Cinco de mayo 2007: Inklings of a Revolution

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Score another one for alternative media. Dan and his partner give you a feel of what the cops were doing in MacArthur Park and surrounding areas in LA on May 1, 2007. The LAPD is reported to have shot at least 240 "non-lethal" rounds. This is a "must see" video, and I've looked at a number of others.

Independent Videographers Caught in MacArthur Park Police Sweep
May 1, 2007

The image of police in black riot gear with "non-lethal" weapons is becoming very common (See Pentagon Photos). We need to take the riot toys away from the police departments. "Nonlethal" weapons kill people and make it too easy for cops to use excessive force.


In an analysis of 373 incidents in which 969 projectiles were fired, the following statistics were identified:

Recent Growth in Use (reflects only those surveyed for the study):

56 Incidents were from 1985 - 1995
312 Incidents were from 1995 - 2000

Results of 782 Impacts:

680 resulted in a Bruise, Abrasion or Laceration
27 resulted in a bone fracture
14 resulted in a penetration (photo below of a projectile lodged near a man's eye)
10 Deaths

Range of Fire:

60% were shot within 30ft
40% were shot within 20ft

Munition Types:

About 80% were bean bag varieties. The others were baton rounds (various plastic, foam, rubber, wooden projectiles).

Carl Kesser, independent Miami filmmaker, with
a bean bag lodged near his eye.

He was shot while covering the protest of the
Free Trade Area of the America in Miami Florida,
November 2003 [2]

In addition to deaths caused by "non-lethal" projectiles, there are numerous reported deaths due to taser weapons.

In November 2004 Amnesty International published a report detailing its concerns about taser use in the USA, including the circumstances in which more than 70 people had died in the USA and Canada after being struck with the weapons.[1]

The cops need to back off, and stop forming riot lines. The cops need to realize they are working class people, and be prepared to switch sides "when the time comes" and it will.

Sources:

1. USA: Excessive and lethal force? Amnesty International’s concerns about deaths and ill-treatment involving tasers AI Index: AMR 51/139/2004

2. The city of Miami agreed Tuesday to pay $180,000 to Carl Kesser. After medical costs and attorneys' fees, Kesser said that he was ''breaking even'' by taking the offer. Kesser said he was disappointed the courts did not find Miami violated his constitutional rights, as he'd hoped to make a statement with his suit against the city. On the plus side, he said, ``there's probably 150, 170 cases behind me.'' Article.

Study on the effects of less-than-lethal weapons [PDF]. IMPACT MUNITIONS DATA BASE OF USE AND EFFECTS, Ken Hubbs ; David Klinger, February, 2004.

Free Press: Excellent Story, "LAPD on May Day March: Strike Now, Ask Later," May 3, 2007 Daniel Hernandez. My lead to YouTube video.
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Pentagon Protest: Police Line on Washington Blvd

This is the final in a set of three photo essays about the Pentagon protest on March 17, 2007. The other two photo essays are:

Overview and Miscellaneous Photos

Speaker Stage Area Photos

As noted in the "Overview," the march led to a speaker's stage set up with the Pentagon in the background. The second area of activity was a police barrier across Washinton Boulevard at the bridge crossing Route 110 (Jefferson Davis Highway). The bridge is in the background of the photo below. The police line was formed on the left side of the bridge relative to the photo below.

Crowd listening to Speakers at the Pentagon Protest.
Washington Blvd. bridge in background.
March 17, 2007.

Upon arriving at the bridge, some people were saying that somebody had been arrested and sprayed with mace. A small crowd stood in front of the police comprising a group of direct action protesters, other marchers, and a variety of journalists.

Crowd standing in front of a police line the on
Washington Blvd. bridge crossing Rt. 110.
Pentagon Protest, March 17, 2007.

The line was composed of a variety of different police forces including State police, park police, and local police.

Police line blocking off Washington Blvd. looking South-East
toward the Pentagon. Note grass median and exit lane markings.
Pentagon Protest, March 17, 2007

Police line blocking off Washington Blvd. looking Nouth-West
away from the Pentagon. This is about half of the police line.
Pentagon Protest, March 17, 2007

The dynamic weather and setting made for some interesting photo opportunities. Despite good intentions, the Air Force memorial, seen in the background of the following photo, can't help but look a bit evil, like barbs of satan emerging from the ground.

Police line with helicopter and Air Force Memorial
in the background. March 17, 2007.

A group of direct-action protesters were assembled behind me from the vantage point of the police line photo immediately above. They were debating whether or not to confront the police line.

Direct-action protesters debate options at
the Pentagon Protest March 17, 2007.

The protesters decide to pull back, standing and conducting an organized retreat saying that they would meet the authorities again some day.

Anarchist protesters on Washington Blvd.
perform an organized retreat from the police blockade.
Pentagon Protest, March 17, 2007

A chartered bus got trapped on the Washington Blvd. bridge. The poster displayed in the window made the Vanderhoof bus company appear to be in support of the impeachment of George Bush.

Charter bus trapped on the Washington Blvd. bridge.
Pentagon Protest, March 17, 2007

Charter bus trapped on the Washington Blvd. bridge.
Pentagon Protest, March 17, 2007

Eventually, the police line started to slowly move forward to clear people off of the bridge. The process involved the line taking a few small steps forward, then stopping. The process was briefly altered when the police line reached a yellow school bus that had been trapped on the bridge, which it eventually let pass through the line.

Advancing Police line encounters a trapped school bus
on the Washington Blvd. overpass of Rt. 110
March 17, 2007

Police line allows trapped school bus on the Washington Blvd. overpass
to pass through. March 17, 2007

School bus passes into the distance beyond the
advancing police line clearing Washington Blvd overpass
March 17, 2007

Protesters stayed several steps ahead of the advancing police line.

Advancing Police line encounters a hoolahoop peace sign
on the Washington Blvd. overpass of Rt. 110
March 17, 2007

Advancing Police line encounters a bicycle rider
on the Washington Blvd. overpass of Rt. 110
March 17, 2007

This sign was prominantly displayed as the police line advanced
on the Washington Blvd. overpass of Rt. 110
March 17, 2007

One couldn't help but see the stark resemblance of the State Police riot gear and the Darth Vadar.

March on the Pentagon, 03/17/07.