So, I was one of the ones arrested in SF today after the prop 8 ruling

[Downtown Hound]

First of all, I am a straight ally, not gay myself. And although I've already had heaps of praise thrown on me from my fellow protesters, in all honesty, I can say that it really wasn't that big of a deal. Here's how it all went down:

We all marched from the St. Francis Lutheran Church to Civic Center and waited for the court to issue it's ruling. When they did so, we spent the better part of ten minutes shouting at them how much they sucked. I know they heard us.

We then went over a block to where we had already planned to do our civil disobedience, and we blockaded the street. People were constantly coming up to me and offering me blessings, saying prayers for me, and offering me water, which was great except for the fact that by the time I finally got the handcuffs put on I really had to pee. LOL.

After a while, the police began making their arrests. I was arrested right after they finished with the clergy, who they did first. I got the cuffs, was marched to a paddy wagon, and taken to the county jail. There we were all put into a fenced in pen that was essentially in a big outdoor cage. We waited there for awhile, and then they started calling names. I was one of the first ones called. They gave me a citation for 1 misdemeanor and 1 infraction, and I was told that I would be getting something in the mail about court appearances.

All in all, it was hardly unpleasant. My cuffs were a little tight and I got a sunburn, but really not that bad. And I just have this to say about the police. I've been very critical of the police and how they treat protesters in the past on this board. But today they were nothing but first class professionals. They were friendly, polite, gentle, and even helpful. They even sent in officers that were gay and lesbian themselves to help coordinate things. I struck up a nice conversation with my arresting officer, and I don't have a single bad thing to say about any of them.

That's about all. If any of you are planning civil disobedience in the future, hopefully that will give you some insight into what you might expect. One day we will have full equal rights for everybody. There was a lot of love out there on the streets today, even though bigotry still prevails in the corridors of power.

[BuyingThyme]

1. Good work, Downtown Hound!

:applause:

[NMMNG]

2. Kudos!

We need more people like you. :hi:

[hedgehog]

3. Thank you

[nichomachus]

4. Thanks -- but just one suggestion

Paddy wagon is a racial slur -- referring to an ethnic slur for the Irish. Better just to say Police Wagon.

Not a criticism, because a lot of people don't know the origin of the term and use it.

[Downtown Hound]

15. I did not know that. Thanks.

I won't be using that term again.

[Common Sense Party]

19. I always assumed it had something to do with padlocks

I guess Irish makes sense, but that is an ethnic slur, not a racial slur.

[nichomachus]

29. The non-Irish used to slut the Irish

by calling them "Paddies" or "Paddy."

You're right, ethnic, not racial -- sorry, yesterday was a tough day.

[a la izquierda]

33. My gay Irish uncle uses paddy wagon all the time.

;)
Not to bust your hump, or anything.

[The_Commonist]

34. My name is Paddy, and I don't mind...

We really don't need to change the language so as to never be concerned about offending someone, somewhere.
We really DO need to change the law so that people who are in love with each other can be together with all the rights they deserve...

[blackbart99]

37. he he he......he said hump!

:evilgrin: :hippie: :bluebox:

[Zodiak]

43. I thought it meant "padded" as in padded cell.

I always referred to it as the van with the nice men in white coats.

[Zodiak]

42. Me either...you learn something every day.

Like the day I learned (on this site) about being "gypped". It never occurred to me that it meant "gypsies".

[Sequoia]

47. I didn't know either. I thougt it was a reference to pad locks.

You know, they throw you in, close the double doors and put a pad lock on it.

[aquart]

5. Next time wear sunscreen.

And always go to the bathroom before you leave home to picket. (A well-run demonstration has port-a-potties, but these instantaneous outbursts....)

[Downtown Hound]

17. Ditto on the sunscreen. LOL.

Actually, I did use the bathroom before I left. But when we were out in the street, and all these bottles of water are being offered to you and it's hot out, well, it's just hard to say no.

[Whoa_Nelly]

6. But, why did anyone have to be arrested? n/t

[LAGC]

7. Because they blockaded the street. (n/t)

[Downtown Hound]

21. The whole purpose of the action was to get arrested

We blockaded an intersection in Civic Center. That's illegal. We did so knowing full well we would be arrested for it. Civil disobedience means you pay the consequences for your actions. Fortunately, we live in a country where the penalties for an action like this are pretty minor, and in all likelihood the charges will be dropped.

[Common Sense Party]

23. Why wouldn't they be arrested?

They're breaking a law--albeit a minor one. We have laws and consequences for a reason. If the cops did nothing, then why would the protestors ever leave? And how would that affect the residents and businesses in the area?

[FourScore]

8. You're a hero in my book!

Thanks for being there and posting your experience. Nice to hear.

[paulsby]

9. thank you for an honest report

i noted in another thread that people were instantly assuming the cops were biased, unfair, etc. w/o knowing any facts.

sounds like both the protestors and the cops did their jobs well.

[Downtown Hound]

Let's put it this way

I'm going to write the chief of police and tell him (or is it a her, I don't even know) how much I appreciated the conduct of the officers today. I was very impressed.

