OMG!! Rev.Lennox Yearwood attacked, arrested, and hospitalized

[proud2BlibKansan]

for trying to go to a hearing!! They broke his ankle!!!!

God damn. Watch this video and tell me what the fuck he was doing that warranted what they did to him. Looks like FOUR cops took him down. Cindy and Dede got arrested too.

This HAS TO STOP!! Do we live in America or East Germany????

Rev. Lennox Yearwood attacked, arrested, and hospitalized -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiradcejA6o

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. Capitol hill police, eh?

Hmm.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. Yes I think so

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

Sounds familiar.

Wonder it's the same guy that grabbed McKinney.

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. Oh wow I almost forgot about that

Damn brown shirted thugs.

[rucognizant]

79. McKinney

Yes of course. I an old lady out in the sticks, could recognize McKinney's voice on cspan while in the other room...................and these ignorant baboons (CHP) didn't know her face? Yeh right!
We have an ABC Extreme House MAkeover going on in our town. ABC has brought privatized security guards for the event, about 10 or 15 of them in dark green vans & black shirts! The selection has shone the spotlight onclaass wwarfare!

[KoKo]

111. yes...McKinney was harrassed by CHP and it was held against her. n/t

[PA Democrat]

78. Thought Police is more like it.

[coffeenap]

2. kick and rec'd

This is ridiculous!

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Beyond ridiculous.

It's insane.

[babylonsister]

3. Oh my gosh, he was just standing in line, trying to get into the hearing!

:wow: I sincerely hope he takes some legal action against the creeps who manhandled him.:grr: :grr:

Edit: then I heard a cop say, 'let him go'. Too little, too late, eh?
Now the cops are trying to cover it all up/no camera coverage?
They should have taken off the damned manacles!

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. I watched it twice

Can't figure out what he did wrong.

Damn.

He is such a neat guy. I met him in Crawford at Easter and then I saw him in DC again in June.

[liberalnurse]

21. A Leader with our PDA!

Progressive Democrats of America. I have been to several events with the Reverend as a speaker with other PDA'ers.

http://www.pdamerica.org/

scroll down to article on Reverend Yearwood........

[proud2BlibKansan]

25. He is so awesome

This just infuriates me.

[liberalnurse]

31. Kevin Spidel has posted too! On his blog too.

I'll hunt the thread for ya if ya want.....He has had direct contact with the situation. Rev. is going to Jail at the moment to be Booked in.....

Here ya go.....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2985577

[proud2BlibKansan]

35. Thank you

This story needs to be spread far and wide.

[orleans]

102. there is something that happens if you freeze the tape at 1:39 and 1:40

he falls forward and that's when the police jump him

does he "attack" a cop?
did he trip?
did one of the cops trip him up?
did the cop behind him give him a shove into the other cop?

i can't tell.

my monitor isn't that good--and the tape looks a little jumpy

but he did lean or bend forward quickly at that point on the tape.

[robinlynne]

13. I'm sure he will. plenty of witnesses too.

[rinsd]

6. Everything seemed calm until the 1:30 mark.

At which point an officer tries to restrain the Rev from behind as they are telling him he is under arrest. The Rev. pulls his arms away demanding to know why he is being arrested. He is then swarmed by 4 to 5 more officers.

[EVDebs]

7. "Why you singling me out ?"

[leftchick]

9. damn that is painful to watch!

:cry:

I saw they took Cindy and several others away while he STAYED HANDCUFFED after they knew he had a broken ankle! I was wondering why the hell they would not let him in, then I read this comment....

apparently the Capitol Police decided to limit the number of "peace people" into the hearing at 7, according to others there at the time. They stopped Rev. Yearwood from entering the room on that pretext. It need to be very clearly stated that the precipitating event was not ANY action by Rev. Yearwood but the initial decision to deny access to the hearing room based on police identifying individuals as "peace people".

fuck!

[LittleClarkie]

10. I'm at work with no speakers. Can anyone tell me what the Reverend was saying

and what the cops were saying back? It looked like the Rev. was getting animated, and the cops were getting animated back, but that's all I can tell.

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. They tell him he can't come in and he keeps asking why not

That's pretty much it.

[gratuitous]

26. He's asking why they're singling him out . . .

And the cops seem to be saying that he had taken cuts in line. He responds that he has been waiting his turn in line, just like everyone else. In fact, about three people had gone into the hearing room just ahead of Yearwood when he moves forward. I think you can hear his ankle popping on the video. "To protect and serve" my ass.

Charming comment below the video from some freeper type that he deserved to be tasered.

[Usrename]

68. The Rev. says several times, very clearly...

"...but I was in line, why are you doing this to me? I was in line..."

[Jeroen]

11. Jeez, indeed n/t

[Zookeeper]

12. I watched the whole thing and I couldn't see any justification....

whatsoever for tackling him.

:mad:

[superkia]

15. Looks like they handcuffed some ladies for yelling arrest bush!

This is ridiculous and needs to be stopped! I know that people have their favorites in this presidential race but you better think real hard before the primaries about your rights and if they mean anything to you. This is my number one reason I feel Kucinich should be our next president, he is standing up and speaking out about our rights and the constitution being attacked and no one else is! What is more important than our rights? Do we want to deal with worse things than this from the new mercenary police? If you wont vote for Kucinich , you should at least contact your candidates and demand they stand up and start fighting for our rights, stop sending money and let them know if they don't, they will not have your vote. We the people are the only ones that can stand up and do anything, do it before its too late!

[proud2BlibKansan]

24. That's Cindy Sheehan and her sister Dede

[malaise]

16. All I can say is

What the fuck?

[liberalnurse]

17. Was that from today?

I hope someone posts a story on this. Rev Yearwood is beloved by the Hip-Hop group. There may be some bigger response from the music/rapper culture. I sure hope so.

[proud2BlibKansan]

20. Yes today

The video has only been up an hour or so.

[buzzard]

19. That is really rotten and did not need to happen I have ankle arthritis from

a major injury and it is painful all the time. He did nothing wrong from what I saw, what country is it indeed.

[xchrom]

22. recommend

[Breeze54]

23. WTF???

:grr:

This was uncalled for and unneeded!! Why the overkill aggression??

[goodhue]

27. wow

pretty ridiculous and uncalled for

[goodhue]

32. !

[goodhue]

34. !

[goodhue]

44. !

[goodhue]

49. !

[goodhue]

55. !

[LiberalAndProud]

28. From the Washington Post

Others arrested shortly after noon included Desiree Fairooz, 50, of Arlington, Tex., a member of Code Pink, and the Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. of the D.C.-based Hip Hop Caucus, was taken to George Washington University Hospital after complaining that he was injured during his arrest. Yearwood allegedly refused to move back after jumping in front of a line of about two dozen people waiting to get into the hearing. He was charged with disorderly conduct and assault on a police officer, Capitol Police said.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/10/AR2007091001068.html?hpid=topnews

[Karenina]

45. Jumping in front of a line?

:shrug:

[LiberalAndProud]

51. Wonder what the person behind him in line said?

[proud2BlibKansan]

62. "Arrest that man!"

