Last post Wed, Apr 30 2008 8:09 AM by TriDog. 5 replies.
Today in Washington at the ADAPT conference, about 40 protesters were gathering in the office of John McCain seeking a meeting with the Senator. Police were called in shortly after to disperse the crowd. When a mutual resolution could not be reached, police began to arrest the protesters. During the confrontation, a deaf woman was taken to the ground for not listening to police commands. A video has emerged from the incident showing the aftermath of the struggle.
Check out the full story and get additional details from the Disabled Politico blog.
My first reaction is horror, but I am trying to see all sides in this. Surely the police knew this was a disability protest/movement? But they do have a responsibility to protect the people working in McCain's office.
"It's not just about Obama is a young black man, and McCain is an old white guy."Shelley!
According to McCain’s staff, he wasn’t in the office at the time of the takeover.
Well, if the Senator wasn't there, exactly what were the activists expect to happen when they wouldn't leave? Did they expect Sen McCain to "beam" in to talk to them. He's a little busy these days. You don't just stroll into someone's office and demand to be seen. If someone did that at my office, I'd have them removed by security. Seems like some poor planning on the part of the protesters.
I watched the video and all I saw was the security police were very gently handling her and checking her for injuries. She wasn't wearing a sign that said "I'm deaf" so, there was no way they could have known she was deaf and not just ignoring their commands. Also, without hearing, I'm sure she could have "read" the situation and knew they were being told to leave. My guess is that while being escorted out the door, she fell and the officers were trying their best to assist her.
I agree with TriDog, they handled the women quite gently. Nothing like what I expected from the title. I am sure they were told McCain wasn't there, and after an hour of this, they had to act since no-one was satisfied with that answer. Indeed it looked like the protesters didn't have a useful back-up plan in case McCain wasn't there. There is no telling how she got to the floor, for all we know she tripped over someone's foot plate. I'm sure the area was crowded. I did NOT see her being thrown to the ground as been said.
I do hope this isn't doctored or reported falsly as police brutality elsewhere. I see no evidence that she was hurt by police at all. Heh, I can see Nancy Grace now.... "Deaf woman attacked by police at McCain's office! Video of women being beaten by police with their bare hands!"
Does nothing for the cause of the rights for the disabled in my way of thinking.
Never thought I'd say this, but I agree with Tridog. You too, Shimas. At least with the appearance of this tape. However, I wonder what happened before it. I wish we could have seen the whole thing. How hard was she taken down? They could have taken her down hard and then realized she was deaf and behaved better. I'm not condoning anyone's behavior here. I do think that the protestors started this situation and should not have been so demanding. What did they expect to happen?
Becky:Never thought I'd say this, but I agree with Tridog.
Ahh there is hope for you yet. Welcome to the side of truth and justice. Some like to call it the dark side.
