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News & ArtsThursday, October 13, 2011
Occupy Cops Arrest Several Occupy Protesters (Updated)
Posted by Dominic Holden on Thu, Oct 13, 2011 at 10:26 PM
About 30 police officers on bicycles are wading into the crowd of 100 people occupying Westlake Park. Follow on Twitter here. Watch a live stream here.
UPDATE at 10:30 PM: Arrests have begun. Two so far. Several protesters are linking arms around a makeshift tent, apparently ready to get arrested.
UPDATE at 10:38 PM: Four arrests total. A lot of people are screaming about the "police state." Uh, no. Lest anyone forget, the people getting arrested at Occupy Seattle are people who WANT to get arrested. It's their statement, not the cops' statement.
UPDATE at 10:52 PM: Six arrests so far, it looks like. Cops have dismantled the tent-structure, which protesters declared was a Jewish sukkah. Of course it was. Five people have linked arms in a circle, heads down, apparently bracing for whatever comes next.
UPDATE at 11:33 PM: Cops left the park without arresting the final five protesters. Seeing this as a victory, the crowd is screaming its damn head off. The legal team for Occupy Seattle believes 10 people were arrested in all. This now seems to define the city's official pattern: Arrest a few people each night to keep the protests in check and then retreat. To the extent that this keeps the occupation alive, good for the cops showing restraint and good for the protesters putting their asses on the line. But right now, some other types of protesters are walking around handing out these idiotic cards that say cops are the "tool" of the 1 Percent and that "police help banks evict people from their foreclosed homes every day." Jesus, protesters, blue-collar cops who arrest a few willing demonstrators after a two-week occupation are not the enemy. Focus.
1
Stupid question: why are the cops so hell bent to take down the religious structure thing? What is it?
3
#OCCUPYWESTLAKE IS THE VAINGLORIOUS MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW WHY THEY'RE DOING WHAT THEY'RE DOING. THEIR TACTICS HAVEN'T CHANGED IN THE LAST 12 YEARS. THEY HAVE NO STRATEGY AND NO PLAN. SOME BASIC GOALS WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL.
4
Don't hurt the tents! Save the tents! Free the tents! Stop tent genocide now!
Mic check!!!!!
Oh looky, Radiohead arrived!!!
Mic check!!
Save the fucking tents!!!!!
Mic check!!!!!
Oh looky, Radiohead arrived!!!
Mic check!!
Save the fucking tents!!!!!
5
Being carefully arrested, after numerous warnings, when you have been illegally camping in a park for 2 weeks is not the sign of a police state and to call it that is an insult to people who actually do live in such a society.
If anything the response to this has pretty much proved the opposite.
If anything the response to this has pretty much proved the opposite.
6
Can't help but feel that those of you mocking the protesters are tools of the 1 Percent, witting or not. These are people who are willing to get themselves arrested for something they believe in. Something most of you believe in too. And yet you mock them from the comfort of your own homes.
No, there's no class warfare in the US... because our class is too busy fighting amongst itself.
No, there's no class warfare in the US... because our class is too busy fighting amongst itself.
7
Judging from the video on the news, it looks like Mayor McGinn's Bikewaffe is taking the lead in the operation, which is appropriate. Bikekrieg!
8
@6 The truth is that I doubt the "1%" even gives a shit about this. What exactly do they have to fear from some people camping in a park?
I'd say about as much as Bush did about all the protests surrounding the Iraq war. Millions of people take to the street, yet can't even muster up the organization to defeat him in 04.
I'm tired of this same old bullshit that puts people desires to feel important and radical ahead of any real change. General assemblies, drum circles, tents, et al sure make for a good time and hit all the good ideological points of the left, but at the end of the day show nothing but an obsession with process.
We need leadership, organization, money, and people willing to do the real work of politics. Until I see that I think I'll stay in the comfort of my home volunteering when I can for groups that actually have shown an ability to get things done.
I'd say about as much as Bush did about all the protests surrounding the Iraq war. Millions of people take to the street, yet can't even muster up the organization to defeat him in 04.
I'm tired of this same old bullshit that puts people desires to feel important and radical ahead of any real change. General assemblies, drum circles, tents, et al sure make for a good time and hit all the good ideological points of the left, but at the end of the day show nothing but an obsession with process.
We need leadership, organization, money, and people willing to do the real work of politics. Until I see that I think I'll stay in the comfort of my home volunteering when I can for groups that actually have shown an ability to get things done.
10
I was there for a little while between 10:30 and 11:00. Dozens of cops, Westlake Station closed, like there's going to be a fucking riot or something. Great fucking use of resources.
