NYPD Threatens to Sue OWS Protesters, Russell Simmons Calls for Peaceful Activism

[Roy Rolling]

Source: International Business Times

The NYPD announced today that it will "pursue legal action" against demonstrators who injure any of its members, reports the New York Post.

Ed Mullins, president of the NYPD's Sergeant's Benevolent Association, stated that his group will sue any of the Occupy Wall Street protesters who cause harm to any one of its 5,000 members.

"In light of the growing violence attendant to the 'Occupy' movements across the country, particularly as evidenced by the recent events in Oakland, I am compelled to place these so-called 'occupiers' on notice that physical assaults on police officers will not be tolerated," he said

"Assault on a police officer is not only punishable as a felony in the State of New York, but will also be met with swift and certain legal action by the SBA, which will seek monetary damages against any individual who causes injury to a New York City Sergeant," Mullins added in the Post exclusive.

Read more: http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/239011/20111027/ows-russell-simmons-scott-olsen-occupy-oakland-nypd.htm

---

This is a guaranteed winner for the cops if it makes it all the way to the Supreme Court. :sarcasm:

If this spreads, OPD will want money from Scott Olsen for damaging a police projectile with his skull.

[Evergreen Emerald]

1. and yet, they do tolerate physical assualts upon innocent American citizens

Citizens who are simply exercising their rights under the Constitution

[indepat]

26. Mr. Simmons might just find out that this is a two-way

street: maybe he doesn't comprehend that police do not have the right to assault lawful protesters who are exercising their constitutional rights. Were I Deputy Inspector Bologna, I would be quivering, no shaking or quaking in my boots and probably wetting, if not shitting, my pants. :patriot:

[atreides1]

2. But it's okay

...for the police to physically assault unarmed citizens?

[StandingInLeftField]

3. Ed Mullins has it all wrong.

What a load of crap.

[No Elephants]

4. A lot of occupiers making unprovoked physical attacks on the police, are they?

Taking bets on what is coming next.

Will it be a bunch of trumped up lawsuits?


What's your guess?

[tridim]

5. WTF? This is bizarro world.

"In light of the growing violence attendant to the 'Occupy' movements across the country, particularly as evidenced by the recent events in Oakland, I am compelled to place these so-called 'occupiers' on notice that physical assaults on police officers will not be tolerated," he said.

:crazy:

[newfie11]

6. I thought this was a hazard that goes with the job.

What every drunk that takes a swing at you while your on duty gets sued. This is crazy.

[StandingInLeftField]

7. They're hoping to make a pre-emptive strike.

Smokescreen, scare-tactic, shell game, smoke and mirrors, pay no attention to the man behind the curtain....call it what you will.

[Tippy]

8. Reading articles like this lead me to believe

We are being duped...This sounds like a well devised plan...treat them nice make them think we are on there side...then get them....We know who is behind all of this ....republican agitators....The protests we gaining numbers to many to quick,so they suddeny decided to put a stop to the protests.....I wondered the other day why all of a sudden was violence part of the movement...One day everything was honkey dorey and the next competedly different...This was organized, very well organized...The real protestors didn't see it coming...but I think the media did...

[EFerrari]

9. LOL

[pasto76]

10. hey folks, wake the fuck up! You all know the police will get away with a lot

any. ANY. ANY violence by the protestors not only takes away the credibility, but gives an excuse. I know most of the OWS people across the country are peacefully assembled. They need to police their ranks. Anyone who incites violence by throwing anything, or responds to police aggression with violence also has blood on their hands

Ghandi didnt defeat the fucking british empire by endorsing violence. In fact, didnt he take more than one ass beating? and then he won.

The first time one of these clashes escalates to lethal force, you can fuggedabout the whole movement. It will be smeared to the point of being ineffective.

NO VIOLENCE. PERIOD.

It means you are going to have to be smarter, more alert, more organized, and have several plans. You can count me in your numbers, and I do speak the message to my business owners and union leaders. Actually to the point where Im off the "A" list and unemployed right now...

I wont support police brutality.

I also can not support violence by OWS members anywhere.

[songbookz]

28. Please, please PLEASE!!!

Can I be on that jury?

[tk2kewl]

11. This fucking hippie is repeatedly hurting my hand with his face!

[Bennyboy]

18. I Need and Mani and a Pedi!

I LOL'd Out loud.

[smiley]

12. OWS should say...

likewise

[firehorse]

13. Don't worry, if a protestor injures a cop, we'll just transfer the protestor to Staten Island

That's what the NYPD does when they injure people. Hopefully the occupiers will get enough momey for a legal fund.

[ixion]

14. oh that's rich

the OWS protestors don't show up with batons, mace and other implements of destruction.

[Dawson Leery]

15. Police don't need unions.

With the power of the state behind them, they need no more representation.

[Roy Rolling]

16. This story isn't about violence

it's about propaganda. The "cry wolf" tactics of this police organization is of the "when did you stop beating your wife" fallacy of logic.

OWS protesters are peaceful and the news outlets that spread this propaganda that the police need to sue because they have been threatened with violence is bullshit.

I mean, really, when cops show up in helmets and riot gear and fire grenades and tear gas at protesters violence becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy---and a convenient breaking news story for propaganda outlets like Fox News.

[Historic NY]

17. Has OWS or the injured civilians filed any notices with the city yet?

[leftynyc]

19. This paper/mag is nothing

but a right wing piece of crap. Even worse than any murdoch rag which is where they got this story.

[Dover]

20. lol... What will Jon Stewart do with this one. They practically write his material for him.

:rofl:

[Dont call me Shirley]

21. NYPBullies

[Earth_First]

22. Today they issue their warning. Tomorrow a cop is "brutally assaulted"

Wait for it.

