Editor: Mike Chek – an activist with Occupy San Diego – asked OB Rag readers to call the mayor and city council about the heavy-handed tactics used recently by San Diego Police against non-violent Occupy San Diego protesters. Bob Dorn responded to his request with the following email letter to Mayor Sanders and the City Council.
By Bob Dorn
The actions of police on October 14, so clearly visible on YouTube, and presumably around the world, is the sort of official mayhem that brings down governments in other parts of the world.
That skin-headed cop with a mace can who wrapped his arms around throats and threw several people to the ground so that their heads crashed into the pavement committed a criminal act. He can easily be identified, and so can others at Civic Plaza on Oct 14 who can be seen provoking people and abusing them.
You may well believe the police were being taunted, but a professional cop does not do what the videos reveal.
By now it should be evident that people have a right to gather in San Diego to challenge their systematic exclusion from from the economy and the halls of power.
After all, you ought to remember that official San Diego bears the onus of the suppression of the early 20th Century free speech movement that took place only a few blocks from today’s Civic Plaza. You should keep in mind that your own legacy may well include a similar embarrassment if you don’t bring the police under control.
This is the way to go about it. Show the proof when you talk to the officials.
One photo is proof of what?
The San Diego Renters Union is in the process of filing a lawsuit against the City of San Diego, Police Chief William Lansdowne and Deputy Police Chief Boyd Long for the unneccesary use of mace on demonstrators as a retalitory and punitive action under color of authority. We will also seek an injunction against SDPD using any type of spray unless it serves a law enforcement purpose.
An one who was maced or would like to serve as a witness against this violent punishment by the police on Friday, Oct 14, is urged to contact Dustin D. Delon, San Diego Renters Union at dustyddelon@yahoo.com or (619) 450-9804.
This sucks, I did say in a earlier comment that this is what is needed for them to stop this protest. Violence begets violence. I’m thinken they wan’t to ramp it up to this point. It’s happening all over, next it will be the national grade.
Hey, who the hell is this white head cop, what a prick !!!!!
He is a San Diego Police Officer. That’s all the excuse he needs to be violent. The guy in this picture being maced should just be happy they didn’t sexually assult him in the bathroom at 7-11 as well!
I just watched the video one this page, and that is one bad ass mother… I love this guy.
You’re talking about the marine, yes?