Originally Posted by
chronic_jiujitsu
In attempts to have an intelligent conversation on the issue. Im going to toss my 2 cents in and see what comes back. I think there's a good chance people may have heard the warning. I mean as soon as armed security with riot shields show up and cage you in.. chances are you know somethings going down. BUT.. even if they did hear.. I dont necessarily think that means they should have left.
I dont think its acceptable to allow police, or anyone else, to demand you give up your right to free speech/protest with threats of violence. People have the right to be heard. And for those saying that you can be heard from your house, and that you dont need to occupy public places.. Let's think logically here. Had these people been at home writing emails to congress, or sending tweets to the people in wallstreet.. we would have never heard of any of them. And none of this would have gotten any attention. There is power in numbers. People realize they can make a bigger difference together than they can by themselves. Or protesting in one of their backyards on private property.
And as for the police. They are here to protect us. And before you talk about "protecting" other citizens rights not involved in this movement. Think for a second how many injuries/acts of violence you've seen take place during these demonstrations. And think how many of those were started by protesters, or how many times cops have been injured by these citizens. And then think about how many people have been sent to the hospital by these cops who are supposed to be "protecting" the people. I think its safe to say that the cops arent there to keep things peaceful. They're there to quiet these people and stop them from protesting.
And whether or not you agree with the things the people are saying.. they still have the right to say it. I think if the westboro (Sp?) Baptist church is allowed to protest at military funerals, and be protected by law. Then people standing up against corruption in the govt should be allowed to have those same rights. And the fact that they are blocking off streets because of there numbers ought to say something.. Like perhaps this idea has some merit seeing as though there are seas of people showing up across the nation to stand together on the issue.
And as for this specific video. Again, I dont think there was a need for any violence to take place here. Lethal or not. And seeing a guy unconscious on the ground.. it only seems logical that a flashbang beside his face would only be detrimental to his well-being. He saw why the people were running back (to help), and he threw it anyway. So lets just say for argument sake that the first one shot point blank at head level to the audience was necessary. And giving that kid a skull fracture needed to happen because of reasons unknown to me.. Id say one should suffice. There comes a point when we have to realize, the people doing the most damage are not the ones pooping in streets. Its the ones sending people away in ambulances to have brain surgery. But thats just my opinions. We are all entitled to our own. Part of that freedom of speech thing ;)
