COMMENTARY | Numerous allegations of police brutality at Occupy protests around the United States are making the media rounds. Videos are being posted to YouTube with titles such as “Riot cops tear gas Occupy Oakland Strike.” These catchy-titled videos are intended to elicit sympathy for the protesters but if anyone watches, they’ll quickly see that Oakland law enforcement is doing what is necessary.
In this video, yes, Oakland officers are using tear gas canisters to disperse the crowds and it is painful. However, viewers need to look at the entire scene, not just the people. There is a fire in the street. Junk is piled everywhere. Police are required to enforce the law and there are few places where open burning is legal.
Protester Laura Long told Reuters that the police were acting unprovoked. Sorry, Laura, even if you didn’t light the fire, someone did. If people were milling around rather than acting to put out the fire or let safety forces do it, the police department acted properly.
I can’t help but think about a protest that led not only to serious injuries but to the deaths of four people more than 40 years ago. Some of those killed at Kent State University on May 4, 1970 were just walking by and not taking part in the anti-war protests. As much as the Occupy members try to advocate non-violent protests, there is trouble happening within the movement.
It’s one thing to camp out in a park for weeks or participate in a few marches. It’s quite another when you disobey a police order to leave. At that point, protesters are breaking the law and should expect law enforcement to, um, uphold the law!
Will the problems in Oakland fuel the Occupy movement or are they attracting unwanted attention? The national outrage at the injury of Iraqi war veteran Scott Olsen last week fueled the movement. However, any rational mind can see that things are only going to get worse.
Someone will die at an Occupy protest.
Will it be the stereotyped “mother’s basement dweller?” Or will it be a child whose parent wanted to expose them to democracy in action?
Law enforcement members are doing their jobs. For those in the Occupy movement who insist that the protests are peaceful, do your job and identify those who are creating violence. Cooperate with the police. Stay in your assigned areas.
Or, start counting the bodies.