Slog
News & ArtsMonday, October 17, 2011
Occupy Forty Cops Arrest a Woman for Sitting Down and Holding an Umbrella
Posted by Dominic Holden on Mon, Oct 17, 2011 at 9:10 AM
Moments ago, 40 police officers surrounded a woman for her ostensibly illegal occupation of Westlake Park. Her offense? Sitting on the ground and holding a yellow and green umbrella, Christopher reports.
Dozens of other protesters are in the park, but they're standing. Not this woman, who was sitting with her umbrella upright in a purple sleeping bag on top of a purple yoga mat. She calmly refused to budge. One protester handed her a cigarette, which she smoked it as police closed in tighter.
- Goldy
Cops then lifted her up and handcuffed her. She's been a paragon of calmness throughout the arrest, Christopher reports. Goldy has a video interview with this protester before she got arrested; we'll post it as soon as possible.
3
WTF!?! Hey, Mr. Mayor, why don't you get those cops out on the street doing some REAL police work instead of this fucking nonsense? Aren't there enough real crimes? Than we need to fire a few people!
4
Clearly that woman was the most dangerous person in Seattle. I can finally sleep at night knowing she has been arrested and behind bars.
5
Is there a sympathetic disabled veteran's group or something that could go down there? There would be no better visual than 20 cops hauling away some man or woman in uniform for sitting down under an umbrella in their wheelchair, or with their crutches strapped to their arms.
6
@3 I thought mcginn said the umbrella rule was only to prevent makeshift structures.... This isn't even overnight, it's the middle of the day.
7
First they came for the tents, and I said nothing......then they came for the umbrellas.
Is there a law against ugliness, cuz she's guilty as sin for that.
Is there a law against ugliness, cuz she's guilty as sin for that.
13
I think the cops were right to arrest that women, and I say that as someone who is not entirely unsympathetic to the protesters. It sounds like she was deliberately challenging police authority. In a situation like that the cops can't afford to allow that. If one person gets away with something like that, somebody else will decide to push the limits a little more. Before you know it you'll have anarchists setting fire to people's cars.
14
Police authority deserves to be challenged every second they're acting like disgusting little hooligans.
15
"She's been a paragon of calmness throughout the arrest, Christopher reports."
"Her offense? Sitting on the ground and holding a yellow and green umbrella, Christopher reports."
Oh. Well if CHRISTOPHER reports it, it MUST be true! 'Cause, you know, the Stranger is so very dedicated to even handed factually accurate reporting....
"Her offense? Sitting on the ground and holding a yellow and green umbrella, Christopher reports."
Oh. Well if CHRISTOPHER reports it, it MUST be true! 'Cause, you know, the Stranger is so very dedicated to even handed factually accurate reporting....
16
FYI-
I don't for a moment challenge any citizens right to peacably assemble, to petition for redress of grievances, to speak their mind publicly within Constitutional bounds. (See 'shouting fire in a theater' for an idea of what that might mean.)
That isn't what these people are doing. They're breaking the law by camping in public parks, blocking public streets without a permit, making the downtown core difficult to use for those with legitimate business there.
And cops in crowds operate by training. This woman was likely told repeatedly to comply with the already too lenient standards Seattle gave these- people- for conduct. She was told to comply or be arrested, and refused. And to her lasting shock, she was arrested. That's what should happen. Don't like the police behavior? We have courts and internal police procedures for addressing real or imagined police misconduct. Fighting cops on the streets isn't and shouldn't be the means for doing so.
And when arresting one unruly person in a crowd of unruly persons you back yourself up with other cops. That isn't brutality or excessive force. It's maintaining public order and police safety. (It protects public safety as well, though I could care a damn less about the public safety of these particular people myself.) Say a single cop had performed the arrest, and a bunch of the already criminal campers in the crowd had bum rushed him. Would you prefer an out of control riot and full police and national guard suppression or the alleged 20 cops arresting one silly old woman with a meaningless political ideology?
I don't for a moment challenge any citizens right to peacably assemble, to petition for redress of grievances, to speak their mind publicly within Constitutional bounds. (See 'shouting fire in a theater' for an idea of what that might mean.)
That isn't what these people are doing. They're breaking the law by camping in public parks, blocking public streets without a permit, making the downtown core difficult to use for those with legitimate business there.
And cops in crowds operate by training. This woman was likely told repeatedly to comply with the already too lenient standards Seattle gave these- people- for conduct. She was told to comply or be arrested, and refused. And to her lasting shock, she was arrested. That's what should happen. Don't like the police behavior? We have courts and internal police procedures for addressing real or imagined police misconduct. Fighting cops on the streets isn't and shouldn't be the means for doing so.