"He cut me!!"

[goodhue]

29. I posted in video forum as well

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x53236

[proud2BlibKansan]

36. Thank you

[goodhue]

39. no problem

the police pile-on is really uncalled for

[goodhue]

53. more video here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwKpr1CEQ00

[rateyes]

30. Fuckers!!!!

I hope they all get fucking suspended without pay, and that Rev. sues and wins a brutality suit.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

33. I just saw this in LBN

I'm outraged!

I cannot see how they're going to justify their show of force. Let alone not permitting him to enter in the first place. Thank goodness there were cameras there recording the event.

I really hope his ankle isn't broken. I've broken mine before and it still has painful episodes to this day.

[countingbluecars]

37. This makes me so sad

and angry at the same time.

[MiniMe]

38. Those cops should be getting in boatloads of trouble

Unfortunately, that isn't going to happen. Thank God he has a videotape of the incident. He did absolutely nothing until they told him he was under arrest. For what??

[proud2BlibKansan]

40. Press release just now in my email:

Capitol Hill Police "football tackled" Hip Hop Activist who was in line to enter hearing room for General Petreaus' testimony on Capitol Hill

Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr., president of the Hip Hop Caucus, was attacked by six capitol police today, when he was stopped from entering the Cannon Caucus Room on Capitol Hill, where General Petreaus gave testimony today to a joint hearing for the House Arms Services Committee and Foreign Relations Committee on the war in Iraq.

After waiting in line throughout the morning for the hearing that was scheduled to start at 12:30pm, Rev. Yearwood was stopped from entering the room, while others behind him were allowed to enter. He told the officers blocking his ability to enter the room, that he was waiting in line with everyone else and had the right to enter as well. When they threatened him with arrest he responded with "I will not be arrested today." According to witnesses, six capitol police, without warning, "football tackled" him. He was carried off in a wheel chair by DC Fire and Emergency to George Washington Hospital.

Rev. Yearwood said as he was being released from the hospital to be taken to central booking, "The officers decided I was not going to get in Gen. Petreaus' hearing when they saw my button, which says 'I LOVE THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ.'"

Capitol Police are not saying what the charges are, but an inside source has said that the charge is assaulting a police officer. Rev. Yearwood is scheduled to be transferred to Central Processing to be arraigned tomorrow morning.

The incident was recorded by an observer and is available on YouTube WhyNotNews http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiradcejA6o.

[goodhue]

41. common dreams has press release here . . .

http://www.commondreams.org/news2007/0910-14.htm

[goodhue]

42. LBN discussion here . . .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2985577

[Glimmer of Hope]

43. I saw him once at an anti-* event. He is amazing!

I am so sad this happened to him. He is one of true heroes in this fight against the war.

[wildbilln864]

46. I'm very glad.........

someone recorded this crime by the police otherwise the reverend would probably get railroaded IMO. He may anyway. I wish Olberman would cover this. What is wrong with my country? :banghead:

[proud2BlibKansan]

47. I wish I knew what was wrong

It makes me so mad I can barely handle the stress.

[Rose Siding]

58. I'm having strong reactions too

Fury, bewilderment, grief -even shame. :hug:

I even flashed back to those first reports out of Kent State so long ago.

[NOLALady]

71. I flashed back to the inhumane treatment

of Rev M L King.

[snappyturtle]

61. This is stressful....all of this brutal behavior and The People not

being represented. I really stressed out this morning and e-mailed my daughter and son in MN about what I hope will be their plan when it all goes into the tank.....they probably think I've gone off the deep end but I had to present them with a plan.....I would never forgive myself if the future turns dark and I hadn't taken the time. Hopefully, we'll all laugh some sunny afternoon at the home about their mother's fears! Events like this one with the Reverend gives credence to my fears. imho

[reggie the dog]

76. I, for one

no longer live in the USA. I even have French nationality to go with my native born American nationality. I can live in 28 countries in the world, the 27 EU member states and the USA, but I cannot imagine living in the USA ever again.

[EFerrari]

48. It seems to get worse every day. I hope he's all right.

These bastards.

[HootieMcBoob]

50. They hate us for our freedom?

It would be unbelievable if it wasn't so common in Bush's America. I hope he sues their asses something serious. He needs a good lawyer.

[WinkyDink]

54. PERFECT sign: "Bush Hates Us For Our Freedoms".

[SammyWinstonJack]

120. So obvious, bu$hco clearly hates us for our freedoms.

Saying that it is our enemies who hate us for our freedoms is just typical bu$hco/gop projection.

** like to have protesters arrest while he was Tx gov, too.

[freefall]

130. Not any more. We no longer have the freedoms. Now he just hates us. n/t

[Joanne98]

52. Assholes!

[Mnemosyne]

56. Hope Rev. is alright, odd angle on that ankle. FNST!

Fucking Fascist Nazi Stormtroopers.

[Catherine Vincent]

57. After reading all the responses here, I don't know if I want to watch the video.

:-(

[proud2BlibKansan]

103. You don't but you should watch it anyway

It's important to know what these thugs are doing to us.

[in_cog_ni_to]

59. There it is....right before your eyes! FASCISM!

We're living in a police state people.

[Canuckistanian]

60. Clear intimidation tactics

He was surrounded by four cops while he was moving away from the doors.

They were on him before he could raise his arms.

The "assault on an officer" charge is bogus.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

63. From An Objective View It Looks Like The Police Acted In A Perfectly Appropriate Manner.

They kept telling him to get back and he refused. He kept refusing to listen to their directions and they were amazingly patient with him while he was being defiant. When they finally tried leading him away, he lunged towards the entrance and tried to break free from them, which is a monumentally stupid move. They tried to restrain him and it looked more like he was falling/tripping then it did him being 'football tackled'. They were doing their jobs in reacting to his resistance and defiance, and his lunging away from them.

I know some always want to demonize the cops and it's just NEVER the fault of the protester themselves, but the video makes it very clear that he refused directions REPEATEDLY, and then while being escorted away peacefully chose to break free and lunge while yelling further defiance. He did this to himself. The police acted in an appropriate manner and as they were trained to do.

Now I'm aware I'll get all the "you bow down authority", "how can you say that! They acted like nazis!" or god knows whatever knee jerk reactive comments. But from a purely objective and rational view of the video, I can't for a second blame the capitol police.

[Beth in VT]

64. They prevented him from going in to the hearing

and refused to explain why. They treated him disrespectfully at best and at worst abused their power. He certainly didn't assault them, they assaulted him.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

65. I'm Not Sure Why He Didn't Get In As That Wasn't In The Video.

But based on what WAS in the video, I see somebody who is defiant and refusing to follow police direction REPEATEDLY, and then who, while being escorted away, lunges to break free wildly while continuing to spout defiance. Based on those facts which we CAN see, the police appear to have responded in a PERFECTLY appropriate manner and in a manner consistent with their training.

