What is Going On? Let's Take a Look at Recent Events
The world faces unprecedented turmoil, and the English curriculum calls for me to help create "informed citizens." Recently, many "occupy" camps in Canada have been dismantled, the authorities calling them a health hazard and citizens "losing patience," happy to see the dirty kids gone, often saying that they should "get a job!" (note that our official unemployment rate is 7.3% and higher for youth).
Earlier, the media was largely sympathetic. Vancouver mayor, Gregor Robertson, first said protesters could "stay as long as they like." Given that the movement is largely a reaction to the concentration of wealth in a few (the 1%; to be a member in B.C. requires earning more than 250 000 dollars annually), it is interesting to note how the message has changed (note the "framing" that George Lakoff warns about) from sympathy to scorn.
Since the movement started in New York City (Occupy Wall Street or OWS as it is commonly called), and the failure of banks in the U.S. and the bail out that followed took place in New York, we'll take a look at recent events in the United States. As Canadians, most of us know that our affairs are intertwined with those of Americans, and that is why I ask you to look there for insight.
The biggest story about OWS this week starts at a protest at the University of California (Davis) campus. Students were protecting a few tents of an occupy on the campus and also protesting baton attacks on students and faculty (including the former poet laureate of the United States) that had occurred the previous day. Go through each link, in turn, to inform yourself of the nature of these events.
Pepper Spraying of Students (8 minutes; watch to the end to see the whole picture)
The Moral Power of an Image (comment from Atlantic Monthly, a respected U.S. magazine, helps you to understand what you have seen)
The Chancellor of University of California (Davis) walking to her car after a news conference and being silently shamed by the students. *Note that she had said, earlier, that she felt threatened by the crowd.
Assistant Professor of English, Nathan Brown's call for the Chancellor's Resignation. Pay attention to the written description of police actions that begin with the second "What Happened Next?"
Lastly, take a moment to view the website, "We are the 99 Percent," where you can see the stories of people hurt by the current economic conditions in the United States.
ASSIGNMENT: Write a reaction to what you have seen and read here at the blog and post it here as a comment. Write in paragraphs and keep your comments to no more than 250 words at most. Bring your writing to class, word processed and double spaced next Wednesday.
If you want to argue "it can't happen here," please do inform yourself about the largest mass arrests in Canadian history during the summer 2010 G20 meetings in Toronto (over 1118 arrested; 800 released without charges). Police there, as in California, hid their badge numbers from the public.
27 comments:
After I have watched these videos, I am deeply disappointed. It was an absolutely wrong decision to attack people with pepper spray. I do not agree with what happened . I don’t like violence, and I think the officer involved in this situation should be fired and potentially charged with assault. I think Occupying Wall Street for three months or more is absolutely ridiculous. However, it is totally wrong to use violence such as: pepper spray or teaser. At UC Davis campus in California , police used pepper spray on nonviolent, peaceful students and people who were sitting in a circle on the ground , singing songs and protesting about the increase in tuition. The government does not seem to care about students, people with problems, and most Americans believe that political corruption is a personal failing of the nation. The police and prosecutors in America have no concern at all whether they have arrested someone who is innocent. They just don’t care. When a crime is committed, they just try to arrest somebody, anybody, just to say they got the bad guy. They never like to admit they made a mistake. Once they arrest someone, they will try to plant false evidence to help them convict them. It is really sad to see USA having those kinds of problems. This kind of irresponsible governments leads society to degradation.
232 words
After watching these links, I feel upset and discouraged. What I saw was the clear propaganda of OWS because there was not any issue against OWS. For example, in the campus, the protestors blocked the road and disturbed other students and teachers. Therefore, the demonstrators were told to leave, but refusing to do it, they faced the consequences. The police officers made their jobs correctly and without any extra cruelty. I am shocked the last scene when the protesters thought that they won. I see not students but the mad crowd feeling its power. It reminds me our family story. In February 1917, in St. Petersburg, my grandfather was pulled out from the university library and bitten by “revolutionary” students because he learned and did not want to protest against the Tsar.
