Matthew on 21/10/2011 at 18:20
I think we should all take a moment to consider the suffering in Des Moines.
nickie on 21/10/2011 at 19:57
Quote Posted by demagogue
. . . Just seems like Australia has its own "old fashioned" flavor, like something surreally "sincere" about their emotions.) Maybe it's hard to put my feeling into words, and again it might be a bit of an illusion.
Or maybe they still have their illusions, maybe a feeling that protesting can actually make a difference. I think the last protests that I'm aware of that did have some kind of immediate effect were the (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poll_Tax_Riots) UK Poll Tax Riots. But certainly since then, I've not been aware of any real point. I'm far too cynical now unfortunately. But then my demonstrating days are long gone. And I always behaved myself and never kicked or screamed. :)
As a general demonstration of discontent with the state of play, this does seem to have gained support all over the world. I'll be watching with interest.
june gloom on 22/10/2011 at 00:59
omg
that's going on my photobucket the instant i get home
Dia on 22/10/2011 at 03:56
Quote Posted by Ostriig
If the protesters were issued an order to leave, despite them engaging in a
legal and peaceful demonstration, then the illegality has been committed by whomever issued that order.
I would assume that an order to break up a peaceful demonstration that was considered legal would have to come directly from a judge, not the police. Afaik, police aren't supposed to make up their own laws and just decide to end a legal protest. Like SubJeff said, until we know the details, etc.
EDIT: I just read icemann's post. Is there a link, please?
If someone lays hands on you against your will and then proceeds to drag you across the ground, then that is considered assault and battery. Which is also considered a violent action, regardless of whether the assault was considered aggravated (as in 'use of a deadly weapon') or not. The behavior of the police looked pretty violent to me. It's not like they were politely requesting that the demonstrators leave, as far as I could tell. RE: icemann's post - I guess I just don't understand why the demonstrators would stay and subject themselves to what was inevitable police action after their demonstration had been deemed by the government as illegal after the 24 hour warning.
In other news: seems like nobody in Racine, Wisc. has heard of the 'Occupy' movement.
The cows are relieved.
Muzman on 22/10/2011 at 05:00
Quote Posted by demagogue
Australian street politics always strikes me as a little cartoonish or "old fashioned". The radical lefties are like caricatures of pinko rabblerousers and the police are like caricatures of thuggish muscle for a boss-mayor, like us from the 70s. I don't know what it is about it; maybe it's an illusion from the media or the blogs out there. I know there are reasonable Australians, too. It's just when I read some of the "radicals" or "apologists" blogs that happen to be Australian, or videos like these street protests, it all just looks like from another era, like they have a kind of pure or sincere emotion that we (US & UK) used to have but don't really so much anymore.
Although the protesters are kinda earnest student types circa 1970, I think because we haven't had any Kent State's or things like that to speak of the general attitude is more akin to the 19th century.
"There's...people...um, standing around complaining about things"
"Well get in there and break them up then."
"er, Why?"
"...because...that's what you do with them!"
Anything largeish that's not union based is pretty much broken up at the first opportunity. Cos that's what you do. And to the talk of permitisation: oho the red tape. Can't stand here, can't stand there, need a permit for this many people, different permit for that many people, need to notify authorities in advance, plan any specific routes, want names , addresses, next of kin of organisers, the so named accept responsibility for the assembly remaining within the boundaries set herein in accordance with section 55a, paragraph six of the lawful assemblies act 1931, sign here. Please allow six to eight weeks for processing and approval.
We are a lot more English than we realise. Even if it's an England that doesn't exist any more.
rachel on 22/10/2011 at 09:38
(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJK4Rc_f47A)
May 27th in Barcelona. Full riot gear, sticks and no ID badges to be seen.
We saw that happen from our office windows, lasted quite a few hours and all sounded like these three minutes. That was quite shocking to say the least.
(Taking this opportunity to remind US folks that Occupy started in Spain 6 months ago as the Indignados.)
june gloom on 22/10/2011 at 10:09
Update on Occupy Cincinnati- broken up. They packed their shit up in a hurry two nights ago to avoid arrest; cops still cuffed about 2 dozen. All very orderly on both sides, mind you. The mess left behind, however, apparently filled up two dump trucks...
OC's trying to find some other venue to do their thing in 24/7. In the meantime everyone's asking "well now what the fuck do we do?" And nobody seems to have an answer.
