A sincere question about police activity in NY and elsewhere

[redgiant]

Forgetting the issue of being allowed to camp long term in public venues, what, specifically, do you want the police to allow OWS to do?

Are the police supposed to stand by and allow protesters to, e.g., shut down NYSE, impede vehicular trarric, disrupt mass transit, close a bridge?

A sincere question, can I get some sincere answers?

[JuniperLea]

1. They can't all be arrested...

And any violence from the police, any restrictions from the local authorities, seems to be causing more and more people to join the movement.

In light of all this, yes, let 'em do whatever... as long as they don't cause physical harm to other human beings... leave that to the cops... :puke:

[redgiant]

5. What about the rights of the people

who depend on the NYSE, the streets, the transit, the bridges, etc?

Are not the civil authorities to protect all citizens' rights, even (gasp) those on non-protesters, and maintain orderly civic functions?

[JuniperLea]

8. Yeah, democracy in action isn't for the (gasp) faint of heart...

Streets are closed all around my building... I have no idea how long it will take me to get home tonight. Ask me if I care... gawan... ask me.

[redgiant]

14. And, to hell with those that do care? n/t

[JuniperLea]

16. What percentage do you think that is?

I'm the 99%... what are you? Hmmmm??

But your concern is duly noted.

[redgiant]

20. Of course you're right...

anyone who poses reasonable or pertinent questions about OWS aims or tactics MUST BE on the other side.

Just shut up and march with the others, right?

[JuniperLea]

22. Nice try...

No, open your mind, understand the demands... realize that the big unions are joining in, you know, the ones who have thrown their support over to Obama.

So quick to dis... so quick to think of some snark to hurl at me... so slow on the uptake... so slow to really consider what is going on here.

This is so much bigger than a few bridges and a few cold dinners... seriously, dude, wake up and whiff the cappuccino.

[msongs]

10. the only people closing streets and blocking access are police from what I can see and hear. nt

[redgiant]

15. You didn't see the video

of the protesters blocking the police bus?

And, are you saying if the cops weren't holding protesters on the sidewalks, the protesters would have stayed there voluntarily?

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

2. I don't know what the sincere answer to your question

is, but I do know that peaceful protests are very quickly forgotten, if there is any media coverage at all.

[JuniperLea]

11. Not so...

We all remember the MASSSIVE demonstrations against Bush's war... worldwide demonstrations nearly a decade ago... nope, not forgotten! Not by a long shot!

[EFerrari]

3. It was my impression that they were sworn to uphold the Constitution

including the 1st Amendment. I could be wrong about that.

[ZombieHorde]

4. I want the police to take a lunch break and never return to their jobs.

Are the police supposed to stand by and allow protesters to, e.g., shut down NYSE, impede vehicular trarric, disrupt mass transit, close a bridge?

Yes.

[FarCenter]

6. NYSE is not localized to Wall Street alone -- it is distributed

The NYPD has to try to prevent OWS from impeding vehicular traffic, disrupting mass transit, or closing a bridge.

On the other hand, if those things happen, OWS will lose support rapidly. New Yorkers have places to go and things to do. Especially during peak commute times.

So maybe the NYPD won't try too hard or long.

[redgiant]

17. Ah. I see what you're saying

Give 'em enough rope to hang themselves. Devious.

I agree with you, OWS would lose support if it continues to be disruptive in ways that affect ordinary people. The bigger message will be lost in the street drama.

[Ed Suspicious]

7. What would you have them do? What would you have the protesters do?

The genie is out of the bottle. What might been a fairly easily containable demonstration, is growing exponentially due to over reaction and out right incitement by the various police departments.

[vcc]

19. not sure why the cops would want to incite shit and make the numbers & anger multiply...

...if they're already having trouble containing the crowds, why would they want to make the situation even more unmanageable and out of their control?

[midnight]

9. How about they start with upholding the law... A judge gave an order that they refused to follow....

[Zorra]

12. They could say "Hey, boss, can we get Congress to pass a Constitutional

Amendment that outlaws private campaign contributions, lobbying, regulates corporations, breaks up monopolies, overturns Citizen's United, and declares corporate personhood moot? Like, ASAP? These people are serious. They are not going to stop until something like this gets done. We can't stop them, there are way too many of them. Please. If we do this they might go home for awhile"...
:shrug:

That works for me.

[badtoworse]

13. I doubt you'll get many honest answers.

[yardwork]

18. Answer to your questions: Yes.

[HopeHoops]

21. It is so simple. There's very little hitting the news about places where the cops aren't ordered to

be assholes. How many times have you seen Harrisburg, PA mentioned in the national news? We've got a few hundred camped out in front of the capital building. Nice spot by the way. The authorities are only making themselves look bad by being assholes. Olberman had it right - the idiots who are ordering clamp-downs are the ones who are necessary to keep the movement alive.