Then watching “UC Davis Chancellor Katehi walks to her car”, I applauded courage and tenacity of the woman. I am amazed how Linda P.B. Katehi was proudly and independently walking through the crowd shaming her. It is so simple to be a part of the crowd, and it is too hard and deadly to openly stay in front of a crowd.
I dislike OWS because of its leftish ideas, but I understand that it is the litmus test showing that something is wrong in the Western society. I support the people and governments are trying to find a peaceful and legal solution.
– 234 words
-Respond to a recent issue.
To tell you the truth, I’ve been following these incidents right from the start, and I’ve always thought that those people were “nothing-but-good-hoodlums.” But after watching the links I concluded, “How can a human being treat one another?” to those poor innocent people.
Although I’m not a big fan of those incidents, I’m shocked by how people would and could treat one another if a person’s perspectives were different from the others. Especially when I watched a security guard was laughing in the middle of arresting students on UC Davis campus ground, I was in verge of tears. Then I began to wonder how could he be laughing in despite of those students were arrested? If the one of the students were his son, could he be laughing? No! Then why did he laugh?
Then after when I read a letter to a chancellor after the incident that the police would open up students’ mouths to spray pepper sprayed them. I mean, come on! I thought that the police are supposed to protect the citizens’ freedom or at least they have the responsibilities to protect our rights, right? Or, am I imagining things?
After when I read the letter of practicing the cruelty to those innocent students, I was so angry. No! I was beyond angry, I was frustrated and irate! How those police could do the horrible things to those students who wouldn’t do anything?
-242 words.
After watching these video clips I feel so sad and angry with American police enforcement and the system is unfair. I am certainly disagreeing with the idea of attacking students with pepper spray. Doesn’t the government say we have the freedom of speech and expression, but why when it comes to an action they forget? Those students were just peacefully protesting at the US Davis and they didn’t do anything wrong. I think the violence was done needlessly and wrongly against the students and that individual police man should be charged in a serious way. I can’t believe how calmly that police man was spraying with pepper spray on the students faces. This action was quite aggressive and shameless. I thought police are here to protect us not to hurt us. On the other hand, I think occupying Wall Street camping is not the right thing either. We should find another way of conversation not this kind of silly and useless occupying Wall Street movement because they can’t do any better to the economy and I am sure nothing will change in the end. I am not interested in politics because the government is only saying the things they think are right. The government is just giving empty promises to people, but they have no concern about people. Although the American government says we have democratic government and freedom, we are the 99% website shows completely the opposite way. Who is really responsible for all these actions that American police men took? Words – 252
“Shame on you!” the students cried out, again and again, as the police officers looked (and this is my interpretation) stricken and guilty for their actions moments before.
Although it may be that some individual officers felt sorry, the truth of the matter is more complex. Apparently there is an official continuum of response to protesters; remember that passively resisting or failing to move when asked constitutes “violence” towards the authorities. Spraying a person in the face with pepper spray is a level 5 response; level 6 is shooting with live ammunition!
I am thus shocked that the students I saw were found to be just one small step away from a lethal response. Both Canada and the U.S. guarantee our right to peaceful assembly and protest, but I am afraid that institutional responses to protest often give lie to this “right” since, and I am one of them, I would not willingly risk violent treatment by the authorities to make my point. I am, therefore, effectively silenced.
But why such a violent response to peaceful protestors? This remains, to me, the essential question. The chancellor of the university directed the police to act and has faced calls for her resignation as a result. There will be committees and studies conducted, but as any Canadian can tell you (think the RCMP tasering at YVR) nothing much will come of it.
And the “We are the 99%” web site? I agree with my daughter’s one word response: “Terrifying.”
—247 words
The student protest at UC Davis campus was seen and heard on the internet. That situation was alarming and disturbing. If a protest is done in the context of being calm and in order, then there may not be in need of police intervention.
