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Media Silent, But Activist Groups Loud About RNC Police Brutality

By Chris Nolan, Firedoglake. Posted September 3, 2008.


"I observed a lot of instigation and escalation of violence [on the part of the police]," Flemming said.
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A slideshow by Lindsay Beyerstein of security forces tear-gassing a peaceful Poor Peoples March during the Republican National Convention, Sept. 2, 2008. Set to music by Junior Murvin.

Several activist groups held an outdoor press conference in St. Paul this morning to decry police brutality against peaceful protesters. Last night, police filed tear gas into a peaceful crowd on 7th Street when the group did not immediately scatter upon the order to disperse -- rapid egress was hampered by the fact that the the police had encircled groups of people and locked down intersections at both ends of the block.

The demonstrators were part of the Poor People's March. The March is not affiliated with the anarchist groups whose members destroyed property during a demonstration on Monday. When some anarchist protesters joined the procession, organizers asked them to leave or move to the back. They were concerned that the anarchists might cause trouble or attract unwanted police attention.


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Lindsay Beyerstein a New York writer blogging at Majikthise.

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Anarchists or provocateurs?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: kegbot1 on Sep 4, 2008 4:48 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Since we know that police have done it before, one has to wonder how many of these 'anarchists' were, in fact, provocateurs working for the police/FBI whose job was to give the cops an excuse to crack heads.

I would like to hear Mr. Flemming's take on that - whether he suspected the same.

In any case, the incidents of police brutality in the Twin Cities were shocking and deplorable and the media coverage shockingly (but not surprisingly) absent.

On many of the right wing blogs and message boards the sickest thing of all - a sort of cheerleading for fascism.

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» RE: Anarchists or provocateurs? Posted by: curiousone
Anarchist Groups & Police States.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: curiousone on Sep 4, 2008 4:57 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
These anarchists should also be held to account, just like the police. More needs to be written about their complicity. They stir up trouble, destroying property and giving police an excuse to bring out the riot squads and misuse their powers against citizens. They draw police attention their way. Then they deliberately make a peaceful group a target by joining their march without invitation. I would say that makes them as much to blame as the police, if not more. If they want to fight with the police, that is there choice. They shouldn't involve innocent parties.

Having said that, I can offer no proof that the police wouldn't have acted any differently towards the Poor Peoples March without the anarchists there. The police have been brazenly abusing their authority at both National Conventions and through the primaries. There have been many documented cases of unlawful arrests and abused detention powers. Not one bit of this behaviour is in line with the constitution or principles of freedom and democracy. Just more evidence of the warped reality of "truthiness" in a police state.

I am curious if there is any correlation between Chinese Red, Soviet Red and Republican Red :p

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An Omen of Police State Fascism
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Last Chance on Sep 4, 2008 5:10 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The McCain campaign remembers that both the Johnson and Nixon Administrations were brought down by massive nationwide demonstrations and they are determined that will not happen when they STEAL the November election. But only extreme police brutality could stop a nationwide protest - and they are ready.

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Media coverage of police brutality
[Report this comment]
Posted by: michellet612 on Sep 4, 2008 6:47 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I've been covering the story of one instance of police brutality at the RNC for my local blog and for two days I have been contacting media outlets and politicians to share the story. Almost no one is listening, and I'm becoming increasingly frustrated that no one is picking it up. Do people no longer care about this kind of thing? Are we that desensitized?

My blog, in case anyone is interested: http://www.vitalsourcemag.com/index.php/blogs/michelle/

Be safe out there, but for god's sake- speak up!

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Identification???
[Report this comment]
Posted by: freshlemon on Sep 4, 2008 7:48 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Have any of the people who were arrested "before they engaged in disruptive activities" been positively identified as either anarchists or agents provocateurs??? Why can't they have been citizens exercising their right of dissent? What about journalists being overly anxious about grabbing info? Are they also subject to arrest for seeking information? Or were only certain journalists targeted?

We have become so aware of sneaky,lying, fascist behavior during this eight year takeover of our government and lives by the GOP that we see monsters in the bushes.

If the convention had been accessible to me, I would have been there protesting the destruction by the GOP of the Constitution, wire-tapping, etc. I would probably have been in a group that was there for the same purpose. All of us full-fledged tax paying citizens who disagree with the party's direction.

Now, how would I have been perceived by the police? Do we no longer have the right to peaceful dissent? Is a special permit required to be close to and question the Republicans or protest actions taken by any political party?

Was the Democratic Convention protected by such over zealous police action?

In honor of Kucinich:

Wake up America!

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I'm reminded of the Montebello agents provocateurs
[Report this comment]
Posted by: BlueBerry PickN on Sep 4, 2008 9:08 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
who were caught on video by protesters, as they fled back behind the police lines... cringing in hostility & fear...

because **citizen pacifist activists & demonstrators** held them accountable for their intended violence.


The police apologized on CBC News.

WHAT WERE WE PROTESTING in Montebello? the INTERNATIONAL erosion of the Peoples' interests over corporate greed

1. that George Bush brought the USArmy onto Canadian land for 'protection'.

2. privacy rights erosions.

3. torture.

4. THE PRIVATIZATION of public resources & the "Security & Prosperity Partnership"

go look it up. its terrifying.

THE CBC & activist VIDEOS of the militarization, apology, expose & malfeasance at Montebello, PQ, Canada... can be EASILY located by searching online for videos of:
- "Montebello"
- "police"
- "agents provocateurs"
- "Security & Prosperity Partnership" / SPP
- "CBC"
- "Council of Canadians"
- "Surete Quebec"
...

you get the picture.

