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Afternoon Open Thread: Police react violently to Tibetan Protests (Chicago, IL) |
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Hat tip to quiet Bill for posting this video over at the Agonist, along with the accompanying commentary from Steve Watson at Infowars. As Watson describes,
“The footage was shot at a free Tibet peaceful assembly in New York on the 14th of March.It shows the protestors holding flags and signs and peacefully walking down the street towards the UN building in the Turtle Bay neighborhood only to be accosted by police officers with batons.
One officer identified as “Delgado” is seen in the video pushing people as the group crosses the street.
Another officer, identified as “Serano” is caught threatening to kill two protesters as the cameraman passes. He later admits to the threat and apologizes for it.
As the group nears the UN building, cop cars and vans screech onto the sidewalks, cops pour out and begin to beat the protesters with clubs as UN security guards observe without becoming involved.”
It’s easy to respond to this video with anger and to condemn it as yet another instance of police brutality, but the incident touches upon larger issues, I think. In fact, I would argue that the violent response by the officers of the law is a testament to the visceral power of mass demonstrations and peaceful protests. Such movements drive police officers to respond not because they have an order from above, but because something about the protesters–their passion, their abandon, their fervor–frightens the officers. It is a force more powerful than the law, more powerful than the officers’ weapons.
And in some seemingly paradoxical way, I find the footage inspiring; it shows that there are causes for which people are willing to fight (ideologically, emotionally, spiritually) and reveals the power of their protests.
What do you think, Readers? How do you respond to the footage in the film? Anyone who was in Chicago at the time care to comment?
Yes, there is still power in protest, which does make me feel better about the world. Especially protests like this, on message, very targeted, well organized. They can still draw attention and can still work.
I just want to throw this out there:
NYPD stands for NEW YORK police department. this has nothing to do with chicago at all.