"Protester" Hung by Noose at Berkeley Before #BlackLivesMatter Oakland Million March

[daredtowork]

Last edited Sun Dec 14, 2014, 10:19 PM - Edit history (9)

This mystery is now solved. Update post here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025961302




Well this won't incite anything...

http://www.berkeleyside.com/2014/12/13/effigy-hung-from-sather-gate-before-berkeley-protest-march/

I am adding a link to the student newspaper Daily Cal article because I think it is useful to see the student/community comments: http://www.dailycal.org/2014/12/13/effigy-apparent-lynching-hung-sather-gate-saturday-morning/


[Thanks marym625 for explaining how easy it is to post a picture!]


UPDATE:
While Oakland's Black Lives Matter Million March was awesome and peaceful (probably because police kept their distance and thus didn't provide authority symbols for mutual provocation), there were mass arrests later that night. It's unclear from the Twitter stream why that happened. But I would venture to guess it's because the police made their presence more known to keep a sense of law and order going on at night. Their presence encouraged the anarchists to come out and rebel against them. (Edit: it looks like the target of vandalism was a Whole Foods grocery, many blocks away from the main protest site downtown. Btw, Whole Foods has often been involved in labor/unionizing disputes.)

Then the police started a pattern I just don't understand. Instead of simply arresting the vandals and looters, the police go after protesters everywhere. They become terrorists against people just trying to protest (including witness like reporters, livestreamers, and lawyer/observers). The police herd protesters indiscriminately into "kettles" where they await arrest. One person on Twitter described the experience of being arrested this way:

Getting arrested is an incredible dehumanizing and emotionally violent action. It's more than getting "detained"
(sorry, I lost the attribution)

Perhaps this is a good "teach in" for the entire racial profiling issue, though. If one race is being subjected to arrest in greater proportions to another, then they are being subjected to the above experience in greater proportions.

Anyway, the police even ambushed and started arresting people who were dancing at the main protest site in the center of downtown.

Huh?

Okay, Oakland PD. What about "you are under scrutiny" do you not get here? Why are you not *just arresting the vandals and the looters"???!!! This pattern has been going on all week, and all this lunacy does is just escalate the tensions. There seems to be almost a determined effort to NOT understand what this protest is all about when the police just sneak out in jackboot mode in the night and return to behaving as usual.

http://vimeo.com/114482007

This video shows the level of police force (watch it to the end) being used to herd random protesters after the "march for media consumption" was over.

[marym625]

1. omfg!

You need to post the picture in your post.

This is, I have no words. Thanks for bringing it to our attention

[daredtowork]

2. How do I post the picture?

I've been wondering how to do that!

[hifiguy]

3. Man, there are some goddam bent arrows walking around

out there, but this might take the cake.

[nc4bo]

4. Here's the disgusting photo here.

[daredtowork]

5. Thank you for posting it!

There were actually three effigies hung, but that one is the most symbolic kick in the gut.

I'd like to underscore that we don't know who did it. This is not necessarily the work of the KKK, here.

[nc4bo]

6. You are welcome.

The ones who did this are no better than the kkk. Both are so cowardly they are ashamed to show themselves in public, preferring to hide their faces behind white diapers and hateful effigies.

Lowest of the low right there.

[freshwest]

23. The 'I CAN'T BREATHE' was added onto the photo. Was this a protestor calling his death a lynching,

or an insinuation that someone deserved to be lynched?

Not unlike the crowd in front of the White House guffawing about lynching Obama - but slow, so it'd hurt more - or torturing him by tarring and feathering him.

Fricking racists in that case, hiding behind their flags and repeating Fauxnoise memes. This could mean either thing - but lynching was terrorism, blacks have been the victims of it and it's not acceptable.

Of course they've been calling for Obama to be lynched before he was sworn in. Sadly, I'm not surprised at the resurgence of this as part of the white revolt against black people getting a fair shake.

[nc4bo]

24. I don't know freshwest

Half the time i I don't even know WHAT to say anymore.

More why's then there are answers.

I doubt the culprit(s) will be doing any admitting.

[daredtowork]

25. No one has pointed out that

whoever did this seems to have had access to a really big printer.