[countingbluecars]

66. I think you need glasses. eom

[Usrename]

67. What are they putting their hands on him for?

Is that allowed in their playbook now?

I guess that ever since they got away with it with Cinthia McKinney, then it's all good with you.

What a creepy world you want to live in.

A world where the police can manhandle you for no reason at all, when you are obeying all laws.

Creepy, I tell ya.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

84. Manhandle? ROFLMAO!!!!!!

Oh that's too much! :rofl:

They were politely and gently escorting him away, after he had already been outwardly defiant. Then he lunged away unexpectedly and forcefully.

Yeah, a hand on the shoulder gently leading someone away after they were being defiant is what being 'manhandled' is.

Too funny! :rofl:

[Buzz Clik]

90. My family is full of cops. It takes one or two to make an arrest, not four or five.

That many bodies pile on top of him was unnecessary. To call it any other way is unadulterated bullshit.

Was Yearwood aching to be arrested? Seems as though. Did the cops act with restraint throughout the arrest process? No way. When he lunged, all that was needed was one or two guys to control the situation.

[redqueen]

137. I wonder why the resident expert in police tactics hasn't responded

to this post.

[proud2BlibKansan]

142. I am wondering the same thing

[DS1]

177. He's Got His Hands Cuffed Up His Ass

Apparently The Police Were Acting Professionally And By The Book

excepT foR thE parT wherE theY preventeD thE maN froM enterinG foR nO apparenT reasoN aT alL

:crazy:

[redqueen]

178. Hahahahahaha

Nice style parody!

:thumbsup:

[Usrename]

122. Gently escorted him to the hospital.

Why not just arrest him if they think he broke the law?

[UNCLE_Rico]

179. What he lunged away from ...

Was a sneak attack by a policeman. They were asking him to step aside like they just wanted to talk to him, then putting both his hands on either of his shoulders from behind, which is a classic precursor to them slapping cuffs on a person. Given that there was NO REASON WHATSOEVER why the man should've even been APPROACHED by the police, let alone being singled out and refused entry to someplace he had every right to be, his reaction, (which was NOT particularly forceful, I beg to differ) which was a simple twisting of the body in order to shake off the cops hands from his shoulders (which, again should NEVER HAVE BEEN THERE)was in my opinion completely justified. What, you think the cops have some god-given right to just haul off and cuff people who are peacefully standing in a line waiting to do something that's totally legal? What, we all just have to OBEY now in this country?

It would appear to me you have a screw loose...

[bring_em_home_bush]

182. Yeah, he so crazy

he never disappoints in that regard.

[cascadiance]

94. Yea, wish we had a webcam recording what happened to C. McKinney AND Bob Filner recently too!

It seems to be happening a lot also to pols like McKinney and Filner who recently have gone up against Bushco in more significant ways!

Filner had also signed on Kucinich's HR 333, and had recently made a lot of hay against Blackwater trying to get that land usage that overlapped from Hunter's district into his down here in San Diego for their "training facility". I guess the Blackwater folks and their enablers thought they could just use Duncan Hunter to get their "fast track approval", not realizing that Filner was going to complain about them going into his district too!

Now I think we see clear examples of how these so-called "assault" charges can be trumped up when there is political reason to do so! I'm tempted to send this to Filner now in case he's got to go to any legal hearings on his incident last month.

[LiberalHeart]

69. We saw it the same way.

It would be interesting to know why he was refused entry. I wondered if it was because he was on the far right of the doorway and line was to the far left of it.

[intaglio]

73. Responding to an unlawful/unreasonable order is criminal?

Neither the police on the ground nor yet the administrators who made the call regarding the numbers of "Peace People" make the law. The Police should have advised the whole line before the doors opened that only limited numbers from any one group would be allowed in.

Making it up as you go along is stupid and leads to confrontations such as this.

[reggie the dog]

77. well

When the police illegally and arbitrarily prevent you from doing something legal you have no legal obligation to follow their orders.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

85. Oh God Tell Me You Don't Truly Believe That.

The responses are just getting funnier and funnier! :rofl:

What silliness will come next?

[reggie the dog]

110. of course I believe that

We will see, if the charges get thrown out in court it will demonstrate that what I am saying is true.

[onenote]

80. according to someone I know who was there, he tried to cut into the line

According to this person, the reverend had been further back in the line and then moved around to the side and tried to get in "out of turn". Supposedly, that is what set off the confrontation. I wasn't there so take what I heard with whatever grain of salt you wish. My friend is not someone who has any reason to make this up however.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

83. Makes Sense. That's What They Reported As Well. Seems Like The Police Did Their Jobs Well.

The situation was one in which he created and the outcome was due to his own actions and defiance. Not sure there is any leg to stand on whatsoever in claiming him some poor innocent victim of police brutality.

It's times like these I feel for the cops a bit, cause they're just doing their jobs and they have to put up with this false outrage and slander. In fact, when viewing the video, it seems they did their jobs quite well and handled it with the utmost patience. I commend the capitol police on a job well done.

[Usrename]

121. yeah, I can see how the cops were in fear of their lives,,,

:eyes:

[Vilis Veritas]

151. Looked like a boxing move to me.

"In the clinches, many examples are shown of how to combine body feints and pulling (snatching) to expose an opponent’s side"

Interesting to know if the Rev has any experience. The officers surely have experience reading body language. The video clearly shows the 'body feint' which was intended to evade.

Fast movements during an agitated situation result in restraint. The Rev was wrong to feint the way he did. It was a provocative movement that elicited a response. Did the officers over-react...that is in the eye of the beholder. Sometimes we see the reality we want to see.

Just my opinion of what I see in the video at the timeframe cited...

Now, if we can just get rid of NSPD-51, I might sleep better at night...

PEACE.

[bring_em_home_bush]

183. nails on a chalkboard

that's what your posts are. I almost begin to suspect outrageous trolling.

[proud2BlibKansan]

105. And cutting in line justifies arrest and assault???

Next thing we know, going out of turn will be a felony!!

[Riktor]

74. We haven't yet been presented with the full scope of the incident....

I think I am going to reserve my judgment until the full story is out. From what the video showed, Rev. Lennox was refused entry for allegedly cutting in line. At this point, we don't know whether or not that's the case.

Furthermore, it seems disingenuous to paint the Capitol Police in such a negative light. From the tape, we can clearly see that only a few of those cops were demeaning and abusive. Let's face it, this tape is nothing like the beating recorded in New Orleans last year, where the cops went ballistic on EVERYONE who witnessed it. In this case, a number of the officers remained personable those around them, even those vocally supporting of Lennox.

For the time being, my take is: Lennox made an error when he moved towards the door after being told he was under arrest. The two arresting officers lunged after him, which prompted the other officers nearby, who seemed focused on watching the line, to back them up, which is police procedure. The breaking of Lennox's leg seems inadvertent (that's not a justification or an excuse), as one officer demands a wheel chair, retrieves Rev. Lennox's glasses, and speaks to him in a calm and controlled manner.

