March 3, 2012

[oldembed width="425" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/fVfamE7WAcY?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" resize="1" fid="1"]

#F29 Occupy Shut Down the Corporations Day protest at Wal-Mart distribution center in Loma Linda, California: About 80 police from the area form a line with "snatch" teams to challenge protesters who have blocked a street. According to protesters, Wal-Mart had asked police to hold the violence, and to just clear the street.

Interesting note that there was no media present except for the Occupy livestreamer, despite the size of the protest and the number of police present.

Video timeline:

1:24--Pepper guns are drawn at aimed at the peaceful protesters
2:35--Protester accused of challenging "line authority"
3:15--Command calls a 1015 on the trashcan
3:19--Snatch squad dives in to make arrest
3:25--A baton swing and a miss
3:26--Police face plant
3:28--Gun out
3:34--Gun holstered
3:47--Bandana girl takes a hard one
3:52--Down female assisted to her feet by cop
3:55--Whack-a-protester with now vertical female
4:02--Halt called to line advance

I can't say I was surprised, however, to see the protester at the head of the line carrying a trash can shield get arrested. As I understand, the use of the shields is considered an "alternative" protest method, yet it's hard to blame anyone for carrying one when the police have guns with pepper-spray canisters aimed at you and batons out swinging. Not good P.R. for Wal-Mart, which likely explains the mysterious lack of media coverage.

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