As a writer and political commentator (@David_EHG), I am tempted to preface the video embedded below with bits of my own analysis.
Instead, I'll simply step aside for a moment and let you watch Mr. O'Donnell throw daggers of truth at the screen.
(A transcript has been included at the bottom of this post.)
We've all witnessed the NYPD's transgressions about which Mr. O'Donnell speaks, some of which I've written about. We've seen officers not only freeze out journalists during protests and raids, but intentionally obstruct, interfere with and even brutally arrest members of the press – even those fully credentialed – who are actively covering Occupy Wall Street events.
Below are two incidents that, for me, represent some of the most egregious examples:
1) In this first video, Robert Stolarik, on assignment for The New York Times, is physically hounded, blocked and harassed by officers as he tries to photograph a series of arrests taking place in the background during a December 12 Occupy Wall Street protest:
2) At the same protest seen in the first video, independent journalist John Knefel - who wrote a fantastic piece in Salon about his experience - is tackled and arrested for Tweeting about the protest.
Mr. O'Donnell is correct when he says, "as long as the NYPD continues to harbor the violent haters of the founding document of the system of government that pays their salaries...the NYPD cannot expect respect."
However, there's another thing the NYPD cannot expect: that Occupy Wall Street protesters, and those journalists who continue to cover their actions, will be in any way intimidated by those in uniform who try to strip away the First Amendment rights they are charged to protect.
On the contrary – such transgressions will only serve to further justify, and fuel, the the movement's fight for systemic change.
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Author's Note:
Here is the transcript of O'Donnell's take down (as a set of images):