Police use force to remove protesters blocking Stryker convoys

Run time: 06:24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOkn2Fg7R8w   Posted on YouTube: November 09, 2007 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: November 09, 2007 By DU Member: 143tbone Views on DU: 1008

 
November 8, 2007

OLYMPIA — Members of Olympia Port Militarization Resistance (OlyPMR) blocked several convoys of military combat vehicles called Strykers beginning late last night and continuing into the morning. Dozens of protesters blocked the road with their bodies as one convoy after another exited the Port of Olympia. In each case, the convoys eventually passed after police shoved and struck protesters with batons and dragged them from the road in order to clear the way.

The demonstration began at 9:00PM when about 100 people gathered outside the port entrance chanting anti-war slogans. Large numbers of police in full riot gear marched onto the scene around 11:15PM.

At 2:30AM police doused a cluster of about 20 people with pepper spray in order to grab one man in their midst; Shyam Khanna was arrested and charged with pedestrian interference and resisting arrest. John Stiner was arrested earlier and charged with pedestrian interference. No other arrests were made.

Protesters said that police force was consistently excessive. Several people reported minor injuries, including Emiliano Guevara whose lip was split open and received other facial injuries when he was hit with a baton.

On Monday, the USNS Brittin arrived at the Port of Olympia, with a return shipment of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division Stryker Combat Team. In May of 2006, OlyPMR attempted to block the outgoing shipment of this very same brigade; 37 people were arrested over a period of 10 days.

The soldiers of the 3rd Brigade returned to Fort Lewis about 2 weeks ago, minus the 48 who died from injuries sustained in Iraq.

When members of OlyPMR learned late last week of the incoming shipment, they released the following statement:

"We oppose Olympia's complicity in a war whose disastrous effects have been felt worldwide and we will actively resist the use of Olympia's port to further that war.

... Through nonviolent actions we intend to stop the Port of Olympia from becoming a revolving door of military machinery furthering illegal war. This war has taken the lives of 3,845 U.S. soldiers, over one million Iraqis, and has displaced millions more. These weapons are returning to be repaired and refitted for further combat. We see this as a continuation of the war despite our nation's and the Iraqi people's overwhelming opposition to the war."

OlyPMR has declared an intent to "contain" the equipment at the Port of Olympia so that it may no longer be used for illegal and immoral U.S. imperial pursuits. (less)

....there actions were stupid. Your suppose to block em when they are heading to Iraq, not when they coming back from Iraq. I'm sorry but it would have been more effective the other way around and against a convoy of Blackwater merc thugs.

These people have made many attempts to block outgoing shipments and not only in this port. The port of Tacoma has seen an amazing amount of action. The port of Oakland also has a local PMR --Port Militarization Resistance. These are brave and committed activists who don't sit at their computer all day but get out in the streets and fight against militarization of our ports. At this very minute they are out in the streets blockading the movement of Strkkers. If you read the background to the video you will understand the reasoning.

and support a family...and raise healthy children...and contribute to society in other ways...

FWIW, if it weren't for the people sitting at their computer, that little video would probably not even have an audience...never slam those which you hope to persuade.

Peace.

I agree, block them when they are leaving, but also you have to actually keep them from leaving with the weapons if you want to be effective. Green Peace has demonstrated that putting boats in front of them is effective. Also you need to follow these people because when they get off the ship they will need to go somewhere to eat, and follow them to the restaurant and stand over them while they eat giving them hell.

What people are you talking about? The military? They embrace the military and many of the troops thank them for what they are doing. At least the ones that dare speak.

One of the many ways that they are "effective" is when the bill comes due from the respective cities that choose to use their ports in this manner.
So I would suggest reading up on the PORT MILITARIZATION RESISTANCE (PMR) before making such instantaneous judgements.

If I was just home from Iraqi Deployment, and going to my first meal in a diner on American soil after 18 months doing my duty in Bush's illegal war and you stood over me while I was ordering berating me, I would call the police, ask you to stop harassing me and then if you didn't stop, kick your ass while waiting for the cops to arrive.

The ordinary soldier does not deserve to be treated in such a disrespectful manner by ANYONE. Not you or George W. Bush.

Now as to the protest re using the port as mart of the machinery of war, I hope these folks keep doing what they are doing. Making it in any way more difficult to conduct war business as usual is indeed a brave thing.

by brave patriots. And very gen Y with techno music.

Godd luck with a draft.