Congratulations to CANG8 for a well-organized, powerful united mass rally with a focused message against NATO, NATO’s wars, growing repression and the disasterous cuts in every social program. May 20 was, despite all the threats and violence baiting, the largest antiwar demonstration in many…

We can’t tell people not to protest (pesky constitution!) so let’s just scare them into not protesting:

Predictable enough now that torture is a human right, imprisonment without trial is the noble work of our Constitutional Scholar in Chief, and wars are a nutritious part of your breakfast:

From MSNBC:

Sergio Ballesteros, 30, has been involved in Occupy LA since the movement had its California launch in October. But this week, his activism took an abrupt turn when he was arrested on a felony charge — lynching.

Under the California penal code, lynching is “taking by means of a riot of any person from the lawful custody of any peace officer,” where “riot” is defined as two or more people threatening violence or disturbing the peace. The original purpose of the legal code section 405(a) was to protect defendants in police custody from vigilante mobs — especially black defendants from racist groups.

Whether the police allegation in this case will be pursued by by California’s courts is uncertain. But the felony charge — which carries a potential four-year prison sentence — is the kind of accusation that can change the landscape for would-be demonstrators.

In a speech at MIT last night to discuss the packed sweepstakes to build a tech campus in New York City, Mayor Bloomberg said he prefers City Hall to the White House. Almost immediately after Mayor Bloomberg dampened recent speculation he’s eyeing a White House bid, he added fuel to the fire by explaining why a mayor would be the best person for the job.

“I have my own army in the NYPD, which is the seventh biggest army in the world. I have my own State Department, much to Foggy Bottom’s annoyance. We have the United Nations in New York, and so we have an entree into the diplomatic world that Washington does not have,” Mayor Bloomberg said.

“I don’t listen to Washington very much, which is something they’re not thrillled about.  The difference between my level of government and other levels of government is that action takes place at the city level,” Mayor Bloomberg said. “The cities and mayors are where you deal with crime, you deal with real immigration problems, you deal with health problems [i.e. dirty hippies], you deal with picking up the garbage [read OWS protesters and homeless people].” [comments added]

In a speech at MIT last night to discuss the packed sweepstakes to build a tech campus in New York City, Mayor Bloomberg said he prefers City Hall to the White House. Almost immediately after Mayor Bloomberg dampened recent speculation he’s eyeing a White House bid, he added fuel to the fire by explaining why a mayor would be the best person for the job.

“I have my own army in the NYPD, which is the seventh biggest army in the world. I have my own State Department, much to Foggy Bottom’s annoyance. We have the United Nations in New York, and so we have an entree into the diplomatic world that Washington does not have,” Mayor Bloomberg said.

“I don’t listen to Washington very much, which is something they’re not thrillled about.  The difference between my level of government and other levels of government is that action takes place at the city level,” Mayor Bloomberg said. “The cities and mayors are where you deal with crime, you deal with real immigration problems, you deal with health problems [i.e. dirty hippies], you deal with picking up the garbage [read OWS protesters and homeless people].” [comments added]

heller:

Chancellor Katehi:

As the a former ASUCD President and a proud UC Davis Alum, I am sickened and disturbed by what I witnessed happen to students on the UC Davis campus on Friday. During my tenure at UCD we had ample issues with UCPD; but under your direction, the treatment of students by police is the worst I’ve ever seen.

The essence of a non-violent protest is just that—non-violent. The health and safety of students was not at risk until you ordered the police to attack them. It is your actions, not those of the students, that created the harm.

As Chancellor, you have been entrusted to protect the students and ensure they have a safe environment. College campuses should be a safe space for expression of ones beliefs. UC Davis has struggled with community-police relations for years. Your efforts have reversed whatever progress that has been made through our tireless efforts. Hiding behind the so-called concerns of the parents who have entrusted their students to us, to ensure that all can live, learn and work in a safe and secure environment” seems misplaced, in that parents had nothing to worry about until you ordered their children attacked. If anything, parents will now feel less secure in sending their children to UC Davis knowing that if—gasp—they speak out and take action—the Chancellor will condone such brutal treatment.

Whether or not you requested that the students remove their encampment is immaterial to the amount of force used. Ordering that students be pepper-sprayed and allowing officers to force the spray down their throats is beyond reason.

Not only did your actions violate the constitutional rights of the students, they violated the peace-of-mind all students should have on their campus. The quad was a safe place to express idea, debate the issues, and engage with fellow students on many levels. It is the home of some of our most famous celebrations, including Multi-Cultural Week, Picnic Day, and Diversity Days. What you have done has turned this symbol of student freedom and expression into a nationally recognized symbol of police brutality and suffering. The nation’s introduction to the UC Davis quad could not be less appealing. You have marred the reputation of our campus in the eyes of the students, their parents, the Davis community, and the entire United States of America.

You were a questionable choice for Chancellor to begin with. It’s obvious today that the selection committee made a mistake. And for that, the students have suffered.

I stand with the calls for your resignation, and I hope your immediate exit will partially remove the foul stench associated with the campus that was produce by your pepper-spray and the blood and tears of the students.

I hope you will resign immediately.

Caliph Assagai
UC Davis, Class of 2006
ASUCD President, ‘05-‘06

The young movement has lawyered up and filed lawsuits asserting freedom of speech and assembly in federal courts in Cincinnati, Sacramento, Nashville, Dallas andAtlanta, to name a few places.

These lawsuits, launched throughout October and November, are attempts by demonstrators to remain in their encampments while protesting government policies and influential corporations that they hold responsible for America’s lopsided economic system.