Military and Riot Thugs Detain, Dehumanize and TORTURE American Citizens

n what was possibly the most surreal, horrific, and unimaginable thing I have ever witnessed in my life, 1200 Riot Police and Military Personal rabidly attacked a group of well under 300 American citizens, many of them just students that were unaware there was even a protest going on. They then expanded their perimeter and shut large areas of Oakland down. This is how my last experience at the G20 in Pittsburgh went down, out of control authorities mercilessly attacking an unarmed crowd with batons, tear gas, pepper spray, sound weapons, and rubber bullets. Around 10pm on Friday night, long after the vast majority of dignitaries and protesters had left, it became evident that the outrageous show of force by the Military and Police was not enough to stave off their thirst for blood.

Read more...

Cops and Citizens

We always thought that policing by consent was the British way. Our constables were simply citizens in uniform. Not for us the weapons, masks and boots of the continental riot police and their political masters. If you wanted a difference between us and the rest, this was it: no policeman in Britain would ever go about his business with his face covered.
This was a style of policing that minimised the risk of violence and abuse. It was a philosophy that, to this day, keeps the majority of our officers from bearing firearms. It is an approach that has overwhelming public support.

Read more...

Why do the Police Need to Wear Masks

IT'S A balaclava, apparently. No doubt it will be described as essential protective dress. But looking at the video film and photographs of the "territorial support group officer" who has just taken his baton to Ian Tomlinson minutes before the newspaper vendor's death, I'm wondering: why does a British policeman in pursuance of his duties feel the need to be masked?

There's another mystery. In one still, Tomlinson is sitting on the ground before the police line, being aided by a stranger. There are eight helmeted officers and two dog handlers in shot. Of these, only three have balaclavas. Two wear the garment normally, covering the chin. The third, having stepped aside after his attack on the passer-by, has the thing high on his face, leaving only the eyes showing. And his shoulder tabs, the tabs bearing his police number, have gone.

That's an old one. It is, of course, against all the rules. The number is there for a reason, in theory to the benefit of police and public alike should disputes arise. Traditionally, we don't much care for masked and anonymous coppers in a country said to cherish the right to protest. After all, the forces of law and order, repositories of public trust, have nothing to hide.

Read more...

New Post Mortem on G20 Victim as Met Faces Claims he Was Attacked TWICE by Riot Police

The newspaper seller was manhandled by an officer 15 minutes before a colleague was videoed striking him with his baton before shoving him to the ground, it was alleged.

Photographer Anna Branthwaite claimed Mr Tomlinson was pushed to the ground and struck twice with a baton by another officer.

He was then dragged to his feet by the policeman who continued to push him along the street, she claimed.

Minutes later, a passer-by captured footage of Mr Tomlinson being felled by a police officer's baton. It is not clear if the same officer was involved in both incidents.

Read more...

G20 Police Assault on Man Who Died

Riot Police Attack Peaceful Protestors At G20

Riot Police in Barcelona's Brutal Attack on Peaceful Protest

Greeks Riot After Teenager Shot By Police

Riots rocked Athens and other university towns across Greece yesterday after a teenager was shot dead in a midnight confrontation with police in an inner-city district frequented by extremist youths.
As news of the shooting spread hundreds of hooded and helmeted protesters poured into three central districts in Athens, hurling petrol bombs and stones at shopfronts, banks, parked cars and squads of police trying to control the mayhem. Twenty-four policemen were injured.

Read more...

Nothing Says Change Like 3000 Cops in Riot Gear

Last month, under pressure from the A.C.L.U. lawsuit, the city released a list of expenses related to the Democratic national convention showing that the police were preparing for large demonstrations and mass arrests and that the department had spent $2.1 million on protection equipment for its officers, $1.4 million for barricades and $850,000 for supplies related to the arrest and processing of suspects.
In disclosing the cost breakdown, city officials denied rumors that had circulated for weeks that they had contemplated buying exotic nonlethal weapons that fired an immobilizing goo, or that used radiation or sonic waves to incapacitate people or vehicles.

As the article makes clear, all of this over-the-top preparation is to contain political protestors—not to protect against a terrorist attack—even though authorities admit that there is no credible threat of either terrorism or violent protest.
The federal government is also sending Denver an additional $50 million for security, and while I’m not so naïve as to think that no additional security is required, my experience in New York in 2004 (coupled with the stories I have heard about Boston) tells me that all this extra muscle will encourage authorities to err on the side of imagined security while actively suppressing the First Amendment rights of many protesters and passers-by.

Read more...