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Thoughts on repression and (our) complacency
Why do status quo marchers get red carpet treatment and any group that questions the status quo are vilified and treated to a "zero tolerance" enforcment policy in this city that's supposed to be a "bastion of liberalism"?
Are we ever going to get organized and focused and really fight for change?
Are we ever going to get organized and focused and really fight for change?
After joining the pro-life (anti- pro-choice) rally along the Embarcadero, I was glad to see so many concerned people come out and raise their voice against the mindless, fear-mongering, power-driven control freaks that have targeted San Francisco based on their false sense of empowerment the completely undemocratic elections have given them.
But once again, I can't help but be very frustrated with the city's militaristic approach to "free speech" and our unwillingness to confront it.
Why is it that from the get-go, the police are focused on "reigning in" those trouble-making pro-choicers, and yet the out of town right-to-lifers are protected by the police? Why do status quo marchers get red carpet treatment and any group that questions the status quo are vilified and treated to a "zero tolerance" enforcment policy in this city that's supposed to be a "bastion of liberalism"?
Why are free speech laws being applied so selectively here in San Francisco?
Who the hell does Heather Fong, Kathleen Harris and Gavin Newsom speak for?
After today, every left-leaning group should organize and make this city friendly to the movements and beliefs that make us who we are. One of our supervisors announcing something through a press release, but doing nothing about enforcement policies that step all over our rights is nothing but lip service and an insult to the beliefs they claim to share with us.
We need to stop letting the police coral us in to "protest zones" and we need to really take the streets when we protest. We outnumber the the 5 to 1, yet we complacently follow orders when they load us on to buses or shove us onto sidewalks hold us in place.
These soft, faux protests have gotten us NOTHING these past four years. Unless we are willing to make some real sacrifices, get focused and organized and --god forbid--get aggressive in fighting for our rights or change, then we will continue to be seen as nothing but "pesky ragamuffins" who can easily be ignored or controlled when it comes down to it.
But once again, I can't help but be very frustrated with the city's militaristic approach to "free speech" and our unwillingness to confront it.
Why is it that from the get-go, the police are focused on "reigning in" those trouble-making pro-choicers, and yet the out of town right-to-lifers are protected by the police? Why do status quo marchers get red carpet treatment and any group that questions the status quo are vilified and treated to a "zero tolerance" enforcment policy in this city that's supposed to be a "bastion of liberalism"?
Why are free speech laws being applied so selectively here in San Francisco?
Who the hell does Heather Fong, Kathleen Harris and Gavin Newsom speak for?
After today, every left-leaning group should organize and make this city friendly to the movements and beliefs that make us who we are. One of our supervisors announcing something through a press release, but doing nothing about enforcement policies that step all over our rights is nothing but lip service and an insult to the beliefs they claim to share with us.
We need to stop letting the police coral us in to "protest zones" and we need to really take the streets when we protest. We outnumber the the 5 to 1, yet we complacently follow orders when they load us on to buses or shove us onto sidewalks hold us in place.
These soft, faux protests have gotten us NOTHING these past four years. Unless we are willing to make some real sacrifices, get focused and organized and --god forbid--get aggressive in fighting for our rights or change, then we will continue to be seen as nothing but "pesky ragamuffins" who can easily be ignored or controlled when it comes down to it.
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It’s really pretty simple Allen. If you have an organized group that complies with the laws your Supervisors have established (permits...etc..) then you too will get the "red carpet" treatment. If like most protests here, you are a bunch of kids with no jobs and nothing to lose, mask your face to protest one of the several hundred causes (most protester don’t even know why they are there), then of course the police will keep a close eye on you. Why would you think they wouldn’t? Nobody is denying your right to protest or free speech. But you do not have the right to deny other people and businesses their rights. Most people who actually live in SF shake their heads and roll their eyes when they see a protest these days.
If SF is such a tolerant and liberal city, why not respect the views of other people and not attend their rallies and try to force your views on them. Or is SF only tolerant of specific views?
I get the feeling you don’t actually live in SF nor have attended many protest. 5 to 1 vs. the cops does not even come close to what you would need. And if like you said that is the only way to make change then your screwed, it won’t happen. I imagine if you tried, many protesters would get hurt, and then there would be no more protest.
Just remember SFPD's motto: "Chaos = Cash"
Good luck, but don’t hold your breath, just remember SF isn’t the laughing stock of the world for nothing.....
If SF is such a tolerant and liberal city, why not respect the views of other people and not attend their rallies and try to force your views on them. Or is SF only tolerant of specific views?
I get the feeling you don’t actually live in SF nor have attended many protest. 5 to 1 vs. the cops does not even come close to what you would need. And if like you said that is the only way to make change then your screwed, it won’t happen. I imagine if you tried, many protesters would get hurt, and then there would be no more protest.
Just remember SFPD's motto: "Chaos = Cash"
Good luck, but don’t hold your breath, just remember SF isn’t the laughing stock of the world for nothing.....
While most of our battles are usually to challenge the status-quo; this lone exception yesterday was actually to defend the status-quo. Abortion in the US is still legal though it's currently being threatened. San Francisco has announced in an official capacity that yesterday was Stand Up for Pro-Choice day; we were not out in the streets to challenge the status-quo. The invading army of Christians were doing that job, we were simply standing up to ensure that freedom of choice is not stripped away by the fascist American government that threatens us each and every day.
"It’s really pretty simple Allen. If you have an organized group that complies with the laws your Supervisors have established (permits...etc..)"
yeah, and the boston tea party had permits too, they even asked the king for his blessing and protection.
There is a reason the constitution does not put limits on the right to free speech. Your not against the constitution are you?
Your attacks at protesters not knowing what they are protesting is a complete misnomer. You fail to even come close to what our movement is about. Yes, it is much larger than some feel good issue politicking that the right wingers play, perhaps you fail to wrap your small world view around it.
yeah, and the boston tea party had permits too, they even asked the king for his blessing and protection.
There is a reason the constitution does not put limits on the right to free speech. Your not against the constitution are you?
Your attacks at protesters not knowing what they are protesting is a complete misnomer. You fail to even come close to what our movement is about. Yes, it is much larger than some feel good issue politicking that the right wingers play, perhaps you fail to wrap your small world view around it.
Sorry to burst you your bubble, but there are many limits to free speech (might wanna do some research). I have no problem with anybody protesting anything, that is your right. But your right stops at blocking traffic, breaking windows, setting fires, assualting people, tresspassing....(get the picture). What does that stuff have to do with the Constitution?
I think I can safely say, I have been to many more protest than you, and I doubt you have been to one in the City. My attack on protesters is not a misnomer, ask the people who read these boards and actually go to protests. If you feel I am attacking the protesters, sorry, but that's just the way it is. I have no idea what your "movement" is about. It is just one of many that show up to protests. Next time you go to a protest try asking fifty different people why they are there. I bet you get fifty differnt answers.
I think I can safely say, I have been to many more protest than you, and I doubt you have been to one in the City. My attack on protesters is not a misnomer, ask the people who read these boards and actually go to protests. If you feel I am attacking the protesters, sorry, but that's just the way it is. I have no idea what your "movement" is about. It is just one of many that show up to protests. Next time you go to a protest try asking fifty different people why they are there. I bet you get fifty differnt answers.
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