[freshwest]

26. Look at the letters, there is no shading on the letters as it meets the arms. That indicates it is a

generated photo, BUT NOT that it is a fake one, NO, NOT AT ALL. I believe it was done. And it is used as a valid photographic meme, to drive home point...

For all I know it was the same kind of sick low lifes that were at the White House guffawing and wishing Obama torture by tarring and feathering and death by lynching. They said they wanted it to be slow, to suffer more.

California is not immune to this kind of racism, despite the strides made there. The lynching thing with Obama has been well covered and is used all the time by racists.

But the image could have been used to make a statement in the OTHER direction. Because all of these deaths of black men is NO different from lynch mobs of the past. We can't forget that many lawmen were in the KKK at one time; some probably still are.

And there was a video posted here at DU. It was called ABC Nightline: Inside the New Ku Klux Klan:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/101772450?com=search

Segami posted it in three parts. I've seen the Rand Paul meetings with him surrounded by militia types toting long guns as they call for 'Restoring the Republic' and 'Taking their country back.' That is code for 'restoring' the USA to the way it was before the Civil War. This time, though, with the Koch dollars in full effect, and the division in the country, they just might win.

[daredtowork]

27. Mystery Solved

An "Artist Collective" has claimed responsibility.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025961302

[freshwest]

28. I see that. I agree with your conclusions. But don't see it as incitement, but consciousness raising

for white people who refuse to see how it must feel to black people to see their youth cut down in the prime of life for what seems to be no reason. People that were brought up, loved and counted on by their families and friends. Taken out of the land of the living and then ignored as if it meant nothing!

[daredtowork]

30. I would see it as consciousness raising on any other day

There has been a problem in Berkeley with vandalism/looting undermining the message. The Black Brunch folk who led the Oakland Million March actually had to speak up against this and tell the group that was driving this to back off. The night of the protest there was more vandalism/looting and arrests. I saw at least one dumpster fire.

Black Brunch and other black leadership groups in the area have been practicing tactics of disruption to raise consciousness: the vandalism/looting have instead been creating distractions from their message. This artistic statement could have added to the distraction. At least all the chaos and arrests waited until after the daytime march. Black Brunch conducted that perfectly.

[freshwest]

34. I agree and admit my own fault on that. I didn't think black students would do it, but I won't

complain with however they want to express themsleves. I've posted elsewhere before, that it's not for white people to dictate how they protest.

Since I hopped around on the thread, I didn't see LaShondra's comment before I wrote that, and now I take it all back. Black students didn't do it and white students have no right to feed off the suffering they have not endured as black people have, for their own ends or even narcissism, some of them.

There is little in American history that equals what black Americans have been through for too many generations. And while for some it has been mitigated, for others the crime remains just as fresh and deadly as it was hundred of years ago when they first arrived on this continent. Their lives were stolen then and it continues.

[freshwest]

29. P. S. I edited with a link in my previous reply. The racists are keeping a high profile, it's hard

not to suspect everything now.

[daredtowork]

31. I agree nt.

[freshwest]

32. From the comments, one I whole heartedly believe in and emboldened the important parts:

LaShonda K 
ABOUT THIS… Just MY Thoughts…


http://www.dailycal.org/2014/12/13/effigy-apparent-lynching-hung-sather-gate-saturday-morning/


There were several cardboard cutouts depicting lynching victims found on various parts of UC Berkeley’s campus this morning. We (Black Folks at Berkeley) don’t know who placed them there and what the motive was behind it. I have verified this Myself with Black student leadership!


During the #BlackLivesMatter and #Ferguson2Cal movement on UC Berkeley’s campus and in the surrounding area, non-Black led groups have latched onto the movement as well. Some have turned this movement into other movements and some are just using their privileges to irresponsibly protest ‘a cause’ because they can… 


While it is true that #AllLivesMatter… That statement is synonymous to statements such as #IDontSeeColor and I am #ColorBlind. These statements water down the focus that #BlackLivesMatter.

Historically we were considered a ‘fraction’ of a person, and we are talking about BLACK lives at the moment… Although All Lives DO matter, some people don’t even consider My life, or any other Black person to constitute a ‘full’ life… or a life worthy of Mattering. 


