I really think Seattle was a "Trial Run" for the new Y2K era.
Not good.

Seattle Doctor's Searing Statement On Police Brutality

Seattle Doctor's Searing
Statement On Police Brutality
From Dr. Byron Weeks <btw777@if.rmci.net>

12-5-99

My name is Richard DeAndrea. I'm a medical doctor. What I saw up here was martial law. This turned into a police state. Everything you have seen on television regarding local news broadcasts including national public radio was a blackout. The police were using concussion grenades. They were using shooting tear gas canisters directly at protesters, faces. They were using rubber bullets. Some of the damage I saw from these rubber bullets took off part of a person's jaw, smashed teeth in their mouth. I saw the police arrest people who had their hands up in the air screaming we are peacefully protesting.   The amount of looting that took place was so minimal I don't even know where they got the footage from. I am saying this beyond a shadow of a doubt. This is a definite sign that American is heading towards a police state unless people start standing up for their rights as individuals. I am actually shocked and ashamed. I am ashamed of the police force, I am ashamed of the mayor I am ashamed of Bill Clinton. I am ashamed of the whole thing.   Jared: These rubber bullets - what are they?   Dr. DeAndrea: They are made of polyester type material. They are like a hard plastic toy. The idea is to hit your body, do damage, not actually penetrate. But I did see penetration wounds, I did see people bleeding. I did see teeth loss, I did see broken bones. There were children present, there were families present, they were firing upon families, mothers, grandmothers. They were just firing at them. They came out in full police force. They brought out swat teams, they had the national guard up here, there was CIA surrounding the delegates' buildings. It was very obvious that there was an institutional control that had no regard of human rights whatever.   In addition we have video footage of protesters being taken away as well as human rights being violated. Prisoners were taken and they were tortured. There is a case, I believe his name is Holm, Keith Holm. He was tortured because he would not give his name. They handcuffed, laid him on the floor, they smashed his face against the concrete, they grabbed his hair, they ripped out a lock of hair. and then placed pencils between his fingers on them until he would give his name. They were also banging his head against metal objects. He was actually the first protester released because the Internal Affairs came in to do an investigation and they wanted him gone because he would be able to give testimony.   We're treating people in a studio loft downtown. I just treated an ear wound. People have been treated for concussion injuries. There have been people who have been treated for plastic bullet wounds. Lots of tear gas injuries, lots of damage to cornea, lots of damage to the eyes and skins. They were using a pepper spray, a tear gas and they were also using some sort of nerve gas. We had reports of many demonstrators winding up with seizures the next day. It causes muscles to clamp up, muscle contraction, seizures.   They have done several illegal things regarding these people in jail. They have been telling them that they would not be let out, not have their bail set if they didn't get their names. Its their legal right not to give their name. They don't have to speak at all. Attorneys came up and said we are representing these people. The police called their attorneys liars. At this point they have still refused to let any of them see their clients. There are close to 600 people who were arrested and they have been holding them for two days on charges that are mostly misdemeanors - refusal to disperse. A lot of people in there have not gotten medical attention, either. I have gotten calls from young ladies in there who have had all sorts of emotional problems as well as physical problems. They have called me for medical attention from inside the jail. There are people still sitting in there who have not even been processed.   Today there were fewer attacks by police, but they did arrest more people. And there was no violence today by the marchers and all through the day yesterday it was the same. What you are seeing on television about looting and anarchistic protesters - there's straight-out blackout they are basically pushing that. There is not much damage to property here. There are not many windows that have been damaged or stores that have been looted. Those are extremely rare cases.   I used to believe newspapers were telling the truth. But now I am no longer behind that.   This shouldn't happen in America.   This is still America, isn't it?   I'm beginning to wonder.

Importantly see also:

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=001uey

-- Freedom Lost? (Godhelp@us.all), December 05, 1999

Answers

Warning -- Your local police are armed and dangerous. [1960s lapel button]

"The streets of our country are in turmoil. The universities are filled with students rebelling and rioting. Communists are seeking to destroy our country. Russia is threatening us with her might. And the republic is in danger. Yes, danger from within and without. We need law and order! Yes, without law and order our nation cannot survive. We shall restore law and order!
[Adolph Hitler, 1932]

-- A (A@AisA.com), December 05, 1999.

