Over the past ten days, more than a dozen cities have moved to evict "Occupy" protesters from city parks and other public spaces. As was the case in last night's move in New York City, each of the police actions shares a number of characteristics. And according to one Justice official, each of those actions was coordinated with help from Homeland Security, the FBI and other federal police agencies.
First thing you do, pick off the weakest ones.
6 comments:
I hate misinformation. So I hope I am not providing any of that here. To the best of my knowledge this is being misreported. The Feds ARE involved but not in the manner being presented. A Minnesota reporter stated that there was a "coordination phone call" and implied that it was the Feds coordinating with the Mayors or Police. However that phone call was a coordination between Mayors and no proof Feds were involved at all. Mayors of 18 cities including Oakland and NYC. How the Feds are involved is that Homeland Security and FBI are involved with "training" police for threats. This training includes some pretty heavy handed tactics for potential terrorists or mob violence. Tactics certainly in excess of what would be needed for the OWS crowd. The local authorities are also trained so as to use their "timing" to avoid heavy presence of the press, or methods as to how an minimize press presence (including arrests if needed). This last tactic is troubling. If there is any blame to go around for the Feds it is for the methods being instructed rather than to charge them with being coordination of putting down any one demonstration. Or at least I sure hope so.
I neglected to mention that the Feds have also provided local police with guidelines to use in being able to shutdown unfavorable protests: such as invoking the safety and security concerns or better yet, specific complaints of "neighbors" or "buinessses" as nuisance to their rights.
I heard that the protesters had the right to assemble but not to campout. Either way, I doubt that this protest will involve an overthrown of the present government, although that would not be a bad idea, all things considered.
I will support and defend someone's right to protest as long as they so desire as long as their rights do not infringe upon the rights of another.
I suppose I am a little curious as to what all of this protesting will accomplish in both the short and long runs other than provide material for journalists and perhaps writers of fiction.
If and when during this administration jobs are created, will those protesters who got arrested bele to find employment? And, will those protesters who did not get arrested be able to find employment?
I asked my MBA students who are taking my Leadership class if any of them who hire a protester and they all said no, even though they have empathy for the protesters.
For example, NBA players who are own strike have filed a motion to force the owners to allow them to work. I don't have the money to ever be an owner but I would be highly resentful if someone was trying to force that upon me. As long as the strike continues, owners have a legitimate write off of lost revenue.
Sooner or later, the protesters will lose the force of their argument as our economy begins to grow and people, not including the protesters, start returning to work.
It is a valuable lesson they will learn and one I learned during my foolish years in the 60's.
Dan,
Any effort or involvment by federal officials paid by taxpayers is considered having approval of the President who is the top cop and must enforce our Laws under the Constitution. That's the worry. I doubt he even knew his underlings were aiding the police or providing them with knowledge to crowd control. But they should never have been involved.
Victor: The Feds were long involved BEFORE there was an OWS. It is called Homeland Security.
Alex: You are assuming all protesters are unemployed. I just read recently that is NOT the case.
I personally don't know how many are or aren't but read the majority ARE.
Once again, there is no proof that the Feds are coordinating the shut down of OWS, but what is disturbing is the Homeland Security training given to all local police across the country involves tactics that are intended to be used with hard core military terrorist tactics and these are now being used against peaceful demonstrators. It is also disturbing that the tactics include how to use the law to counter any protest whatsoever, even peaceful, by using laws declaring public safety or health being threatened.
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