St. Paul Cop Dragging Protester Jumped, Sprays Crowd
By Logan Murphy Tuesday Sep 02, 2008 11:00am
A St. Paul police officer who was dragging an alleged protester down the street was jumped from behind by what I'm assuming is another protester. The officer quickly sprays the surrounding onlookers who are not involved in the incident and is forced to retreat and loses both men in the process. The angle of the video doesn't show what the alleged protester had done to prompt the officer to drag him down the street.
Note: In posting this video I am not advocating attacks on police, or violence of any kind. But as I heard someone say yesterday, the Denver police prepared for protests, the St. Paul police prepared for the Apocalypse. Glenn Greenwald and Jane Hamsher have been documenting the searches and seizures on peace groups. And the Minnesota Independent documents a 17 year old peace protester and community organizer who was beaten and pepper sprayed by the St. Paul police.
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I have no doubt whatsoever that many (or all) of the most agitant protesters are paid rightwing operatives.
They done it before and they are doing it now.
Do you like what you see, America.
The Mob Rules
I am not advocating attacks on police, or violence of any kind either, BUT... That was f*cking sweet.
F#ck bush/cheney and their AMERIKA
now the world's worst police state and
rival to china.
Wow, 1981???
The Mob Rules, Black Sabbath: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VgfR86c4fM
WTF would one expect from a police state? We are in fact a police state I hope most people know. Illegal search and seizure is the norm. The police have been militarizing themselves for years. We spy on our own citizens. You can get sent to an East German prison if someone even suspects you are or are consorting with terrorists. You car, your house, all of your assets can be seized for even a minor drug infraction. Just try to say something to a cop he/she doesn't want to hear, they can arrest you for SPEAKING.
This is America under Republican rule.
I can't really fault the police here. Blame these "Black Bloc" anarchists who don't believe in peaceful protest. Obviously the police haven't been that great, but when the anarchists start lobbing their own chemical irritants at delegates as they're getting off buses, everything breaks down. If they weren't there, it would be easy to contrast peaceful protest with harsh police crackdowns, instead you have anarchists destroying private property by breaking shop windows and car windows, etc, etc.
Virtually every talking head reporter I've seen on the protests refers to the protesters as "anarchists" . This isn't reporting , it's propaganda .
This is frickin horrifying. Unfortunately, I would imagine that many citizens would think well, those protesters were asking for trouble...tsk!
There is a small band of anarchist shitheads who are there only to make trouble. They have no political agenda. They are just mindless shitheads who find skateboarding too mentally challenging. They should be arrested.
I'm all for protesting. But what they are doing isn't protesting.
Fuck that. If i were that cop, I would have started shooting. Protesting is a fantastic thing. Stirring up shit when you have never even been to a ballot box is just fucking pathetic. It does nothing for the greater cause.
well, I hope Jane Hamsher is happy. Yes, I am criticizing her. I read one of her posts at Firedoglake that ended with "Denver made her ill". I am still offended that she would make a statement like that. Her whole article was that "something was happening in St. Paul".
Denver may have made her ill (she never really defined why) but Denver went all out to ensure EVERYONE had their rights protected. Nothing here in Denver could possibly come close to what is happening in ST. Paul. It wasn't buried, it just didn't happen. What little conflict that existed was over and done with in a matter of minutes. I am proud of Denver and proud of the people who came here and were treated with respect.
Perhaps the very people doing the blogging should get out in the street and really see for themselves (instead of using Google maps and text messaging) what is happening.
iraqconcilable @ 11:
Yeah, I caught that too. sheesh.
OTOH, it's kind of true. Who wants this government we now have? This isn't democracy, down with fascist tyranny.
They arrested Amy Goodman.
I called the St Paul PD and told the dispatcher whats up.
Emailed and called the mayor, police chief and Norm Coleman's office.
I visit my sis in St. Paul 2 or 3 times a year. I told the Mayor and Police Chief that we would never spend another penny
in St. Paul, ever.
And the world watches at what America has become.
yeah, no reason to jump the cop - stooping to their level only gives the media more talking points against civil protest. The cop was in the wrong to physically drag the guy. He should have called for help to carry the guy once he hit the ground.
It looks to me like the police officer in question wasn't particularly concerned with his initial suspect, as no effort was made after he was pounced upon to continue the arrest, he also didn't seem particularly affraid of his surroundings when he walked away from the scene. Not that it needs to be pointed out, but like at the DNC and the last RNC, arrests are being made to counter protests, not to stop actual law breaking.
