So... we had a demonstration. Experienced protestors answer me! :p

[neverborn]

We had a demonstration against CAT for their sales to Israel here in Peoria, IL. (Our town's largest demonstration was a 20 people anti-war protest before this.) We had people from as far away as Philadelphia come join us. We had over 350 people there. We had cleared this all with Peoria Police.

Outside CAT HQ were 10+ cops, full riot gear, rubber bullet guns/nightsticks in hand, Kevlar vests, face guards, riot shields, etc.

I'm now told there were snipers at the ready on top of various buidlings. State police also followed the Chicago guys down to Peoria.

Is there normally this big of a police involvement in these things? :x

Pics will be up soon!

Oh, and ask me anything.

[xray s]

1. It's called spend it or lose it

The Fed's are giving cash to the states and local communities to keep their eyes open for "terra'ists". So...they will spend that money any way they can in order to get more funding next year. Hense, police overkill at your peaceful demonstration.

[porkrind]

2. Snipers? WTF?!?

That's way over the top! Uncalled for! Now you demonstrators need to write and call papers and news stations to complain about snipers being at a lawful demonstration. This is outrageous! :wtf:

BTW, good job demonstrating!

[liberalhistorian]

6. Unfortunately, most "Murikans are

so mind-numbed and deaf and blind now that they either won't care at all or they'll think it was a good idea to "send those people a message."

Although it happened 34 years ago, I think my sig line is especially appropriate for today and this thread.

[neverborn]

8. True =/

[cmd]

3. Normal if the president is in town

But not normal for a protest like that. The only time I saw a huge police presence was at the Labor Day rally where Bush* spoke. There were lots of Secret Service and local police. No riot gear, but one mean looking police dog. I'm guessing that there were snippers on the roofs in the area. I didn't look.

Last Thursday at Diebold there were campus security agents. It sounds like the Peoria police over reacted. Perhaps they wanted to try out their new gear.

I'll be watching for the pics.

[chaska]

4. Jesus Christ! What the hell is that all about?

Most definitely NOT normal. Everybody spread this around. There is something bad wrong with that? What the hell is going on with CAT, or Ill, or whatever? There's some major mileage for the cause to be gained from this. Man your keyboards.

[neverborn]

5. What can I do to help?

[Rar]

10. I can only think of one thing

I also was at the protest, and I'm also confused about the police presense. It just didn't feel right.

Not only the fact that they were there, but the attitude they carried. Most of them had thier nightsticks in thier hands, ready to quell the slightest uprising.

It's almost like they WANTED us to get violent just so they could beat some hippy protesters.


The thing is, CAT is pretty much Peoria's lifeblood. If CAT were to fall, Peoria might soon fall after. It could be very likely that the police were just trying to protect thier own, but they went WAY WAY overboard.



Side note: Whenever you go to a protest, bring sunscreen. I am burnt to hell!

[jimshoes]

7. Friendly folks from Blackwater perhaps?

There was a blurb on their web page of services provided. I think they offered this particular service. Can't say for sure if it was them though.

[neverborn]

9. Was Peoria police...