Just another OWS/TeaParty comparison question

[ThomWV]

If a third of the OWS movement's people were armed to the teeth with visible semi-automatic weapons as so many Tea Party types were as recently as last spring would the various citie's Police be beating them down or spraying them with peper-spray?

[kctim]

Not unless they are breaking a law

using them in a threatening manner etc...

[Scuba]

6. With all due respect, bullshit. n/t

[kctim]

7. With all due respect

Paranoid delusions of 'they are out to get us' do NOT qualify as truth.

[Bandit]

1. Try and see what happens...

A fellow in Seattle was just arrested for carrying a rifle to an Occupy seattle gathering..

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. IIRC he was a felon in possesion

Not clear he would have been arrested otherwise

[ProgressiveProfessor]

3. In another thread I asked what if they went the empty holster route

[ThomWV]

4. Now that is what I call an interesting question

It is not so much a threat as a reminder that stage one is often followed by stage two.

[abelenkpe]

5. I would not recommend that

They'd be shot. Honestly you know that tea party and OWS protestors are viewed differently by media and law enforcement. One championed the status quo and actively wanted corporations more free to screw the people, presenting no real threat to tptb. (aka corporations)

[ProgressiveProfessor]

9. Still have to wonder

It would clearly be provocative, but given the massive number of cameras, response would have to be limited. I expect to see it soon enough

[Douglas Carpenter]

8. The TeaParty is viewed quite correctly by the authorities as loyal supporters of capitalism

The OWS movement is viewed by the authorities with a great deal of suspicions as a possible threat to capitalism and perhaps even a threat to capitalist rule. In capitalist society defending capitalism is the authorities highest of all priorities. Any significant presence of weaponry by the OWS movement would convince the authorities that lethal force was necessary to protect their institutions. Furthermore the OWS movement is garnering a lot more sympathy from the general public than what most in the media and in positions of power could have ever imagined. Maintaining at all cost the imagine of a peaceful and nonviolent movement is essential for this new movement's survival.

[mmonk]

10. You know you are protesting the right people by how you are treated.

Since the Tea Party and OWS are protesting totally different targets, I'll leave it to you who has gotten it right.