On one side the men in uniform were there to maintain order of the crowd and to protect properties as well. They were posted with the mandate as a reactionary force and not trouble makers. The pepper spraying of students were uncalled for. I did not see it as a reasonable intervention but more of an emotional outburst. In protest like this, police look villain. On the internet video, they appeared like hoodlums in uniform. Police may look bad as translated on the monitor but they were there to stop or control any untoward incidents. Police work is a risky business especially in crowd control.
On the other side of the fence were student protestors voicing their legitimate grievances against the system. Nowadays, the technology is so sophisticated that a whisper can be heard around the world or an image transported online in a matter of minutes. The students have all the tools like their voices, faces or body language to convey their message. Speak out and there’s no need to be confrontational.
To sum up, if students go there in the field and make their protest peacefully and orderly, then security force may not be needed in the area. If both parties move around within their boundaries, then there may not be a tense situation.
260 words
What is democracy? Democracy is “a state of society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges.” (source:Dictionary.com) Young people, non-violently protesting against economic and social inequality, were paper-sprayed directly over their faces that “several of these students were hospitalized”, because of “coughing blood.” Is this democracy? In my opinion, the police’s violent force wasn’t justified. How the use of brutal force on the peaceful protesters can be right?
Those young people fight against “discrepancies in income or political power between the elites and all the remaining citizens of the United States.” Those young people cherish the ideas similar to one of the revolutionary Marxist, Che Guevara, who says that “democracy cannot consist solely of elections that are nearly always fictitious and managed by rich landowners and professional politicians.” (source: Wikipedia) I support those young people, because they fight for my kids’ future, too. I don’t want my kids to be stuck with a huge debt, after finishing university. I want my kids to find a fairly paid job, and to be the effective contributors to the country’s economy and to the society in general.
I agree with Nathan Brown that Linda Katehi is “accountable for” the police’s use of brutal force. She chose the force over a democratic debate. I hope she was deeply ashamed during her “silent” walk towards her car. I hope her conscience reached the level of realization that those young people will not give up on their dignified non-violent protests, because they are 99 Percent.
250 words
I felt disgraced after watching the different clips. The policemen’s behaviors were so disgusting because they were forcefully opening students’ mouths and “pepper-sprayed down [students’] throats”; students were sitting on the ground with linked arms and protesting peacefully. I was further shocked by the dishonorable and cruel behavior of the police, who were pulling females’ hair. This has proved to me that western countries disrespect females just like other countries. U. C. Davis students were protesting about the increase in tuition because many students cannot afford to pay their fees. These students are going to run the country and are the future. In the end, the government is going to benefit from them, so I don’t understand why the students should be punished. The government allows people the right to speak and protest peacefully, but in this case these rights were taken away.
I was always under the impression that the police officers are there to protect students or people from danger, and now who is responsible for this rally? Who should we blame because some of the students have been hospitalized? It is disheartening and unjustified that whoever has the power in the world can get away with anything. (207 words)
I am disappointed of the police's violent action for the umpteenth time. It is disgusted to see the violence due to the police authority for doing any cruel act to suppress the peaceful voice of the people. I am not agree with Alexei who said, “The police officer made their jobs correctly and without any extra cruelty,” and I am afraid for the American Government that its police forces act as criminal and assault brutally the peaceful movement of the California David University. The university belongs to the students not the police, and I definitely support the slogan of students, “ Shame on you. We are university. You get to go.” The students showed that a peaceful slogan and a silence protest can be more powerful than assault, pepper spray, and any kind of weapon.
I enjoyed when the cameraman showed the scared face of the Chancellor Katehi because of the students’ silence protestation, but I am too sorry for the university membership (students, professors, and other staffs) to have a person like her as a chancellor of their university. I support the request of Nathan Brown, “Assistant Professor,” for the “immediate resignation” of the Chancellor Katehi.