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@6 I really, really want some economic reform/justice. But I don't care about a bunch of attention-seeking jerks who always show up and try to hijack any kind of popular protest. By continuing to camp at Westlake, instead of camping at City Hall and keeping a daytime occupation of Westlake, they let the police set the agenda.
I got arrested when the city declared a no-protest zone during the WTO ministerial because that was something I believed in, so I am not opposed to civil disobedience. But I am curious how many of the blowhards I saw speak the other day about holding down Westlake were willing to get arrested tonight.
Occupying / protesting is not the goal. I want change; I want the city of Seattle and the state of Washington to move public funds to our community banks instead of letting BOA/US Bank/etc. gamble with our money. Better yet, I want to see a public state bank so any monies earned from state funds goes to strengthen our economy. Unfortunately that's not as glamorous as railing against the "police state."
I got arrested when the city declared a no-protest zone during the WTO ministerial because that was something I believed in, so I am not opposed to civil disobedience. But I am curious how many of the blowhards I saw speak the other day about holding down Westlake were willing to get arrested tonight.
Occupying / protesting is not the goal. I want change; I want the city of Seattle and the state of Washington to move public funds to our community banks instead of letting BOA/US Bank/etc. gamble with our money. Better yet, I want to see a public state bank so any monies earned from state funds goes to strengthen our economy. Unfortunately that's not as glamorous as railing against the "police state."
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@ 8 Has it right. This protest has been taken over by fring "anarchists" more interested in provoking a police response than actually working to effect positive change. The are quickly using up any goodwill the majority of Seattleites held toward them. Enough is enough. At this point the protest is an excercise in mastabutory self-indulgence on the part of the protesters. We would all, the mayor, included do better to ignore them and volunteer, like @ 8 does, for organizations that are organized and effect vehicles for change.
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@8: That's fine, you work for change your own way. But don't dismiss the contribution these people are making. It's not always easy to quantify, but confrontation has an impact. In the end, all power is derived from the people.
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No, they don't sleep in a sukkah, at least not during modern Sukkot. But I love that someone claimed it was a sukkah!
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Can Occupy Westlake come to an end yet? Such stupidness. Next time try occupying something that isn't ALWAYS OCCUPIED BY CRACKHEADS/PROTESTERS/CRAZIES! You know, maybe like your local state/fed rep. Just a thought.
Ugh this crazyness has spread to Canada too :(
Ugh this crazyness has spread to Canada too :(
17
People should be handing out cards complaining about the City rousting people in parks who DON'T have homes.
18
Goldy, some of us make fun not of the protesters, but of some of the actions some of them take.
Or not take, as with the bankers conference the protesters decided not to walk over to protest because their focus is staying in the god damn park.
Yes some of us are sitting here home. But it does not mean we're not watching, hoping against hope that the protesters focus on some concrete goals we couch potatoes might be roused to get behind. If it's not too much trouble for the protesters, busy as they are trying to just stay in the park.
Plus making fun is not the exclusive province of those who have been co-opted by the running dogs of the 1 percent. You were quite derisory toward some protesters' decision not to cross against the light during the march the other day. And Messrs. Holden and Constant can get quite shouty toward the sillier protesters, as you know.
Or not take, as with the bankers conference the protesters decided not to walk over to protest because their focus is staying in the god damn park.
Yes some of us are sitting here home. But it does not mean we're not watching, hoping against hope that the protesters focus on some concrete goals we couch potatoes might be roused to get behind. If it's not too much trouble for the protesters, busy as they are trying to just stay in the park.
Plus making fun is not the exclusive province of those who have been co-opted by the running dogs of the 1 percent. You were quite derisory toward some protesters' decision not to cross against the light during the march the other day. And Messrs. Holden and Constant can get quite shouty toward the sillier protesters, as you know.
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@8
The 1% that doesn't give a shit sure spends a lot of time and energy insisting they don't give a shit, don't they?
The 1% that doesn't give a shit sure spends a lot of time and energy insisting they don't give a shit, don't they?
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One group of people that you won't hear complaining about the protesters tactics is the rank and file of the SPD. Plenty of overtime for everyone -- including the officer sitting on the bumper of the idling police bus parked at 9th & Virginia. Guild rate and a half. Life is good.
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@19 Unless you're dramatically overestimating the financial and political power of slog commentators and others on the internet, where have you heard much of anything from the 1%?
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Gus @18: So here's my suggestion then. Why don't we let the Occupy protesters do what they do—which mostly consists of occupying a public space in symbolic support of Occupy Wall Street, and getting arrested in defense of their occupation when necessary—while those who don't think this is an effective tactic organize themselves into what they believe to be more concrete actions?
