Police Clash With Occupy Protestors As Safety Concerns Rise In The West
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Police were met with resistance in many West Coast cities Saturday as attempts were made to close several Occupy encampments in the wake of growing public safety concerns.
In Portland, Oregon protestors were threatened with arrest after the Saturday midnight deadline was not met.
From Oregon Live:
Two Portland police officers were injured -- one suffered a gash to his leg after he was hit by a projectile thrown by the crowd; another was injured by a horse. Police arrested 23-year-old Cameron Matta, who is accused of throwing the object at the officer.
By early Sunday however, all but two people disbanded from the encampments CNN reports.
Mayor Sam Adams of Portland praised the police force for a patient effort in peaceably closing the encampment. Both Lownsdale and Chapman Squares will be temporarily fenced.
Elsewhere, the clash between demonstrators and police were more violent.
"We can no longer tolerate individuals camping on our streets," Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank said. Police were on high alert after a the death of one man Thursday night. 19 protestors were arrested as police attempted to close the encampment the Los Angeles Times reported.
Salt Lake City police have made over 90 arrests since early October according to a recent statement released by Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker. Public safety concerns continue to rise as encampment grow, not only dangerous but, increasingly unsanitary.
From CNN:
A melee involving 30 people on Wednesday night led to four arrests, Becker's office said, and public safety "has become increasingly questionable. Additionally, the amount of human and animal waste, as well as drug paraphernalia, is an escalating public concern."
Though protestors are free to gather at Pioneer Park overnight camping will not be allowed Becker said.
17 people were arrest in Denver Saturday night. Denver place responded to protestors' complaints of trampled First Amendment rights by saying individual rights were supported but it should be done in a law-abiding way.
"We can't afford for people to be injured, tripped, hurt, as they walk through the area," police spokesman Randy Jackson said to CNN.
In California, police have issued a third notice of eviction for the protestors Saturday, this following the death of a man who was shot Friday.
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Comments
To the above comment: if the country was just handed to you today, what would you do? Naturally, you would form a governing body with like-minded individuals to preserve your belief set. Your argument is flawed. If you want the country back, put a bit of effort forward and care about elections more than once every four years. The Tea Party movement did everything they needed to in regards to permits for gathering peacefully, and what they got in return were politicians who were willing to become "champions" for their cause in D.C. The Occupy movement is the opposite: unorganized, unsanitary, and unpredictable. Address the assault and pollution in your camps, and then I will give you audience.
I find it funny too that one of the main organizers for the SLC movement that was arrested said something to the effect of "I believe this is what our forefathers meant by free speech, and the police was getting in the way of that by requiring permits." Those permits are for extra clean up/restoration costs after events such as this. If you pay attention, those are police doing the cleanup, which directly translates into costs on all taxpayers. But that is fine with the Occupy movement, because under their liberal agenda is rooted in taxing the rich. The reality is that by their carelessness, they are taxing not only the rich, but 100% of the 99% they are fighting to support. Nevermind the Occupy Oakland movement shutting down the port and causing supply chain disruptions for thousands of "99% business owners" at a cost of nearly $75,000 per minute in closure costs.
If political causes were won by squatters, then a homeless person would be in the White House right now. But there isn't, and the Occupy cause will dissipate as long as there is no structure for politicians to throw their support behind.
Our emperors have no clothes. Our emperors have no shame. These governors, mayors, city councils, police chiefs and street cops of America need to realize that it is NOT UP TO THEM whether or not Americans peaceably gather, protest, discuss, or demonstrate. It's up to a document called the US CONSTITUTION. You can beat us and arrest us and tear-gas us, you can try to "permit" us to death....but you can't kill an idea. You can't keep down a people’s hopes and dreams for a better life.....a life with dignity and freedom....for us, and for our kids. With OWS America has found it’s voice, and that voice demands fairness and justice - for ALL. This land IS our land! AND WE WANT IT BACK! We want our LIVES back! We want our FUTURE back! But it’s much more than just words.... it’s much more than just politics.... it’s your LIFE, and how you want to live it. Find a quiet place somewhere, and consider this: Each of us has only one brief life....one chance....one roll of the dice....and many choices. The time has come to choose....to risk...and to act. If not now...then when? If not you, then....who? You DO have the power my friend....and the choice IS yours. Don’t let your dreams die....