As a 17-year-old high school senior, I have been taught in school that police are "the good guys" and are there to protect us. But when I attended the Rage Against the Machine concert [during the RNC convention week], I witnessed a display of the complete opposite.
After the show several hundred peaceful protesters poured into the streets to exercise their right to free speech. Instead, they were repeatedly maced and then arrested. And for what? Yes, they were blocking traffic, but the street they were on was supposed to be restricted for local bar traffic.
Incidents such as this were common throughout the duration of the RNC, but as a young person, displays like this are accomplishing nothing more than to teach us that police are not interested in preserving our rights, but are there simply to throw you in jail for using them.
The last time I checked, Minnesota was not a police state, but maybe I need to check again.
KRISTIN OLSON
BROOKLYN PARK
Look at the video
Regarding Amy Goodman from Democracy Now getting arrested at the RNC: Just take a look at the video on Youtube. The police clearly explain that anyone that crosses this line will be arrested. Then she crossed. Only then was she arrested and they repeated the warning to the rest of her party as she was escorted away.
Review the rest of the videos. The police warn the protesters, the protesters provoke the police (come right at them) and then the police respond.
It's one thing to peacefully protest for your opinions. That's your right of free speech. It's another to provoke and challenge riot police that have clearly explained the consequences.
SCOTT SNY
EAST BETHEL
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