Today's demonstration
I've just walked back to the office from the little rally outside the police station organized by UNCG's College Democrats.
They seemed to be a nice group of young people. The president, Patrick Tutwiler, is thoughtful and well-spoken. He's hoping some PD officials might come out and discuss the demonstrators' concerns about the arrests last week. I doubt he'll have any luck.
Police might not appreciate some of the signs and banners. One said: "GPD Oppression & Brutality." A woman had a patch on the back of her coat that said "To Protect and Serve" but depicted a police officer pointing a gun at the head of a kneeling and handcuffed suspect.
I don't think the College Democrats were responsible for that.
Most of today's demonstrators seem to be affiliated with World Can't Wait, the group that organized last week's downtown march. They were all showing good manners today, too, except for the guys banging on the drums, which tended to drown out a lot of conversations and media interviews.
I thought this was about free speech. Those drums are pretty oppressive!
One interesting thing is how the protest has broadened. Last week, it was all about President Bush. Now it's targeting the Greensboro police and Bush. The demonstrators are making a connection. Bush has his surveillance program, the police have theirs. It's all related somehow. Patrick, the College Democrat president, thought it's possible that GPD might be sharing information with the Bush administration about the president's opponents down here.
I'll tell you, if local PDs are doing that, Washington is being deluged with lots of useless information from all over the country.
Oh, Nelson Johnson was there, just sort of hanging out. He said last week's actions by the GPD follow a pattern of behavior. I didn't have a chance to talk with him longer because of those blasted drummers.
Putting this all together, you've got an anti-Bush protest in downtown Greensboro, monitored by city police -- partly in an effort to intimidate anti-government demonstrators -- followed by a crackdown and arrests, possibly with reports going up to Washington. That's the thinking.
Last week's arrests were unfortunate, and I think some fault can be assessed to police and protesters. So far, the protesters are doing a lot more communicating with the media, despite the drummers.
Of course, most people who come into contact with police officers don't think of them as brutal or as agents of a repressive regime in Washington. Sometimes, though, police don't do a good job of telling their story. It lets their critics portray them as secretive.
Maybe the chief should have come out and talked with the folks on his sidewalk.
Comments (9)
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Those drums Doug, are the drums of ignorance beating to the beat of the misguided farleft. They intend to drown out dialogue because their agenda might be shown for what it really is.
Posted on February 9, 2006 7:12 PM
There was a mixing of agendas, mrp. I wouldn't put everyone there in the same category.
Posted on February 9, 2006 7:35 PM
No, Doug some wished to speak, other's wished only to make a noise, hence the beating of the drums to drowned out those who wished to speak.That is the sound of ignorance, drums or no drums. I am sure they would find a way to silence those who were "real". Must not allow for that because as I said, the real agenda might be discovered.
Oh I meant to ask, was the "good Rev" armed today as he was at the "other demonstration". Guess no one bothered to ask.
Posted on February 9, 2006 9:18 PM
I didn't have a chance to talk with him longer because of those blasted drummers.* Doug
A good sharp aggressive National Iquirer reporter would have worn earmuffs or ear plugs connected to a ipod in this age of instant communication and known the drum beat and the musical rock group that he was with. It's the small details that makes a good reporter in this day and time?
Posted on February 10, 2006 1:24 AM
On the second thought Doug! You could have ask the Homeland defense plant in the crowd to loan you his new high tech filting sound device that drowns out the drums and car motors in order to get the whole story.
He would have been easy to spot! He was the guy in the black suit in dark shades with a long metal pole that had a direct TV disk attached to his head.
Posted on February 10, 2006 1:32 AM
Connie Mack,
What's your thoughts on the unmarked black helicopters that hovered over the crowd of demonstrators?
The rumor is, and it's only a rumor, Davidson County's former Sheriff Gerald Hege has come to bring order and enlightenment to the Greensboro police department.
Posted on February 10, 2006 9:05 AM
Jon, Only the shadow knows for sure. hahah.
Posted on February 10, 2006 10:47 AM
What's your thoughts on the unmarked black helicopters that hovered over the crowd of demonstrators?* Alien Lizard Plant Jon trying to trap Connie Mack
If you had been paying attention Liz Jon! I zap the sucker with my Independence Day laser and it disappear to the Johnston County airport area 53, Near Goldboro, where the spooks of the Blackwater group stash their torture transportion aircraft to parts unknown in the middle east. Can I book you on the next flight to the twightlight zone of the NSA?
The rumor is, and it's only a rumor, Davidson County's former Sheriff Gerald Hege has come to bring order and enlightenment to the Greensboro police department.* Officer RCMP Dudley DoRight
I don't get involved in rumors or Sheriffs who have more firepower and personal then me!
Posted on February 10, 2006 2:48 PM
Oh Liz Jon! I forgot to give you directions to the Area 53 torture aircraft location should you accept this mission. It might be impossible for you to take part in this peace protest. However, I have arranged for you to take part in this protest. You will be taken up in the torture aircraft at America taxpayer expense where you will perform your world famous parachute jump without parachute to drive off the protesters. Can I depend you to show up and show your repub NSA stuff?
Feb 11: Smithfield: Stop Aero Torture Flights from Johnston County
Please join the Durham and Orange County Bill of Rights Defense Committees, Triangle Code Pink, N. C. Peace Action and many other peace-minded people to protest the CIA torture flights leaving from the Aero Corporations terminal at the Johnston County Airport on the second Saturday of each month. Our goal is to raise public awareness and bring pressure to stop these illegal and immoral flights. This month's vigil will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 11. Join us where business 70 branches off from US-70 between Clayton and Smithfield. People who are interested in carpooling to Johnston County from Durham or Chapel Hill can meet at 1:00 pm in the parking lot in Durham's Brightleaf Square, after the ongoing noon peace vigil. For information please call: Peggy Misch at 919-942-2535 or Joan Walsh at 919-403-2712.
Posted on February 10, 2006 3:50 PM