I read the article on Police FBI/vigilante tactics on the Web site.
I wanted to pass along a similar report of something that happened in Akron. It comes by way of Dana Williams, a volunteer with the Cleveland Indymedia Center. cleveland.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=3709&group=webcast Apparently, people holding a peace vigil were attacked and the Cops didn't do anything about it.
On Saturday, another Indymedia reporter/videographer was arrested at a demonstration near the Westside Market in Cleveland. He was on the scene to cover a demonstration by peace activists. Several demonstrators attempted to link arms and form a human chain blocking traffic at an intersection. Police moved in to break up the action. As they shoved demonstrators, the Indymedia guy was knocked down. The Police then told him to get up or he'd be arrested. He replied that he couldn't get up because a Cop was practically standing on him.
Another Indymedia photographer at the scene told me, via e-mail, that Patrick, the photographer who was arrested, was not taking part in any civil disobedience. He was simply trying to shoot videotape of the events.
During his arrest, someone else at the scene, an activist I believe, scooped up Patrick's camera, so the Police did not get hold of it. They haven't posted the video on the Indymedia site. I'm still trying to get in touch with Patrick. There are some still photos of some of the arrests taken by the other Indymedia photographer. They are on the web site.
Here's a link with more info. cleveland.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=3697&group=webcast
Keep up the good work. I'll send you any other reports from around Columbus/Cleveland that I can get my hands on.
Peace,
Chris Shumway
I wanted to pass along a similar report of something that happened in Akron. It comes by way of Dana Williams, a volunteer with the Cleveland Indymedia Center. cleveland.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=3709&group=webcast Apparently, people holding a peace vigil were attacked and the Cops didn't do anything about it.
On Saturday, another Indymedia reporter/videographer was arrested at a demonstration near the Westside Market in Cleveland. He was on the scene to cover a demonstration by peace activists. Several demonstrators attempted to link arms and form a human chain blocking traffic at an intersection. Police moved in to break up the action. As they shoved demonstrators, the Indymedia guy was knocked down. The Police then told him to get up or he'd be arrested. He replied that he couldn't get up because a Cop was practically standing on him.
Another Indymedia photographer at the scene told me, via e-mail, that Patrick, the photographer who was arrested, was not taking part in any civil disobedience. He was simply trying to shoot videotape of the events.
During his arrest, someone else at the scene, an activist I believe, scooped up Patrick's camera, so the Police did not get hold of it. They haven't posted the video on the Indymedia site. I'm still trying to get in touch with Patrick. There are some still photos of some of the arrests taken by the other Indymedia photographer. They are on the web site.
Here's a link with more info. cleveland.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=3697&group=webcast
Keep up the good work. I'll send you any other reports from around Columbus/Cleveland that I can get my hands on.
Peace,
Chris Shumway