I share my sympathy with the students, the Occupy Wall Street movement, and the people with slogan, “We are the 99 percent.” Besides, I support the peaceful protest against the tyranny and exploitation. I also suggest to the people who look at these events to have a wise vision and not be influenced by the appearance of the protesters. (157 words)
Everyone who is human would condemn such a violent act against the students who were peacefully protested at US DAVIS. It was disgusting to watch the arrogant policeman spraying innocent young people with pepper spray. Is this a right way how conflicts should be solved? America that for years teaches other countries how should look democracy in a country, gave with this video an “impressive” example. Of course, if similar scene happened anywhere else, it would be punished by American government as an undemocratic approach to an existing problem.
Another thing that strikes me most was when Davis Chancellor Katehi’s walks to her car among silent students. I was astonished by the way the students showed their disappointment – how dreadful looks when young people’s voices become silence.
People’s testimonies on the website “We are the 99 Percent” is another example how government doesn’t care about their citizens. I could feel the pain of a people whose country betrayed them. It is a big humiliation. Those people don’t ask for luxury, they only ask for basic needs, but government is not interested in their story. It is only interested to have an army of uneducated and poor people with whom they can do what they want.
Words 210
I was shocked that the police officer pepper sprayed the students who were armless and peaceful in their protest. According to the “Open Letter”, police forced the students who tried to cover faces to open their mouths and “pepper-sprayed down their throats,” which caused one of them to be still “coughing up blood” about one hour after this happened. Can you imagine that this happened in USA which is considered as the most democratic, equitable, civil and humanistic country in the world?
What is more ironic? Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi, who tried to create a “safe,” “inviting” and “welcoming” environment to all of the students in UC, actually called the police “with violent force” for help. When she walked to her car, surrounded by the silent crowd (absolutely no threaten she was worried about), did she feel shamed on herself?
The purpose of the assembly in UC Davis is to protest the increase of the tuition that most families or students can no long afford, but the authorities keep ignoring what people are telling them. That’s why “the 99 percent” stand up together and keep telling the truth to the world. I feel concern about our community as well because I am one of “the 99 percent”. If people around us are struggling about food or shelters like some undeveloped countries, how can have faith on our government? If we feel insecure about our future, how can we live a quality life?
---242words
When I was watching those brutalities movement from those police officers, I could not believe my eyes. I came to Canada just because I was looking for freedom. I feel very sad for those students in the world who get arrested and hurt by oppressive officers. In the citizenship guide, TV, and many other places I just hear about the right of speech and that’s it, do you find any freedom in that eight minutes video? Attacking people and students by pepper sprays, and injuring them by batons remind it me of Iran’s street when I was 15 years old; Canada and Iran are two complete different countries with different views and culture, but still they act the same with their peaceful protesters.
I am really proud of Nathan Brown with his letter to Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi, and now we can clearly understand what she meant by saying, “A safe and inviting space for all our students”. Also, I absolutely agree with Brown to “call for her resignation”. Moreover, I still believe that Occupying Wall Street movement will succeed one day, even if they use more and more of their police forces. Especially it is easy in these days to take photos or film any events, and publishes them online. “We are the 99%,” is an example of how we can connect to people who needs our support. In my opinion, police should spend their energy more on scammers (you can find lots of cases on, “We are the 99 percent”) than the students and people who are asking for a fair income with a calm protest. (268 words)
What was supposed to be a peaceful protest turned out to be an outrage. I think everyone has every right to share or voice their opinions and nothing should get in their way, Also there was no need for police brutality, no need for force or threats. I felt as though the cops were abusing their authority and taking things into a whole different level. However everything that was done could’ve been dealt differently. So many thoughts ran through my mind as I sat and watched the students being pepper sprayed. I thought what if one of the students was his own child? Did he(the officer) really think pepper spraying them was going to solve the problem?
What angered me the most was that while these students sat in silence, that one ruthless officer had the urge to spray them in the face. I don’t understand what lead to that kind of behaviour (of the officer) but his action leaves me puzzled.