I agree that we should never attack cops, except when they are abusing their power and violating our rights. They are supposed to enforce the laws and keep the peace--"to protect and to serve."
Self-defense is a viable reason for fighting a cop, and I think coming to the defense of someone under attack from a cop is also reasonable. We have to stop acting as if cops are a better level of citizen, a special brand of human. (While I think every cop's death is tragic, why is it usually treated as being something more important or harder to accept than a civilian's death?)
Read the Declaration of Independence. Our Founders broke free from England for a lot of reasons, including the mistreatment of citizens by government officers. America was founded on the idea that the PEOPLE have a right to stand up to power.
If McCain steals this election like Bush did this is a sample of what we will see in this country. People are angry with the corrupt leadership and struggling while everything goes to the wealthy and big business in this country. They are sick and tired and fed up and are not going to take it sitting down anymore. Maybe that is what we need to bring about change because the last two elections show it can't be done using the proper channels since they lie cheat and steal anything they can get.
Sometimes you just have to fight to put thugs away and make things right.
theWalrus @ 2:
When agents provocateur commit violence or destroy property at peaceful protests, they are carrying out false flag terrorism.
If I had that many repugnacans in town I would also prepare for the Apocalypse, given the record of the repugnacan party.
When will Americans arm themselves with pepper spray to defend themselves against the Police State? Would that be considered fair? If not, why not?
I would also note that if that were done in some countries, that cop wouldn't have been able to walk away like he did... smiling. I would imagine that some of the Pakistani protesters shown on foreign TV (for you won't see it here) would have not stopped at a little push, unless they were pushing the long knives.
We, as Americans, have forgot what dissent truly is.
Good post, Logan.
Stupid Pig walks off with his curly tail between his legs.
Leadership @ 17:
((Leadership))
I'm curious what response you heard from the mayor and Norm Coleman...
theWalrus @ 2:
AKA...brownshirts.
Registered lifelong democrat who'll be voting for Obama here...
Ok, I don't know what prompted the cop to drag the protester, but once the cop was jumped he did the exact right thing...he sprayed to protect himself and got out of the situation. He did not use extreme measures.
I can't pretend to know what's going on up the in Minn/St.P but it seems that a few people (these idiots with the masks) are bent on causing trouble while the majority is there for peaceful protest. Unfortunately the peaceful protesters will get lumoed in, it happens all the time. Sad really.
We should remember that this country was founded by revolution - and many people died to secure it.
That said, I have no doubt the "anarchists" are plants (for the most part anyway).
...And where do you get those fire extinguisher sized pepper spray guns? :D
"But as I heard someone say yesterday, the Denver police prepared for protests, the St. Paul police prepared for the Apocalypse."
Exactly! The Democratic party prepares for this and the republicans run riot over people for merely disagreeing with them. What you see here is what you get! republicans are the most self-serving, greediest pigs at the trough ever seen. I realize not every Democrat is above reproach, but honestly this thuggery is truly republican in nature and philosophy.
What was with those kids with the black and red shields that starting walking across the street to confront the cops?
citizen_pain @ 8:
dosido @ 28:
The intern at Coleman's office said that was my choice, nothing from the mayor or police chief.
This is what happens when fascists are allowed to take over America and turn it into a constitution free zone police state. Concerned citizens get pissed and take matters into their own hands.
I know someone who was brutalized by police and because cameras weren't rolling they got by with it. It went to court and police said THEY were the ones assualted. The cops lied on the stand.
It's a numbers game. The answer is more protests and more protesters. The fascist state's goal is power and they get it by control. Their number one weapon is fear. When they see they're outnumbered, they can't control, they lose power, they back down.
Our goal is clear - change. No more war. No more corporate control of our nation.
Sorry for the throwback but it's simple: Power to the people. From Jefferson to Kennedy, that's been America.
Screw Ronald Reagan. Screw Henry Kissinger. Screw George Bush. Screw Dick Cheney Screw Tom Delay. Screw the Republican party.
I think two different groups are involved here. One group are peaceful protesters and they have no intention of doing anything but getting their message out there. The others seem to be opportunist who would use any excuse to destroy things and raise hell. Sadly the second group somehow gets associated with the first group as far as the media is concerned. C-span has been covering some of the peaceful protesters marches and such. This group is not out to cause trouble, that's just not their character or their nature.
BTW I give Amy Goodman high marks for actually being out there, for seeing IN PERSON, what is happening. No second hand stories for Amy. She showed us all what is going on and it is not pretty.
No one should attack a cop, ever! In this digital age it is more than easy to prove abuse.
