Oh, sure! Get violent & then protest police actions ... more of the same ...

[szh]

... BS is expected from extreme elements on the left-wing side. Note: I am not saying that this is Democrat party policy, so please do not get yourself worked up about that.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26525301/

Quote »Police estimated about 2,000 people took part in the poverty march, which lasted about three hours. It ended near the convention arena with police using tear gas and flash-bang grenades to disperse protesters they said were trying to get past security fences, said Tom Walsh, a St. Paul police spokesman...."It was really scary. But most of the scariness comes from them," she said, meaning police. "They really got adrenalized and there was this horrible inevitability to it. They've got their toys and they want to use them."[/quote]Lady, are you surprised that the police were trying to prevent the same kind of mob violence as Tue (see below) from happening again? The people did start to go through the security fences - if they were supposed to be peaceful marchers, why did they do that?!?

The police don't easily know who is going to be peaceful and who is not. Given the history of the extreme element, it could have been just as bad an outcome as Tuesday.

Quote »The arrests Tuesday came a day after violence erupted following a largely peaceful anti-war march by some 10,000 people. Afterward, police blamed a splinter group of about 200 for harassing delegates, smashing windows, puncturing car tires, throwing bottles and starting at least one fire.[/quote]And, we think that mob violence only happens in third-world countries! I don't know whether to be sad (that it is happening anywhere in the world) or happy (hey, you don't get to pick on Pakistan anymore!) about the above.

Z

[smockers83]

Why are protesters always surprised when they have action taken against them to disperse? I just don't understand. If you have a peaceful protest, don't go trying to get past security, just peacefully stand outside 20 yards away.

[AZhitman]

I'm waiting for the city to bill the protest organizers for ammo, tear gas, overtime, riot gear, and cleanup efforts.

Peaceful protests and an American's right to assemble does NOT mean a license to litter, trespass, impede others' movement, cross barricades, violate traffic laws, or spit on the sidewalk.

You want to protest? You'd better follow every last rule and law there is.

If I can't drive an ATV across the desert because I "cause environmental harm", then you've gotta "Tread Lightly" in my hometown as well.

[themadscientist]

Maybe import some Chinese cops to show em how a proper violent protester beatdown is dished out.