This scenario just doesn't fit the bill for a typical pig rampage. If a cop hates you enough to bust on your melon, he isn't likely to take your complaints of injury seriously. In all likelihood, they would have made Lennox walk to to paddy wagon on a broken ankle. Then, there's media exposure. Like I already mentioned, cops tend to go nuts on film crews who catch them roughing people up. They take the cameras away or, in the case of the New Orleans beating, start clubbing the reporter, too.

[NW_BEAST]

99. Rik, I dunno if the immediate actions of the police

are really at question here, despite the (in some cases) justified vitriole of our compatriots. The fact that he was arrested(again, video does NOT show whether he waited in line or "cut", but eyewitness accounts seem to back up that he waited his turn), for attempting to participate as a witness in this forum is the issue. Facism presented with a friendly face, affable manner, and kind words makes it NO LESS facism.

[Riktor]

156. That isn't the case

Fascism is far too cerebral to explain most cases of police brutality. As I've explained in another thread, police officers are deindividualized through their uniform and training, diminishing their feelings of personal responsibility, but also instilling feelings of omnipotent authority. There's plenty of videos of cops exploding in anger when some "civilian" dares demand his rights. It's not about politics, it's about POWER. The badge tells the cop he's in charge, and the uniform tells him he won't be punished for asserting his authority. All of this is an unconscious process, controlled in the more primal regions of the brain, and is completely dissociated from from political theory, which resides in the cerebral cortex.

I see now my position is rather unpopular, but I have to clarify here that I have a relatively low opinion of most cops I've met. I'm simply trying to be objective, to reserve my judgment until all the facts are presented. A knee-jerk reaction does nothing to further our cause for a rational society.

[GMFORD]

104. This wasn't a Rodney King

incident but the question still remains -- why did they bother this man at all? And there were definitely too many cops swarming on him just for cutting in line (if in fact he even did that). And you may have noticed them patting him down as he was lying on the ground -- is that automatic for suspected line-cutters these days? IMO the cops have been all riled up by the rightwing fear machine -- 'liberals are the enemy' so they behave like this. Just one more example of our slide into fascism.

[Riktor]

152. In my amateur opinion...

... I can't say why the cops made such a huge deal about line-cutting, if it even took place. Unfortunately, what prompted the altercation wasn't caught on tape, so we'll just have to wait until that information comes to light. However, I can say that the protection of public officials is taken pretty seriously, and it is not unusual to have that many Capitol Police officers guarding the entrance to a hearing. If you pay close attention to the video, you'll notice that only two or three of those officers were actively engaged in a dispute with Lennox, the others were watching the line.

Frankly, I think the "right-wing fear machine" has little to do with police brutality. After all, police unions have been known to endorse Democratic candidates. Truth is, police Officers have been known to react violently to those who question their authority, left or right, and there's plenty of empirical evidence to back it up (check out Phil Zimbardo's work at Stanford University). I'm sure there are a number of officers who may be guided by their political leanings, but the fact of the matter is police officers are deindividualized through their uniform and their training, granting them feelings of ultimate authority and diminishing feelings of accountability. If you go on youtube and look up any of the videos documenting altercations between police officers and skateboarders, you'll see what I am talking about. In a number of them, the alleged "criminals" calmly assert their rights, only to have cops explode in a torrent of anger, which essentially amounts to "how dare you question me, I'm wearing the badge!"

Again, I'm not trying to justify police brutality. I just find there's a perfectly reasonable psychological explanation for the sweeping majority of human behavior, no matter how barbaric it is, and "The cops did this because they are fascist pigs" doesn't quite bite at the academic apple, if you catch my drift.

[proud2BlibKansan]

106. So a few demeaning and abusive cops is okay?

And since these cops didn't beat the shit out of Rev Yearwood, like they did that guy in NO, then this is nothing to complain about. Is that really what you mean to say here?

Oh and moving towards the door when he was told he was under arrest warranted a broken ankle??

Wow please think about what you are saying here.

[Riktor]

146. Of Course Not!

I stated clearly in my post that the officers' actions weren't justified. I'm merely contending the assertion that this was another case of intentional pig brutality. It seems reasonable, given the information we have, that Lennox suffered a broken ankle when a number of officers, who were not involved in his arrest, rushed to assist the arresting officers in the take-down. Though it would take a doctor to qualify this, it is similarly reasonable to say that the injury was most likely inadvertent; the break was most likely caused by the fall.

Look, I'll be the first to admit I have a less-than-stellar opinion of police officers. Most of them were bullies in high school who joined the force for the consequence-free skull cracking. Furthermore, with a background in social psychology, I've seen the Stanford Prison Experiment films in all their glorious detail. However, I do believe in justice, objectivity, and due process, and it seems to me whenever somebody gets wind of police officers arresting protesters, they are judged before they even get the chance to defend themselves.

All I'm saying is let's hear what the cops have to say about it. If they make shit up like they usually do, then fuck 'em. If they admit they made a mistake and apologize, then I say that's a step in the right direction.

[Usrename]

123. My audio must be substandard.

When is he told he is under arrest, and by whom?

What I see in the video, neither cop is touching him, or even looking at him when he starts to move, then they both grab him. What I don't understand is why they grabbed him. He seemed to be trying to leave the area peacefully to me.

[Riktor]

157. About two minues in...

About two minutes in, Lennox announced "I will not be arrested today", after one of the cops said something to him, which was inaudible to me. I can't say for certain whether or not he was threatened with arrest or actually told we was to be arrested before the scuff broke out.

Can anyone hear what the cop said to him?

[Warren Stupidity]

70. Your headline alone deserves a duzy. nt.

[proud2BlibKansan]

107. Why?

[Warren Stupidity]

165. Not your headline, OMC's headline.

Sorry for the confusion, but now you've wrecked my joke. Actually OMC deserved a DUUI award.*








* DU Unintentional Irony.

[fooj]

72. Nor , for a second, did many of us think that you would.

Being so objective and all...

[Buzz Clik]

89. hm. There is wisdom in your words...

[Stephanie]

114. It's getting so tedious...

And so predictable.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

143. Not Nearly As Predictable As The Knee Jerkers Here Who Will Cry Foul At Anything.

Hey, I'm one of the few actually taking the video for what it is and describing the situation accurately. But sure, go on believing that I'M the one being irrational and predictable. :rofl:

The guy was defiant. The guy refused directions repeatedly. The guy tried to break away and lunged towards officers and the door. The guy was then subdued per proper protocol and they quickly resolved the matter without taking any additional measures or actions then they had to. The entire incident was swift and controlled quite nicely.

But yeah, they were horrible fascist brown shirts who were overly excessive in their force and he was just a poor innocent little victim who did nothing. Yeah, it's me who is being out of line here. Yup. So easy to see.

My god these types of threads come off as so silly sometimes. :hi:

[Name removed]

153. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

159. ...

