They went to the capitol with 3000 to protest massive 2 billion dollar budget cuts that are going to devastate social programs and education in the state. The occupiers stayed after the building closed and some were arrested. There were accusations of "excessive force" on the part of police against protestors.
One of those arrested is a former Marine and Iraqi vet and is now a college student. He is in jail accused of biting a police officer as he was handcuffed and tased. He was arraigned today. A long list of charges, the most serious being 3rd degree assault. The occupiers are trying to bail him out now.
I feel sad. He's a very cool guy, great guitar player, and has a wonderful sense of humor. He was a compassionate and caring individual. He guarded the camp many nights keeping everyone safe from harm. Whenever I saw him, I gently nagged him to do his homework.
I'm not entirely clear what happened. People refused to leave the building. I think they planned to stay as they had sleeping bags. The state patrol arrested some, others who were outside tried to storm the building. Police arrested and dragged some out to a waiting bus. Others surrounded the bus to try and prevent it from moving. Some people wonder if the vet was singled out of the crowd because he was ethnic. I don't know. He may have lost his temper. I think he suffers PTSD. I hear he was smiling when he was arrested. I hope he doesn't have to do jail time.
Anyway, he was a friend of mine.
From the local newspaper:
"Six troopers and one state employee hurt in scuffles with protesters.
Fifteen arrests, and at least six demonstrators hit with shocks from troopers’ stun guns."
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/11/29/1926018/toll-in-2-days-at-capitol-12k.htmlKCPQ 13 footage
http://www.q13fox.com/videogallery/66393488/News/Special-Session-Protest#gl-0
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