What we are seeing is the culmination of the reThugliCant mantra of FEAR...FEAR...FEAR that has been preached 24/7, finally coming home to roost. They have caused more division and mistrust amongst our people, that we now have neighbor against neighbor, brother against brother conflicts. If they every manage to install McPOW/Palin, then the American democracy that has withstood over 230 years of turmoil will be forever doomed. What is being manifested is only a small preview of what will come.
Obama/Biden, or kiss this country goodbye.
I know it's in the clip itself, but that clip is from Twin Cities citizen journalist organization TheUpTake. I'm an occasional contributor, and their coverage has been great. The MN Independent coverage is equally comprehensive and constant.
Chicago, 1968 !!
We MUST get this footage spread all over the internet !
The state is instigating violence. Period. There comes a point at which it's simply self defense against an illegitimate authority. If the state treats the law with such disregard, then I can't say that people should respect the law in return.
It's very sad that our police and government have been reduced to nothing more than a squad of hired goons or henchmen of comic book villain types.
I'm sorry, but why bother protesting this convention at all? To cause damage to the RNC? Hello, turn on the news lately....they don't need anyone's help to throw this election.
You might as well be protesting the Green party convention, or Ron Paul's convention. What's the point?
I don't care if someone was bent on breaking all the windows in St. Paul. No one was overturning police cars and burning them. That cop was very casual in dragging that person like a side of beef. Is this proper police procedure? I don't think so. I think you cuff 'em and put them in a car and ship them off. You don't drag them.
The cop then sprays the people with cameras.
I respect law enforcement, not thuggery.
Civil disobedience goes up in times of economic uncertainty, wars and individual rights and freedoms trampled being on. This is where we're at as a nation after a decade of Rethuglican fascist rule.
"You fucking fascist!"
-The Big Lebowski
IdiotShrub @ 41:
Agree. I suspect some of this is staged by Little Roves so they have visuals for their "anarchy" campaign theme...this is the talking point. Interesting that so many talking heads are using the same exact word. Yeah, tinfoil is sparkling today.
pissed off patricia @ 39:
POP...two groups indeed...but the second group you mention may not be simply rabble rousers....think brownshirts. agit-prop.
eastriver @ 13:
What's protesting then? Sitting at home typing angry comments in a blog like we're doing right now? BS. As long as its not violent the aim of any protest is to inconvenience people. I haven't seen any images of anything that would remotely constitute violent behavior from protesters.
I like the French word for protest "une manifestation", because protesting doesn't always have to have big signs and a clear message. Its all about a sovereign people manifesting their power and their discontent.
The problem is that Americans have forgotten that WE are sovereign. Hell, I don't even think we are anymore.
First it's no smoking...
Then no drinking in public ...
Then no protesting outside of the "free speech zone"...
Then no screaming or expressing anger in public ...
What's next??
My guess: NO TALKING.
L.A. Confidential @ 34:
These kids.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiJ3ZJmhdLs
I'd have to give a pass on his spraying the crowd, given that he'd just been jumped.
That said, it's indicative of pretty bad police-work that he ended up in that situation to begin with. Why was this guy trying to take on a mob alone?
Mr. Jefferson, we need you:
We hold these truths to be self-evident…
…That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, - That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. …
How agent provocateurs work... Evidence... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St1-WTc1kow
I've got to say that the police in PHX AZ are much better. We seem to see the same few cops at our peaceful demonstrations and know some of them by name and greet them when we meet. I actually feel SAFER with these guys protecting my First Amendment rights.
I've heard that there have been problems at some of the immigration rallies, but the source was not too reliable = corporate "news"paper.
Leadership @ 49:
Leadership...I am in agreement with you for the most part.
However...we can't let them run roughshod over us anymore.
At some point, peaceful means of protest may no longer work.
At some point, we may have no choice but to defend ourselves, violently if necessary.
I hope it doesn't come to that, ever.
Has Faux News tried and convicted any of the protesters yet? Funny, for the most part these protest have been peaceful. But listening to Faux News you think this was the apocalypse. I thought protests were legal?
It's sad to see what is happening in Minnesota (my birthplace), but this is a weak posting...you admit you do not know the circumstances, and though you say " I am not advocating attacks on police," your inference says otherwise (a rally cry readily taken up in the comments). Attacking the policeman is a recipe for disaster. Given the attitude law enforcement brought to the RNC, we are a step away from another Kent State. For law enforcement, this video will serve to reinforce police state like actions...they rely on such responses to serve as propoganda. I don't want the next video I watch to be of protestors lying in the street in a pool of blood.
dosido @ 28:
Leadership @ 17:
They arrested Amy Goodman.
