In other words: A discussion of The Bush Administration
Police and Protesters, NYC
The stories are beginning to trickle out. Here's an eyewitness account, from a buddy of mine who works in the city:
The receptionist at my office was netted in the park and dragged out to the garbage pier. When she told her captors that she needed her anxiety medication she was tossed into the psych compound. In this area there was no sanitary facility. There was no drinking water (FOR 36 HOURS!). She never received medical attention. She wasn't apprised of her rights until she was released. She never received legal counsel although she requested it. She was held for a day and a half without being charged. Upon her release she was given a summons to appear in court and answer the charge of "Parading Without a Permit." Today at work she was xeroxing snapshots of herself with her bicycle in some misguided, convoluted attempt to "recover" her "stolen" bicycle from the police. We were discussing the whole deal as we assembled a presentation due this afternoon.
They had a conversation about habeas corpus -- meaning that her right to obtain a writ (for inquiring into the lawfulness of the restraint of a person who is imprisoned or detained in another's custody) was illegally suspended. According to the U.S. Constitution, an American citizen has the right to know what crime he or she is being accused of and imprisoned for. In other words, for all you patriots who pledge allegiance to the flag -- as I have done my entire life -- habeas corpus is the right of a citizen to obtain a writ as a protection against illegal imprisonment. Got that? It's the definition of freedom, your right to go about your business without being tortured by the police and thrown into a concentration camp. It's relatively new. Barbarians are completely unfamiliar with it -- which is why it's only a few hundred years old. We founded the principles of our country on it, which is what you're swearing to when you fly the American flag. You don't get to pick and choose what principles you agree with when it suits you. Or am I being a pinko sissy anti-war queer cunt for pointing this out? I LOVE the idea of torturing people who don't agree, especially when it's illegal.
He continues:
She passed me a grainy, photocopied detail of herself in front of her bicycle. This was her "evidence" of constitutional abuse. ... She was telling more horror stories this morning. Her hands were cuffed behind her back for four hours
while detained in a city bus. A woman near her on the bus was ill. ... [She] had been walking home from the gym when netted. The police refused to do anything for her and she eventually vomited all over herself, cuffed the entire time. The cops thought this was hilarious. Another woman was handcuffed too tightly and had the circulation to her hands cut off--for four hours! C. said the woman's hands were hugely swollen and purple. It was over eight hours from the time of her arrest until she was allowed to use the toilet. On the way to the pier the bus hit two parked cars, rear-ended a SUV, then sideswiped the same SUV. The driver tried to follow the bus but was stopped by cops.
And a couple of letters from the NYTimes about how fair-minded and balanced the NYPD is in protecting the rights of all Americans:
To the Editor:
Re "The Police and the Protests" (editorial, Sept. 4):
As the father of a young woman who was detained without due process under deplorable conditions from Tuesday until Thursday evening during the Republican convention, I was saddened and disappointed by the virtually exculpatory response in your editorial.
Many detainees claim that some police officers stated openly that the protesters wouldn't see daylight until President Bush was out of town - an issue that will be investigated further.
But the cold fact remains that nearly 2,000 people were detained indiscriminately, without right to counsel, and often incommunicado. It is not a small number. Many of their families had no idea how loved ones had vanished and were unable to receive information. Only the forceful intervention of Acting Justice John Cataldo of the State Supreme Court brought a halt to this shameful episode.
I am saddened that in the current climate of fear promoted so relentlessly by the Bush administration, such actions may seem an acceptable price to pay for our "freedoms."
Michael Palmer
San Francisco, Sept. 4, 2004
To the Editor:
The New York Police Department and Fire Department are undoubtedly New York's finest. I have been to New York many times and have always enjoyed my stay, but my visit for the Republican convention last week was by far the best experience I have ever had - because of the men in blue.
The courtesy and professionalism with which they treated the delegates and guests of the convention were absolutely amazing. They not only made our stay safe, they were also a pleasure to be around. They are wonderful ambassadors for your city.
Thank you, N.Y.P.D. and F.D.N.Y., for all your hard work and long hours. Be assured that it was greatly appreciated.
Lionel C. McBee
Houston, Sept. 7, 2004
I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, Lionel. Feel free to shit on New York anytime you're in the nabe. That's why you came here, isn't it?
- Michael 8:09 PM - [PermaLink] -
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