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In other cities, where there hasn't been violent police outbursts, my understanding is the protestors contacted the authorities, told them where they were going march, what their plans were, etc. They have cleaned up parks & public areas, they got porta-potties, etc.
This is supposed to be a peaceful movement. The protestors need to police themselves. Turn in the idiots that take dumps on cop cars, destroy property, shoot heroine, smoke meth, & start physical confrontations. It makes them look bad & feeds the right wing propaganda machine.
I think all the protestors in different cities need to consider getting a rep to communicate with police & local officials. Most cops are outnumbered & scared to death of 100's or more loud & angry people coming at them. Who wouldn't be. I can understand where they're coming from.
The goal is fair, equitable, financial reform that benefits the mass rather the the elite. Not antagonizing cops, getting high, destroying property, or hurting people. Cops aren't the ones that crashed the economy or shipped jobs overseas. They aren't the problem. Protesters need to remember that & keep their eye on the prize.
Yes, a lot of cops are angry, miserable meatheads that like to hurt people. A lot are just guys chugging along, trying to support their families, going through the same financial bullshit as everyone else. And some probably even support the movement.
Keep in mind, it's local government that calls the shots. My understanding his they have plans in place to deal with these types of situations. The cops don't just show up in riot gear. Decisions are made by officials, cops get their orders & go from there. Hence, there needs to be open communication with local authorities.
Now, after all that, if the cops still get out of hand, then to hell with it. You've got a right to defend yourself & fight back. If you can document that you (the protestors) did everything in their power to create a peaceful environment, & you still get attacked by police, than you are within your right to defend yourself by any means necessary.
Oakland's kind of a weird case, though. Lots of racial tension & shit that's been brewing for years. The officials there are lucky the protesters weren't packing like the Teabaggers were. Things would've have gotten ugly for everyone.
Each group of protestors need to take these circumstances into consideration & deal with them in an intelligent, effective manner to get the message across.
Just my 2 cents.
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