"My god, he doesn't immediately kiss the facist's ass,"

No one asked him to kiss their ass. But since they were asking politely and reasonably and had due cause to ask him to do so (since he cut in line), then the appropriate thing to do would be to oblige, as any citizen of rational mind of not of intent to provoke the situation would've responsibly done. Is that kissing ass? No. It's called being mature.



"and that's reason to beat the shit out of the guy, pile on half a dozen cops and break his ankle?"

You're making up your own argument here, since it has no bearing in reality. If you want to discuss this on the merits, then at least don't skew the argument in such warped ways. First off, no one beat the shit out of the guy. The fact you are claiming they did defeats your position almost from the get go since it shows you are interested in overdramatizing the situation in a weak attempt to bolster an argument that isn't real. Secondly, the fact he didn't 'immediately kiss the fascist's ass' is not why they subdued him. The fact that he attempted to break away after being gently lead away, and then lunged abruptly and forcefully towards other officers and the door, is why they subdued him. Third of all, cops are not fascists. Using such a term in reference to them defeats your argument even further, since it shows your statements are not ones which can be taken too seriously. Furthermore, can you supply any proof he broke his ankle? I have yet to see this verified. I haven't checked since earlier though, so it may have changed, but if you have the verification I'd appreciate seeing it.


"So we are to follow ALL directions from the cops immediately without any fucking thought?"

Not necessarily. But ones that are reasonable, justified and polite? Yeah. That's pretty much a good idea.


"You're already out of the fight, you putz."

Actually, I'm one of the few actually putting rational thought and perspective into this thread, so I'd say I'm in the fight just fine. Nice personal attack though. Really shows your maturity. And putz? Who the heck even uses that anymore? :rofl:


"Just bow down to Bush, he's got you beat."

Yes, yes. I can see how masterful you are at logical argument now. I'm a bush worshiper and have succumbed to his control because I chose not to knee jerk react and yell out absurd phrases like "fucking fascists!" or "goddamn brownshirts!" or whatever. Yes, I'm a bushbot now because I think the cops were doing their jobs and controlling the situation like they are supposed to. Wow. Such an amazing logical argument you put forth there. Oh how oh how could I possibly best you? :rofl:


"And all because the man took cuts in line? Damn, if they're gonna get nitpicky like that I wanna see 'em club that bastards that take 17 items in the 15 or less line."

Once again, a completely disingenuous and flawed argument. You're trying to put forth a premise that all that occurred did so due to his simply cutting in line. But you and I both know that's a load of horseshit. What happened did so because he was defiant, defensive and most importantly because he broke away and lunged towards other officers and back towards the door, in an abrupt and surprising fashion. Oh how convenient that you left those little details out.

Sorry pal, but the cops were not fascists nor did they engage in any manner greater than their training dictated for the situation. If the rev had just simply walked away he wouldn't have found himself in the situation he was in. Instead, he chose to act like a tantrum throwing defiant child and lunged back towards the door. Not a very bright move when you're surrounded by cops. The rev was a victim of his own childish stupidity.

[Stephanie]

163. A trail of deleted posts...

follows wherever he goes.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

164. One Post Does Not A Trail Make.

And it is also not of my responsibility or doing that some choose to respond in such inappropriate ways.

Hell, even your post is inappropriate since it is nothing more than a personal unwarranted attack without provocation. But let me guess, you'll blame that on me as well. :eyes:

[sufrommich]

154. In the second video

the horrible, fascist brown shirt pigs have the nerve to send 5 fascist emergency medical personnel and a wheel chair to take him away. I always thought it would be fascist police state policy just to drag them away never to be seen again, but what do I know.
:shrug:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

160. LOL Now THERE'S A Great Point.

Amazing the melodrama some incorporate into their responses. No matter how many times I watch the video, I still don't see a damn thing out of protocol that they did. It'll never cease to amaze me how blinded by their loyalty some are to a given situation.

[Bluerthanblue]

162. have you ever broken a leg?

I have- and if all i could have expected from the people who are TRAINED MEDICAL PERSONELL- was that i be kept in handcuffs and manhandled into a fucking wheelchair, you'd better be able to demonstrate that that level of restraint and substandard care was justified.

As much as i dislike lawsuits, i would hope the Rev. considers filing one.

[Buzz Clik]

88. I completely disagree with you.

Cutting in line is hardly worthy of gang-tackling this man.

Christ, this is so typical of what happens when the enforcers of the law feel more attached to the government than to the people.

[followthemoney]

115. So much holier than thou talk.

Who among us has not knocked the dentures out of an old lady's mouth for cutting in line.

Sorry, I thought I was on Free Republic.

[Buzz Clik]

117. I still have denture scars on my elbows.

You only do that once. The next time, you call the cops and let them beat the shit out of her.

[followthemoney]

119. Yes, I concede yours is a more mature response.

Sometimes I act a little too quickly to such a heinous crime as cutting in line.

But why should the brown shirts have all the fun?

[redqueen]

97. I'm glad to see hardly anyone agreeing with you. n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

108. LOL Love my ignore list

:)

[Buzz Clik]

118. Yeah, well, I had to modify my ignore list just to post on this thread.

;)

[JanMichael]

149. Me too! Whoever the ignored dickhead is they seem to have...

...justified my ignore decision!

Thanks!

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

132. Don't Believe Everything You See.

It makes sense that this thread would be filled in majority by those who often knee jerk react to such situations and at the drop of a dime will cry foul at the cops and demonize them unfairly.

But to conclude that to be the overall DU opinion merely by the few responding in this thread would probably be foolish. Let me assure you that there are undoubtedly hundreds and hundreds of DU'ers who would watch that video and think the claims of police brutality are every bit as overdramatic as I do.

The fact is, I watch the video and I look at it objectively, and I write what I see. What I see is somebody that was acting completely defiant repeatedly and refusing to listen to police direction. When being politely escorted away, he attempts to break free and lunges back towards the door abruptly, while still shouting defiance. The officers, as per their training, restrain him and bring him to the floor. Even once down, he continues to resist.

I see no evidence of excessive force whatsoever from the cops, and even as they were taking him down it wasn't overly aggressive. I keep hearing they 'broke his ankle' but have yet to see any proof of this. I wouldn't be surprised if that isn't completely made up and overdramatized itself, for sake of sesationalizing the situation.

Now why am I being demonized for offering such opinion? If anything, I'm one of the only in this thread that ISN'T knee jerk reacting and actually IS looking at the situation objectively. I have embellished nothing and am just stating what can be seen directly on the video.

Was he NOT being defiant?

Did he NOT ignore the requests of the officers repeatedly?

Did he NOT attempt to break free and lunge towards the officers/door after they calmly attempted to lead him away?

Given that he DID do all those things, is it realllllllly that hard to believe that they had to take him down and restrain him? C'mon now. This whole thread is monumentally silly in its accuracy and perception. I don't care what you or the others say or how much you want to harass me for my opinion of it.

[redqueen]

134. I didn't harass you... don't be so defensive.

Whatever he was doing, being tackled by so many officers was not warranted. That's just a fact. He wasn't on PCP, he didn't have a weapon... the degree of their response was simply unwarranted.

