US stares down occupying forces (our protesters) a view from out of the US

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http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/MK03Dj03.html


This past week saw police move forcefully against America's Occupy Wall Street protesters in a number of cities <1>, with considerable police violence in Oakland, California and Denver, Colorado, plus numerous arrests in places like San Diego, Nashville and Atlanta. Video of the Oakland violence recalls a war zone <2>.

Events suggest a coordinated effort to "push back" against Occupy's string of successes, with some police departments seemingly welcoming an opportunity for confrontation with the protesters.

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The call for the strike has substantive union support, and includes an attempted shutdown of the Port of Oakland, one of America's busiest. News media have widely reported that the city is bracing itself for Wednesday's events, and Oakland's mayor, Jean Quan, circulated a memo to city employees allowing all but police to take Wednesday off.

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While "to protect and serve" is the universal US police credo, too many incidents have long raised questions as to whom some officers see themselves as protecting and serving. Police violence against peaceful demonstrators certainly does not seem in any community's interest, at least none in a democratic society.

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