More Pictures Of First Arrest

What is that on the pavement where he is getting arrested? Looks like it might be pait or some other product... Do you think maybe he threw that at the police and was getting arrested for that?

Why are they calling him the most dangerous? The channel 5 today said it was smoke bombs in his backpack that made him seem bad. They called him the 'leader of the black bloc', and kept calling everyone in the group violent.

http://beta.kpix.com/news/local/2003/02/18/%27Black_Block%27_Accused_of_Post%2DRally_Violence.html

Here is the news transcript. In the teaser, they said he was the leader. Can you confirm with the video and pictures whether he was assaulting an officer?

I was looking at video of rallies led by martin Luther King in the 60s, and they had the US army lining the streets with guns, and tanks rolling in the streets as intimidation at some of those events.

John Blanco is a friend of mine and is innocent without a doubt. He has no affiliation with the black bloc nor any other group. He was there with friends only to support the right of peaceful assembly and to try and illustrate the connection between consumerism, corporate greed, and the proposed war on Iraq (as we all were). He did not assault a police officer. These charges are absolutely false.

I was astounded to see the excessive mistreatment of my friend John Blanco. He is an unthreatenting individual who has always shown understanding, peace, and mostly love towards his fellow peers. Moreover, he is an artist whose work reflects the need for us to "luvtons." It was John Blanco who developed an image of a running sheep in memory of Matthew Shepard, who was brutalized for his sexuality. John Blanco makes me proud and I am shocked at the outrageous drama and false details the media has created from this situation. John Blanco's act of rightful, peaceful demonstration deserves no penalty. I hope for peace during this time.

I met John Blanco last summer while hanging out in the city, he introduced himself because he saw me sketching and we spent the afternoon talking about art.

John is a warm and compassionate person who would never physically harm anyone, let alone a cop with weapons. I feel that these charge are ridiculous.

I do not expect honesty from the police, but still it's somewhat shocking. We have black bloc being scapegoating now...I can't wait until they move Food Not Bombs up on the FBI's terrorist cell list. Jay O

I am so shocked, so disheartened and sickened to hear about what is happening to John. I have known him for over a year and recently included him in an art show in Oakland. Working with John was a wonderful experience, he is one of the most responsible, kind and generous people I have ever met. I do not believe a single accusation made by the police about John, as on numerous occasions when we spoke about the war, he always rallied 'round the notion of peaceful protest--reminding us that such was the only honuorable way to proceed in the face of violence. I understand also, that police have to make snap judgements in some situations, but to use such force on a person who I am sure offered little or no resistance is indeed unconcionable. Honour would demand that they confess to their mistake, not lie to cover it up. As for the media reports feeding into the image of John as somehow dangerous, or responsible for the acts of violence committed against him: SHAME. Shame on the reporters, editors and news anchors who fuel this fire. Shame on a society that lets this happen and turns a blind eye to injustice. John, my thoughts are with you.

The brainwashed will reach a long ways to come up with excuses for the behavior of their masters. This, however, is truly astounding, maddog_ca. This is really an example of doublethink straight out of George Orwell's book '1984.'

You see photos of someone being roughed up by cops, and note the red substance on the ground. You jump to the conclusion that the victim may have thrown the red substance (which you suggest may be paint), and thus would deserve his treatment.

Now, I'm looking at the same photos. Clearly, the substance was thrown from some distance to the left of the area photographed, with sufficient force and from sufficient distance for it to impact one solid round spot and spray what looks like longer than the height of anyone in the photo, so presumably greater than six feet of spray.

Your suggestion, maddog_ca, would depend on the following scenario:

The victim of the violence in the photos initially throws the red substance, in some container, a considerable distance where it then impacts the street. Then, he runs through the crowd to the exact location where his unidentified red substance hit the ground, and at the exact same moment as he reaches that location, a swarm of cops pounce on him - perhaps timing their arrest to coincide with the precise moment he reaches this location?

Ridiculous. There were thousands of people there that day, any one of whom could have thrown the red substance (including bystanders and police, as well as protesters, though the last group is the most likely).

Your scenario is about as unlikely as any I can imagine.

In addition, I have seen people throw liquids in the street before with cops around, in everyday situations, and none recieved this sort of abuse. I've seen everything from kids throwing water balloons filled with colored liquid (like what we see in these photos) to drunks throwing 40oz bottles of beer, and cops have either ignored them or approached them with caution, to "talk them down" and then either arrest them or let them go with a warning, but without violence.

The depths of crawling servility displayed by authoritarians never ceases to amaze me. It takes a lot of willful self-deception to support an occupying army, or professional police force - whichever they choose to call themselves.

maddog_ca: Hitler, Stalin, Hussein, and Bush have all relied on people like you. Start thinking for yourself, so humanity can rid ourselves of dictators once and for all.

<maddog_ca: Hitler, Stalin, Hussein, and Bush have all relied on people like you. Start thinking for yourself, so humanity can rid ourselves of dictators once and for all.>

Bush may not be ther greatest guy in the world,but comparing him to the other 3 is ridiculous and only serves to illustrate a disconnect with reality - One of the reasons the peace movement is often criticized for

We cannot acknowledge replastering, the structure is rotten. It is immaterial human nature, what horrible crimes we cannot by reason, by influence or Buddhist empathy assure the people. I expect the same courtesy from you. We will only care about each other when our relationship is peaceful, and it is not a peaceful act to care to the extent of violating another person's boundaries. The truth is that the whole life of man consists solely in this: there is a solution which is an instrument of joy, of strength, of color, of real harmony. There is not the slightest doubt about that.

Bush is God, fall down on your commie knees and beg forgiveness, you worthless pieces of garbage

i have been looking for john blanco to catch up and see how he has been, since we lost contact....i decided to google his name one day and i came across pictures of him being arrested and beaten by cops. i was horrified even though this happened almost two years ago to date. i know john blanco is a beautiful, nonviolent ,creative spirit...i am horrified to see my old friend treated in such a way....i commend him for standing up and protesting for everyone....thankyou john.... tiffany from ohio

I'm looking for my long-lost earth sister, Tiff from OH. If you know her, you know she's a one of a kind & unforgettable, in body and soul.

Sorry to hear about John. Maybe one day we'll have a system that truly holds up its own ideals & true purpose of function? Until then, keep our own hearts pure. The universe provides the only true justice.