Police sweep through Occupy Boston camp, arresting dozens; no injuries reported

[brooklynite]

Source: Boston Globe

Hundreds of Boston police officers swooped down on the Occupy Boston encampment early this morning, arresting dozens of protesters and tearing down tents, bringing an end to the 10-week rally against economic inequality, the longest continual Occupy demonstration in the country.

At least 46 protesters were arrested in the lightning-swift operation, which was over in less than an hour. The vast majority are facing trespassing charges, Boston police spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll said.

...snip...

“Tell me what democracy looks like. This is what democracy looks like,” demonstrators chanted back. About two dozen linked arms and sat down in nonviolent protest and police soon began arresting them.

Within about 20 minutes, police had torn down the approximately 50 tents that remained on the square. A front-end loader scooped up debris, and junk from the camp was loaded into a garbage truck.

Read more: http://www.boston.com/Boston/metrodesk/2011/12/police-move-clear-occupy-camp/QjJGTRW2lbtd4vjIpRX4GM/index.html

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Not unexpected, after the Court ruling.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. No one should have expeted any better from "Mumbles" Menino

[sulphurdunn]

2. Tents are expensive.

I imagine there were sleeping bags and other pretty pricey items there. I thought the new role of the police was only protection of private property and the denial of civil liberties to people who exercise them in public spaces. I mean...it's OK to spray and beat the hell out someone because the cops don't much give a flip about civil rights, but destroying private property is a real threat to the entire status quo and their handlers need to keep them on a shorter leash or they might eventually turn on them too. :woohoo:

[valerief]

3. Corporate goons. nt

[orbitalman]

4. Correction: and the 'NOW' junk from the camp was loaded into...

The police need to be arrested for destroying and stealing property, and on up the line.

[defendandprotect]

5. Court ruling -- and the fact that people are BUSY with holiday nonsense ... !!

They'll be a disconnect from the news now and politics for weeks!!

[MarkCharles]

6. If the tents and the occupiers were not a problem on October 15-16...30..Nov 19-30..

why have they become so now?

What idiots in the Democratic-controlled city of Boston find this a problem in mild December Boston weather on December 10?

This has more to do with pissing contests between the banks and the the Federal Reserve Bank, (across the street from the occupy site) and the people who need to get money from the banks in order to get re-elected next year.

Think about it, these guys and women were fine there on December 1 or October 15, but now they are a problem, requiring gestapo tactics and arrests?

This has nothing to do with public safety and everything to do with corruption of the democratic process.

[FailureToCommunicate]

7. THIS part should make everyone even madder...

Keeping the (free?) press away:
"Credentialed press, citizen journalists, academic researchers, and #OccupyBoston media members were repeatedly corralled and moved to surrounding areas 50 feet away or more, prohibiting many from thoroughly covering the raid. From pointing lights in photographers’ lenses to targeting the two official #OccupyBoston USTREAM live videographers for removal, officials went to great lengths to block media access."

http://www.occupyboston.org/2011/12/10/3241/?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed

Though Thursday night was awash in support. Several thousands turned out, along with 'second line' brass bands, and dancing!

[Tanelorn]

8. Australian Analysis of OWS

Could someone help put this link in the right spot

This is a current analysis of OWS from an Australian
perspective. 
It was created by Radio National the government owed
broadcasting corporation.

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbriefing/occupy/3715632