I called the St Paul PD and told the dispatcher whats up.
Emailed and called the mayor, police chief and Norm Coleman’s office.
I visit my sis in St. Paul 2 or 3 times a year. I told the Mayor and Police Chief that we would never spend another penny
in St. Paul, ever.
((Leadership))
I’m curious what response you heard from the mayor and Norm Coleman…
The intern at Coleman’s office said that was my choice, nothing from the mayor or police chief.
Translation: fuck you, you made your statement, now get lost. Typical response from Coleman and his ilk.
Leadership @ 49:
You call posters assholes for calling cops pigs. There's a word, hypocritical. Learn it.
Canadian Police MASQUERADING as PROTESTERS INCITING VIOLENCE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm2si152ncQ
L.A. Confidential @ 53:
Disguting video. Who are we to lecture China and Russia about human rights abuses and squelching rights and freedoms?
These protests are mild compared to what the founding fathers advocated we do when our government stops representing the people.
Ruthless People @ 65:
Or, maybe, "invading sovereign nations?"
the Denver police prepared for protests, the St. Paul police prepared for the Apocalypse
They didn't get an apocalypse...so maybe the plan is to start one?
One person freed from the Republican gulag. Inside the convention Republicans pat themselves on their backs telling themselves they are brave patriots while the real patriots are on the streets facing down tyranny and working to reclaim America for the people.
Mick Piobr @ 67:
Exactly. Just other examples of how people around the world laugh in our faces when we preach morality. BushCo and the GOP have made it so we can't say shit to nobody anymore.
What are you people thinking and talking about?
That Cop puts himself in "harms way" everytime he goes on duty and because of that he deserves our respect and admiration.
He was doing a job that he was trained for - and - he was alone. I think he did the right thing - protect and serve - protecting himself and others in close proximity. Serve - to leave an area that is potentially dangerous. They will get the "tough guy" that attacked the cop. The boys in blue DO NOT BACK DOWN. That's part of their training.
You know who joins the police forces in this country? Our veterans. So, they are heroic when serving our country in war, but not when they put on the blue uniform. Get a life!
Wow, 1981???
The Mob Rules, Black Sabbath: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VgfR86c4fM
the highest i've even been at a concert, maybe ever, i don't know. i was STONED maaaaan.
sorry, i can't think about how crappy america became all the time.
Ruthless People @ 65:
Disguting video. Who are we to lecture China and Russia about human rights abuses and squelching rights and freedoms?
Republicans just seem have a knack for creating trouble, mayhem, conflict, and making enemies out of everyone.
Something they really ought to think hard about. But won't obviously. It's to profitable for their clique.
Warning to everyone.. if and when shit really goes down we need the local police on our side. Be reasonable in your protests!
Thomas Stone @ 63:
No I am calling the people posting on this blog assholes for calling the cops pigs. The FOUNDATION of the progressive
movement is NONVIOLENCE. There is a way to defeat those brutal cops, committing violence agianst them is no the way.
This blog is TOO valuable to be tainted by this vicious discourse!!!
Alice X - (Chomsky Nader) - status quObama - change you can pretend in - @ 55:
I have said it before. If they alive today -
Jefferson would start writing pieces for every news and internet organization.
Adams would drag them into court and spellbind any jury into putting their butts in jail.
Franklin would charm and trick and speak until they saw that the end was coming.
And Washington -
Washington would gather brave men and women together, kiss Martha good bye and lead a revolution. And once he had won and got our freedoms back, he would go home.
Leadership @ 21:
Is it inaccurate in some way? It follows the theme of the story and it's pretty funny. The humor is caused by the initial incongruity of the second line w.r.t. the first -- you think he's going one way and BAM! The punchline. We call this type of humor a "joke".
It is ironic that you would pick this image. This will only build sympathy and support for the police. There are many more appropriate images that would get your point across without tarring all protester and activists. A more in depth analysis is needed.
Discussion of Police tactics can be undertaken and illustrated much better, and there is plenty of footage of police telling people to disperse with either no where to go, directed through gauntlets of pepper spraying riot cops, then swept and prodded with concussion grenades, tear gas and the like in elaborate pincer formations, corraled for mass arrest. These sweeps were indiscriminate trapping observers, residents, bystanders and innocents.
