UNREST IN SCOTTWALKERSTAN "Pain compliance is polite torture."

[Scuba]

http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/arrests-in-madison-083013?src=email

We have been keeping an eye on what's going on with the Solidarity Singers, the people who gather each day to sing in the rotunda of the capitol building in Madison, thereby inconveniencing Scott Walker, the goggle-eyed homunculus hired by Koch Industries to manage their midwest subsidiary formerly known as the state of Wisconsin. Walker very much would like to run for president and, therefore, does not like to be annoyed by people in the course of selling off the state piecemeal to the people who might one day fund his campaign. So his apparatchiks in the state government have sic'ced the capitol cops on the singers, resulting in the arrests of several dangerous grandparents. However, recently, this has ceased to be amusing. The capitol cops -- and tell me again that law-enforcement in this country has not been dangerous militarized at every level -- have taken to use "pain compliance" techniques to affect these arrests, which serves no other function except to scare people into Not Doing It Again. This is the kind of logic common to people nostalgic for the old South Africa,

The National Lawyers Guild has gone up the wall.

Two well publicized arrests of African Americans at the Solidarity Sing Along August 26 in the Wisconsin State Capitol showed Capitol Police officers using excessive force and pain compliance techniques. Christopher (C.J.) Terrell's arms were wrenched behind him and police applied to pressure to the front and side of his neck to immobilize him, after he sat down during his arrest, then he was dragged out with arms pinned behind him. Six officers tackled Damon Terrell, pinned him to the marble rotunda floor, twisted his wrist, and carried him out in a prone position face down; he was later charged with felony assault of an officer although he appears to be the victim. On August 21 a young woman was arrested using pain compliance as well.
And, of course, there's video.

This, I should remind you, is the 50th anniversary of what non-violent resistance can accomplish. Pain compliance is polite torture. It is the infliction of physical pain in order to achieve a political end. Nothing more, nothing less. Oh, he's a nasty piece of work, Scott Walker is. He's the guy who gets e-mail spam from waterboard manufacturers.

Emphasis mine.

[hue]

1. When will Wanker's reign of terror end??? When will Wisconsinites wake up???

[Enthusiast]

2. My best guess would be

the police received orders directly from Walker that they need to ramp up the violence.

[Squinch]

3. Wisconsinites among us: is all this creating a groundswell against him that

will blow up on election day? Or is there still an electing majority that thinks this is all peachy?

[old guy]

27. Little opposition outside Madison and the SE corner.

In the NW rural area where I live the only thing people see is what is in the weekly conservative fish wrap. Time after time I have questioned people on happenings in the state legislature and rarely has anyone had any idea what I was talking about. If they don't see it in the paper, it didn't happen and, believe me, they see very little in the paper except the wonderfulness of Walker. IMO the majority of people are satisfied with being told they are doing great and don't want to risk finding out they aren't.

[Squinch]

28. That is scary. I'm sorry to hear that. Keep the faith.

[annabanana]

4. SHOULD be front page MSM coverage!

or at least front page on DU.

Please crossword to GD

[StrictlyRockers]

6. Agreed. I don't want to see this languish in the Wisconsin section.

This needs WIDE distribution!

[StrictlyRockers]

5. That is pure, unadulterated Fascism right there.

That is jack-booted thuggery. That is a modern Gestapo in action. I am not using hyperbole. The Brown Shirts could not have done it much better.

That is using law enforcement for political suppression in the service of the corporate/government state. I doubt you will find a clearer representation than that in modern-day America...unless we stop fighting back.

I'm glad they kept singing. I don't think the cops liked that one bit.

Thanks for posting.

[chervilant]

7. That this is happening in

The United States of America completely blows my mind. That this administration has said (and done) nothing about this speaks volumes! Indeed, the silence is deafening.

[dotymed]

9. You are absolutely rightt.

Obama is ready (before other nations warned him) to bomb Syria.
Yet he (or Holder) doesn't make a peep about the U.S. Gestapo hurting Americans.

We should bus people to Walkerstan and really make some non-violent trouble for these bastards.

[The Wizard]

8. Blue shirts

and brown shirts are now the same. Our militant police have become what we defeated in 1945.