Personally, I find something simple and pure and honorable about the gesture the protesters are making in Westlake. And while I don't view it as an effective political movement in itself, it can certainly play an important role effecting real change.
Personally, I find something simple and pure and honorable about the gesture the protesters are making in Westlake. And while I don't view it as an effective political movement in itself, it can certainly play an important role effecting real change.
23
I think every good revolution needs theatre/cannon fodder to get the general public interested. If the kids and the anarcho-fringe want to fill this role, good for them. Have no fear, the orchestrators are working day and night behind the scenes for concrete change you will see in 6-12 mos.
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Goldy I appreciate what your saying and agree with some of your points. I wish they had more help with messaging though. Tonight the trending topic on Twitter was "structure" -- not Chase or greed, or even Occupy Seattle. It was "structure" because the conversation was about tents and camping in a public park.
.
.
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@22 That's fair. I just wish we could get the same number of people, with the same level of enthusiasm, to show up at LD meetings, doorbelling days, etc.
I think its sad that we can get thousands of people to show up and go for a walk while carrying a sign, but a campaign for a good progressive candidate might be able to get together a couple dozen to go doorbell or phone bank if they're lucky. It's not as glamorous, but a good doorbeller can talk to a good number of voters directly about about a candidate they may never have heard of.
I think its sad that we can get thousands of people to show up and go for a walk while carrying a sign, but a campaign for a good progressive candidate might be able to get together a couple dozen to go doorbell or phone bank if they're lucky. It's not as glamorous, but a good doorbeller can talk to a good number of voters directly about about a candidate they may never have heard of.
26
Everyone who fights against the role of police in these actions is an anarchist and cops are totes part of the 99% y'all.
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Next up ... Muslim prayer mat observances will be disrupted.
Followed by any Roman Catholic cross necklaces.
Followed by any Roman Catholic cross necklaces.
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I poked my nose into one of the general assemblies the other day and there were some folks for confrontation, but more folks were calling bullshit on that. The latter were saying that the cops are part of the 99%, and they were condemning any aggression against the cops, including getting in their faces or speaking aggressively.
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The 1% is still erecting the apartments and condos you're all going to rent and buy. Do you think they care if 15 people resist arrest after hours at Westlake? Do you suppose they're inconvenienced in the slightest?
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Goldy, quitting poking fun isn't going to help anything. What will help is when the protestors who want to represent us quit with the actions that tempt us to giggle.
It could happen, I hope it does, but I'm not going to hold my breath in the meantime. Or make big changes in how I've been channeling my own political energies the last couple years.
So hey, protestors, impress me, get me to join in, go ahead. I dare you.
It could happen, I hope it does, but I'm not going to hold my breath in the meantime. Or make big changes in how I've been channeling my own political energies the last couple years.
So hey, protestors, impress me, get me to join in, go ahead. I dare you.
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Goldy @6:
You could have put the period after "tools" and the thought would have still been just as complete.
Can't help but feel that those of you mocking the protesters are tools of the 1 Percent, witting or not.
You could have put the period after "tools" and the thought would have still been just as complete.
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I don't understand Holden's issue with the "idiotic card"... it actually rings true to me. I mean, hello, it's completely obvious that the police are the barrier to any significant social change. Look at history. And, duh, they are the ones who evict people... I think that makes them tools of the rich.
36
Protests on the scale of the Vietnam demonstrations in 1969 is what will effect change, not these tiny, easily dismissed little things.
I was there in DC for this, there were no police that could have made a difference.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates…
These days, people are still too comfortable. Will take a few years of joblessness, no health care, etc. for the masses to get serious.
I was there in DC for this, there were no police that could have made a difference.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates…
These days, people are still too comfortable. Will take a few years of joblessness, no health care, etc. for the masses to get serious.
37
what the fuck is wrong with seattle. the police are fucking jerks and if you don't believe it ask any brotha in the CD (or federal way these days if ya want). anarchists are participating in this shit in a very civil way..
38
Holey fucin shit… this whole day went by & SLOG IGNORED the unmasking of Phoenix JONES??!@?#$%#A?!@458&( sorry but COME - - - ON!
40
How many African Americans are in the 99%?
It looks like a pretty white homogenous crowd.
Is the 99% a Racist organization?
It looks like a pretty white homogenous crowd.
Is the 99% a Racist organization?