BUT CATCHING the cops with evidence (hell, they even had the same jackboots on as the cops!) for which the cops had to apologize for malfeasance... didn't stop the 'authorities' from having the peaceful protesters gassed.
This isn't about NATIONALITY but about the Peoples' sovereignty, economic justice & responsible stewardship of civil liberties, ecological & resource management... & corporate privatization.

"To be a trade unionist is to carry a tombstone on your back": Mark Thomas' BBC4 Dispatches: "on Coca-Cola" documentary Colombia

┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄
Spread Love, not corporate dependence, fear & hate,

BlueBerry Pick'n
can be found @
ThisCanadian
┄┄
" ... tolerance of intolerance is cowardice... " ~ Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
"We, two, form a Multitude" ~ Ovid.
"True pacifism is not unrealistic submission to an evil power...it is rather a courageous confrontation with evil by the power of love, in the faith that it is better to be the recipient of violence than the inflicter of it, since the latter only multiplies the existence of violence and bitterness in the universe, while the former may develop a sense of shame in the opponent, and thereby bring about a transformation and change of heart." - MLK
┄┄
"Silent Freedom is Freedom Silenced"
"Do No Harm".
┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄┄

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Speaking from experience
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Bastet62 on Sep 4, 2008 9:16 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Every anarchist I've ever met has been a young, white child of middle class parents, spouting anger and angst with no real objective, no real set of values or sophisticated political point of view, nothing to add or say of any import other than pure dissatisfaction with everything, and exhibiting poor impulse control. They are truly lost young people - in my opinion. They have no where to go with all that anger and lack coping skills.

That being said of my personal experience with these youth: the actions of the police at the RNC was deplorable, and if people think it's bad now, wait until a McCain/Palin presidency. The German people did nothing either - read Niemoller's poem for more info.

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» RE: Speaking from experience Posted by: Last Chance
Anarchists??
[Report this comment]
Posted by: CJC on Sep 4, 2008 4:23 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Amy Goodman and her reporters are not anarchists. People sitting at home, even a large number of them, watching TV, having a party etc are not anarchists. The reports I read about the home invasions did not say that any dangerous or even "radical" materials were found.

It's appalling. And on top of it this has happened in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Both the cities and the state have a long reputation for open-mindedness and tolerance.

Many of us Americans were disturbed by the advance notice by the Chinese government that journalists were going to be kept on a very short leash during the Olympics. And then the news that some of the small number of Chinese residents who showed up at the government designated "protest zones" were arrested. Oh, didn't we think we were lucky to live in a free (well, freer) society and have the First Amendment to protect our rights to free speech and a free press.

What's going on???

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» RE: Anarchists?? Posted by: freshlemon
to those who insist on saying, "ANARCHISTS!! CHAOS!! DOMESTIC TERRORISM!!!"
[Report this comment]
Posted by: BlueBerry PickN on Sep 5, 2008 7:12 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Philosophy of Anarchism: Herbert Read -FREEDOM PRESS

Noam Chomsky - Questions about Anarchism - 1 of 5 videos (10min) Chomsky interviewed-Pateman

'Notes on Anarchism' -Chomsky

Chomsky "On Anarchism" :: AK Press

8 Questions On Anarchism: Chomsky interview- T.Lane, Znet.

What is Anarchism? - Liz A. Highleyman
Anarchism is a political philosophy that is shrouded in misconception. This is largely due to the fact that anarchism is a truly diverse way of thinking, one which cannot be characterized by simple slogans or party lines. In fact, if you ask 10 anarchists for their description of anarchism, you are likely to get 10 different answers. Anarchism is more than just a political philosophy; it is a way of life that encompasses political, pragmatic & personal aspects.

The basic tenet of anarchism is that hierarchical authority - be it state, church, patriarchy or economic elite - is not only unnecessary, but is inherently detrimental to the maximization of human potential. Anarchists generally believe that human beings are capable of managing their own affairs on the basis of creativity, cooperation, & mutual respect. It is believed that power is inherently corrupting, & that authorities are inevitably more concerned with self-perpetuation & increasing their own power than they are with doing what is best for their constituents. Anarchists generally maintain that ethics are a personal matter, & should be based upon concern for others & the wellbeing of society, rather than upon laws imposed by a legal or religious authority (including revered laws such as the U.S. Constitution). Most anarchist philosophies hold that individuals are responsibile for their own behavior. Paternalistic authorities foster a dehumanized mindset in which people expect elites to make decisions for them & meet their needs, rather than thinking & acting for themselves. When an authority arrogates to itself the right to overrule the most fundamental personal moral decisions, such as what is worth killing or dying for (as in military conscription or abortion), human freedom is immeasurably diminished.

Anarchists acknowledge the connection between various forms of oppression -- including sexism, racism, heterosexism, classism, & national chauvinism -- & recognize the futility of focusing opposition on one form of injustice while others continue to exist. Anarchists believe that the means one uses to transform the world must be in accord with the ends that one hopes to achieve. While anarchists disagree about strategies & tactics, including the need for formal organizations and the use of violent action to overthrow existing violent institutions, most agree that the focus must not be on merely destroying the current order, but on fashioning new, more humane & more rational alternatives to take its place.
...
In summary, anarchism is a diverse, broadly defined philosphy that has been adopted in one form or another by a wide range of individuals & groups, many of whom do not explicitly label themselves as "anarchist." Anarchism can have relevance to all facets of one's existence. In emphasizing freedom, self-determination, personal responsibility, direct action, & the creation of voluntary, cooperative alternatives, anarchism has the vision & the flexibility to provide a viable way to transform one's own Life, while working for the radical and lasting social change that will transform the World.

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