[JimboBillyBubbaBob]

11. Indeed.....

.....Heil Walker can be heard throughout the land.

[mountain grammy]

10. How about a targeted, surgical attack on these thugs.

Willing to bet Walker is giving these cops bonuses. Where oh where is the media?

[dembotoz]

12. media???? well the states largest newpaper also owns one of the states most republican radio and tv

stations--milwaukee journal, wtmj

need i say more????????????????????????

[mountain grammy]

14. surprise, surprise!! Treason from the fourth estate.

[sorefeet]

13. Americas enemies are not in Syria

They are right here in our back yard. Your very own children and grandchildren are the police. Most of these men have been brainwashed or indoctrinated by the new military. These pigs have relatives and they are you. Do you ever question them on their duty to the American people, which doesn't include politicians protection to do what ever the Koch brothers want. Is your child a pig or a policeman. I know the pigs around here are extremely intimidating for no reason. It's scary to even ask one a question, they look at you like you probably need tazed, just for your own good. If a pig will shoot a 95 year old Vet, he will also shoot his own family. That old man was some ones family, why would you be any different.

[Cronus Protagonist]

15. If they allowed the singing, it would end

What you resist, persists. Human nature 101.

[StrictlyRockers]

16. Yup, they just made their problem worse.

More on this from Kos:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/08/29/1234774/-Wisconsin-Guv-Walker-s-Newest-Bizarre-Scheme-to-Stop-Singers

and from the comments section of the Esquire blog post:

"The tactics are abhorrent and are backfiring.

--The day after this video was shot the number of singers and observers doubled.

--That same day the local sheriff and firefighter chief showed up to personally see WTF the Capitol Police are up to.

--About 20 local attorneys are taking the resulting arrest cases for free.

--These attorneys are contemplating injunctive relief against these tactics.

--The local district attorney has neither the time nor staff to deal with these cases.

--Every new youtube video makes the Capitol Cops look worse in realm of public opinion.

This is how Scott Walker solves problems. Wisconsin made a huge mistake, twice. The rest of us better pay attention."

And my post on reddit inspiring a robust discussion with persons of various political stripes:
http://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/1lghp5/unrest_in_scottwalkerstan_capitol_police_turn/

[Scuba]

19. Thank you for adding this StrictlyRockers!

[Lifelong Protester]

17. I'm disgusted that this has gotten so little attention

People! This is possible ANYwhere if it is possible here.


I walk around everyday wondering if the people I meet here in my little town voted for this fascist-not once, but twice. Creeps me out, because SOMEone voted for this. Is it my neighbor? Co-workers? WHO??

It is amazing what this guy is getting by with.

[Blue Owl]

18. Scott Walker on this Labor Day Weekend...

I hope you go fuck yourself you fascist, freedom-quashing POS.

[Auntie Bush]

20. If Walker ever became president

We'd have this sort of action and confrontation all across America!

[Lefta Dissenter]

21. Just call me grovel-bot

for the First Amendment Protection Fund, which is helping to defray the court costs for the people arrested for standing up for our First and Fourth Amendment rights in the Wisconsin State Capitol.

http://solidaritysingalong.org

Even those who have pro bono or reduced fee attorneys still have court costs. Jury fees, service fees, depositions, transcripts... as these move through the trial process, we're hoping to be able to pay the forfeitures for those whose cases aren't won or dismissed.

Please donate if you can! PLEASE spread the word! Over 300 citations at $36 each just for the jury fees adds up mighty fast.

If you want to verify the validity of our organization, have a chat with WI State Representatives Melissa Sargent or Chris Taylor.

THANK YOU!

[Scuba]

22. Thanks for adding this.

I was remiss not to do so, and will try to remember on future post on the topic.

[Lefta Dissenter]

23. Thanks, Scuba. <3 (n/t)

[riversedge]

24. thanks for the post

[Lefta Dissenter]

25. Thank YOU, riversedge!

And welcome to DU!

edited to add, welcome back? DU has been so fascinating, it has left you speechless for a year!

[Thinkingabout]

26. Scott Walker would probably use the same tactics which are being used in Syria. Can one

Even imagine if the acts was ordered by a Democrat.