WTF? Ohio police ordered to have riot gear ready for election 'unrest'

[Lost-in-FL]

It sounds like the kind of thing that precedes "elections" under dictatorships: Riot police being readied for "civil unrest" during a presidential vote.

But the location is in the United States. According to an internal memo acquired by the local NBC News affiliate, Toledo, Ohio police officers have been ordered to "have their riot equipment with them Tuesday and Wednesday."

Police chief Mike Navarre told the network officers will carry equipment similar to the gear they used during 2005 race riots.

"They have been asked to have their helmets and their gas masks available tomorrow and Wednesday," Navarre said, "That's the equipment they would not normally carry with them on a normal day."

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Voter intimidation??? This is so wrong.

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Ohio_police_in_riot_gear_on_1104.html

Link with video.

[Catch22Dem]

1. Yup, and they'll need it if the pukes steal another one

The streets all over this country will be crazy!

[NYC_SKP]

2. They should be ready, that's their job.

Because if there are shenanigans, there should be unrest.

I'm not hoping for either, but given the history of Ohio voting mischief and the gravity of this election, they'd be negligent to not be prepared for this possibility.

I pray their gear stays stowed in the trunks and remains untouched during the next 48 hours.

:donut:

[maseman]

3. I am friend with two Cleveland police officers

This is routine for a lot of things. Election day, large sporting event finals, and other public gatherings. It isn't intimidation unless they suit up and stand next to poll lines. But if for some reason a huge fight breaks out in an election line would you want the police not prepared?

Not everything is a conspiracy. Remember people on DU saying they were sure Bush would call for martial law and no election would take place today?

[Ian David]

4. What could go wrong? I mean, it's Ohio, right?

[Lost-in-FL]

5. Ouch!! nt

[bdamomma]

6. there will no unrest from us, maybe the other party if they do

not get their way. All the more reason to vote for Obama who wants to live like this in a police state.

[sandrakae]

7. This just proves the Republicans plan on cheating again!!!!!!!!!!

[Drunken Irishman]

9. lol

[Kokonoe]

8. Its only for our own protection

When we find out who wins.