This is the press release from the Metropolitan Police in DC:
November 7, 2011
Statement from Chief Lanier Regarding Occupy DCWhile the Occupy DC movement has been here since October 6, 2011 and the Metropolitan Police Department supports an individual’s right to assemble, we do not condone nor will we tolerate violence or aggression. Prior demonstrations had been peaceful. However, the aggressive nature of Friday’s demonstration prompted the Metropolitan Police Department to adjust tactics as needed to ensure safety.
MPD will continue to protect life (residents, visitors, protestors --everyone) and property as warranted. The administration will do what’s necessary to maintain order in the city and to ensure that everyone is safe.
Five people that we are aware of were injured. That is no longer a peaceful protest. Demonstrators have become increasingly confrontational and violent toward uninvolved bystanders and motorists. Demonstrators have also jeopardized the safety of their own children by using them in blockades. The following videos highlight such actions by demonstrators:
Intentionally Blocking Traffic/putting little children in the street
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpDsogOy2IU
IUsing little children to blockade the door
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CguFPFJAqlA
IDemonstrators blockade doors and injure attendees
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prgkEAuSQT0
IBlockading people from leaving the Convention Center
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXXf56JhTbsRegarding the traffic incident and allegations of hit and run, MPD is investigating and is seeking any evidence and witness statements. Anyone with information should contact police by calling (202) 727-9099 or 1-888-919-CRIME (1-888-919-2746).
Cathy L. Lanier,
Police Chief
If you click on the links to the videos - they are shocking - shocking because they are heavily edited and released by conservative groups. Why is this a big deal? Well, because the protest was of John Birch Society scions the Koch brothers at their Americans for Prosperity powwow. Yes. Oil money. Billionaires who fund candidates like Herman Cain who was at the conference and said he was a Koch brother from another mother. So for the police to cite FOUR videos that are all pro what was being protested - is twisted. Especially since being deemed "no longer a peaceful protest" has translated into (from the reports I'm getting) more cops at McPherson Square with their batons out.
Here's the Daily Caller video the police cite:
And here's a video of the lady who fell being pushed by what appears to be her date:
Here's another video of the same footage as the Daily Caller - edited differently:
I talked to the DC police and they said they'd get back to me with a statement. What is obvious is that AFP was angry their night was disrupted by these people and they've spent the last couple of days using their resources to reach out to police and urge them to turn fire hoses on McPherson Square. It's clearly worked. The police at least reviewed the opposition's evidence and even though most of the people they mention that got hurt - were run over by a random and unaffiliated driver (in two separate incidences that night) were from Occupy DC, they still have declared them no longer non-violent.
I'll post the statement from police when I get it.