But go on and defend them if you must. You'll be just one more champion among many for police officers who choose to use excessive force.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

135. Obviously I Wasn't Talking About Just You. Secondly, The Action Was Completely Warranted.

You obviously know very little about proper procedure and training in such circumstances. It is also being incredibly exaggerated as to how much force they actually used in tackling him. He was falling on his own merit (almost tripping) then it was them actually tackling him.

But I'm done debating this. I know some will always demonize the cops and cry victim no matter what. But the fact is the Rev acted defiant and brought the entire circumstance on himself by not cooperating. He's no victim here. Some can claim it all they want but it doesn't really change what's right in plain view. I actually think the cops restrained themselves quite well given the circumstances. There didn't seem to be any unnecessary hits or kicks that you see sometimes, or any overly aggressive force done to just make a point. Other than the number of officers who happened to be in the vicinity that assisted with the restraining, there is little else to note in this entire episode.

No. This doesn't lend itself to 'police brutality' or 'fascism' or any of those other dime a dozen thrown around terms used in this thread. This was a completely routine incident in which they handled themselves exactly as they should have. They don't deserve the outrage cast at them whatsoever.

But my apologies for actually thinking about what happened and actually being objective to the situation, as opposed to just reacting emotionally in a knee jerk fashion just hopping in line and declaring "how DARE those brownshirts! Fascist pigs! Police brutality! Police brutality!!!!"

[redqueen]

136. Too much crap in there.

Defend yourself against charges when people actually make them. (Did *I* say fascist pigs? Okay then...)

If you didn't mean me, then why say it to me?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

139. Oh Now That's Too Funny!

Oh lighten up. The response, though to you, went on to defend my position overall in a broader sense of the thread itself, which is something that is frequently done. Now if I made any comments that directly accused you of saying something you didn't, then I could understand your complaint. But it was beyond obvious that the comments were talking in a general thread sense and not you directly, so your complaint is just really funny to me.

So I chose to make my reply a bit more thread encompassing then within the terms of your replies only. So so sorry. :hi:

[redqueen]

140. ...

"I don't care what you or the others say or how much you want to harass me for my opinion of it. "

:hi:

[SOS]

141. You may need new glasses...

"What I see is somebody that was acting completely defiant."

Yearwood asks politely "What am I being arrested for"? "Why are you singling me out"? and says "I was in line" (others back Yearwood, that he was in line)
You consider several polite questions from a minister to be "completely defiant"?

"When being politely escorted away, he attempts to break free and lunges back towards the door abruptly"

Completely false. The first cop is polite, places his hand on Yearwood's shoulder and they both walk away from the door. At this point two other cops grab Yearwood and forcefully try to arrest him.
Yearwood never "lunged toward the door."

"Even once down, he continues to resist."

Once down, Yearwood repeatedly says "I'm not resisting!"

it wasn't overly aggressive.

Five cops piling onto a minister isn't overly aggressive?

[Forrest Greene]

98. There Is No Such Thing As An Objective View Of Anything

Much less of controversial stories with political & social implications.


(ETA "of.")

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

112. Maybe Not For You.

I find it to be quite easy.

The first step, is taking out any sense of controversy, politics or social implications.

Ahhhhhhhh, see? Isn't that better now?

[Forrest Greene]

127. You Might Be

...giving yourself too much credit there, daddy-o.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

131. Nah. I'm Confident It's Quite Justified.

[Solon]

169. I knew it, you're a Turing machine!

Though, even then, you wouldn't be completely objective, what with being programmed with some subjectivity in human relations. Seriously, you claim something that no HUMAN can rightly claim, period.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

170. Obviously Some Can Claim It.

In fact, that's why I used to mock freud, since I believe he had written it to be impossible to be objective when looking towards oneself. I can do so purely and without difficulty. Now granted, I'm painfully aware that I'm unlike anyone else I've ever known. But I also know I can quite readily be purely objective quite easily and since I know that to be true, and there are over 6 billion people in this world, then I also can then easily deduce that there are undoubtedly many others that can claim the same. I therefore declare your statement to be simply without merit.

[Solon]

172. Uhm, WHAT?!?!

You do realize that you just made a declaratory statement that basically is summed up as, "I have said it, therefore its true". You make a claim that is awfully close to infallibility, and is a logical fallacy in itself. You can claim to be objective, you may actually believe it, but that doesn't make it true, in fact, the opposite would be closer to the truth. No individual can examine themselves in a purely objective way, that's simply impossible, because they have no other perspective outside of themselves that they can compare to. All our experiences are subjective, and up to interpretation, that's just a simple fact.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

173. It's Not A Fact, Nor Could It Ever Be.

Sure, my saying it doesn't make it true. But your saying otherwise doesn't make it true either.

There is no physical or biological constraint that keeps one from being purely objective. Therefore, it cannot be fact that such a capability is impossible.

You may not be able to, therefore you may not be able to be objective enough to understand or fathom that there is another who can, since you can only base your opinion on what you know and perceive. Same goes for freud, same goes for anyone else who has said such things.

But I can be, and I do. Deal with it.

[Solon]

174. No biological constraint? How about the Human Brain?

Its a wonderful organ, very complex, and still a mystery, in particulars. Yet, it is also influenced, greatly, by the outside world, so much so that it physically changes itself to take in new information, probably one of the main reasons why it takes up so much energy to sustain itself. You can literally eat something and your perspective could change, either about yourself, or something else, if only slightly. In addition to this, we have that pesky "reptilian" brain that seems to like to release chemicals to not only change our mood but also manipulates our emotions. Add in the fact that we are, on a very basic level, a conglomeration of all the prejudices and indoctrination from early childhood, and you would easily find that no person can be completely objective about any subject within human experience.

We are basically products of the societies we are brought up in, with baggage to go along with it. The only way to be truly objective is to eliminate emotions, and eliminate experiences entirely, to be locked away, to be purely Cerebral. No one, outside of some individuals we consider mentally disabled even fit this definition.

[Evoman]

145. Its funny.......when someone thinks they are being objective, is when they

are mostly likely being biased. It takes a certain sort of self awareness to recognize your own biases, and reflect on the thought processes that lead to any decision or judgement you have made. Without that self awareness, all your left with is yelling loudly, and actually BELIEVING, that your objective (as if any human being can be completely objective).

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

161. And Then Sometimes, The Person Actually IS Being Objective.

In this case, to any impartial rational onlooker, I'd say it's quite obvious in this case I am being objective. But I think it's also quite obvious that it is not me, but rather many others in this thread, that are displaying gross bias that is affecting their thought processes, while yelling loudly and actually believing that they're being objective.

Again, let's reflect on the simple objectivity:

Man acts defiant and defensive.

Man refuses repeatedly to follow simple police instruction.

Man, while being gently and calmly led away, breaks free and lunges towards other officers (regardless of intent) and towards the door.

The cops in trained reaction, grab him and subdue him.

