DB: Be Careful Kids
You may have noticed Saturday morning, at about 10-10:30, the Murray Morgan bridge was raised. It stayed up all day, and no ships went underneath. Isn’t that strange? You may have also noticed a flier circulating around downtown for a series of events called Tacoma Smash I.C.E. that included some talks at Kings Books and the Mad Hat Tea company, the finale of which was a protest march from Peoples Park to the Immigrant Detention center on the tide flats. These kids did it right, at first, and got themselves a permit to march. As I understand, in order to get this permit you must mark your path, therefore the city knew they needed the bridge and told them they could use it. Giving the children the permit is permission to use the bridge. Why go back on your word? How absolutely cowardly and passive.
I happened to witness the march near its climax at the termination of the prescribed path. Swarms of police, a ridiculous amount of police, an outstanding show of force from the police, followed the protesters all over downtown and finally onto the bridge ramp where they began to say things like, “well, it seems the city decided to raise the bridge, so unless you are spider man or super man, looks like you aren’t getting over.” This was met with general expletive disapproval from the protesters. “F U, you are not funny, don’t talk to me.” etc. Even as a bystander obviously not engaged in the protest the police were downright hostile. Glaring at me and generally not returning friendly waves and attempts at communication.
The marchers decided to reroute, which broke their permit. Making the march illegal, at which point they were rushed by the police, where two arrests were made. Things got rough. I find this absolutely unacceptable. I called my friends who have been protesting (quite effectively) in Seattle for years. They said, “By law the city is required to make reasonable accommodations if the agreed upon route is unavailable. Also, raising the bridge is illegal.”
My friend Carson is a SOTA student. He was arrested Saturday and has been charged with Obstruction of Justice and Assaulting a Police Officer. My friend Carson is a gentle person, who cares about the rights of immigrants and decided to show his support in a very American way by exercising his freedom of speech. In my opinion, the overwhelming show of police force and the raising of the bridge took what was meant to be a legal and peaceful march for community awareness and turned it into a f*%king mess. I find the city at fault and I despise the message they are sending the youth who are trying to speak up about the injustice they perceive.
At the age of 16, Carson and his friends are conscious and aware enough to care about what they see happening in the world. These traits should be nurtured, encouraged and uplifted. It takes a village, remember? Our village is using intimidation and passive aggressive displays of their power to tell these kids they aren’t interested.
I want to know who is behind the scenes and pressing the buttons. Who the hell raised that bridge? I have some questions for you on behalf of the people you claim to govern. I’m sure you have all sorts of technicalities you can hide behind and loop holes in the permit process, and these may even hold up if you guys get sued over this. This does not excuse the poor, poor method this was handled. Things like W.T.O. happen because these kids have experiences like this and grow up knowing first hand just how corrupt our system is. These kids aren’t going to go away, and we as a city have an option to develop a relationship with protests and protesters that prevent the escalation of human emotion that starts riots and police beatings and all that dirty shit you are trying to stamp out by showing your power. Grow up Tacoma.
Filed under: DB
18 comments
J jamie from thriceallamerican April 29, 2008
What a travesty. We clearly have little experience in dealing with protests around here, as we are apt to overreact. The only solution is more protesting…they’ll learn eventually.
R RR Anderson April 29, 2008
you can start by showing up at community forum next month and asking the council directly. Also call the city manager. Not much happens in this town without his rubber stamp.
Also ANYTHING you do as a protester can be written down as “assault” on a police officer.
Also, I never heard anything about this protest! way to drop the ball bloggers.
J Jenyum April 29, 2008
I guess they posted to the feedtacoma calendar, but I never got an email, don’t know about Exit 133 or others.
I actually found out about this after Daniel’s post on spew, then found a post on Oly blog, then the feedtacoma calendar listings.
Despite having freaked out completely last time (I still say their rhetoric totally made that happen) this sounded like a well thought-out series of events and I’d have written about it had I known about it, and I’d have definitely liked to go to the King’s Books events, especially the media teach in.
The bloggers get tired and miss things, for sure. I don’t know if they tried to communicate directly with anyone about it but if they did I never got the memo.
H Heather April 30, 2008
outrageous
M Mummah Bird April 30, 2008
Holy crap! Some kids delivered from “Tyical-American-Complacency-oma” got off their sofas in order to participate in a peaceful demonstration and this is what happens? Color me shakin’ my head. Had I known I would’ve brought cookies. Alright…note to selves; plan no protest walk routes over bridges that can open (dang-it!). Sure, no dogs and fire hoses, but still a pathetic shame. Kids: keep your heads up. To the extent that it depends upon you, maintain peace in your protests, and continue to have courage to stand for what is right. (and run your plan by some gray-haired protesters eager to share wisdom!)
J jamie from thriceallamerican April 30, 2008
I still don’t get the “masked anarchist” thing. I’d be more willing to participate in a protest made up people who are brave enough to show their faces. Anyone care to shed some light here?
If anyone uses the words “the Man”, I call BS. :-)
A alex thomson April 30, 2008
if these “kids” were smart they would have ended the march peacefully at the bridge and then sued the pants off of eric anderson for obstruction of another kind of justice.
someone should teach a workshop on protesting. aren’t there any old Stalinists out there still plugging away at the labor front?
