As complaints rise over mass arrests by Boston police in the Occupy Boston protests, Mayor Thomas Menino decided to add a rather draconian note by announcing ” “Civil disobedience will not be tolerated.” It was a moment reminiscent of former Chicago Mayor Richard Daley announcing in the 1968 Democratic Convention protests that “the policeman isn’t there to create disorder; the policeman is there to preserve disorder.”
Of course, civil disobedience has long been a respected form of protest from Henry David Thoreau to Martin Luther King. The framers seemed keen on such rights when including in the first amendment that “Congress shall make no law…abridging…the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
It is painful to watch the reaction to these protests. I remain co-lead counsel in the World Bank case (Chang) where we are still litigating the mass arrest of hundreds of innocent citizens without probable cause in Freedom Plaza and Pershing Park.
While offering passing sympathy for protester, Menino draw a bright line regarding any exercise of free speech that crosses the line into civil disobedience: “when it comes to civil disobedience, I will not tolerate civil disobedience in the city of Boston.”
Menino’s comment will only serve to heighten tensions and could be viewed as an encouragement for harsher treatment of protesters. As the home of the Boston Tea Party and John Adams, the comments seem tragically misplaced in both location and time.
Source: Think Progress
This is a righteous rant by a Marine vet last night in New York. He is letting the police know his feelings about their thuggish tactics.
I read one report of an 81 year old holocaust survivor being knocked down by police officers. She was reportedly bleeding from her head. Another incident involved a female Italian tourist being arrested, handcuffed and taken into custody simply for being in Times Square at the time of OWS protests. That one is all over the Italian press and they are incensed.
The police officers seem to be a bit intimidated by the very large Marine vet wearing his medals on his BDU shirt. A couple of them approach him but he challenges them as to how tough they really feel they are–which is apparently not Marine tough.
There are only about 35 protesters out in Dallas and the sporting events are packed. At least the Rangers won although I had people from other states calling and telling me they were for Detroit because W was in the stands. He does not own the team currently.
wow,the Europeans are a ‘tougher’ lot than us when it comes to demonstrating. If we , as a Nation, desire to hold our place as an entity that is known for law and not fascist-type violence then I hope there is some reasonable and fair-minded negotiations very soon….it is more than obvious that the people need relief….and that they have been requesting it for a long time. This is a fuse that never should have been lit….
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/15/occupy-wall-street-protests-europe-asia_n_1012336.html
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/my-advice-to-the-occupy-wall-street-protesters-20111012?utm_source=dailynewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter Matt Taibbi’s advice to the Wall. St. protesters.
Woosty said: “draining the swamp in the vein of cleaning up the corruption….which emerges as the water level goes down. I was thinking in terms of the fancy financial ‘footwork’ and creative banking that is way beyond my understanding but keeps rearing its ugly head….”
Oh, then my swamp comments were apropos of yours. Thanks.
I would imagine that the crowds would be even bigger had they not raised the tolls and train fares going into Manhattan.(New York).
Port Authority Approves Toll, PATH Train Fare Hikes; Commuters: ‘It’s Highway Robbery’
PA: Money Raised To Complete Projects Will Lead To Creation Of 131,000 Jobs
August 19, 2011 10:30 PM
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/08/19/port-authority-to-vote-on-proposed-toll-path-train-fare-hikes/
Violence erupts on Wall Street as protesters clash with police in march on Chase bank
Protest near the headquarters of JPMorgan Chase bank in Manhattan today
But Chase CEO Jamie Dimon is reportedly overseas in Asia at the moment
Demonstrators angry at state of U.S. economy and millionaires tax expiring
Police pictured taking out elderly protesters as demonstration turned violent
By MARK DUELL
Last updated at 11:11 PM on 12th October 2011
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2048473/Occupy-Wall-Street-Protesters-arrested-scuffle-police-march-Chase-bank.html#ixzz1ac1iJl6l
Noah V1, October 12, 2011 at 3:39 pm
Woosty: “So maybe we are just seeing the swamp get drained on the other side, no?”
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draining the swamp in the vein of cleaning up the corruption….which emerges as the water level goes down. I was thinking in terms of the fancy financial ‘footwork’ and creative banking that is way beyond my understanding but keeps rearing its ugly head….
Blouise,
I can’t believe that you think that Boston’s finest could be on illegal and mind altering drugs when they abuse prisoners!! 🙂
Woosty: “So maybe we are just seeing the swamp get drained on the other side, no?”
I don’t understand your intended use of this sentence, but it reminds me of the advice that Bill Clinton should have given Mr. Obama: It’s hard to remember that your goal was to drain the swamp, when you’re up to your @$$ in alligators.
(It’s derivative of one pimp telling the other: It’s hard to remember that your goal was to drain the swamp, when you’re up to your alligators in @$$.)
anon nurse,
Excellent link … one always wonders when viewing pics like the one in that link how many of those cops snuck into the evidence lockers before hitting the streets. They seem be high on something more than simple adrenaline.
“Probably lice …” -Blouise
🙂 (…among other things…)
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/678928/boston_police_go_for_the_jugular/
Probably lice …
Feathers, birds….and… animal tails?
Feathers and Birds for 1% wannabees
http://www.instablogsimages.com/images/2006/12/14/marie-antoinette_45.jpg
eniobob,
Honestly, these representative’s of the 1%’s are quite ridiculous … jesters in the Bourbon Court attempting to dress up the teabaggers as loyal Bourbonites.
From the mediamatters link: “Indeed, the Tea Party was a movement built on misinformation. And no matter how many times partisans like Noonan try to dress up the past in order to tear down Occupy Wall Street, that’s the true legacy of the Tea Party movement — one populated by profoundly immature people.”
You gotta love this desperate attempt to do the King’s bidding. If Noonan wants to pretend she’s a true 1%er, she’s going to have to stick some feathers and birds in her hair.