Saturday, the 15 of September, between 150-200 anti-war demonstrators gathered at the gates of Kirtland Airforce Base, carrying signs with such catchy slogans as "Impeach Bush and Cheney" and "Bring Home our Troops Now-No More War!" A relatively small, peaceful demonstration-unfortunately, the events of this day turned out to be anything but peaceful; demonstrators and the Albuquerque Police were at odds. Police were hassling the demonstrators, telling one woman to "shave your armpits and call me later," another told a man to "take a bath" after they had gone up to the police to ask them why they were harassing them. Six APD officers marched their horses down a sidewalk packed with people.Several vehicles bearing bumper stickers with anti-war slogans were slapped with parking citations on an adjacent street where there were no signs visible saying parking was prohibited.Two vehicles with no stickers parked in the same area were not cited. Demonstrators, obviously angered at the fact they were being harassed for what the believe in, were shouting at the police to "go arrest real criminals" and one demonstrator retorted "this is real patriotic, hassling a bunch of old hippies." A woman wearing a burqa— a garment worn by women in some Islamic traditions for the purposes of covering the entire body—was asked by police to remove it. After speaking to an APD sergeant asking what law she had violated, he said "none" and she was allowed to put the garment back on. Oops, got caught there, didn't ya?
Ah, but wait, here's the kicker: as the demonstrators were cleaning up, a bullhorn in one of the passing police cars came on and shouted, “GO BUSH!” You must be fucking kidding me. The atmosphere was markedly different from protests of similar size at the same location the past few years. Many demonstrators said they felt afraid and described an increased police presence;some of the 15 or so police officers on hand seemed tense. "The police came here with a definite different approach today,"organizer Jeanne Pahls said."It took us completely by surprise. We spoke with the police beforehand,and the protests we have here are always quiet and peaceful." One person said that the way the police treated the demonstrators that day amounted to suppression of free speech, and they were right. The police have the power to detain and arrest and many people, who simply want to exercise their right to free and peaceful speech, are becoming more and more intimidated by this kind of behavior-enough so that some choose not to exercise that right for fear of undue persecution. Someone who wants to voice their opinions on peace should not have to live in fear that they will be harassed by the people who are supposed to protect their rights. What kind of bullshit is that? (That was a rhetorical question). The police are in no way obligated to support what these people are demonstrating for, or agree with them on any level, however, it is their responsibility to protect these people and make sure nothing goes awry...not to instigate verbal fights and try to cause disruption. Jesus Christ, let the people gather in peace! Stories like this are getting rigoddamndiculous!
Way to go APD, way to proudly display your idle belligerence.5
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