41
For the life of me I cannot understand what the point of occupying the park is about. Why are they not occupying the lobby of BOA or Chase or any of the other Wall St Companies in Seattle? Take over their offices. Surround their buildings day in and day out with protesters until they cannot do business at all. Sitting in the park arguing about process is pointless. Where do their executives live? Picket their homes. What big businesses are banking with them? Put pressure on them them too and demand they move their money. The city of Seattle did not crash the economy - why are they now the enemy?
42
"Jesus, protesters, blue-collar cops who arrest a few willing demonstrators after a two-week occupation are not the enemy. Focus." Exactly.
43
You gotta be kidding me. What's with all the style criticism of the occupy Seattle folks. That douchbag connelly over at the PI telling them to move and take the battle to lawmakers?
Now the cops are cynically targeting protesters for arrest. What are they doing, finding the most radical to jail each night until the movement whithers away?
People are fucking clueless. The occupy movement grows in relevance more and more. Long live the occupation!
Now the cops are cynically targeting protesters for arrest. What are they doing, finding the most radical to jail each night until the movement whithers away?
People are fucking clueless. The occupy movement grows in relevance more and more. Long live the occupation!
44
We must start a tent fund!!!!!! Only tents will set us free!!! The tents, united, will never be defeated!!!!!
Mic check!!!!!
Who took the fucking tents? Stop police abuse of tents!!
Are tents part of the 99%
We should move the protest to REI, free the corporate tents!
Mic check!!!!!
Who took the fucking tents? Stop police abuse of tents!!
Are tents part of the 99%
We should move the protest to REI, free the corporate tents!
46
Anyone who opposes this fight to put tents where ver we damn well please or supports the police action against our tents is a tentist. Today I will propose at the GA that a radical anti-tentist league be formed to educate the people of 'solid structure privilege'. Queer, transgendered and cisgendered tents are all welcomed.
47
From the increasingly derisive tone of the Occupy Seattle coverage, I can only assume that it must be insanely frustrating to have to go to this park every night to report on arrests.
48
@33
yes, actually, they are part of the 99%. so are civilian murderers, rapists and bank robbers. the 1% relates those who are super wealthy. i doubt the super rich are saying, "let's drop this life of luxury to put on police uniforms so we can shoot the poor."
though, if they get bored enough in the future, they may just do that.
yes, actually, they are part of the 99%. so are civilian murderers, rapists and bank robbers. the 1% relates those who are super wealthy. i doubt the super rich are saying, "let's drop this life of luxury to put on police uniforms so we can shoot the poor."
though, if they get bored enough in the future, they may just do that.
49
"it must be insanely frustrating to have to go to this park every night to report on arrests."
Fuck you tentist, how do you think the tents feel?
Fuck you tentist, how do you think the tents feel?
52
We need to find a way for our post-op, transgendered sisters can 'pitch a tent'.
Any suggestions?
Mic check!
Any suggestions?
Mic check!
58
@54 apparently people of color can't relate to whiny white college kids who took on too much debt to major in Celtic poetry. Either that or they're wonder why upper middle class living in half million dollar homes, making $150-200k a year are in the 99% too.
To be fair I saw a few people of color down at Wedtlake and not the usual suspects, as the gang unit calls them. So the 99% is at only 96% white. That fat, weepy, hysterical black trannie certainly counts for 2%.
To be fair I saw a few people of color down at Wedtlake and not the usual suspects, as the gang unit calls them. So the 99% is at only 96% white. That fat, weepy, hysterical black trannie certainly counts for 2%.
59
Goldy, I can't help but feel that those of you who are NOT mocking the protesters are tools of the 1 Percent, witting or not.
I see people playing "protest" the way kids used to play "cowboys and indians". Meanwhile, Rome is burning.
I see people playing "protest" the way kids used to play "cowboys and indians". Meanwhile, Rome is burning.
62
I agree with Goldy @ 22 and Mike in Oly @ 41. Let the Westlake Park-ers do what they need to do while more action needs to be directed at the bigger picture - BOA, Wells Fargo, Chase and so on. In Minneapolis, the lobby of Wells Fargo Center was crashed for ten minutes during normal business hours this work week. No arrests; just in and out.
It's way beyond time for organizing similar actions... OR at least getting out of the park and getting groups to circle the sidewalks of the banks, etc. If you want to actually occupy Seattle, it makes sense to organize (and sustain) actions THROUGHOUT the city.
I was there on day one of the protest at the Federal Building. Now when I show up in the park, it's like I've stepped into a house party that I have no idea who the host is and all of us wallflowers awkwardly smile at each other.
The momentum is dying. It's critical that the action gets out of the park and moves beyond just the 10 PM drama every night. Otherwise, that's all this movement is going to be about and all it takes is for the party crashers and the cops to shut it down.