I don’t really understand the masks either, i think they are trying to look cooler. if you face the villain disguised as a villain, you are loosing at his own game.
A alex thomson April 30, 2008
Daniel Blue should change his name to Daniel Red, what a communist!
These “children” broke the law. They deserve to be punished and scared for what they have done. Spare the rod, spoil the child.
I’ll bet you the city knows all sorts of things we don’t about those anarchists. Perhaps one of them was really planning on trying to burn the prison like their banner claimed. We cannot fault our leadership for the idiots wandering around the streets claiming they want justice. I was at W.T.O. and all those kids wanted to do was brake and smash, it was a hatred for order they were worried about, and they jumped on any bleeding-liberal trade bullcrap bandwagon in order to justify their anti-american rage.
I say next time, GAS EM!
we need to nip this in the butt before these buggers start thinking they own the place.
E Erik S April 30, 2008
First off, I agree with the mask sentiments at #8 and #9. Also, beating a bucket like a drum is a good way to be extra certain I stay far away from your protest. Finally, carrying a sign that says “burn all prisons” seems a bit First Semester Communist to me. No way I’d march with that.
Having said all of that, shame on the folks at the city that thought up/approved the bridge trick. Really, shame on them.
C CA May 1, 2008
“At the age of 16, Carson and his friends are conscious and aware enough to care about what they see happening in the world.”
Really?? Listen, I’m not denying that there are some very bright 16yr olds out there, but are they really equipped with the knowledge and understanding to be making public policy decisions? Theres a reason why you have to be 18 to vote, and a reason why most college kids dont even vote.
J Justin Camarata May 1, 2008
A Political Science major’s perspective, for what it’s worth…
While I’m in agreement with most here that the city’s decision to raise the bridge after issuing the permit was undemocratic, un-American, and a slap in the face to those kids, Anderson and company are unfortunately going to have some legal leverage to defend themselves with in this case.
The First Amendment reads that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of…the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” No questions there. No one’s challenging that those kids had the right to their protest. They followed all laws, got a permit, and stuck with the agreed terms as far as they could. In that regard, they are guiltless. I’d even venture that a call to the ACLU for a media-followed challenge to the city may be in order.
BUT…unfair or not, the kids then broke the law, and the First Amendment doesn’t grant protection in clearly illegal circumstances. The arrests would not have happened if the kids had simply stopped there and, as someone else suggested, sued the hell out of the city. But being 16, passionate, and rightly angry, they instead chose to break the law and damage their cause in the eyes of police. Therein lies Tacoma’s defense, regardless of the bridge stunt. Furthermore, if as the photos illustrated there was legitimate concern for vandalism, some Constitutional Theorists would argue that the protest was in fact NOT protected under the Constitution and that the city acted in the best interests of its citizens and public property, an issue addressed in further amendments. (After all, that wouldn’t be peaceful assembly.) We could get into a Constitutional Law debate here, and that’s not my intent – the point is that, until we experience a vast overhaul in how our city responds to political protests, breaking any established city, county, state, or federal laws will result not in sympathy to the cause but in arrests and silencing.
All that said, I’m glad protests and political involvement are on the rise in the city. I’ve long thought our city needs a political shot in the arm, especially with the passion and intelligence that so many of its citizens possess. (CNN noted a remarkably low caucus turnout in Tacoma compared to Seattle and Spokane, by the way.)
J Jake May 1, 2008
Paint to paint bomb City Hall and Condos: $10.00
Trash can lid for use as a drum: $5.00
Blowhorn bought on ebay to tell the world about our problems: $80.00
Black t-shirt from goodwill to look like an Anarhist Ninja: $1.00
Not being on the TPD and Homeland Security list for terrorist because of ninja shirt: Priceless
R RR Anderson May 1, 2008
what is the constitutionality of a jim crow law? Also, have they thought about doing an amphibious protest ala green peace? They wouldn’t need to worry about the bridge then.
Does the port get federal money from the contractor detention center?
Anyhow. Try to think more asymmetrical anarchists, you cant play their game on their rules and expect to win.
J Jake May 1, 2008
The land sale for the detention center was from a private owner : DVR LLC
I believe the city had nothing to do with the center and had no say if it is was built. A correctional facility is permitted in the PMI (Port Maritime & Industrial District) zoning.
So why stretch TPD and city resources for a federal matter?
R RR Anderson May 1, 2008
Jake, you may as well ask why the National Guard has been hacked into an Expeditionary Force.
The city has mutated to fill the void. all part of the new corporate offloading /outsourcing of costs I suppose.
E Erik S May 1, 2008
RR – Yeah, I’m not a big fan of the Militia Act of 1903 (fabulously known also as the Dick Act) either. One of these days I hope that federalism comes back into fashion, but I’m not holding my breath. While the parties don’t want the same things, they both want to be able to make everyone else do whatever it is that they want.
Jake – True that! Although I’m sure that these kids mean well, there’s more than a whiff of “outrage as fashion statement” (a close relative of “punk as uniform”) about the photos of that protest.
A altered chords May 1, 2008
Is this the “wee bit lighter side” of Exit 133?
I’m afraid to look at the heavy side.
D Daniel Blue May 2, 2008
Any one got any feeds or anything on the Olympia mayday riots that happened today?