We are the 99 %- were people of all ages, some students some that hold a degree but can’t find jobs, some who’ve lost their homes, some that have no medical insurance. The first lady on the list for example had paid $700 for over 15years and finds out that she couldn’t see a doctor because she had no money. I feel like these people have been cheated and lied to by their own government. It’s heartbreaking to know that these civilians had once dreamed for a better life whether it be having a nice home with a big yard, a nice car. All that just seems impossible today.
(271 words)
Ru
Generally when I think of violence against women, race or religion, I see trained police officers as the peace makers and heroes. Although this may be true, this video shows the opposite of heroes. Not only, the brutality of the police officers shown towards the UC Davis students lack human quality and was unnecessary. Regardless, of what the students did why do they think it is acceptable to pepper-spray and beat people? Does anything justify humans acting like animals towards each other? What happen to freedom of expression? What happens when those who suppose to protect us harm us? Of course, the public expects police to use force when it is appropriate. Be that as it may, some people working in law enforcement gradually believe they are above the law. They believe everything they do is legal. In the first place, the protesters were peaceful. They were not throwing rocks, beating people or braking things. Why didn’t the officers try hauling them away before paper-spraying? No matter what their reason was, it will never make it okay in my eyes. Police officers seem not to care about others as long as their case is solved. As a matter of fact, they have no problem arresting or hurting people who disagree with them. Similarly, I have seen this happen first hand when my father was put in jail for years and his best friend killed for protesting against the government. All things considered maybe we should rethink our strategy on violence and come up with a law that will protect those who want to speak out.
I am not surprise for the events at UC Davis and OWS. Once again it is the brutal force trying to smash intelligence. Even though, this barbarian behavior is still devastating me. Sadly this has been a constant in human’s life. However, those events are the awakening of the oppressed people fighting for their survival and dignity in USA.
When peaceful students at UC Davis were assaulted with “Pepper Sprays” and arrested violently they kept their self-control. It is a small victory, but significant. That diminished military “power.” “Shame on you” and “you can go” was a choir slapping on their faces. The deafening silence weakened the timorous chancellor. Paradoxically, students won the right for free speech thunderously. Fortunately this chain of events is growing by drops, but the seeds are planted.
OWS movement recognizes that people are “trapped in the game” as well that “capitalism has failed democracy.” Ironically, the “American dream” became in a “dystopian” society and this perverse utopia has broken millions. USA is an unmoral empire believing it is empowered to control our planet. Moreover, USA with other kingdoms considers themselves entitled to rule the world. They exploit their military-political- economical power to conquer everything they find profitable anywhere. Shamefully they have destroyed tortured and massacred populations, towns and cultures in the name of the freedom. Indeed the reality is that between tyrants there is no difference, whatever their origin is.
I hope USA citizens go for their redemption with unbreakable boldness.
245 Words
After watching the 8 minute video, on YouTube, as well as reading the article from the link that was given. I could not help, but to have felt sad knowing that the protesters had to suffer for their faith and what they have believed was right. They had to undergo the brutality of the police. The protesters were threatened by the police by saying they were planning to “shoot” them if they continued to interfere. The police were dressed as if they were from the S.W.A.T team and brought what seems to be a paint-ball gun with some kind of orange chemicals. I was suprise at first because I had not notice that the guns were not real, but just because they were not real, doesn’t meant that they are dangerous. Although I was not surprise that they would dress as the S.W.A.T team because, I have seen many people often dress as if there were more superior then another, to get what they want (ex. A spy dressed as a scientist or a doctor to get important information). The police had use batons to brake-free the arms that were linked together, and teargas guns to remove the tents that the protesters were protecting. I am glad that the protesters are keeping their faith firmly on the ground, for something they believe is right.
