#OccupyAtlanta: Arrest Aftermath
source: http://ash-nits.blogspot.com/2011/10/occupyatlanta-arrest-aftermath.html
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- ashgallagher
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It was an unusual start to a meeting, a behind the scenes, inside look at the operation behind Occupy Atlanta and their "media coordination." I was waiting to meet with Tim Franzen, the face of Atlanta's Chapter. The hallways were small, and there were written poster board signs indicating various committee rooms (Logistics Committee, Media, etc) and the floor they Occupied looked like it was in the midst of renovations.
Before we could start, the Almighty Movement of God Church wanted to address the Media group and ask Occupy to join them in a March next Tuesday. This march was to help people claim back their homes and businesses - for which had been foreclosed in the economic crisis. They would have Civil Rights leaders, Media outlets and the attention of the city, they said, They wanted Occupy Protesters to join them at the court house and stand against the banks and government, in hopes of repossessing the properties.
But what came of the meeting was more than just an announcement for another Protest. The discussion unfolded into the occurrences of Tuesday night when 52 protesters from Occupy Atlanta were arrested. Since then, Mayor Reid has insisted one of the main reasons for the arrest was a man who entered the park that day with an assault rifle slung on his back. I remember seeing him and how nervous the Tactical Peace team was with the man's presence. Others at the camp bantered the man's rights to carry it and their concern for safety.
According to Franzen and others in the room, Occupiers repeatedly attempted to inform the police that surrounded the park, outside of the metal barricades, asking them remove the man or investigate him. But Franzen said, Officers never responded to the complaints. Another young man in the room said he had talked to the gentleman and had ever learned how the gun was obtained.
The Clergy present at the meeting felt that it needed to be brought to media and the public's attention that possibly, the Mayor allowed the man to remain in the park or knew of his presence, which would show his lack of interest in protecting the people of Occupy and Civil Rights icon, Andrew Young who spoke at the park that day. The Clergy expressed concern over allowing the man with the rifle to be within yards of Young.
Ironically enough, no one ever learned the name of the man who showed up, and it is not evident whether he was ever detained or questioned.
Since Tuesday, Occupy Atlanta has regrouped and is planning further demonstrations throughout the city. Some are camping in the park again, while others are camping near the King Memorial and headquarters is being moved down the street. Their drive to move forward is impeccable, and they stand by the statement that they were wrongfully taken into custody during a peaceful protest. Most video that has popped up on the web shows protesters being dragged away silently during the raid and whether or not the public will hear their message about the man with assault rifle is yet to be determined.
(tbc)
Before we could start, the Almighty Movement of God Church wanted to address the Media group and ask Occupy to join them in a March next Tuesday. This march was to help people claim back their homes and businesses - for which had been foreclosed in the economic crisis. They would have Civil Rights leaders, Media outlets and the attention of the city, they said, They wanted Occupy Protesters to join them at the court house and stand against the banks and government, in hopes of repossessing the properties.
But what came of the meeting was more than just an announcement for another Protest. The discussion unfolded into the occurrences of Tuesday night when 52 protesters from Occupy Atlanta were arrested. Since then, Mayor Reid has insisted one of the main reasons for the arrest was a man who entered the park that day with an assault rifle slung on his back. I remember seeing him and how nervous the Tactical Peace team was with the man's presence. Others at the camp bantered the man's rights to carry it and their concern for safety.
According to Franzen and others in the room, Occupiers repeatedly attempted to inform the police that surrounded the park, outside of the metal barricades, asking them remove the man or investigate him. But Franzen said, Officers never responded to the complaints. Another young man in the room said he had talked to the gentleman and had ever learned how the gun was obtained.
The Clergy present at the meeting felt that it needed to be brought to media and the public's attention that possibly, the Mayor allowed the man to remain in the park or knew of his presence, which would show his lack of interest in protecting the people of Occupy and Civil Rights icon, Andrew Young who spoke at the park that day. The Clergy expressed concern over allowing the man with the rifle to be within yards of Young.
Ironically enough, no one ever learned the name of the man who showed up, and it is not evident whether he was ever detained or questioned.
Since Tuesday, Occupy Atlanta has regrouped and is planning further demonstrations throughout the city. Some are camping in the park again, while others are camping near the King Memorial and headquarters is being moved down the street. Their drive to move forward is impeccable, and they stand by the statement that they were wrongfully taken into custody during a peaceful protest. Most video that has popped up on the web shows protesters being dragged away silently during the raid and whether or not the public will hear their message about the man with assault rifle is yet to be determined.
(tbc)
