Critical Mass Arrests
- Started
- Last post
- 49 Responses
- fate0
lowimpakt, what is that?
- jevad0
robo - you got arrested too?!
- ********0
dude - that kid is a jackass for trying to resist - i'm sorry...
that wasnt you was it robotron?
- ********0
I wouldn't have been surprised to see the old brick tossing technique, smashing in some honest man's storefront window.
That's always good idn't.
Anyway, it's good for your character robo, have fun!
- fatslicemike0
I consider myself pretty leftwing, pro-bikes, and wary of cops, but this video didn't make me sympathize with the c mass people very much. Granted I don't know what led to the original arrest, but if you are arrested, resisting is only going to make it worse. I know that sounds like a mindless drone, but think about it: what could you possibly accomplish? The chance of escape is almost 0, you're not helping to make a point. Not resisting arrest doesn't mean that you're not resisting politically. In fact, it's very possible to make powerful points while being peacfully arrested a la Gandhi or MLK Jr. Experienced political resisters will usually tell you that if you're arrested, you shouldn't fight it, there's no point. And arrest isn't conviction, resisting only increases the minimal chance that anyone will pursue a conviction against you.
I do think the cops used unnecessary force with the 2nd guy, mashing his head into the pavement. But still, the mob of people shouting things at the cops didn't look like thoughtful citizens concerned about politics and cars. They looked like an angry, mindless mob.
Actions like a running kick to the head are just cowardly, striking without accepting responsiblity. Sure, pigs are more likely to be assholes but many are still decent guys doing their job who are rightfully a little scared of an angry crowd. How are you helping anything by kicking some random cop? I guess I agree with k0na and JazX.
Or maybe I'm just bitter because some C massers were yelling at me and other pedestrians earlier that evening to get out of the way. Which made me think, are you guys anti-cars, like they used to be in SF, or anti-everybody not on bikes?
- jevad0
well written
- rasko40
a pinch of salt with that?
:)
- ********0
I'm with you fatslicemike. Nicely put man.
- lowimpakt0
fate - those are riot cops in berlin. Granted it was during the daytime marches a few hours before the actual riot kicked off but it was very interesting to see how approachable they were and how they dealt with the crowd. As I said I can't watch the video because of my shitty connection but I have enough experience to know that often situation can go from bad to worse very quickly when certain crowd control methods are used i.e. beating people and smashing their heads off the ground
- fate0
lowimpakt you didn't miss much of the video. Two or Three guys are being arrested and struggling on the ground to keep their hands from be cuffed while the crowd around them shouts at the cops trying to put some plastic loops on the guys' wrists.
- lowimpakt0
pah - boooooring. Man Ive seen some shiiiiiiiit that would make your ass water...
:)
- robotron3k0
no it wasn't me, but i was close by, anyone else get arrested?
- k0na_an0k0
um yeah. 3 times. not anything related to protesting though.
carry on.
- robotron3k0
btw, Berlin jails are much better...
- ********0
lowimpakt, I'm with you, that ain't shi*t, no offense guys. Not to brag, but I've seen actual footage of riots in Africa, both live and actual taped footage of Congolese stonings. I would have to say the sickest thing I ever have watched in my life. I knew an Afrikaans videographer in Namibia, he used to travel to Goma in Eastern Congo (Zaire), it's like 'Faces of Death' but you know it's real. :(
- mrdobolina0
A little melodramatic isnt it?
"The World is watching!"
the world is watching a group of hippies act like jagoffs for what? Because they think people should ride bikes instead of cars?
- rasko40
i think that if there was a thread about the technology of NASA planet roaming devices JazX would somehow be able to link it to something he saw in Africa haha
- mrdobolina0
no shit.
- Mimio0
At the WTO protest the cops were shooting rubber bullets at groups of people on foot who were just marching towards the barricades. In my experience it's the cops that usually cross the line to violence first. They feel entitled to do so.
- rasko40
and dont forget to add the horses head onto the onvoice, those things dont come cheap!