I have something to say because this really gets under my skin. This has absolutely nothing to do with my normal writings or D/s. It is waaaayyy off topic. But I'm tired of hearing about it and all the bad publicity that is thrown in the direction of the fine Police Officers that face this. I'm talking about all the protesting going on in the U.S. right now, mainly centered around OccupyWallStreet...or any street for that matter. For the record before I start, I have no feelings one way or the other against or for this movement. This is not about being for or against it.
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but everything else that happens surrounding that picture can be worth a million. This picture is floating around tumblr with lots of bad comments against the police for using pepper spray against seemingly peaceful protestors. So many people are commenting in support of the protestors, so I feel the need to make a comment, because it’s always about the poor protestors…and that is wrong.
If the Police are there, they have a legal right and obligation to be there and take action. Typically it’s because the protestors are trespassing or causing some type of disturbance. The Police never act in these situations without first requesting that the protestors remove themselves from the situation peacefully. It’s their refusal to obey legal authority that leaves no choice but to take things to the next level. Using pepper spray is the best way to try to disperse the group without having to use force and a hands on approach, which can lead to someone getting injured, protestors and/or police officers. When protestors continue to disobey legal commands to disperse, that’s when hands on and arrests begin taking place. The protestors fight and resist, and things escalate.
So…who’s fault is it that we see scenes in pics and on tv that look bad? Usually it’s the lack of cooperation from the protestors that have led to what we see. It’s NOT the police. They don’t want to be there doing that any more than the protestors want them there. The police officers would rather be doing other things, I can assure you. Yet, it’s their obligation and sworn duty to be there and uphold the law. The protestors know when they start how this will go. They know they are breaking the law and yet they choose to do so willingly, even knowing the consequences. The police are following protocol and procedures in dealing with people and situations. They are doing exactly as they are trained, to protect themselves and the public at large.
This isn’t about the protestors, and that they are being picked on. It isn’t about what they are protesting and what they are fighting for. The cause can be anything...PETA, Occupy, Redwood Trees, abortion, anything. It’s about their blatant disregard for authority and the law, and purposeful breaking of the law. It’s their own actions that have taken this from a legal and peaceful protest, to being treated the way the media loves to exaggerate and show as one sided. The police will do everything possible to end this as peacefully and with as little force as possible. But when left no other choice by the protestors, they must step up their actions to affect the necessary results.
I saw a picture the other day of a protestor on the ground, handcuffed, and bleeding. All the comments were in regards to how unnecessary that is. Really? He probably was protesting and then legally asked to leave. He refused. He was encouraged to leave more, and he refused. The police began using their hands to remove him, and he not only refused but resisted and fought. What choice is left. At this point he is breaking the law, resisting and fighting with the police. Do you really think the police are going to say "ok, well since you are resisting you can stay"? No! They are going to affect the arrest of this person, to protect themselves, to protect the protestor, and to keep him from antagonizing the protestor crowd into a frenzied mob.
Feel free to disagree with me if you like. Remember though, there are two sides to everything. People don't get singled out and picked on just because they protest a cause. It's usually because they leave the police no other choice by their own actions. Just think twice before you automatically assume, by a single picture or video, that you know all the circumstances that led to what you are seeing. There are almost always situations that preceded what is seen that have led to the actions.
If the Police are there, they have a legal right and obligation to be there and take action. Typically it’s because the protestors are trespassing or causing some type of disturbance. The Police never act in these situations without first requesting that the protestors remove themselves from the situation peacefully. It’s their refusal to obey legal authority that leaves no choice but to take things to the next level. Using pepper spray is the best way to try to disperse the group without having to use force and a hands on approach, which can lead to someone getting injured, protestors and/or police officers. When protestors continue to disobey legal commands to disperse, that’s when hands on and arrests begin taking place. The protestors fight and resist, and things escalate.
So…who’s fault is it that we see scenes in pics and on tv that look bad? Usually it’s the lack of cooperation from the protestors that have led to what we see. It’s NOT the police. They don’t want to be there doing that any more than the protestors want them there. The police officers would rather be doing other things, I can assure you. Yet, it’s their obligation and sworn duty to be there and uphold the law. The protestors know when they start how this will go. They know they are breaking the law and yet they choose to do so willingly, even knowing the consequences. The police are following protocol and procedures in dealing with people and situations. They are doing exactly as they are trained, to protect themselves and the public at large.
This isn’t about the protestors, and that they are being picked on. It isn’t about what they are protesting and what they are fighting for. The cause can be anything...PETA, Occupy, Redwood Trees, abortion, anything. It’s about their blatant disregard for authority and the law, and purposeful breaking of the law. It’s their own actions that have taken this from a legal and peaceful protest, to being treated the way the media loves to exaggerate and show as one sided. The police will do everything possible to end this as peacefully and with as little force as possible. But when left no other choice by the protestors, they must step up their actions to affect the necessary results.
I saw a picture the other day of a protestor on the ground, handcuffed, and bleeding. All the comments were in regards to how unnecessary that is. Really? He probably was protesting and then legally asked to leave. He refused. He was encouraged to leave more, and he refused. The police began using their hands to remove him, and he not only refused but resisted and fought. What choice is left. At this point he is breaking the law, resisting and fighting with the police. Do you really think the police are going to say "ok, well since you are resisting you can stay"? No! They are going to affect the arrest of this person, to protect themselves, to protect the protestor, and to keep him from antagonizing the protestor crowd into a frenzied mob.
Feel free to disagree with me if you like. Remember though, there are two sides to everything. People don't get singled out and picked on just because they protest a cause. It's usually because they leave the police no other choice by their own actions. Just think twice before you automatically assume, by a single picture or video, that you know all the circumstances that led to what you are seeing. There are almost always situations that preceded what is seen that have led to the actions.
Post a Comment