[paulsby]

that's good and always appreciated.

you know you are doing a good job when somebody you arrested actually thanks you afterwards.

i've had that happen a few times. it means something

[paulsby]

26. that's good and always appreciated.

you know you are doing a good job when somebody you arrested actually thanks you afterwards.

i've had that happen a few times. it means something

[KamaAina]

10. Terraist!

:sarcasm:

Maika'i no (very fine, indeed)! :yourock:

edit: spelling -- of English, not Hawaiian :dunce:

[Duer 157099]

11. Do they give you a ride back to where you were?

If not, what do they expect?

[Downtown Hound]

18. We were a well coordinated group

There were support people for all the arrestees. They offered rides and held on to people's belongings while in jail.

As for myself I just walked back to my car (in a parking garage) and drove home to Santa Rosa. The police didn't even need to do anything, but I don't think it's their policy to provide transportation to prisoners once they're released.

[Toasterlad]

12. Thank You!

[underpants]

13. Rec'd

:patriot:

[ClayZ]

14. Bravo! Good on you!

K and R

[EFerrari]

16. Great job, Downtown Hound.

Watching you guys on the teevee, the police seemed to be doing the right thing.

Has anyone heard about this evening? Last I saw, there were about a thousand people gathered for a rally but that was hours ago.

[Downtown Hound]

25. I don't know about this evening

Most of the protesters in jail today had plans to be there, but they all lived in SF. I didn't sleep at all last night, too anxious, and I live an hour and a half away. So after jail and a blistering sunburn on my face, arms, and legs, I decided I'd done enough for the day. But I think tonight's demonstration is going to be huge.

[EFerrari]

28. Try some vinegar.

:)

[HughMoran]

20. Good for you! K&R n/t

[Lex]

22. Thank you.

Thank you for standing up and pushing back against this awful ruling.

[Downtown Hound]

24. Thanks for all the support everybody

And it may sound cheesy or cliche, but I really don't feel like a hero. I'm glad to have been a part of this struggle for human rights and I met some really cool people today that I feel I now have a unique bond with. I think I came out of this experience a winner. Hopefully, our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters won't be far behind.

[proud patriot]

27. another straight ally here, still have my No on 8 sign up

we need to be more outspoken

[theHandpuppet]

30. Thank you so much!!

And thanks also to your parents for raising such a fine human being.

:yourock:

[robinlynne]

31. beautiful OP! thank-you.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

32. Thank you

I got arrested protesting DADT at West Point a few years ago. The MPs didn't even cuff us. They just asked us to walk to the side and wrote down all our info.

[Vidar]

35. Bravo, well done!

[Dogtown]

36. Thanks for your report

Very clear and concise.

And just, "Thanks."



K&R

[livefreest]

38. ...

[emsimon33]

39. Thank you for being there.

We all have to stand up and be counted on this issue. Obama said that DADT is an issue of equality when he was running for president. We need to put more pressure on him to act and not just speak on all issues related to gay rights. This obscene inequality must end.

[myrna minx]

40. Thank you. K&R n/t

[AntiFascist]

41. Thank you, but I wonder...

when did SFPD hire all the white skinheads? At least thats what many of them looked like on the news.

I noticed that thousands were marching through the streets in West Hollywood and none got arrested. I've participated in Los Angeles marches that blocked traffic on major streets during rush hour and no one got arrested for it.

[Downtown Hound]

50. This was a planned action

The truth is, the cops did us a favor by arresting us. They even did it at a certain time so that it would make more of a news story. The police don't always arrest protesters for blocking traffic. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. It's a judgment call on their part. But we had decided that if they didn't arrest us, we would would move elsewhere until they did. It really wasn't their fault. We wanted it to happen so it would make more of a news story.

[AntiFascist]

51. Ah, I see

Activists in LA aren't always as brave :)

[Downtown Hound]

52. :Blush: Thank you.

[BeeBee]

44. Congratulations.

We didn't make it to SF but did go to the rally here in Santa Rosa. Were you one of the people on the front page of the PD?

[Downtown Hound]

49. I am quoted in the PD, but not pictured

I don't want to say my name online, but if you read the article you'll find a quote from a 32 year old Santa Rosa man who "was among those arrested." The PD was all over me when they found out I was from Santa Rosa.

[Ohio Joe]

45. Do not down play what you did

I am glad it was not unpleasant but I expect you knew full well it could have been and yet you did it anyway. You have shown the true spirit of America and I salute you.

:patriot:

[Kajsa]

46. Thank you, Downtown Hound.

Thanks for your support and activism
to help end this archaic ruling.

Not only do our GLBT brothers and sisters
have the right to full marriage equality,

but all of us in California deserve a state
constitution free of discrimination and bigotry!

Thank you for putting yourself on the line
for this.

:applause:

[Sequoia]

48. Wear an adult diaper next time.

Just kidding. I would be in agony.

Great work though !!

[Downtown Hound]

53. Again, thank you for all your support and kind words everybody

It really means a lot.