Water and the right to protest

Activists at the DNC have noticed an unmistakable characteristic of police action relating to protests: a level of brutality and humiliation that appears so widespread, it must result from policy. For example, some arrestees have been tied to each other throughout their incarceration, and (according to the KGNU radio station) have not been allowed privacy even when using the bathroom. The Rocky Mountain News reported that protesters attending their court hearings were "zip-tied" together in pairs, even when one of them had to go forward to the microphone.

It is fairly common knowledge that when the authorities treat prisoners who are not a risk for violence as if they are dangerous, such visual cues can prejudice the court against them. When judges tolerate such practices in their courtrooms, it suggests that the prosecution is maliciously political rather than criminal.

But as anyone protesting on the streets in Denver can tell you, the attacks on protesters haven't been limited to their treatment during and after arrest. A number of protesters have described circumstances in which they were detained by police, even as the police denied there was detention.

On Monday night, when the police corralled several hundred protesters, one activist described being told that he was free to leave, so long as he didn't cross the police line. "Go to the other end," he was told. Discovering there that the encirclement was complete, he again inquired. "They'll let you out over there," came the reply. Mind games. One activist told Submedia TV, "...a lot of the psychological aspects were fairly brutal."

http://submedia.tv

The Freedom Cage is conceived as a means of isolation and humiliation. At one protest in Aurora a few years ago, the police surrounded the cage with canine units, then used the dogs to intimidate protesters who entered. Since when are dogs a necessary part of granting constitutional free speech?

It appears now, the Freedom Cage at the DNC was also conceived as a means of specifically punishing those identifying themselves as dissidents by showing up. All of the 12 drinking-water stations agreed to by the city were set up in parks and along parade routes, but none were set up at the protesters' anticipated destination near the Pepsi Center. The Denver Post reported today that this was "a possible violation of the terms of setup a federal judge relied on when approving Denver's security plans for the Democratic National Convention."

http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_10320525

The Obama campaign ought to have known that this could be a serious problem. Exactly one week ago, an estimated 150 people were treated for heat-related illness -- including 17 who required hospitalization -- at an event featuring Senator Obama.

http://www.watertechonline.com/news.asp?N_ID=70519

According to the Journal Star, "authorities refused to allow water bottles into the plaza area for security reasons, and event coordinators did not set up misting stations or water fountains or offer free water until shortly before Obama appeared on stage at 2 p.m. Volunteers tried to pass cups of water through the crowd, but most people still missed out."

One man passed out and struck the back of his head on the pavement. After that incident, the Obama campaign stated that it had "worked closely with [the city] to ensure water was available at many locations, both inside and outside the event site."

Please follow links for additional information.

http://www.pjstar.com/news_state/x594222929/Questions-remain-about-lack-...

Denver Jail System

Don't know if you have ever gone through it... but it's pretty degrading whether you are part of a protest or not... unfortunately you don't get privacy while using the bathroom. yep, pretty fucked up.

on friday the police will be

on friday the police will be our friends again.

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