-224
The purpose of OWS (and other global occupations) is to a moral movement has succeeded, but has failed in providing suggestions and solutions to the problems it revealed. Once again the media demonstrated its power to the public. The protesters had all the attention and sympathy from the majority of people at the start; but they didn’t organize more effective actions to prolong the movement (as if they had got a job) when they were still the focus. That’s why they were demolished like bothersome visiting relatives staying for months not few days. So don’t blame mayor Robertson, he was only being polite. In terms of capitalism, it encourages people to be wealthy; the argument is the distribution— by who, and how. The failures of the system are not only deprived the equal opportunities to its citizens but also bending (or breaking) rules for greedy ones. Therefore George Lakoff’s cognition “Immense wealth is a thief.” doesn’t apply to people like Steve Jobs. This great individual (he was the 1%) founded Apple and provided the best products (you might have one) to enrich the people’s life. Besides, that’s the government’s job to “serve” its people, not “rule” its people. Unfortunately, Officer Pike’s pepper spray was the worst but definitely not the last incident of governance conflicts with human right. All in all, there were too many issues to evoke people’s consciousness in just few weeks. It’s best to tent the occupy movement in people’s (the 99%) mind to make changes.—249 words
I did not react as strong as the first time I watched the news of the police pepper spraying students at UC Davis on TV. However, I do notice that the episode posted on youtube is so different from the source I used to see on TV. The clip was not videoed by a professional camera man and we can see the shaking pictures throughout the clip. It keeps the original video without editing, which lasts eight and half minutes. It makes me think the media in USA just like that in China also edit out the materials they don't want their audiences to see? It brings me back to China 22 years ago. I went to street to protest with other students in our city instead of going to Tiananmen Square. What happened in Tiananmen Square? The Videos we saw on CCTV and CNN is totally different.
Now the websites do provide a chance for everyone to share the moments they have recorded and help others to know the truth better. I can feel that the anger from the silent students who put shame on the chancellor Linda Katehi when she walked to her car. It just like the 99% people expresses their unsatisfied to the 1% person. The 99% students not only have the burden of the increase tuition fee but also lose the right to protest peacefully because the 1% chancellor ordered the campus police "to disperse them through the use of force."
Internet offers more and more people with mutual knowledge which maybe lead a new revolution in future if the governments continue to ignore the needs of their people.
274 words
Protest
The law enforcement officer pepper-spraying innocent students anger me during the peaceful protest. I remember students’ hands interlinked together like small children sitting on the ground. I was in disbelief and I was shocked into rage by the viciousness of this attack initiated by the terrorizing officers as students yelled, “shame on you!” and, “you are supposed to protect us.” It made me want to chant with the students. I was in awe of seeing the students at the end stand together and saying, “Please do not return, we will not follow you” and, “you can go.” They did not try to assault the police despite the police hurting them. At the end of the evening the innocent students sat silently on the gravel as the chancellor of the University of California walked to her car. I felt disgust that she had called the police and endangered the lives of her students after all, she is the one expected to show reason and logic. Free speech should be promoted rather than repressed. I am glad that the university faculty had joined the protest because this showed that they have empathy toward the students and truly care. In the end it was nice to see that the students supported one another and tried to help each other. Their solidarity was clear. Overall, it was unfair justice; I was outraged at the wrong moral, physical, and brutal decision that those police officers made.