And when arresting one unruly person in a crowd of unruly persons you back yourself up with other cops. That isn't brutality or excessive force. It's maintaining public order and police safety. (It protects public safety as well, though I could care a damn less about the public safety of these particular people myself.) Say a single cop had performed the arrest, and a bunch of the already criminal campers in the crowd had bum rushed him. Would you prefer an out of control riot and full police and national guard suppression or the alleged 20 cops arresting one silly old woman with a meaningless political ideology?
19
LOL I remember her. She was the one flashing her titties when everyone was running in and out of the street. I like her.
22
Yes, she technically deserved to be arrested. That is part of civil disobedience, risking arrest. Lets not forget that laws like the umbrella law are ridiculous and deserve to be challenged. It is a petty, obscure law which is now being used to used to justify police contact with individuals. Cops aren't known to question the laws they enforce, just look at the drug war.
23
Damn it, SB, I'm the one trolling this thread. Didn't your mother teach you anything about the etiquette of anonymous internet rage monkey behavior?
25
Good, now that the riff raff is out of westlake park, I can get back to head down there to cop my crack every day IN PLAIN SIGHT OF THE POLICE
26
"...an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the commmunity over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law." -- Frederick Douglass
Is banning umbrellas in Seattle really a "reasonable" restriction on the time, place, or manner we're allowed our free speech? You can camp out in your tent if you're in line for an iPad... And you can carry an umbrella as long as you're not looking to assert your civil rights!
Fortunately, this bumbershooting anarchist threat to the very fabric of our society has been dealt with. Sitting in a park with an umbrella - how DARE you madame, and I trust you've learned your lesson.
Per another commenter: switch to sitting there selling crack we'd all be OK with it.
Is banning umbrellas in Seattle really a "reasonable" restriction on the time, place, or manner we're allowed our free speech? You can camp out in your tent if you're in line for an iPad... And you can carry an umbrella as long as you're not looking to assert your civil rights!
Fortunately, this bumbershooting anarchist threat to the very fabric of our society has been dealt with. Sitting in a park with an umbrella - how DARE you madame, and I trust you've learned your lesson.
Per another commenter: switch to sitting there selling crack we'd all be OK with it.
27
"...an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the commmunity over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law." -- Frederick Douglass
Is banning umbrellas in Seattle really a "reasonable" restriction on the time, place, or manner we're allowed our free speech? You can camp out in your tent if you're in line for an iPad... And you can carry an umbrella as long as you're not looking to assert your civil rights!
Fortunately, this bumbershooting anarchist threat to the very fabric of our society has been dealt with. Sitting in a park with an umbrella - how DARE you madame, and I trust you've learned your lesson.
Per another commenter: switch to sitting there selling crack we'd all be OK with it.
Is banning umbrellas in Seattle really a "reasonable" restriction on the time, place, or manner we're allowed our free speech? You can camp out in your tent if you're in line for an iPad... And you can carry an umbrella as long as you're not looking to assert your civil rights!
Fortunately, this bumbershooting anarchist threat to the very fabric of our society has been dealt with. Sitting in a park with an umbrella - how DARE you madame, and I trust you've learned your lesson.
Per another commenter: switch to sitting there selling crack we'd all be OK with it.
28
SeattleBlues, I have to wonder what you get out of reading SLOG since you clearly disagree with everything and dislike everyone here.
29
The lady was lucky that she wasn't hurt by the excessive force used to remove her. The thug cop mentality has really got to be addressed. To me, it's one of the biggest problems we have in this country. But, that type of law enforcement is only a symptom of a much bigger problem...'Those' that allow it to continue. There is a chain of command in place and if that kind of behavior wasn't allowed and tolerated, it would be stopped. And, it hasn't been. That leaves me with the nagging suspicion that it is, then, sanctioned.
30
I wish someone who knew more would give some back story. I only have a slice of the whole picture. I only share because I would like to see more compassion here.
I have seen this woman at Occupy Seattle every time I have been there (almost daily). I have not talked with her - mainly because I sensed that she did not always seem approachable (one day she spent the day dancing half dressed in her bra; another day she was walking around in the freezing rain, refusing to put any shoes on).
One of the sad things that has been blatantly obvious about Occupy Seattle is that it has been a magnet for many, many seriously needy people. These are also people that the 'merchants and moneyed interests' would rather not see. They find hot food at Occupy Seattle, and they find safety - and no discrimination. With two homeless shelters closing down this past month, it is no wonder the Westlake Occupy Seattle site has been such an oasis downtown. It is in our spirit to help these people, but we are small, untrained and still working on our organizing. The great need has boosted our determination to witness the inequities and injustices we see -- but ... taking on the responsibility of this need has also been a huge challenge.
