Police Fortify Numbers for War Protests

[cal04]

Demonstration Will Be the First Since the District Passed Arrest Law

D.C. police have canceled days off and are planning to deploy several hundred officers during an antiwar demonstration next weekend that will include a march near the White House, but officials said they expect no trouble. Saturday's rally, part of a weekend of protests and counter-protests, will be the first demonstration allowed to surround the White House in more than a decade. It is the first major rally to occur since a D.C. law that requires police to give clear warnings before arresting demonstrators took effect.

Passed in response to the much-criticized mass arrests of protesters at a downtown park in 2002, the law also restricts the use of police lines to contain nonviolent demonstrators and requires that police wear clearly identifiable badge numbers. Police also may not stop spontaneous rallies -- as long as such incidents do not clog sidewalks or violate traffic laws -- by arresting demonstrators for protesting without a permit.

Organizers said they are mobilizing nationwide for what could be the largest war protest since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq more than two years ago. Various coalitions are organizing buses, vans and carpools to bring in protesters from across the country. "We can anticipate 100,000 people," said Cmdr. Cathy Lanier, who supervises the police department's special operations division. "There will be mothers, grandmothers and children -- a huge, diverse group. They are very peaceful. We have been meeting with them regularly." Counter-demonstrators, who are planning rallies before and after the antiwar gathering, are expected along the march route. To control crowds, D.C. police officials said they will have dozens of officers directing traffic at 110 spots. Other officers will be stationed along the march route. D.C. police said staffing levels in the city's police districts will not be affected by the special deployment.

U.S. Park Police will join D.C. police in the crowd-control effort. Park Police also have canceled days off for officers who patrol the Ellipse and other federal areas where the main antiwar rallies are to be held. Scores of Park Police officers will be in uniform Saturday, including some on horseback and bicycles. Undercover officers will mingle among demonstrators. Others in riot gear will be ready to respond to an emergency, said Park Police Sgt. Scott Fear.







http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/17/AR2005091701217.html

[tridim]

1. It has to suck being a cop during the reign of Bush

I kind of feel sorry for them having to work so many days off. I really hope they're respectful of our rights next weekend and don't go into fascist storm-trooper mode.

[DLnyc]

3. I have to say I was told by NY on-duty officers "You guys are great!"

I think it was 2003, during the build-up to Iraq. I think Bush pressured Blommberg (our traitorous repub mayor that got in on Guiliani's coattails after 9/11) to try to coral the demonstration into metal barricade 'pens'. People were outraged and several times the expected number showed up, clogging up the next two avenues, stranding cars in a sea of people.

Many arrests ensued, but there were stories of cops refusing to book people saying "I didn't take this job so that I could deny people their constitutional rights". After the demonstration had thinned out (MUCH later in the day!) I passed a group of cops. I was carrying a sign (maybe 'Regime Change Begins at Home') and one of the cops turned and said to me something like 'You guys are great, Amazing!' He gave me a real look of respect and appreciation.

THese guys are mostly from working class families with not a lot of options and also not doing great under BushCo economics.

Last year, on the day before the Repugnican convention, the city relented and allowed demonstators to march without any barricades. 500,000 people showed up, packing several miles of New York streets, and gave the conventioneers a very appropriate 'welcome'.

[mongo]

4. I hope we give the DC police the same impression.

I feel sorry for them too - I wouldn't want to have to stand around all day in heavy riot gear.

I hope that both the cops and us protesters treat each other with the utmost respect.

[DLnyc]

5. In my experience, they generally do.

I think it is only when some politician decides they want to 'fight' the demonstration that cops are pressured to go out of bounds. But this inevitably turns the demonstration into bigger news than it would have been, so generally the pols are smart enough to just let the demonstration proceed.

[louis-t]

2. B-b-b-b-u-t I thought Karl said there's no anti-war movement.

Baghdad Bob strikes again.