There is a Peaceful and Well-Organized Rally & March being held right now by our Black Student Union and other things scheduled for this weekend.
 I am almost willing to bet a certain extremist group may have had something to do with it. There were more than one and they depicted actual lynching victims with names.

OUR Black student leadership did not do this and it was not part of anything I am aware of. 
It’s really difficult when ‘Other people’ take ‘OUR’ matters into THEIR own hands and do things like this. Ultimately, lynchings are a very sensitive subject and I wish people would STAY IN THEIR LANE when trying to ‘support’ a cause or movement.

Putting up things like this overnight, with no people or literature to explain the history is Reckless and Inciting Confusion and Anger on a #NationalDayofAction… We don’t know if this is in “Solidarity” or a Sign/Threat… Again, I appreciate true “ally-ship”, but people need to chill… #LetUSTellOURStory #StayInYourLane
#BlackatCal #Ferguson2Cal #BlackLivesMatter #Berkeley #BerkeleyAlum


[daredtowork]

33. LaShonda's comment was why I posted the link

Smart girl.

[LongTomH]

7. K&R for truth

This needs to be on the Greatest page.

[daredtowork]

8. AP article suggests could also be an "Art Installation"

http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_27135441/black-effigies-hanged-berkeley-campus-spur-debate

I doubt it.

[appalachiablue]

10. Seeing this horror I very much doubt it's an art project. That was mentioned in a post here

last nite before I saw the photo. Some sick people in this world.

[daredtowork]

14. This is the same post

Someone suggested that I change the title and post the pic because no one was noticing it. They also suggested I start over with a new post, but at that point there were too many comments.

[appalachiablue]

16. Ok got it. I agree that it may be symbolic esp. b/c of Berkeley. The 2 Germans who

put up the white-looking very faded US flags (of surrender?) on the Brooklyn Bridge a while ago sure took a long time to fess up. Think it for was an anniv. of German born builder Roebling and son.

[daredtowork]

17. Hmmm

Well it's possible some traveling pro-Darren-Wilson circus came all the way to Berkeley to put that thing up because of all the media attention here.

But for the moment we just don't know.

I think it's good to reiterate what a terrible symbol this is, though.

[appalachiablue]

19. Yes of course it's horrible and seems to be based on a photgraph of a real person.

There was a Halloween display of bodies hanging from trees a few months ago at a military community home that people wondered about. Clueless artists here I think not.

[daredtowork]

21. Also might be frat prank. nt

[arcane1]

11. It wouldn't surprise me one bit. Lots of artists around here want to be provocative

And are often clueless too.

[daredtowork]

13. If there was emphasis on the latter, maybe. nt

[appalachiablue]

15. If they're that clueless how do they make it through the day, or life? I know, they usually

partner with a very practical, stable person- but still? Selection is natural and for survival, happens with many sorts who complement each other, like intros and extros, whatever.

[malaise]

9. Good 'effin' grief

I can't take the hatred

[daredtowork]

12. As far as I know, the culprits haven't been caught

It might be idiocy instead of hatred.

It might even be someone who wants to whip up outrage to re-energize the protests. There was a big storm here that literally put a damper on things, and there has also been some conflict over protest tactics.

No matter what the motive, though, this was really beyond the pale. Between the symbolism of lynching, the mocking of #blacklivesmatter, and its insertion into the place of the Free Speech Movement, this is a stab in the heart of Berkeley, and everything this city stands for.

Berkeley is one of those rare cities in the US that is an "idea" as well as a place. That noose is an attack on the meaning of Berkeley.

This is why I doubt this was done by a racist. This had to be done by an utter doofus, incapable of thinking through the ideas in play.

[seveneyes]

18. Who would do such a thing?

Can any individual or group be ruled out with 100% certainty?

[daredtowork]

20. Whoever it was, they failed to whip up violent reaction

The protest today was peaceful, led by various churches/faith-groups of Berkeley.

[daredtowork]

22. Added Daily Cal link

The comments from students and community members show their immediate reactions and guesses as to who might be responsible: http://www.dailycal.org/2014/12/13/effigy-apparent-lynching-hung-sather-gate-saturday-morning/