Words- 240
The first time I watched the video I honestly thought it is completely wrong to do what they have done to those students at the University of California. There for, I was shocked to see everything especially paper spraying the student, because we all know that how chilly paper can make you feel. In this case, its very heart breaking to watch the police officers paper spray: because we all have human rights and I believe they wore standing up for what they believed by occupying. And this is very violence and for this purpose, I think this officer should be charged and fired for using this weapon. Since this officer has used violence on peaceful protesters who wanted to respond the tuition fee increases at UC Davis Campus and considering use of paper spay is to stop crime not for Wall Street protesters
Furthermore, this is a brutal attack on the UC Davis Campus students and disturbing. Meantime, I am wondering in my mind that at the end of this protest, if those American citizens ask the government “why did they use violence toward Wall Street protesters?” What are they going to answer? As a result, every time after they use the wrong weapon they say “it was incident,” and it was not there attention to hurt the incent people. However, I believe it was wrong to hurt the incent student who were protesting peacefully at the UC Davis Campus. Lastly in behalf of the information we learned some of the students have been “hospitalized” from this violence. Words -259
I’m not going to side with either party, but the incident that took place at UC Davis was truly unnecessary. The police officers never should have used pepper spray against unarmed, non-retaliating protesters. Yes, they were resisting, resisting to move from where they were sitting, but it never got to a point where the officers had to spray them on their faces then make a second trip back to make sure they got the students with their hoods on. It certainly is a head shaking sight. I believe the officers warned the protesters that they would be using pepper spray against them if they didn’t move from their spot. But it was apparent that they made their resolve to stand their ground(sit their ground if you prefer), they should have realized the consequences of their action, but it wouldn’t exempt the fact that the officer’s reaction is excessive.
After reading the open letter to the Chancellor, I too believe that the scene that took place rests on her shoulders. She was the one who called the police down to the campus to stop the protesters, even though nobody actually knew that it was going to reach that extent. As the arbitrator of the campus she is responsible for the students.
The letter mentioned ``police forced open their mouths and pepper-sprayed down their throats”, that`s a little exaggerated.
The 99 percent website portrays the gloomy piece of truth of what is happening not just in the US, but is starting to happen, if not is already happening here in Canada. I can sympathize with them because I see my family as party of that “99 percent”. it is simply depressing.
-281 words
After watching the video,” Pepper Spraying of Students”, I was shocked. At the same time, I felt angry because of the police brutality. I thought in the US and Canada, citizens have the freedom of speech and to protest non- violently. If it is legal then why are the police officers giving themselves the right to be so cruel to the innocent students? They pepper sprayed students until they were coughing up blood. I found that the police officers protect the people who are in power instead of people who are in need. Again, power wins!
“We’re citizens not consumers,” is the motto of the woman in the article “We are the 99 Percent.” She is trying to explain that we are humans, and we should have the right to live peacefully and equally. We are not consumers to help the wealthy to get wealthier; however, we should stand for our rights and freedoms and fight until we get justice! (words,165)
What shocked me in this video is inhumanity and impunity. The actions of the two police officers were so unbelievable it suffers no contradiction. It is a free act of violence against innocent and harmless people. Nothing is more revolting. I am speechless at the contempt this man showed for humanity. And I cannot help but to think about the tortures of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo.The link is obvious and it tells much about what we have become and the path our society has taken for decade now.Inpunity and injustice became a part of our society and we have become spectators and actors of it.Somehow we had aknowledge the worst behaviours or else this would have not been possible.For some explicable reasons we have been use to believe justice and democracy were de facto our reality whereas day after days our collective mind(through individualism and greed) and society policies(security war and criminality) lead us to the violence we see now. Maybe That Is why this police officers who should ,in their usual work, protect the students instead of harming them and if not,at least, understand their grieves and concerns do not.Our unity has been disrupt and we lack the natural solidarity and emphaty a people and nation should have .And this is what the 99 pourcents occupying moveement is all about;A common people looking to bring back unity dignity solidarity and justice and much more emphaty and dignity in our society. As awoman stated it in the 99 pourcent blog after all “we are citizen not consumers”.
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Upon witnessing the pepper spray brutality exhibited by the police officer’s against the students of University of California, Davis or UC Davis I was disgusted by the police officer’s actions. This type of behaviour on the part of authority bothers me because the protester’s are peacefully demonstrating and a lone officer takes it upon himself to pepper spray multiple non-violent protesters. I can’t imagine what type of violence or threat to one’s security would lead this officer to act so harshly. Based on the footage I’ve seen, this lone officer’s decision seems overly aggressive and unnecessary.
