Hard to believe it's almost 2012. I don't know about you, but this year is moving awful fast for me.
Here's the news for today:
-- Occupy Tulsa was told to remove their tents yesterday, after a sergeant and some back up cited an ordinance. Apparently the ordinance was against sleeping in tents, but no one was sleeping in them. When the news station KRMG later called the police department to find out what happened, they were informed that the sergeant had already gone home for the day, and that all high-ranking officers and supervisory officers had no knowledge of the event. (So the sergeant acted without any permission?)
-- UC Davis and UC Berkeley officials are under the microscope today, as legislators are holding a hearing to figure out what happened at the individual protests. UC Davis is famous for the pepper-spraying incident, in which an officer (who is now on leave) walked down a line of sitting students while sweeping a line of pepper spray into their faces at point blank range. UC Berkeley had its moment when police used batons on students and teachers alike, dragging a female professor by her hair at least ten feet, and beating US Poet Laureate Robert Haas with batons. State legislators are extremely unhappy with the way the linked colleges have handled the events.
-- A cameraman who was struck with a beanbag by police while filming has found that the officer who shot him has been reassigned during the internal investigation. According to the police's own policies, a beanbag may only be shot with a supervisor's permission, and the person shot must be transported to a hospital. The cameraman was not transported to a hospital, nor has he been spoken to about the investigation. He is suing the police department.
-- Occupy Portland was locked out of an EGT building yesterday after they went to speak with the company about their continued labor disputes with longshore workers. When protesters went to enter the building, the doors were locked, and one woman working inside flipped them of. (Professional.) When the Occupiers called the office, they were told that the company would not send a representative down to speak with them. One protester, who made his way in another way, sat down and refused to leave, but was removed by police.
--- The Port of Oakland is reporting between 4-8 million dollars lost due to the port shutdown on Monday. Truck drivers have mixed feelings about the protests. Some say they support the movements goals. Others say they don't understand, because they are the ones losing paychecks, and they are the 99% as well. For every day that truck drivers are late delivering cargo, regardless of reason, they can be charged $100.
-- Occupy NOLA lost their temporary restraining order yesterday, with a judge saying they did not properly prove their case. Earlier that morning, two police officers, under the impression that Occupiers had violated the terms of the restraining order, drove around the camp at 5 a.m. with loudspeakers, using fake Russian accents to call the protesters "Comrades," and say they had violated the order.
-- Occupy KC has banned a protester from their encampment, following revelations of his sexual impropriety. The man is facing charges of first degree rape, and has many other allegations against him by women, including stalking and harassment. Part of the statement released by Occupy KC reads "We feel that Michael's actions have revoked his ability to have any involvement, at any level, with Occupy Kansas City. Our hope is that this action coupled with the many previous actions of other activists and community members will encourage Michael to seek the help that many of us believe he needs.
Occupy Kansas City takes the safety of our community very seriously. We seek to continue to create a space for people of all colors, sexes, sexual preferences, classes and religions to assemble peacefully. Thank you for your continued support.
In solidarity,
Occupy KC"
-- Occupy Chicago is joining up with teachers to prevent the closing of several schools, and the "turnaround" of many others. The Chicago Teacher's Union is unhappy with both plans, as closing schools would simply cause children to be bused to another underfunded district, and "turnaround" includes the firing of all teachers, requiring them to reapply for their positions. The Mayor wants to increase the number of charter, or private, schools in Chicago.
-- In an interesting twist, Russia is condemning the United States for their use of force and "unjustified cruelty" against peaceful protesters. Konstantin Dolgov, Russia's foreign ministry's Human Rights envoy, clearly stated that he believes the Occupy movement's actions have been mostly peaceful, and that it is the authorities using undue violence against them.
That's all I have today. I hope everyone is doing well. I have an exam this afternoon. Wish me luck!
***Solidarity***
If you have any questions, comments, corrections, or other info, please contact me at elvishbutterfly@hotmail.com. Thanks. :)
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