this is what a democracy looks like.
We made it, the G20 is over. Despite a few broken windows there is no physical evidence of it ever being here, however I know the memory will be with me for years to come.
Over the past few months I've heard a lot of negative comments about the protesters and I hope that on the whole we were able to set people straight this week. Yes, there were acts of vandalism that occurred but overall the protests were peaceful. On Friday we marched from Oakland through downtown over to the northside. This was the largest protest Pittsburgh has seen since the steel industry collapsed, approximately 2,000 to 3,000 people joined in. For most of our journey we were surrounded by police, where one officer ended, another began, and usually there were more behind them. If anyone made a wrong move we all would've been in big trouble, there was no where to run even if we wanted to. When we crossed over the 7th Street bridge it was amazing. The police disappeared and it was just us. Many people faced the Convention Center and showed the G20 how they really felt, photographers climbed the bridge to get a good angle, and once, when we were stopped and waiting to continue on, our chant changed from "show me what a police state looks like: this is what a police state looks like" to "show me what a photo op looks like; this is what a photo op looks like." I'm not going to lie, it was the most fun I've had in months. Though we come from all across the globe, even though we share different political beliefs, we all came together to protest the policies the G20 has enacted since it's conception, to urge the president and other world leaders to have compassion on the people not the greedy corporations who just squander the money they are given. It was an amazing experience.
Concerning the protests in Oakland Thursday and Friday night, Thursday was a complete disaster of which I mainly credit to Pitt students. I went down to Schenley plaza to see what the protest was about and I was surprised to find a huge group of students and other bystanders who had no idea why they were there. I even heard someone say "It's about Capitalism is evil or some stupid shit like that" then watched him walk closer towards the police. I couldn't see any real protesters over the mob of Pitt students, many of which were face to face with riot police. I left shortly after, not willing to get arrested for no cause at all. I have heard from both Pitt students who live closer to Schenley as well as a city firefighter who was on duty in Oakland that night that the majority of the destruction was done not by protesters but by students gone wild. WTAE also confirmed this. The rest of the damage can be credited to a small group extremists, you know the ones wearing all black? Yeah, them. From what I have heard a peaceful protester who was appalled by the damage done Thursday night offered to replace the window to Pamala's. Just because some people choose to react in a violent manner doesn't mean that every protester is that way.
The police, however, did not react properly either. It is ridiculous that the police are using the excuse that Schenley plaza closes at 11 pm as a reason to demand that people disperse. The plaza area is right in the middle of the University of Pitt and it is not uncommon to see large groups of people there at all hours of the night. It is also disgusting to see videos such as the one of Pitt students who were gassed with Co canisters and of a group of about 20 police taking an Abu Ghraib style photo with a student they arrested. Also, I can't understand how they got away with arresting the woman with the bike, every news station has footage of her trying to follow the police instructions as two police hit her back with their billyclubs. As peaceful as I am, I would've thrown my bike at them too. They had no right to get violent with her when she was obeying them. Last i heard she was still in jail. I'm sure there were more injustices but I haven't had much time to research the rest of this weeks events.
Video of police taking photo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-e9wfMc6OI
Video of students being cornered and gased on U of Pitt property: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZT3O5m0EIs&feature=related
Video of Girl with bike: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzOG7yghNvQ
Lastly, to set some things straight:
A lot of people have asked "why cover your face if you aren't doing anything illegal?" There are two reasons, one, tear and pepper gas. Just because you're being peaceful doesn't mean you won't get tear-gassed therefore many protesters soak their bandana's in water or vinegar in an attempt to alleviate the effects. The second reason is the government considers most protesters to be low-level terrorists, during the Peoples March the police on the sidelines were taking photos of us, and when I was walking to the protest a Fire Marshal vehicle drove past and snapped a picture of me. During this time I wasn't even carrying a sign or wearing my scarf around my face.
Also, I'm tired of hearing rumors of protesters flinging feces at buildings and police. I've heard that there were supersoakers filled with urine in an abandoned warehouse, that Whole Foods had human feces all over it, these are all rumors and completely untrue.
Well, i've written enough for now. I need to get to bed. Hopefully the "Go Pitt! Fuck the Police!" Anti-Police Brutality rally continues to go well. *crosses fingers*