needed to be "stopped before he kills again" (in effect), it is now. I have so little respect for Bush that I almost wish Dick Nixon was back from the grave to take Bush's place in the Oval Office, because in comparison to Bush, Nixon seems almost (but not quite) like a real statesman.
To stop this war juggernaut, it is going to take more and more protests and arrests such as this. So far, it's nowhere near as dramatic as during Vietnam, when, as we know, there was real police brutality in Chicago and many other cities and towns, and people were hurt in all kinds of ways- beatings, tear gas, fire hoses, and other various so-called riot control techniques. And then there was the Kent State massacre, not by the cops but by our citizen-soldiers, the National Guard. And that was nothing short of first-degree murder. The message was "Don't protest the war, students, or we will shoot you dead." Those of us who remember those times know what our government can, and will, do to stifle and suppress dissent.
What happened to Reverend Yearwood was unnecessary, disgusting, and an abuse of power by the Capitol Police, but disgusting as that may be, it's mild compared to what could, and probably will, happen if the citizens of this country are serious enough about ending the war to continue to speak out and practice acts of civil disobedience. Hopefully the war can end if enough people do that. God help us in this nation, if CIVIL disobedience is not enough to stop the evil perpetrated by our government in our name and with our dollars.
Of course, these days, it's not necessary to break a law to get arrested. Exercising free speech in a nonviolent manner is enough, as the video of the Reverend shows.

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They meant to do bodily harm

This empire is in its' last days. We have an unelected "President" who authorized and ORDERED the torture of men women and CHILDREN at Abu-Ghraib, Guantanamo, and the various US rented GULAGS in eastern Europe and the ME.

They are all TRAITORS, DESERTERS/DRAFT DODGERS who trample on the Constitution as well as Amerikan citizens on ANY WHIM; many times without "due process", "probable cause, or JUSTIFICATION.

To use the trials and undoings of the long gone Roman Empire as an analogy in our times: We are under the iron fist of an inbred miscreant such as CALIGULA was, and you-know-who is; of the same bumbling, incompetent, morally bankrupt, and vastly inferior intellect who isn't fit enough to wipe my butt, let alone be "Der Furher".

Soon enough: WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE GOOSE..... It's a sad state of affairs when NEITHER HOUSE HAS THE GONADS to take out the trash.

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He waited in line like everybody else and they refused to let him in, WHY???????????

WHY DID THEY ARREST HIM?

WHY DID THEY TACKLE HIM????

None of it makes any sense.

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