So ... this woman. She may well know what she is doing at Occupy Seattle, and may well be getting arrested for her support. I do suspect, however, that SPD knows who she is and that she has had some experience with arrests. Sometimes -- as many may who are comfortable at night may not want to imagine -- jail is a warm bed and hot food for some of the most desperate in our city. This is what we have come to.
Occupy Seattle is facing up to this -- in principle and in practice.
I in no way want to dismiss this woman's stand for justice today. I fully support her and wish her well. ALL people - whether living on the street or in a mansion - deserve respect and justice.
More...
I have seen this woman at Occupy Seattle every time I have been there (almost daily). I have not talked with her - mainly because I sensed that she did not always seem approachable (one day she spent the day dancing half dressed in her bra; another day she was walking around in the freezing rain, refusing to put any shoes on).
One of the sad things that has been blatantly obvious about Occupy Seattle is that it has been a magnet for many, many seriously needy people. These are also people that the 'merchants and moneyed interests' would rather not see. They find hot food at Occupy Seattle, and they find safety - and no discrimination. With two homeless shelters closing down this past month, it is no wonder the Westlake Occupy Seattle site has been such an oasis downtown. It is in our spirit to help these people, but we are small, untrained and still working on our organizing. The great need has boosted our determination to witness the inequities and injustices we see -- but ... taking on the responsibility of this need has also been a huge challenge.
So ... this woman. She may well know what she is doing at Occupy Seattle, and may well be getting arrested for her support. I do suspect, however, that SPD knows who she is and that she has had some experience with arrests. Sometimes -- as many may who are comfortable at night may not want to imagine -- jail is a warm bed and hot food for some of the most desperate in our city. This is what we have come to.
Occupy Seattle is facing up to this -- in principle and in practice.
I in no way want to dismiss this woman's stand for justice today. I fully support her and wish her well. ALL people - whether living on the street or in a mansion - deserve respect and justice.
31
The police are 'just obeying orders' - like during the GERMAN
NAZI Nuremberg Trials?
The corporation and even FOREIGN corporations is a PERSON, with
first amendment rights.
Sitting on the ground with an umbrella is the same as 'ERECTING
a STRUCTURE.'
Sitting in a wheelchair (maybe a MILITARY VETERAN) is the same
as 'ERECTING A STRUCTURE.'
Voltaire - "The Law in it's majesty forbids the rich and poor alike
from sleeping under bridges."
Nobody from Wall Street is even prosecuted and not EVEN ACCUSED
of being a CRIMINAL. Average people are thrown in jail for
THE CRIME OF SITTING.
Hey, TEA PARTY. The law breaks the Constitution. YOUR DOG can
sit down and NOT get arrested. Sit, Rin Tin Tin. You sit and your
ARREST RECORD WILL KEEP YOU FROM GETTING A JOB.
No, I am NOT alleging these are 'crimes against humanity.' No!
Forty POLICE seem like overkill. Waste of Taxpayer's Money.
These police will get great OVERTIME jobs on Wall Street.
That's why they COMMIT INJUSTICE - that's INjustice, not justice.
Shame on them!
NAZI Nuremberg Trials?
The corporation and even FOREIGN corporations is a PERSON, with
first amendment rights.
Sitting on the ground with an umbrella is the same as 'ERECTING
a STRUCTURE.'
Sitting in a wheelchair (maybe a MILITARY VETERAN) is the same
as 'ERECTING A STRUCTURE.'
Voltaire - "The Law in it's majesty forbids the rich and poor alike
from sleeping under bridges."
Nobody from Wall Street is even prosecuted and not EVEN ACCUSED
of being a CRIMINAL. Average people are thrown in jail for
THE CRIME OF SITTING.
Hey, TEA PARTY. The law breaks the Constitution. YOUR DOG can
sit down and NOT get arrested. Sit, Rin Tin Tin. You sit and your
ARREST RECORD WILL KEEP YOU FROM GETTING A JOB.
No, I am NOT alleging these are 'crimes against humanity.' No!
Forty POLICE seem like overkill. Waste of Taxpayer's Money.
These police will get great OVERTIME jobs on Wall Street.
That's why they COMMIT INJUSTICE - that's INjustice, not justice.
Shame on them!
34
@16 Seattleblues- Meaningless political ideology? The way you so easily dismiss what's going on shows that you're simply a closed minded jackass.
35
I think this was the same woman who flashed me a couple of weeks ago.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jtcontinent…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jtcontinent…
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