Reply #5: Now THOSE are some protests! And not just those...

[Downtown Hound]

But let's take a moment to remember the protesters that actually took a risk in defying their government. The ones that actually had something to fear because, gasp, these protests were actually challenging the powerful elite and not being sponsored by them.

SAN FRANCISCO 2003

2200 people arrested right before and after the war broke out. Protesters shut down the financial district. I was one of the ones arrested, and am actually on the second video here. Wasn't arrested though. That came later.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n33GqksdqA&feature=PlayList&p=036A248A60AD5343&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=22

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV1mHXqmi-o&feature=PlayList&p=036A248A60AD5343&index=23&playnext=2&playnext_from=PL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORTTwN5HZpg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssjexvaho0g&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkCgamw46AU&feature=related

OAKLAND 2003

Police open fire on peaceful protesters and Longshoreman dock workers with wooden bullets. A public outcry ensues, and after 3 years, the Oakland PD pays out 2.1 million in damages to protesters they injured. They also promised they amended their use of force guidelines. I was all set to go to this protest. I lived 5 hours north in Arcata at the time. The reason I didn't? Car trouble. That's a true story. Although part of me regrets not being there, I can't help but think maybe something was looking out for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GdzuzQKs8M&feature=channel_page


Here's what the cop's handiwork looked like.





THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION IN NEW YORK CITY, 2004

1800 people arrested, a record for any political convention in the United States. It was later revealed that the police were lying about the circumstances of many of the arrests. Some even got up on stand and committed perjury in order to convict activists, but video exonerated them. No police officer was ever charged with anything. Most of the charges against those arrested were dropped, and of all the cases that went to trial, more than 91% of them resulted in acquittal. To date, the New York City Police Department has paid out $8.1 million in damages to protesters they wrongfully arrested, and they still have more than 500 lawsuits to go through.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=031OJfVaf64&feature=channel_page

THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION IN ST. PAUL, 2008

Now, who could forget this? Overwhelming police brutality and excessive force. Genuine police state tactics at work including preemptive raids on independent media, liberal use of tear gas, rubber bullets, flash bang grenades, tasers, and pepper spray. More than 800 arrests, 130 of them on felony charges. Eight activists arrested prior to the convention were initially charged with terrorism offenses, but recently those were dropped. To date, more than 85% of all criminal cases against protesters have been dropped, and most of the ones that have gone to trial have been acquitted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7jKQHe4DaY

Now listen up, all you lurking teabaggers. THAT'S A FUCKING PROTEST MOVEMENT! That's what's called standing up to oppressive government and facing real consequences in doing so. Not this wannabe, pansy-assed phony my taxes are too high let's get Faux news to give me excessive air time bullshit that you all are doing. You all are nothing but posers. Always have been and always will be.


Add your own videos if you got 'em kids.