Cop asks me if DU is a terrorist website

[Lenape85]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=167&topic_id=982&mesg_id=982

[phantom power]

1. I'd like to see an investigation into the validity of requiring "permits"

for demonstrations. It's seductive, because I really do appreciate the desire to avoid major disruptions that can be caused by poorly planned protests.

But below a certain size, I don't see the point. And I'm disturbed by how easy it is for urban officials to kill a protest simply by denying a permit.

If the government is going to abuse the notion of permits, I think it's time for protestors to start having them anyway.

[itzamirakul]

2. The problem with "unauthorized" protests is...

that they give the cops greater freedom for the use of unnecessary force.

During the RNC convention here in NYC, cops have now started to use a plastic fencing material and they simply wrap it around the entire crowd, so even if you are just an innocent bystander, you are caught up in the entrapment. Then they cart everyone off to the hoosegow, hold them sometimes for days without charges, book them and release them for future court appearances. This is so unfair and so much a slap in the face of people who want to excercise their right to protest peacefully.

[Lenape85]

3. KICK IT UP TOP