longbrained
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In a show of force by thugs of NY police department several hundred people were forcibly arrested for the high crime of peacefully protesting against US regime policies and wall street thefts.
Wall Street Protests and Police ThuggeryFor nearly two weeks, their passionate protests were largely ignored.
The local and national political establishment refused to acknowledge their concerns. So did mainstream media.
Then came the pepper-spraying and brutal beatingsadministered by those whove taken an oath to protect and serve. Just who were the New York Police Department (NYPD) serving by attacking peaceful protesters on Wall Street?
New York Commissioner Raymond Kelly now says the Internal Affairs Bureau will be investigating the attacks perpetrated upon citizens at the Occupy Wall Street protests, last Saturday, when around 100 people were arrested. The protests, ongoing for two weeks now, are an apparent reflection of the anxiety many Americans face with a staggering economy linked to the financial chicanery of Wall Street.
With the unemployment rate stuck at 9.1 percent, and many people losing their homes, pensions etc., similar protests are now emerging in other states. Some unions are now joining the Wall Street protests. And, on Friday, over a thousand people marched on 1 Police Plaza to protest the violent actions taken by police.
The Occupy Wall Street protest, which has taken up encampment at Liberty Plaza, also known as Zuccotti Park, is unique. For one thing, it has no particular leaders, per se. In fact, a website https://occupywallst.org/ dedicated to the protesters reads Occupy Wall Street is leaderless resistance movement with people of many colors, genders and political persuasions. The one thing we all have in common is that We Are The 99% that will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%.
The decision to investigate the police brutality, against these protesters who were expressing their First Amendment right, is a far cry from what authorities were saying just a few days ago. Earlier in the week, NYPD spokesman Paul Browne claimed the use of pepper-spray was done appropriately and sparingly. Browne also complained that the protesters didnt have a permit. If you have a permit, the police will accommodate for things like diverting traffic, Browne said. If you take a street for a parade or protest without a permit, you are subject to arrest.
No doubt the broadcast coverage, by Lawrence ODonnell on MSNBCs "Last Word," exposed the atrocious conduct of members of the NYPD to many New Yorkers and the nation. Video footage, played by ODonnell, shows peaceful protesters being pepper-sprayed and others being attacked for no apparent reason. One particular policeman, by the name of Deputy Inspector Anthony Bologna, is shown pepper-spraying several people all of whom were not attacking anyone, or, resisting arrest.
Officer Bologna has an existing lawsuit against him for false arrest and civil right violations, stemming from incidents which occurred during the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York. During the convention, some 1,800 people were arrested for protesting against the Iraq War. An activist hacking group, known by the name Anonymous, was the first to reveal Officer Bolognas name. In response to the outcry over the heavy-handed treatment against the Occupy Wall Street protesters by police, NYPD spokesman Browne claimed the NYPD have been the victims of this.
When the NYPD ponders why it has a plummeting credibility and public relations problem, it should analyze ridiculous statements like this one made by Browne. Does the NYPD expect fair-minded people to believe them when they spout such obvious nonsense? Was the NYPD the victim when Officer Bologna pepper-sprayed a woman directly in the face? Was the NYPD the victim when Officer Bologna charged retreating protesters to pepper-spray them? And was the NYPD the victim when a press cameraman, who was just doing his job, was violently thrown to the ground by NYPD officers?
African-Americans know of this level of police brutality all too well.
Where are the mainstream media voices on this important story when peaceful protesters are being attacked, by police, in such a thuggish manner?
The truth is: this story reveals the perverse power Wall Street has on all sectors of the American political systemand on the media. For while Americas establishment media treats this story as an afterthought, and the demonstrators as "weirdos," the Occupy Wall street protests are receiving major coverage on the international stage. Is Americas establishment media trying to hide this story from the American masses because they fear it will stir up more resentment in other Americans who share the sentiments of those now protesting Wall Street?
Think of it, the media routinely digs up the full criminal history of low-level criminals, so, why cant they tell us the names of those who torpedoed Americas economy because of their avarice? Isnt it interesting that while corporate news outlets give wall-to-wall coverage of events in Libya, they decide to ignore a major mushrooming story right in their backyard?
The reality is the NYPDand mediaare more dedicated to the protection of wealthy Wall Street criminals than they are to the American peoples welfare. This is why the NYPD decided to terrorize protesters who dared to protest against the master thieves of the universe. And the media, which is invested heavily in Wall Street, is attempting to cover-up the real story here. How is it not one Wall Street banker, or speculator, responsible for the greatest thievery in world history and the crashing of the American economy has been arrested, while peaceful protestors have?
In a radio program, Mayor Bloomberg, was asked how long he would allow protesters to campout in Zuccotti Park. In response, the mayor said Well see. Youre worried about sanitation, and youre worried about lots of different theres lots of laws on the books of what you can do in parks and that sort of thing.
This answer is similar to an excuse that was used, in 2004, to justify the denial of a permit request by anti-war groups, who were planning a protest rally at Central Park. On that occasion, the Parks Department denied the permit, for an anti-war rally, because they said it would damage the grass on Central Parks Green Lawn. Although that permit was denied on such specious grounds, the rock group Bon Jovi was later allowed to have a concert there.
Some, like NYPD spokesman Paul Browne object to the lack of a permit by the protesters. Does the lack of a permit trump the First Amendment right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances," or, doesnt the Constitution matter anymore?
The Occupy Wall Street protest is an expression of the growing frustration many Americans have as they witnessed the financial devastation of their lives caused by those who claim to love America, while they destroy the future of many Americans to enrich themselves. The American people have the constitutional right to protest against these Wall Street swindlers. And they have the right to do so without being attacked by New Yorks finest.