My opinion on what happened in Seattle, Waco and Ruby Ridge is that there are as many DGI's as there are on the Y2K issue. We have two young boys who we wish to raise to enjoy freedom are prosperity. Although I do not belong to any groups I am thankful to those out there who have made commitments to the militia, because unfortunately you may be needed soon. We will leave the lights on for you.

If anyone dosn't understand the above don't bother to flame me for on this I can be every bit as much intolerant of stupidity as Paul Milne.

-- Ed (ed@lizzardranch.com), December 05, 1999.

Very ON Topic. Y2K Preview. Be prepared to hibernate and not have to go out in the streets for any reason for a long time.

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), December 05, 1999.

First, policemen are Americans too.

They have families.

They get hurt when hit with rocks or bottles.

They have little or no "riot" training.

And most important, they do what they're told to do -- so blame their chiefs and the politicians trying to make a name for themselves by being "tough" and sending the police against the protestors!

In the 1960's those of us who protested the Vietnam War knew the least risky protest was to sit on a sidewalk in front of the Selective Service office, for example, and not block anyone who wished to enter (that's their right) the building, or resist arrest, if it came to that.

We made our point and no one got hurt. Protests can be more effective when quiet, and peaceful. If the police are ordered to haul you away you go peacefully. Then come back the next day and do it again. You can't come back the next day if you're in traction! The story in Seattle is more about the "riot" now than about complex issues concerning the WTO.

-- Richard Greene (Rgreene2@ford.com), December 05, 1999.

Richard. I empathize with the police, too, but read the above. The protestors were law-abiding and were beaten and tortured. Why? So the Mayor could look good? So Bill Clinton could look good? Please don't blame the demonstrators.

-- Mara (MaraWayne@aol.com), December 05, 1999.

Another SIGHTINGS link?!

Oh, well, I'm on the east coast, so will not insult anyone with my opinions, because I wasn't there. Rest assured that if there are riots or other mayhem on the east coast, then again I will not insult you with my opinions, because I will assuredly be under my bed trying not to wet myself, heh.

-- Hokie (nn@va.com), December 05, 1999.

Hokie-

"Oh, well, I'm on the east coast, so will not insult anyone with my opinions, because I wasn't there. Rest assured that if there are riots or other mayhem on the east coast, then again I will not insult you with my opinions, because I will assuredly be under my bed trying not to wet myself, heh."

Great point. I'd be really glad to see you stop insulting the intelligence of the people on this forum. You don't have to "be there" to realize that the image of what happened is presented in the media is ludicrously inaccurate. I have read numerous eyewitness accounts, not a single one of which even resembles what the big media are saying.

You and all the rest of you who take the side of the police (I *don't* mean that the police aren't justifyed on many occasions where force is necessary, THIS IS JUST NOT ONE OF THOSE CASES PEOPLE, OPEN YOUR EYES!!) on WTO threads, please start listening. We y2k aware types know all about media spin, and ad homonym attacks.

Let's not engage in them, or suborn them ourselves!!!!

sean

-- sean (another_great@answer.from.hokie), December 05, 1999.

Vhy did ve kill all zoes Jews?

Ve vere chust following orders!!

That is NO EXCUSE TO TORTURE U.S. CITIZENS. Crap like this is why I now own THOUSANDS of rounds of ammo, including steel-core. We may die, but we will NOT live as slaves to Der ArkanFuhrer, and we'd sure as HELL take some of the jackboots with us.

Those police officers committed crimes against humanity. They should be arrested and tried at The Hague for such. Just like the F**KING NAZI'S that preceded them...

-- Dennis (djolson@cherco.net), December 05, 1999.

Sounds like 1972.

-- Forrest Covington (theforrest@mindspring.com), December 06, 1999.