It's way beyond time for organizing similar actions... OR at least getting out of the park and getting groups to circle the sidewalks of the banks, etc. If you want to actually occupy Seattle, it makes sense to organize (and sustain) actions THROUGHOUT the city.
I was there on day one of the protest at the Federal Building. Now when I show up in the park, it's like I've stepped into a house party that I have no idea who the host is and all of us wallflowers awkwardly smile at each other.
The momentum is dying. It's critical that the action gets out of the park and moves beyond just the 10 PM drama every night. Otherwise, that's all this movement is going to be about and all it takes is for the party crashers and the cops to shut it down.
63
"It's critical that the action gets out of the park"
But what about our tents, their vulnerable members of our community!!
But what about our tents, their vulnerable members of our community!!
64
Cienna, the Sukkah was clearly built according to Jewish precepts. Don't be disingenuous. Also, did you take these pics? I was standing directly in front of the "Staring Contest" police officer, so I assume you were standing right next to me. Say hi next time, and maybe we can discuss your ideas of the movement's goals over coffee.
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"the Sukkah was clearly built according to Jewish precepts."
Free the Sukkah! SPD are worse than the Nazis on Kristallnacht!
Free the Sukkah! SPD are worse than the Nazis on Kristallnacht!
66
"the Sukkah was clearly built according to Jewish precepts."
Free the Sukkah! SPD are worse than the Nazis on Kristallnacht!
Free the Sukkah! SPD are worse than the Nazis on Kristallnacht!
67
Oh lord, this noise. I've seen posters for it all over Evergreen's campus. "Occupy Olympia," "We are the 99%," and all this bullshit. No, you aren't "the 99%," you are a select percentage of people who decided it would be a good idea to go out there with this phrase "Occupy _____" as though that actually symbolizes anything. Once again people under the guise of Anonymous (as a longtime member, please, don't use our name for this sort of thing, it's... embarrassing. Certain members make this shit, we still aren't sure who, and it's problematic. Please ignore our involvement until further notice) have declared that they're going to fight the good fight and squash capitalism, though it's a lot of fanfare for... nothing, really. So far I've heard nothing but "capitalism is bad!" coming from these people and their incessant posters put up all over the goddamn place. "Capitalism is bad" is the same thing I've been hearing for years. I haven't heard a word, however, from my fellow moderates who suggest that corporate bigwigs certainly aren't your friend, but the answer isn't a sudden jarring revolutionary shift over to full-blown communism.
There's a lot of wooly idealism which pops up every now and again in the form of protest like this. Honestly? I never pay it much attention, and this whole thing will blow over to no real effect, just like every protest before it has produced... nothing. No protest with this sort of vague "we don't like X! Please change it somehow I guess!" message will work, nor will any of the copycat protests. They don't work. They haven't before, they won't now just because you thought of a cute, meaningless slogan.
But hey, go ahead and have your little fun sitting outside, making some kum-by-yah drum circle with your pals, smoking pot and growing dreadlocks or whatever it is hippies like you do (I know because I live amongst several thousand hippies pretty much just like you, so hey, I'm no stranger to all this noise, I've been to a festival or two before). Just please be sure not to cover up every goddamn inch of bulletin board space with the same meaningless, hollow leftist jargon, please.
More...
There's a lot of wooly idealism which pops up every now and again in the form of protest like this. Honestly? I never pay it much attention, and this whole thing will blow over to no real effect, just like every protest before it has produced... nothing. No protest with this sort of vague "we don't like X! Please change it somehow I guess!" message will work, nor will any of the copycat protests. They don't work. They haven't before, they won't now just because you thought of a cute, meaningless slogan.
But hey, go ahead and have your little fun sitting outside, making some kum-by-yah drum circle with your pals, smoking pot and growing dreadlocks or whatever it is hippies like you do (I know because I live amongst several thousand hippies pretty much just like you, so hey, I'm no stranger to all this noise, I've been to a festival or two before). Just please be sure not to cover up every goddamn inch of bulletin board space with the same meaningless, hollow leftist jargon, please.
69
Hey all. My grammer wont be good but here u go. I was in middle of Sukkot getting harassed by police. they kept saying your under arrest to threatening to arrest us and and at time talking to us about past encounters. They basically trying scare us so we could leave and they could leave or could arrest us whatever . I was watching on livestream occupy seattle and I came down there that night to protect that sukkot for freedom of religion. I got there at 9 pm and went to found sukkot talk to man that put it up and defended it and did not get arrested for it. I was one of 5 in middle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHEHvcagk… so number 6 . your correct and critics of that night or occupy stfu
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