Anti-War Protesters Take Over Downtown Mpls Check out the Video

[annm4peace]

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/Anti-War-Protesters-Downtown-dec-02-2009

MINNEAPOLIS - Anti-war protesters took over downtown Minneapolis in the middle of rush hour Wednesday evening. Their goal was get the attention of as many people as possible regarding the troop surge President Obama asked for Tuesday night.

“We really think Barack Obama has let us down and it's common madness as normal when it comes to politics,” said Kevin Smith, protester.

President Obama announced his plans to send 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan Tuesday night. Protesters across the Twin Cities quickly organized a march set for 5:30pm Wednesday night. The march from Loring Park through downtown stopped traffic and zig zagged through city streets for almost two hours.

11 protesters were arrested for unlawful assembly after they sat down in the middle of the South 10th street and South 3rd Ave intersection.
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So here is better reporting, but the Video that local Fox News did is better than usual.

http://twincities.indymedia.org/2009/dec/anti-troop-surge-protest-clears-streets-downtown-minneapolis-push-withdrawl-occupied-afghan

Hundreds of people turned out to protest the escalation of war in Afghanistan as rush hour filled downtown Minneapolis streets. Marchers convened in the southwest corner of Loring Park at 5:30pm and then motioned cars aside as they took to the streets heading toward Downtown on Hennepin Avenue.

Dozens of police were on the scene for the unpermitted emergency protest of 150-200 people, immediately asking who were the leaders. Organizers deftly sidestepped the question leaving the cops guessing and milling through the crowd.

As the march came to 3rd Avenue and 10th Street, several dozen people sat down in the intersection in an act of civil disobedience. Approximately a dozen were arrested as the march continued in different directions. A jail vigil convened at 9:30pm in front of Hennepin County Jail; bail was reportedly set at $300, though the charges remain unknown.

TCIMC UPDATE: While unconfirmed, it definitely seemed like two provocateur-style men were messing around. One sat down early on at Hennepin Avenue, and called for the march to turn to the highway. Later a man kept calling for random intersections to be taken. One was wearing a black balaclava and the other a kind of camo bandanna. Unconfirmed.

TCIMC UPDATE: Anonymous adds As of 12:30am, 9 of the 11 arrestees have been released from jail on $50 bail for misdemeanor unlawful assembly. Two remain in jail for the same charge and will see a judge at 9am tomorrow morning. Court solidarity needed.

"We believe it is time for anti-war groups to employ tactics that reflect the growing public dissatisfaction and unrest in response to our countries continuation of war and occupation in the Middle East," said an organizer in a press release.

Next: The Iraq Peace Action Coalition has planned a demonstration for Saturday, Dec. 4 at 1 pm at Lake St. and Hiawatha Ave. in Minneapolis. Also Saturday, a March and Rally for Trade Justice. Earlier: Afghanistan protest callouts & war analysis

Mounted police on horses, almost a dozen on bikes, several squad cars full of cops fringed the mass of demonstrators as they took over three lanes of eastbound Hennepin Avenue. Drivers stuck in traffic, office workers in buildings, skyway commuters and pedestrians gaped at the sight. Many motorists showed solidarity by honking and giving a thumbs-up in support.

Most of the local news crews were there interviewing participants and racing with videocameras to film the march winding through downtown streets. One interviewee said that she did volunteer work to get Obama elected and that she felt this was a bad move that would alienate his base.

More in depth coverage from IndyMedia including more photos and videos of the event will soon follow.

[midnight]

1. For those of us who want real change, sending in 30,000 troops for 100 bad guys,

makes little sense. The real story has not been told. Glad to hear that some are making noise about it.

[NightWatcher]

2. I love when "right to peacefuly assemble" becomes "unlawful assembly"

http://definitions.uslegal.com/u/unlawful-assembly/
At common law, an unlawful assembly is a gathering of at least three persons whose conduct causes observers to reasonably fear that a breach of the peace will result. Although freedom of assembly is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution, law enforcement has the right to require disbursement of such an assembly as part of the "police powers" of the state. Determination of the potential dangers of riot or breach of peace are subjective and decided on the spot by police officers or other public officials.

Claims of "unlawful assembly" were often used to break up labor union picket lines until the late 1930s, against peaceful civil rights marches in the 1950s and 1960s, and by the police against anti-Vietnam War demonstrators in the late 1960s.

[Echo In Light]

3. K&R

[Gregorian]

4. I'm glad you posted this.

I agree with the replies.

We need much much more of this right now.

And I feel a sense of irresponsibility. I may live in a liberal rural community. But I would be in that march if I were in the city.

This is how we run this country. From the bottom up.

Stop the bombing. I don't care if the troops being sent are for purposes other than making war. Get them out. There are more important things to be doing with our money.