Add to the visible over reaction by "authorities", the conditions and lack of care given to those arrested once they enter "the system" behind the walls in detention. The stories coming from inside have been horrific. Refusal to allow "detainees" (I never thought I would be using this word to describe American citizens) medical treatment for chemical burns, denied access to prescription medications which they had on their person when arrested; I on't be surprised when it is announced that people have died while in custody.
And of course, up to this point, barely a peep here on C&L and other media.
Where is the outrage? Where is the respect for human rights, those same rights we say are suppressed in China, Myanmar, Tibet, world wide? The unalienable rights that belong to the least of us and those we don't even like, where is the outrage???
Does anyone have video footage of this 'destruction and rioting by anarchists'? I've seen some pretty wild things on Uptake but haven't seen more than a single broken window and none of these 'burning trashbins'.
Genuinely curious.
Tim @ 74:
True Point.
rain @ 71:
Some cops yes...others that join the police force are bullies from waaaaay back...and continue to bully in an official capacity.
I don't think however, a direct confrontation with the cops is a good idea...they will win.
We need to remind them that they work for us, the people. Not political parties.
Orangutan. @ 80:
Indeed!
"You can get anything you want at Alice's restaurant"
And can you, can you imagine fifty people a day,I said
fifty people a day walking in singin a bar of Alice's Restaurant and
walking out. And friends they may thinks it's a movement.
~Arlo Gutherie
What the police are doing In St.Paul is despicable. However, violence only begets violence and when you're up against a big guy/gal with a stick, a gun and an entire "force" behind them, protecting their thuggery you'll lose every time.
Keep it peaceful, keep it classy, take lots of pictures and make sure to vote in November.
Cops don't work for the public anymore, just the gov't and corporations. I can't believe our tax dollars go to paying for this. These arrests are politically motivated.
Oscar @ 10:
Contrary to msm reporting, it's not illegal to be an anarchists.
"Anarchism is a political philosophy encompassing theories and attitudes which support the elimination of all compulsory government" - Wikipedia
These kinds of protests do a lot to energize the conservatives. Republicans love their police. Protestors are always seen as being traitors — or democrats.
These high minded ideals about how law enforcement is only here to serve and protect you is naive at best and very dangerous at the worst. These cops are violating civil rights bestowed on us be our Creator. When you elect in your life to get up in the morning, put on a uniform, badge and a gun, then proceed to spend your day arresting Americans on false "conspiracy to riot" charges, then you are a traitor or too ill equipped mentally to administer rights on other people. The city of Milwaukee sent police officers to the RNC. Many, if not most of the cops in Milwaukee are corrupt. They have a code of silence among them and some have been charged and convicted of various crimes, many of them extremely violent in nature. This isn't Andy Griffith here. These cops are trained killers heavily armed with sophisticated weaponry and most of them hate liberals. I guaran- fucking- tee most of the cops in St. Paul are only itching to bash some faggot liberals brains in with a baton. These are your police officers bought and paid for by you.
And they fucking hate you.
BTW I completely agree with some here that about agent provocateurs having infiltrated the protest groups.
rain @ 71:
Sometimes it is more patriotic to refuse to serve in an illegal war - like Lt. Watada.
Being a veteran doesn't make anybody uniquely qualified to do anything on the fact alone. It means that you have served in your country's armed forces. In the last eight years it might mean that you obeyed your country's orders to help wage an illegal war.
When I put on my firefighter gear, it did not give me license to act like a moron. That came naturally.
Leadership @ 75:
What Hallmark version of History did you get that shit from? There has never been a progressive movement without a degree of violence.
rain @ 71:
I have a "friend" since childhood (60s) He's a sheriff at a jail. He calls African-Americans n****rs. I've asked him several times as we got older not to use that term around me. I believe in free speech but I also believe in respect for others. He has a right to say whatever he wants but I have a right to associate with people that treat me respectfully. Besides his condescending, arrogant, ignorance of his language, not only does he show no respect for African-Americans but no respect for me. I broke that friendship off.
Now not all law-enforcement officers are like my "friend" but there are many, believe me. Is he a law enforcement officer or a pig? I think he's a pig.
So don't go holding up every cop as something to put on a pedestal. It's a job. They're well paid. There's good cops and there's bad cops.
Ruthless People @ 65:
I saw the video....
this still does not answer the question:
"What the hell were they doing?????"
Marching on armed police who are in position, and ready to defend and fire towards the crowd.
WHat the hell were they doing???
Our Country is now against any type of peaceful Demonstration. Sometimes I get the feeling with the lose of so many Constitutional Rights that we are approaching a period much like Nazi Germany faced in the early 1930's.