From the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Police Go Crazy: Try to Box In And Arrest Over 1000 protesters
The second half of the breakaway march was marked by strange police behavior. The police formed a line across Market St near 9th and then formed a line with police and horses behind the crowd near 8th St. Protesters were told they were not allowed to leave.
![1_head_pig_closes_cage.jpg](/uploads/2003/02/17/1_head_pig_closes_cage.jpg)
As the crowd chanted to be let go, the police lost control of their horses. The horses reared and jumped into sections of the crowd. Angry protesters attacked by the horses started throwing things and the police line collapsed with protesters moving back as a group to 8th and Market. At 8th and Market the police arrested perhaps one or two people for minor charges and the crowd tried to block the police cars from leaving. The police then charged, swinging batons and hitting everyone in sight. Eventually the number of protesters decreased, the police took the intersection and the protesters got back on the sidewalk. Due to the location most of the crowd was now composed of people leaving the main march rather than the original breakaway protest. Around 7 PM the police stopped blocking the intersection, the crowd moved in and a few minutes later several hundred police moved back to retake the intersection. There was no conflict and most people moved back to the sidewalk but a small group of people (perhaps forty protesters) was surrounded in the middle of the intersection. The small group sat and locked arms and after the police used various pain techniques the small group of peaceful protesters were put in several police cars and a bus.
Unlike last month’s protests, I did not see any broken windows or much graffiti at yesterday’s demonstration (if some occurred it was not near the main breakaway march). The main conflict was due to a strange decision by the police officer in charge to box in 1000 protesters and make them think that a mass arrest was about to occur. Right before the police blocked in the protesters I overheard several police officers who seemed to not understand the order that had just been given. While many police later overreacted and used excessive force on bystanders the police seemed to be in shock after receiving an order from their commander that made no sense.
Unlike last month’s protests, I did not see any broken windows or much graffiti at yesterday’s demonstration (if some occurred it was not near the main breakaway march). The main conflict was due to a strange decision by the police officer in charge to box in 1000 protesters and make them think that a mass arrest was about to occur. Right before the police blocked in the protesters I overheard several police officers who seemed to not understand the order that had just been given. While many police later overreacted and used excessive force on bystanders the police seemed to be in shock after receiving an order from their commander that made no sense.
![2_boxed_in1.jpg](/uploads/2003/02/17/2_boxed_in1.jpg)
![3_police_line.jpg](/uploads/2003/02/17/3_police_line.jpg)
![4_boxed_in2.jpg](/uploads/2003/02/17/4_boxed_in2.jpg)
![5_whats_going_on.jpg](/uploads/2003/02/17/5_whats_going_on.jpg)
![6_standoff.jpg](/uploads/2003/02/17/6_standoff.jpg)
![7_horses_lose_control.jpg](/uploads/2003/02/17/7_horses_lose_control.jpg)
![8_police_charge.jpg](/uploads/2003/02/17/8_police_charge.jpg)
![9_police_charge_2.jpg](/uploads/2003/02/17/9_police_charge_2.jpg)
![10_shock.jpg](/uploads/2003/02/17/10_shock.jpg)
![11_local_support.jpg](/uploads/2003/02/17/11_local_support.jpg)
![12_police_take_intersection.jpg](/uploads/2003/02/17/12_police_take_intersection.jpg)
![13_police_wall_off_small_group.jpg](/uploads/2003/02/17/13_police_wall_off_small_group.jpg)
![14_behind_police_lines.jpg](/uploads/2003/02/17/14_behind_police_lines.jpg)
![15_arrests_at_end1.jpg](/uploads/2003/02/17/15_arrests_at_end1.jpg)
![16_arrests_at_end2.jpg](/uploads/2003/02/17/16_arrests_at_end2.jpg)
![17_riot_guns.jpg](/uploads/2003/02/17/17_riot_guns.jpg)
Add Your Comments
Latest Comments
Listed below are the latest comments about this post.
These comments are submitted anonymously by website visitors.
TITLE
AUTHOR
DATE
We are not aggressive enough.
Thu, Jul 3, 2003 3:21PM
technology
Mon, Mar 10, 2003 7:26PM
Black Blocks Hierarchy Mistake
Mon, Mar 10, 2003 10:08AM
On Black Bloc tactics
Mon, Feb 24, 2003 12:17AM
"how bad BB is"
Sun, Feb 23, 2003 11:32PM
mmmmmk
Sun, Feb 23, 2003 11:27PM
let me say it really slow for you
Sun, Feb 23, 2003 10:22PM
politically correct
Sun, Feb 23, 2003 8:07PM
sigh
Sun, Feb 23, 2003 6:03PM
let me explain again
Sun, Feb 23, 2003 1:27PM
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network