Emergency Protest In Tucson

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Fri, 5 Nov 2004 09:45:35 -0800 (PST)

Subject:Fwd:Emergency Protest In Tucson

 

 

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Emergency Protest In Tucson

 

Emergency Protest

 

Thursday, 4 pm

 

Tucson Police Department

 

270 S Stone Avenue

 

 

 

At the march Wednesday, Tucson cops went ape-shit on hundreds of

peaceful protestors. Five people, members of Dry River Collective,

Refuse & Resist, Revolutionary

 

Communist Youth Brigade and Food Not Bombs, were arrested, even though

the march was peaceful and at least one was arrested merely walking on

the sidewalk. Many others were shot by tear-gas pellets, as police

shot point-blank into the crowd, even when small children were

near-by. One person who was arrested asked the police officer why he

was violating her rights. The officer responded: Because thats what I

was ordered to do.

 

 

 

This was a grotesque display of police state tactics, one which was

hardly coincidental, given that it came right after the re-election of

the fascist psychopathic moron Bush. The march was entirely peaceful,

and many of the people arrested were specifically targeted because

they were leading chants or otherwise highly visible. One was arrested

as she was showing the media the massive welt on her back after being

shot by the cops.

 

 

 

Dry River Collective, Refuse & Resist and others are calling on people

to rally at the Tucson Police Department to protest this latest

increase in police state bullshit. It

 

is essential for all who are opposed to the Bush agenda of increasing

domestic repression to stand in solidarity with those who have raised

their voices.

 

 

 

As Martin Niemoeller said about the rise of the Nazi fascist state:

First they came for the Communists, and I didnt speak up because I

wasnt a Communist. Then they came for

 

the Jews, and I didnt speak up because I wasnt a Jew. Then they came

for the trade unionists, and I didnt speak up because I wasnt a trade

unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didnt speak up

because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no

one was left to speak up.

 

 

 

Check out the following link from Arizona Indymedia:

 

http://arizona.indymedia.org/news/2004/11/22767.php

 

 

 

Details about Police attacks on peaceful march in Tucson Arizona On

November 3, 2004

 

Over 200 people gathered in De Anza Park in Tucson Arizona for the

Dont Just Vote. Take Acton protest. A Tucson Police officer

approached a small group near the stage and asked if anyone had seen

Keith McHenry. Some one pointed me out and the officer him the

 

rules are stay on the sidewalk obey all traffic laws and stay of

Federal property.

 

Two local activists spoke about why we were holding the protest. They

said they were against the wars, wanted universal healthcare, quality

education and the repeal of the Patriot Act. A Tucson folk musician

sang two songs and a homeless man gave a short talk. The protesters

marched on half of Speedway letting traffic pass and than marched down

 

4th Avenue also leaving half the street free. Just before the

protesters arrived to the area of 4th Avenue where pedestrians and

stores line the street the Tucson Police started to yell threw their

loudspeaker that anyone not on the sidewalk would be arrested.

 

Several bike officers and a number of regular officers and a few riot

clad police rushed the protesters. One bike officer pepper sprayed an

activist in the face and he was arrested. Another was thrown on to

the hood of a police car and arrested and a young woman near him was

also arrested. As the bike cop sprayed one man in the face other

cops shot several other protesters who had moved onto the sidewalk

with pepper shoot and another protester was arrested while on the

sidewalk. As these people were being taken away the march went down

4th Avenue along the sidewalk. A block later police again shot the

pepper shot in to the protesters as they tried to cross University

Avenue. This had the effect of making the protest seem very small

and the activists signs were difficult for the public to see because

of the parked cars and the small width of the sidewalk.

 

 

 

After about thirty minutes the march was about to arrive at the

Federal Building on Congress Street when the police pointed out one of

the women who had been the opening speaker at the park. She was one

of at least five people shot by the Tucson Police with pepper shot in

the first attack. She was hit twice in the back by pepper shot in the

Second police attack at 4th Avenue and University. While the police

were moving the first 4 arrested into a police van the officers

called those arrested the leaders and said they needed to be removed

from the area of the march. Some say that someone was arrested as the

march started but I have not been able to confirm this story. At

least five were

 

Held in police cars behind the Radissen Hotel across Congress from the

Federal Building. Police in riot gear, detectives and several top

ranking police official were also behind the hotel. A police

helicopter hovered above. Homeland Security officers tied yellow

tapes to trees all around the front of the federal building to keep

the protesters away. When the march arrived at the Federal Building a

dozen or so people spoke out against the war and the election. The

activists called for another protest November 4th at 4 PM outside

Police Headquarters on Stone Avenue. Violent police suppression of

protests in Tucson is becoming common. Many environmental, human

rights and peace activist have been attacked by police, military

personnel or developers and charged with assault. The November 3rd

protesters were charged with disobeying the police and the two

activist that were injured were charged with assault or resisting

arrest of the police. Police say

 

They are trying to find other protesters that they intend to arrest.

While the police claim that some protesters attacked them this was not

true. The injured protesters were trying to get on the sidewalk when

attacked. On the May Day Mission Accomplshed march police did not

arrest anyone and we marched along the same route. We have had a

 

Number of other arrests for staffing literature tables and at many

other marches the Tucson Police o target the people they believe are

leaders. At least 5 people were hit by pepper shot at close range

today and at least 5 protesters were arrested here in Tucson at the

Dont Just Vote, Take Action march. No medical care was given to the

injured prisoners. The police to the prisoners to a station on Prince

and issue them citations and let them free. Court is November 16th at

8:30.

 

 

 

 

 

Call Keith McHenry at 520-248-3840

 

 

 

" Get off your ass and take your government back. " ~Rocky Ward