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limpyhobbler

(8,244 posts)
Sat May 12, 2012, 12:32 AM May 2012

“Occupy Cop” under attack

Retired Philadelphia Police Capt. Ray Lewis could lose his life insurance for wearing his uniform to a protest.
BY DANIEL DENVIR



On Occupy Wall Street’s Nov. 17 Day of Action, the NYPD arrested nearly 250 protesters. Ray Lewis, however, stuck out: the retired Philadelphia Police captain was dressed in uniform. He was holding a sign that on one side encouraged people to watch the Charles Ferguson financial crisis documentary “Inside Job.” On the other: “NYPD Don’t Be Wall Street Mercenaries.”

“You have to get rid of corporate America,” Lewis told occupiers in Zuccotti Park. “You have to get rid of the powers that they have … As long as they have the power they are going to continue to exploit and manipulate the working class.”

The blowback from the police establishment was swift: A Nov. 23 letter from Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey demanded that Lewis “immediately cease and desist wearing, using or otherwise displaying any official Philadelphia Police Department uniform, badges or facsimiles thereof or any official departmental insignia.”

Ramsey soon backed down, citing Lewis’ First Amendment rights. Not so for the politically powerful Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, led by president John McNesby, which has continued its campaign against Lewis...

Complete piece at:
http://www.salon.com/2012/05/11/occupy_cop_under_attack/singleton/?mobile.html

I read that on my phone so I don't know of the same link is gonna work if you're on a computer instead of a phone.

This is horrible the way the FOP is coming after this retired cop for having the courage to stand up and speak the truth.

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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“Occupy Cop” under attack (Original Post) limpyhobbler May 2012 OP
The FOP is pure corruption. Dawson Leery May 2012 #1
IMO Cops do not need unionizatation anymore. Joe Shlabotnik May 2012 #2
Sorry, I reactively oppose any anti-union position as anti-Democratic. Chan790 May 2012 #3
The police unions lobby on behalf of anti-drug laws which put first time "offenders" Dawson Leery May 2012 #4
Stay strong Capt. Lewis. 99th_Monkey May 2012 #5
I will not idly stand by... pinboy3niner May 2012 #6

Joe Shlabotnik

(5,604 posts)
2. IMO Cops do not need unionizatation anymore.
Sat May 12, 2012, 01:44 AM
May 2012

They are no longer fighting 'the man' for a decent living. In Canada for instance, they are Extremely well paid, and they had become loyal to the 'man'. Their corruption is covered up through internal investigations, and at best 80% of 'em serve as tax collectors for their government. They vocally support legislation that benefits themselves. The last few governments haven't even bothered to negotiate contracts, but rather simply sign them. (the government wants (needs) them on their side at tax payer cost. They need to be unionized about as much as the army does. JMHO

Edit to Add: SOLIDARITY FROM US TO CAPT. LEWIS.

 

Chan790

(20,176 posts)
3. Sorry, I reactively oppose any anti-union position as anti-Democratic.
Sat May 12, 2012, 12:18 PM
May 2012

Even those opposed to the morally-vacuous FoP.

Dawson Leery

(19,348 posts)
4. The police unions lobby on behalf of anti-drug laws which put first time "offenders"
Sat May 12, 2012, 03:06 PM
May 2012

behind bars. They lobbied to continue the PATRIOT ACT. They lobby to build more jails.
Break em' up!

 

99th_Monkey

(19,326 posts)
5. Stay strong Capt. Lewis.
Sun May 13, 2012, 09:44 PM
May 2012

you have the US Constitution on your side, and TONS of
we the peoples love you and how you stand up for the
99%,

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