Sounds pretty straightforward to me. :shrug:

[Evoman]

171. No, friend.

You see what you want to see, and that is all. I don't agree with your assessment, though I understand your rationale. Truthfully, though, I see the totality of past judgements on other cases like this I have made, and I notice I have a bias against the police. But the bias does not mean I am wrong. And it does not mean you are right.

For example...Do you believe that it takes four policeman to subdue one man? Does subdueing mean that they must tackle him, and treat him in a way that results in a broken ankle?

Our biases (you have em) even affect what we see. I did not see a lunge. I saw the normal reaction of a human being being touched without warranty while upset. It did not have to be escalated by the police....they went completely overboard.

edit: other posters are saying it was SIX. That is clearly, and objectively (heh) overboard.

[Divine Discontent]

158. yes, and no

I agree with a lot of what you say, because I too, (IF he wasn't stepped on from behind to fall forward, which is not the case from what I've heard) saw this and thought, well, they're trying to tell him no over and over and he keeps saying the same thing - HOWEVER -

there are other facts involved that, knowing them prior to viewing the arrest, make it very ridiculous what they did.

#1 They should have stood on each side of him and said, sir, start walking this way or we will be forced to pull you out of the way. #2 They go OVERBOARD upon his apparent lunge attempt in frustration to get into the room, by PILING upon one another and thus breaking his ankle with the force being so incredibly inappropriate. Is the overweight minister a threat worthy of 6 cops piling on top of him, OPERATIONMINDCRIME? I don't believe he should have been kept from attending that meeting first of all ("7 peace people" limit), so therefore he really didn't warrant an arrest, but the pile on was bizarre. That's an abuse of force lawsuit, they went overboard and your comment of "I can't for a second blame the capitol police" negates the fact that he was injured by the force of 6 cops on him when he never struck anyone, and that unlike you, I can blame them for arresting him for wanting to enter the public meeting, and being singled out because their quota was met.

I'm glad you don't have a badge... lol... (you know I jest with you, you're on my blog roll in my journal!)

[Senator]

75. K&R

[mod mom]

81. UFB!!!!

[southern_belle]

82. k & r - unbelievable!

[flying_wahini]

86. scary shit, man

Looking more and more like the 70's and the VietNam era.

[april]

87. This makes me sick ! He did Nothing ......

[backscatter712]

91. Fucking pigs

I hate cops. Hate 'em.

Almost every single day, I see examples of this abuse online.

There is almost no such thing as a "good cop" - the cops have their own word for them, and that's "Serpico" - and they're drummed out at the first opportunity. They value the blue wall more than human liberties. They'll cover for their fellow assholes when they Rodney-King someone, or railroad innocent people into jail, or otherwise destroy lives. Given the choice between covering for each other and doing the right thing, they'll cover for each other.

Fuck the cops. They're not your friend, they don't serve and protect. They're job is to control you, to intimidate you, and to break you.

[pas11]

95. Yes!

I totally, totally agree with you. Reminds me of an interview of a NY cop I saw on TV ages ago. He basically said, "On the streets, we are kings. We do anything we want." Or something to that effect. My dad - now 90 years old - was roughed up, beaten, by - yes - pigs - when he was a young man. His family came from eastern Europe - and cops and other Amerikkans at that time, you know, hated those eastern European immigrants. I don't trust cops at all. Not at all. Thanx for saying it. It is too dangerous for me to say it . . .even to my alleged "liberal" friends . . .

[txaslftist]

92. Amerika.

[goodhue]

93. Support is needed for Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr

Support is needed for Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr. Please show your solidarity by coming to his arraignment today, September 11th. He has been held overnight in jail and will be arraigned today at 1:00 p.m. in DC Superior Court ( 500 Indiana Ave. ). This is near the Judiciary Square Metro Stop. Directions. As you can see from the videos, Rev. Yearwood did not assault the police or even resist them. We hear he is being charged with a felony. This is often done when police overreact and use unnecessary force in order to justify their actions. This is a serious charge. The peace community needs to come out and show our support for this important spokesperson for our cause.

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/downloads/betrayusreport.htm

[OzarkDem]

124. He was held in jail overnight?

That is just ridiculous.

[goodhue]

125. yes, he was held overnight in jail

after all he faces felony assault of a police officer

[grasswire]

126. HELD OVERNIGHT?? A FELONY??

The gentleman was polite, quiet, and calm. Even when he was PROVOKED by half a dozen police officers who were obviously intent on making trouble.

Thank heavens for the camera. THANK YOU to the camera operator.

[goodhue]

129. yes, that is what happened

seems like it should be bigger news

[Beelzebud]

96. Fucking gestapo bastards.

And yet we have fucking "liberals" and "progressives" here that shit all over these protestors.

They're out there taking hits for some of you wimps that poo-poo everything they do...

Pathetic...

(not directed at OP at all)

[proud2BlibKansan]

109. Yes I am angry too

at the 'progressives' who criticize our brave activists. Everything from what they wear to what they do. Really pisses me off.

[Pacifist Patriot]

100. Good heavens. He's yelling "I'm not resisting!"

That this is being done in public in front of cameras is even more chilling. What is being done in private when cameras aren't rolling?

The person who commented that he was being belligerent and the cops acted responsibly didn't see the same video I did. How is asking why you are being singled out and telling them you were standing in line being belligerent?

Refusing to be a sheep is not the same thing as belligerence....unless you like living in a Fascist state.

[maxpower]

101. Fucking Fascists

EOM

[grannie4peace]

113. don't know if it did any good, but...

i just called the white house & complained about the revs treatment and the arrests of the people from the press conference yesterday. i told them their deeds are all over the internet and they will not be able to hide their illegal acts anymore & that the american people won't stand for it!!!:bounce: :bounce: :spank: :spank: :grr:

[proud2BlibKansan]

116. Thank you!!

[wicket]

128. K & R

:kick:

[John Kerry VonErich]

133. Have to side with OMC here.

He didn't follow the officers instructions. Now things are starting to look grim here and soon it's gonna become a war against war, literally.

[Bluerthanblue]

138. so we are nothing better than a police state

eh?

We don't need to worry about 'terrarists'- we have destroyed ourselves.

The man was not causing a disruption- the police were.
There is no defense for what was done-
A Police officers duty is to keep the PEACE-


Shame on those involved- and on those who defend this kind of fascist activity.


.....When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I wasn't a Jew.

When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.

another wise Pastor-
M. Niemoller

[proud2BlibKansan]

144. And not following directions justifies assault by police officers

:sarcasm:

[John Kerry VonErich]

147. Let me ask you this...

What is there to do about this? All I saw was what OMC saw. This is not Rodney King we're dealing with here. They did take the Rev. to the hospital for treatment.

[proud2BlibKansan]

166. You must have watched a different video than I did then

I saw a man, a citizen, refused entry into a congressional hearing for no good reason. When he asked why he was not allowed in, he was arrested, thrown to the ground by at least 4 cops and assaulted. The fact that they HAD TO take him to the hospital doesn't change the FACT that he was ASSAULTED BY POLICE OFFICERS FOR NO GOOD REASON.

