It's taken me a couple of days, in the midst of everything else going on in my life, to try and compile my thoughts in regards to the events of this past Saturday in New York. The videos I've seen, the news reports and articles posted all over Daily Kos and elsewhere... My sadness at the state of our current democracy and the utter rage that sprang forth after seeing our fellow citizens being brutally assaulted for no reason whatsoever had reached something of a tipping point. Finally, I can express myself coherently and with minimal use of swearing.
Feel free to read onward below the jump. That is, if you're in the mood for another one of my rants.
St. Patrick's Day was quite the joyous time for most revelers across the the US and in the holiday's country of origin, Ireland. However, for the peaceful protesters at Zuccotti Park in New York City, that evening ended on a decidedly more destructive note. Many of the protesters there were taken away in ambulances, all thanks to the unnecessary and unfettered brutality of the NYPD. Men and women who were simply exercising their right to a redress of grievances and to peaceful public assembly in a 24/7 public park were treated to New York's so-called "finest" launching what could only be described as an all out assault under the cover of night.
Personal belongings were destroyed, innocent people were injured (a majority of them women) and one in particular was brutally tackled to the ground during her arrest. An Occupier once profiled in the pages of Rolling Stone magazine, Cecily McMillan was, for want and lack of better phrasing, bumrushed by 5 or 6 NYPD officers and forced to the ground. One of the "arresting" officers, even went so far as to blast Cecily with pepper spray, step on her head and let loose with this searing barb:
"Shut up. You get what you deserve, cunt bitch."
As Cecily was quite brutally arrested for doing naught but gathering peacefully with a group of people at Zuccotti, she went into a seizure while handcuffed, and apparently,
further reports from Saturday's onslaught reveal that Ms. McMillan was denied access to the outside world during her hospitalization. No calls to her lawyer or doctor. No chance to even see any of her friends who had followed her to the hospital.
Now, as a fighter, there's a certain level of mathematics that one must engage in during the moments before any sort of combat is anticipated to begin. From what I've been seeing over the 6 months that the Occupy movement has been capturing the nation's attention and changing the dialog it's pretty much been proven that Riot Police + peaceful Occupy protesters be it Zuccotti Park or UC Berkley... NEVER equals a fair exchange.
"Where are the courts?"
"Where is the DoJ?"
"Where are our elected leaders, joining us in speaking out against this outrage?"
All very good questions. Unfortunately in the cities where these near-lethal orgies of officially sanctioned violence are taking place, it can only be possible BECAUSE of the elected leaders condoning if not directly authorizing this garbage. Mike Bloomberg of New York, Jean Quan of Oakland, CA and others who've gone unnamed as of yet are utilizing the police as their own private army to stifle non-violent voices of dissent. Things get even worse when at the statewide and national levels as legislation has recently passed that basically limits, no, outlaws protesting. The language of the bill includes jargon about criminalizing protests "where the Secret Service operatives may be present," that includes potential protests at rallies for, say, certain presidential candidates.
Where ARE the courts. Where. THE FUCK. Is the Department of "Justice?"
So, here's the deal. Mayor Bloomberg, Mayor Quan, Attorney General Eric Holder, Mr. President... I'm calling you out. You and all the others that hold office and have either sat on the sidelines or provided active encouragement while we, your own citizens, are being brutalized by the people who're supposed to protect us. I'm calling you out.
The challenge is very simple:
Stop. This. Bullshit.
President Obama, Attorney General Holder, I'm plenty sure numerous voices from down amongst the people have reached you. Either through e-mail, on your official comment lines, or even through the viral videos and news reports racing all over the airwaves and internet, I have absolutely zero doubt that the people's voices have reached you. Speak out about this! Put even a fraction of your moral/political force behind something so simple as the exercising of our Constitutional rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech. It will cost you far less than you will gain in support and respect.
For the mayors of those cities where the police (who, ultimately report to them) have engaged in this barbarism, this challenge will be the measure of how the present and future will look upon you. Michael Bloomberg, Jean Quan, by authorizing the actions that you have, you only have one choice. Resign. The good you may have done in the past is forever tainted by the hell that you've visited upon your citizens with the actions you've sanctioned on the part of your police force. I know full well that you two are but the most well-known examples, but this is a challenge I level at ALL leadership involved.
Democrat or Republican.
Mayors, police chiefs and every single officer that took it that one step too far.
Governors, Senators, congressional officials attempting to legislate away our right to tell you where you can shove your politics.
EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. OF. YOU.
This has gone on for long enough. The challenge is set and the People have very little patience left. Do remember, we still have the power to choose our representatives in the government and above all else, our vote will determine your job security.
Clock's ticking.
7:07 PM PT: A quick word of heartfelt thanks to Horace Boothroyd III for the republish and to all who've commented for the continuing conversation on this.