erik Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 Police, activists offer different accounts after protest arrests 06/04/2003 Associated Press SEATTLE - Protesters and police offered sharply different accounts the day after 12 people were arrested at a rally against the annual meeting of the Law Enforcement Intelligence Unit. Protesters said police triggered the confrontation and used excessive force Monday night to disperse a generally peaceful protest of more than 400 people. KING Police and protestors clash at rally in Seattle "There was no trouble until the police began provoking trouble," said Bob Barnes, who is part of a protest organization called the LEIU Welcoming Committee. Police used pepper spray, wooden-dowel projectiles and "sting balls, which explode and throw small rubber pellets, to control "people who came to riot," Capt. Mike Sanford told a news conference Tuesday. Some people in the crowd threw mason jars, cans of spray paint and ball bearings at police, he said. "People don't show up at a peaceful protest with a backpack full of mason jars," Sanford said. "We reacted to a reaction of the crowd." He said more arrests might be made based on videotapes of the protest. Protesters equate LEIU, a private information-sharing coalition of about 250 local and federal law enforcement agencies, with a secret police force. "We don't violate civil rights. We protect civil liberties," Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske said. The confrontation happened downtown around the Red Lion Inn, where a five-day training seminar on "Criminal Intelligence and the War on Terrorism" began Monday. On Tuesday evening, a small group of protesters marched near the hotel, performed a "die-in" skit and disbanded. The LEIU conference resumed Tuesday morning with the one event open to reporters, a seminar at which speakers emphasized the balance of security and freedom, as well as a desire for cooperation among federal, state and local agencies. Kerlikowske referred to the protests in his opening remarks at the seminar: "How often does LEIU get a parade?" Sanford said more than 100 of what he estimated to be 400 to 700 demonstrators Monday night wore masks or gas masks, and asserted that "there were people coming from out of town to rile them up." Barnes dismissed any talk of evil intent. "We see kids with masks and bandanas at all rallies," he said. Paul Richmond, a lawyer who was among the protesters, said he saw plastic bottles and traffic cones being hurled but nothing like what Sanford described. "I think he was misrepresenting the facts," Richmond said, adding, "I saw people choking (on pepper spray) last night who had nothing to do with this." About three dozen protesters attended a Tuesday morning news conference at the Municipal Building to criticize the police response, and some demanded that Kerlikowske be fired. Several dozen protesters, some carrying signs, tried to get into the building to see the mayor but were kept outside. Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis came out and listened briefly to their criticisms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allthumbs Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 I told y'all that pud-pounder FDA would get his cum-uppins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fejas Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 I got his mug shot from the police department... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gapertimmy Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 I heard DFA was leaving cc.com for good, made his last post a while ago, was ranting about NOFX or something like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fejas Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 damnit jim.... all i see is gumbnutts and warnings... not found... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fejas Posted June 4, 2003 Share Posted June 4, 2003 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.