«
»

Military Pull Activist Into Unmarked Car at G20 Protests

Sep 25th, 2009 by Will Potter


Police in Pittsburgh have been rolling out their new toys and dressing up like stormtroopers at the G20 protests. (Much more at Pittsburgh Indymedia).There have been reports of direct action in the streets, with activists rolling dumpsters into the paths of oncoming riot police and police pepper-spraying, beating, arresting, and surveilling activists. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports police following activists in unmarked cars, but that’s clearly not the full scope of what is going on right now in Pittsburgh.

Check out this video of two men in military fatigues grabbing an activist out of the crowd, throwing him into an unmarked car, and driving on through the lines of riot police.

I’ve reported previously on local police buying tanks, and an influx of “anti-terrorism” money being used to militarize local police departments. And in the RNC 8 case, police and attorneys used “anti-terrorism” resources and rhetoric to target protest organizers. It should be strikingly, undeniably clear by now that the lines between police and military have been completely eroded. The police have been militarized, the military is policing.

There is a reason police and military operations are separated. It’s the same reason that the foreign intelligence operations of the CIA are kept separate from the domestic intelligence operations of the FBI: Even if you believe that the tactics, violence, and black ops used abroad are justifiable, they have no place at home. They are incompatible with any semblance of a democracy.

Related posts:

Tags: , ,

Posted in Activists Arrested, Legal Issues

  • As I rewatched this video, it made me think about how terrifying this must have been for the activist who was grabbed. What are you supposed to do in this situation? If it's the police, in a marked car, everyone knows the drill. But when it's some thugs in camo? How are you supposed to know if they are police, military, or some of the people who were at those right-wing teabagger rallies carrying assault rifles?
  • Will, as usual, thanks for adding context. When I first watched the video on a Facebook post, I'll admit, I wasn't too sympathetic with the activist. I figured he did something off-camera that warranted arrest. (That's the default setting of my brain, and it's been hard to rewire that.) But while I was reading your post, I realized if he were under arrest, he should have been read his Miranda rights.

    You're right -- no one really knows who these men are. Thanks again!
  • Oops, just saw you wrote -- subsequent to your post -- about what I was referencing in my post. Thanks for the link, Will.
  • Thanks Johnny. And I think you're right, "kidnapped" seems like an appropriate word in a situation like that.
  • Joe
    All we see is 34 seconds from a cell phone cam, this guy must have done something to draw their attention that was not taped. The police did not seem to be interested in anyone else, so what did this guy do?
  • anon
    I would bet that these were actually SWAT cops playing dress-up. As for Miranda warnings... LOL those would get read to him in the car. The whole concept of "snatch-and-grab" / "kidnap" arrests is reprehensible. As a nation, the US should be better than this.
  • Steve
    So apropos, didn't i just say that? USA=Police State
  • Abel
    Having been there for this actual snatch and grab (putting myself on the line), I must say that it was completly unwarranted. The claim released late by the Pittsburgh Police Department was that he was wanted for causing $50,000 worth of damage THURSDAY NIGHT, yet this protest occurred Thursday afternoon. Some people claim this to have been fake, but I saw this action with my own teargassed eyes and can let you all know that this was a kidnapping of epic proportions brought to you by the Police States of America.
  • GW
    I heard they dress up like this to make up for their small penises. Does anyone know if this is true? Joe?

    Thank you.
  • IThinkJoeIsAPaidTroll
    Joe, what? Are you withholding critical judgment until you access more evidence and perspectives? I wish I could say that was a hopeful precedent for your future, but I know you are only doing so because the kidnapped person in question is an activist with political viewpoints and beliefs you don't support.
  • JTheLibertarian
    FAKE!!!!! One uniform is current, but one uniform style has not been worn since the late 90's.
  • Joe
    GW, we are issued clothing like that to hide our big balls, because thats what it takes to do the job.
  • Erik
    I don't think this is fake, I mean how could some one get 3 guys to all have buzz cuts and then be able to buy an unmarked car? and further more, Why wouldn't they be stopped driving through tear gas in to the on coming riot police.... who cares about uniforms maybe its because these people where actually police and given old uniforms? i mean think of all the time it would take to fake this little video... it would be useless.
  • Abel
    They were police, the city of Pittsburgh admitted that they were police officers. Many of the officers within Pittsburgh during the G20 were wearing camouflage.
blog comments powered by Disqus