And no it's not Rodney King, it's Reverend Lennox Yearwood.

[Bluerthanblue]

168. very well said- and hard to

argue with --

In this country, NO ONE should be "above the law".

Especially those who are entrusted with upholding and enforcing it-

:hi:

[John Kerry VonErich]

175. Step by step in screen captures.

Lennox tries to get to the door. See that the police is now attempting to restrain him.


Lennox lunges to the door (not the cop). 2 officers are on opposite sides holding him back.


Lennox FALLS to his knees, not tackled, as a result of him trying to get to the door. Also note the black cop in front of him trying to steady him.


Another pic of him falling to his knees. He starts to resist and more cops help to restrain him.


Lennox trying to squirm out. Watch his feet when you watch the video.


After he said he is not resisting, and stopped squirming, the cops let off of him.


Police checking on his well being. Helping him up.


More well being check, officer does search (as per procedure) and talks with Lennox.
________________________________________________________________________________________________

This might not change minds, but give my prospective of what I saw. When I mentioned Rodney King, it is because you treat it as if it was a King situation, which was far beyond the case.

It also disturbs me that some of you are creeping a mindset of revenge because of this. Let us judge through the ballot box at the general election next year. Until then, keep your minds clear.

[proud2BlibKansan]

176. So it is okay for a citizen to be denied entrance into a hearing?

I am not going to quibble with you about who attacked who and who assaulted who. I don't see it the way you do but arguing over silly details is going to get us nowhere.

The real problem here is that this man was refused entrance into a hearing and given no reason for that refusal. He was trying to participate in his democracy and the cops said no. Go ahead and watch the video again and show me where the cops told him WHY he couldn't come in. If you think they didn't owe that to him then we have nothing furthur to discuss. If you honestly believe that Rev Yearwood was not DELIBERATELY denied admission to this hearing for political reasons, then you haven't been paying attention.

And in case you didn't notice - we did judge through our ballot boxes last November. We are still at war and too many people still die every day. And this hearing that the reverend was trying to enter was led by a DEMOCRAT! A DEMOCRAT who said to a republican in that very room that the protesters "pissed him off".

Now tell me what choices we really have at our ballot boxes. Oh and also tell me how many more will be dead in 14 months, next time we go to the ballot box.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

181. He Wasn't Denied Entrance.

"I am not going to quibble with you about who attacked who and who assaulted who. I don't see it the way you do but arguing over silly details is going to get us nowhere."

Only because you know you have no leg to stand on, I'd wager.


"The real problem here is that this man was refused entrance into a hearing"

No he wasn't. At no time did they refuse his entrance. They merely told him to get to the back of the line.


"and given no reason for that refusal."

Actually, he was given a reason. Quite clearly in the beginning of the tape you can hear the officer tell him that he wasn't singled out, but that he simply wasn't in line. Please try and at least know your facts.


"He was trying to participate in his democracy and the cops said no."

No they didn't. They said he wasn't in line and needed to get in line. Why do you keep acting like it was something different?


"Go ahead and watch the video again and show me where the cops told him WHY he couldn't come in."

Right in the beginning. You can hear the black officer telling him that he wasn't singled out but that he just simply wasn't in line. Says it quite clearly. Why am I not surprised that all of the relevant details seemed to have escaped you?


"If you think they didn't owe that to him then we have nothing furthur to discuss."

Moot point. They gave him the explanation several times.


"If you honestly believe that Rev Yearwood was not DELIBERATELY denied admission to this hearing for political reasons, then you haven't been paying attention."

Actually, I'd wager that if someone actually BELIEVES that, then they are incredibly naive. Did you see how many protesters were in that hearing, silly ass costumes and all? You think that they'd just single HIM out but not the embarrassingly silly costumed ones? Yeah. That makes LOADS of sense.


"And in case you didn't notice - we did judge through our ballot boxes last November. We are still at war and too many people still die every day. And this hearing that the reverend was trying to enter was led by a DEMOCRAT! A DEMOCRAT who said to a republican in that very room that the protesters "pissed him off"."

Yeah. How dare he get miffed that a professional hearing on the most pressing matter in congress was interrupted by loud mouths in silly costumes. Nope. Can't imagine for a second why that would bother someone. :eyes:


"Now tell me what choices we really have at our ballot boxes. Oh and also tell me how many more will be dead in 14 months, next time we go to the ballot box."

Fuck Nader.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

180. Holy Shit Thank You For This! It's Perfect!

I don't know how I missed your post before, but it hits the nail on the head. The facts are far different then the perceptions some have put forth here and in other threads.

He claims racism yet the officer who initially stopped him was black (that part from a different video). The officer repeatedly told him to get back in line and that he hadn't been in line (even if that was in error, life goes on. Shit happens). Another officer then tells him he has been issued a direct order (to get back in line). The rev. then continues to be belligerent and defiant and continues to act out. An officer can be seen and heard towards the left of the screen saying "if he keeps up this behavior, we're going to arrest him for disorderly conduct". Then an additional officer, probably attempting to talk sense into him, goes over and again repeats the orders for him to get back in line. Again the rev refuses and continues to be belligerent. They finally get fed up and go to take him away under arrest for disorderly conduct. He then lunges away from them (resisting arrest) and while doing so falls forward from his OWN momentum. The cops restrain him appropriately and like you said one or two are even helping to make sure he does not fall too hard. He continues to struggle and resist while on the ground, even while claiming falsely that he isn't resisting (which you hear all the time from people who actually are. They think if they say it then it makes it true).

Those are the facts, and I appreciate THE HELL out of you capturing it in the way you did. The police did everything by the book here and were AMAZINGLY patient with him if ya ask me. I think it's a shame that some here are using it as propaganda to demonize the cops when they don't deserve it. But it's quite refreshing to know I'm not the only one here willing to actually post out loud that the facts on the video are not equal to the outrage being spouted.

Rock on!

:toast:

[Vilis Veritas]

155. It was the 'body feint' that caused the restraint...

It was the boxing move (body feint) that caused the problem for the Rev...After a prolonged agitated situation, the Rev was moving away and then very quickly made a 'body feint' to evade and distract from his attempt to move back towards the door.

That is my opinion.

Peace.

[NashVegas]

148. Civil Disobedience Is Risky Business

One often has to put one's physical safety on the line, to expose an evil. Most people - including DUers, I'm afraid to say, and probably myself - naturally fear to do this.

Six or more police, to bring down one man wearing a collar. ie, a man in a position of moral leadership who could influence others, and they broke his leg. Don't think for a second they weren't aware of what they were doing.

This man presented no danger to them; he present a direct challenge to their authority and their ability to enforce order as they saw it - and they may have been dishonest about what that order would be, if it's true the Rev had been properly in line, as some stories claim.

[KoKo]

150. Brown Shirts enforcing the BUSH Marketing Agenda!...n/t

[omega minimo]

167. .

[bobthedrummer]

184. .