The letter written to the Chancellor of UC Davis on the other hand was very civil and non-threatening, as well as clearly written and to the point. I felt compassion for the student body of UC Davis that are trying to stand up for what they believe in, in a peaceful and orderly manner. This form of communication holds more clout than pepper spraying non-threatening, unprotected civilians. This letter is congruent with how the students behaved when the Chancellor of UC Davis walked out to her car as well. This act of silent solidarity was considerably moving and powerful.
Lastly, and unfortunately, I think that little change will occur on this Occupation movement until someone loses a life. I am not promoting or condoning this type of violence opposition by any means, but I think that this form of peaceful protestation will not deliver what is being asked for. (248 words)
What is Going On?
OK, it is not a recent event anymore, but still is a reality of our lives and our society. OWS and the responses are over but the related problems are still there. Hopefully I am not too late to write my comment here. In the feedbacks to one of the videos in the links I read something interesting like “if people knew what kind of banking system we have we would have a revolution.” Do people really don’t know how the banks are exploiting them and how those only 1% of people are robbing all the rest? I believe they know, or at least most of them know that. What is stopping them from a possible “revolution” or riot? Is that the law? Is that perhaps the same law that also somehow support many other interests of the same people? Yes, people have to obey the law. Are riots and “revolutions” the only answer to all our problems? Maybe yes if we did not have any other way to change them. But we have a democratic system where the majority rules, decides, and can also change things, in a lawful civilized and acceptable way. I am not saying that demonstrating is against the law, or somehow (in good way or not) clearing a demonstration is against the law. What I am trying to say is for how long this 99% is still sleeping and letting themselves exploited by those only 1%? Isn’t that the majority who suppose to rule?
247 Words
After watching this video of policeman attacking the innocent students was quite a shock, since we live in a peaceful country where any sort of abusing is not allowed, but clearly still happens. It was sad that our government allow for this type of behaviour to occur. As the students were yelling “you are supposed to protect us” defiantly brings me in to an agreement with them. The world is supposed to become more of a peaceful place to live in, but instead we are still dealing with these issues. Also, watching this actions of the police, made me wonder of how they abuse other victims with no one watching and no cameras rolling. I almost expected a small riot to happen, knowing that it was youth they were attacking, and I was very impressed with how the students behaved themselves not using any swear words, or throwing rocks at them. It seemed to me that these youths were most definitely more calm. Although the police were kicked out by the students, it was done in a safe and calm manner. If that were to be me walking down to my car, I would be terrified. I would rather have them throwing something at me, that way there would have been less tension and pressure. I also agree with the “we are the 99%” people, I now realize how happy I am with two jobs and which are good paying too for someone my age. Many and many people are in debt, 7.3% is a very high number of unemployment in our country. Our government needs to create more jobs for people who are buried in debt. Over all it is very sad to see our society in this situations.
words - 290
After watching this video of policeman attacking the innocent students was quite a shock, since we live in a peaceful country where any sort of abusing is not allowed, but clearly still happens. It was sad that our government allow for this type of behaviour to occur. As the students were yelling “you are supposed to protect us” defiantly brings me in to an agreement with them. The world is supposed to become more of a peaceful place to live in, but instead we are still dealing with these issues. Also, watching this actions of the police, made me wonder of how they abuse other victims with no one watching and no cameras rolling. I almost expected a small riot to happen, knowing that it was youth they were attacking, and I was very impressed with how the students behaved themselves not using any swear words, or throwing rocks at them. It seemed to me that these youths were most definitely more calm. Although the police were kicked out by the students, it was done in a safe and calm manner. If that were to be me walking down to my car, I would be terrified. I would rather have them throwing something at me, that way there would have been less tension and pressure. I also agree with the “we are the 99%” people, I now realize how happy I am with two jobs and which are good paying too for someone my age. Many and many people are in debt, 7.3% is a very high number of unemployment in our country. Our government needs to create more jobs for people who are buried in debt. Over all it is very sad to see our society in this situations.
words - 290
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