Oakland PD escalate with stun genades, 4/7/03

...You are the wind benith my wings

But seriously folks keep up the good work, and please post up where we can send solidarity.

The video demonstrates the need to videotape EVERYTHING we do when we are demonstrating. The demonstrators were active, alive, vibrant in their anti-racism and anti-imperialism. The video demonstrates that many of the people on the lines protesting were shot in the back. The video is excellent, and more of us need cameras on-site. Thanks to IMC for providing a space for us to place evidence of our struggle on line. The cops are simply pigs and servants of the rulers. Like the troops in Iraq, they cannot be supported.

Thanks so much for posting this, i almost went over there (but was instead at a scouting mission for a future action), and god -- i hope the cops and Jerry Brown pay for this. i might've forgiven Brown if he would've immediately denounced it -- but he stood by his cops today. that is *ridiculous*. let's let them know we will not TAKE THIS S---.

i really liked btw the radical cheerleading about 4 min. into it (right before the shooting starts) :>

-X

I'm still downloading the video so aint seen it yet, but I've seen some stills and articles published on indimedia Uk. I want to send solidarity to you people who are now almost as much targets as the Iraqi people, it would seem. Hmm, if they are using chemical weopans and terrorism against their own people, I think the American Govt needs a regime change...

Seriously, over here we are the target of dirty tricks and sly violence, with a media blackout to make sure no - one knows about the beatings, illegal detentions, eye gouging and threats of dogs and guns. But I think you people need respect and acknowledgement for the huge task of demonstrating within the belly of the beast. You give inspiration to the rest of us all over the world. Thank you. We are with you, the world is watching.

Thank you so much for you comment - It sometimes seems like no-one is watching - like th estate and police repression is just TOO big - Wne it feels like everything is changing - but no one knows - espically globaly- Iam thank for for the IMC networks - but really the grand scope of this resistance really - will not be televised...Keep going strong and we here will keep going - I fear that the tactics will esclate - The government is seeing what they can get away with with out public outrage, next there will be protesters dying - THIS IS INSANE -
Thanks for SUPPORT and KEEP UP THE WORK _ much love

yeah - there isn't a lot of noise or orders to disperse that can be heard from the police. The audio does pick up a lot of noise from trucks and car radios. Did anyone hear the calls to disperse? What Chief Word is saying can't be backed up. He said that the bullets feel like gentle bee stings.

Yes. I have video of the call to disperse. I have it twice in fact. It happened about 7:15. It's not on this video. I'll post as a seperate comment and with some overlap.

From what i can piece together, there were actions at three gates. I was at all three. I was at the middle one, west of where I had started when the attack began.

With the order to disperse, most folks moved away from the gate area. moved to the west. A peformance artist did a little show in front of the police. He was the first arrest. The attack was soon after. Intended to move people faster than they were already moving. Regroup at SSA gate (3rd picket) another attack. Regroup at 7th and Maritime. another attack.

And the foot squad followed the protestors most of the way back to west oakland bart, while about 20 motorcycle cops maintained a menacing presence on 7th St.

regroup at west oakland bart where there were no hassles.

They always want to couch the violence in cute terms so people don't think its so mean. Like "sting ball" was an accurate term for those explosive grenades they were using on us.

I got hit with 4 wooden bullets. Believe me, I've been stung by a bee before, and that's just absurd. It would taken some pretty damn big bees to make these kinds of welts and bruises we have.

And the anti-war movement hangs it head in shame.

A few things to ask yourself:

1) Iraq is free from a repressive regime:
true
2)Approximately 1000 (or more) Iraqi civilians have died from Terrorists from the United States:
true
3) The international press has been attacked by tanks, sophisticated bombs from the air, and automatic weapon fire while staying in a well advertized location in Iraq:
true
4) The attacks were conducted by U.S "coalition forces":
true
5) Journalists have been cencored and even fired for their reporting of the "military action" in Iraq (war was never declared by congress):
true
6) Vietnam was also a military action:
true
7) U.S. citizens exercising their right to free speech have been met with police forces who have used grenades, shotguns, illegal detainment, and chemical weapons against them:
true
8) Terrorism, according to Webster's dictionary is "the use of a state of intense fear especially as a means of coersion" (such as making protesters stop their protest):
true
9) A totalitarian / authoritarian government is "of or relating to a political regime based on subordination of the individual to the state and strict control of all aspects of life especially by coercive measures (as censorship and terrorism)" according to Webster's Dictionary:
true

10) Therefore one must conclude that based on the treatment of civilians, journalists and protesters by the U.S. government, the Iraqi people have traded one Totalitarian regime for another.

Perhaps Bush is right. It is time to get rid of dangerous totalitarian regimes. I'm ready. Are you?

OK. I can actually count three. The first was from a helicopter (I heard it. Tape was running. inaudible, my comment isn't. This at 7:15 by my camcorder time which is about three minutes fast. I start with the second. 3.5min 56k

where this fits in the above video

Between the performance artist performance and his arrest. Here's my time timetable.

I was taping at gate 2 prior to 7am. By 7 the police had made line between gate one (to the east) and gate 2.

7 am. Performance Artist with flaming baton

7:15 order disperse from helioptor. no one noticed

7:17 first on ground order to disperse begins

7:18:25 second order ends

7:21:29 cops move in

7:22:31 performer arrested

7:26 cops have cleared gate and are up close to demonstrators

7:28:44 Second arrest. image follows.

7:41 am shooting starts

I have a few seconds of video, but could see what was doing cause of the light. This was 7:28:44

i don't know what to say. This is so wrong. The government is so evil, going so fast, and in such a bad way in the world and in our own country. It feels like I'm in a car full of people on a very bad road with an insanely angry drunk guy at the wheel who just wants to go faster and faster. Everyone is just sort of being dragged along for the ride, knowing that it's bound to end badly. I've had lots of bee stings... none of them looked anything like that. What next? Electric prods? Leg hold traps? Knockout gas?

I'm with you all in spirit and in opposition. God bless you and be strong, be kind, love one another.

Peace,
it's a very Pre-W idea, but it's a lot less stupid
d