[GodlessBiker]

35. Probably by another cop.

[Demeter]

36. Or a Fibbie Plant

This stinks like 10 day old fish

[SusanaMontana41]

23. This threat means our side is winning. nt

[EC]

24. Sounds like they are trying to make people believe OWS

are a bunch of violent anarchists. How many cops are going to start coming up with injuries they SAY were caused by protestors?

[No Elephants]

31. Bingo. In Boston, the day after the news of police brutality to the 99% hit TV

and You Tube. graffiti including A in a circle (apparently the symbol for anarchy), appeared on a bank.

[FailureToCommunicate]

25. "...In light of the growing violence..." Ha!

The only "violence" that's growing is on the part of the police under the direction of the lackeys of the 1%

It's deja vu all over again.

[NCcoast]

27. NYPD recieved 4.6 Million for JP Morgan Chase in Oct 2011

If you're rolling in dough you don't have to restrict yourself to politicians when it comes to buying government. Wall Street bought the NYPD. Notice how all of the trouble has been coming from the older higher ranking cops. And this threat is coming from the NYPD Benevolent Association, seems a little odd to me they'd be taking a position. And always because someone might cause violence, because no one actually has aside from the police. When all those Tea Partiers where were holding rifles and signs saying 'Water the roots of the tree of liberty with the blood of tyrants'. The police found no reason to think they might cause violence. So let's be clear about it. Violence and excessive force and fine when used to support the corporate state.

[vets74]

45. But I'd only lose 10 DAYS HOLIDAY PAY if I committed 2nd degree assault on cops.

Walk up and MACE a pod of blue-shirts at the corner of Liberty and Broadway. Assault with a weapon.

That's gonna cost me 10-days of vacation credits and a reassignment to Staten Island, a.k.a. Richmond County NY.

And the guy's will pat me on the butt, football coach style.

Don'tcha know....

Btw: is this an SNL skit ???

[provis99]

29. Rule #1: All cops are whiny crybabies.

Rule #2: All cops are cowards
Rule #3: All cops indulge in projectionism
Rule #4: All cops are liars

[wobblie]

30. Sergeant's Benevolent Association

A couple of thoughts. The SBA represents "middle management". These will be the one's who will do the dirty work, ie. Sgt. Balonnia(?) and pepper spraying the pend-in women. The rank and file cops are with the 99%. In situations requiring violence it is the non-commissioned officers who take the lead.

[avebury]

32. If the police don't want violence then they should not commit violent acts

against the protesters. The OWS Events have been peaceful until the police attack them. I am surprised that some well known defense attornies have not stepped up to represent the victims in sueing the relevant police departments and cities.

[AlbertCat]

33. who injure any of its members,

Isn't that possibility part of their job description????


And isn't assaulting a police officer already an arrest-able offense?

[hvn_nbr_2]

34. Assaults on police not tolerated. Assaults BY police encouraged. nt

[SoDesuKa]

37. Grandstanding

The Sergeants' Union is trying to do something about all the political losses the cops have experienced over the past month. The police went from being held in universal high esteem - or so they thought - to where they are now, a cut above dog catcher.

The union president has to make a show of doing something about the cops' plummeting prestige. Threatening a lawsuit against individual protesters isn't much, but it will have to do. I think he really wanted to threaten OWS, but his secretary told him it wouldn't pass the laugh test.



Everybody's always picking on the poor cops.

[coalition_unwilling]

40. Bingo! You have nailed it. Their legitimacy as neutral arbiters

has become contested territory and they're suffering from massive cognitive dissonance as a result, i.e., "I know I'm supposed to do what my bosses tell me, but I also know that I'm part of the 99% and am being called upon to repress that same 99%. Argh, my head is going to explode from all this dissonance. Better swing my baton at some young kid to make my head feel better. Argh!"

[SoDesuKa]

42. One Size Fits All

The cops aren't set up to deal with large-scale peaceful protests. It's completely wrong to deploy a large police presence as a response to street demonstrations. This was true when street demonstrations were organized by the Left, and it remains true when street demonstrations promote a centrrist goal.

I remember being annoyed and puzzled by the large and unfriendly police presence in response to the demonstrations against the war in Iraq. It wasn't a police matter, and it shouldn't have been made one. The police themselves are going to back pedal away from the no-win situations they've allowed themselves to be placed in.

By the way, Tony Baloneyville is the place of bureaucratic limbo where they put you when they don't know what else to do with you. They give you a desk but no pencils, and the temperature always stays a constant 68 degrees. You can see out, and other people can see in, but you're not going anywhere and everybody knows it. You end up in Tony Baloneyville when you've fucked up in a big public way but punishing you would cost them more grief than you're worth. You can go out for lunch or they can slide a tray through the slot; it's your choice.

[WillyT]

38. K & R !!!

:kick:

[valerief]

39. Is this The Onion or Andy Borowitz? Cuz it can't be reality. nt

[fascisthunter]

41. embarrassing...

[SoapBox]

43. Time for the 99% to take back law enforcement from the Police Militias that have taken over...

Over it!

These "Police" departments are out of control.

...I'm going to be looking for candidates on all levels that support OWS.

[Heywood J]

44. "stated that his group will sue"

What would their standing be? They are neither the allegedly injured officer nor the alleged offender. A third party rarely has standing to sue over a dispute between two other parties, so I'd be interested to see what sort of cartwheels would be involved.

[Kennah]

46. ... then they fight you, then you win.

I guess I thought Gandhi was referring to physical violence, but fighting one in court is still fighting one.

I should note, the attribution of the quote to Gandhi is disputed.

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Mohandas_Karamchand_Gandhi#Disputed

[HughBeaumont]

47. Brass ones. BRASS ones.

Bunch of Oligarch-bought thug fucks.