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August 26, 2008 at 23:54:24

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Promoted to Headline (H2) on 8/26/08:

Baton-Bashed In Denver! Is This Really What Democracy Looks Like?!

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By Linda Milazzo (about the author)     Page 1 of 1 page(s)

opednews.com     Permalink

For OpEdNews: Linda Milazzo - Writer

IS THIS REALLY WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE?!



There are characteristics essential to being a member of the peace and social justice organization, CODEPINK. Chief among them is compassion. One can hardly dedicate one's life to improving the lives of others if there isn't an abiding drive to help those in need. Thus, it was no surprise to those who know her when 24 year old CODEPINK member, Alicia Forrest, in search of the truth, used her camera to document the arrest of a young man swarmed and overpowered by Denver sheriffs during a demonstration in Denver.



The sheriffs were NOT appreciative of Alicia's attempt to photograph the incident. Thus, in an over-the-top - some might say unprofessional response to Alicia's citizen journalism - the Denver sheriff (shown in the video), apparently bashed the diminutive young woman with his baton, knocked her to the ground, and left her sprawled across the pavement in pain.

After being helped to her feet by witnesses who were shocked at the officer's seemingly unprovoked aggression, Alicia was approached by on-site media who asked what precipitated the altercation with the sheriff.  When Alicia began to tell the media what happened, the sheriff, in still another questionable act, grabbed her, collared her gruffly, whisked her off the premises, and arrested her.

As I report this, young Alicia Forrest has just been released from jail, where she has spent the greater part of the day. Her charge was "Interference." Her bail was in excess of five hundred dollars.

As Alicia explained to me this evening, the sheriff actually hit her TWICE with the baton - the first time off camera - the second time on. I personally witnessed the abrasions on Alicia's wrists from the tightly fastened plastic restraints. To the credit of the Denver Sheriff's Department, this incident is currently under investigation by their Internal Affairs Division. 

So judge for yourselves!! You've seen the video evidence. IS THIS REALLY WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE?!

 

Linda Milazzo is a Managing Editor at OpedNews. She's a Los Angeles based writer, educator and activist. Since 1974, she has divided her time between the entertainment industry, government organizations & community development projects and (more...)
 

The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.

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Book Recommendations for "2008 Democratic Natl"
Democratic National Convention 2008: Obama's Mile High Moment [DEMOCRATIC NATL CONVENTIO- -OS]
by Denver Post(Author)

$19.90

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Publisher: Fulcrum Group

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what a disturbing video... by Hans Bennett on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 12:12:23 AM
Democrats by Samson on Friday, Aug 29, 2008 at 2:38:10 PM
Repugs want.... by Rob Kall on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 4:08:18 AM
Repubs want.... by Shirley Bianchi on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 4:51:31 PM
Not yet 1968 by Terry on Friday, Aug 29, 2008 at 10:08:10 AM
Actually YES, that is what democracy should look like by Brett Paatsch on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 4:29:34 AM
Why not enquire into the process for charging the officer by Brett Paatsch on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 5:22:13 AM
secure the evidence by Tony Forest on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 5:32:27 AM
Not sure why you replied to my post specifically by Brett Paatsch on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 6:50:08 AM
Sorry forgot the link by Brett Paatsch on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 6:52:15 AM
I misplaced my comment by Tony Forest on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 7:14:55 AM
Thanks Tony, good comments re getting copies by Brett Paatsch on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 9:40:12 AM
AMAZING NAIEVTE by WML on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 4:46:02 PM
Niavete? It's possible but I'm not buying this.. by Brett Paatsch on Thursday, Aug 28, 2008 at 7:21:06 PM
Niavete? It's possible but I'm not buying this.. by Brett Paatsch on Thursday, Aug 28, 2008 at 7:22:37 PM
editing videos by Samson on Friday, Aug 29, 2008 at 2:32:51 PM
Nobody even remembers what democracy looks like? by Mark E. Smith on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 6:49:16 AM
Oh yes it does. by Brett Paatsch on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 7:20:55 AM
It's what your Democratic Party's Democracy looks like by Mr M on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 8:49:54 AM
Quoted For Truth by steve scheetz on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 9:13:48 AM
No you are overrating the extent of the voting machine risk by Brett Paatsch on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 10:31:28 AM
Question ... by Mr M on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 11:21:32 AM
Steve's comment was just about the voting not about the by Brett Paatsch on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 11:58:46 AM
Your answer sir ... by Mr M on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 12:12:40 PM
I'll give it one more shot by Brett Paatsch on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 1:09:34 PM
However, you will never know... by steve scheetz on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 6:35:41 PM
Okay, I'm a bit of a technology buff Steve. Tell me how? by Brett Paatsch on Thursday, Aug 28, 2008 at 1:01:21 AM
round em up! by robert braunstein on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 9:40:23 AM
Rocky Mountain News by Tony Forest on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 9:43:56 AM
Hmm. On watching the video again to see if I could make out by Brett Paatsch on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 11:46:47 AM
"You're not gonna do it again" by Tony Forest on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 12:42:51 PM
Cops by Bob Gormley on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 9:51:32 AM
being a cop is a real job by Tony Forest on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 12:46:43 PM
Tony by Bob Gormley on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 1:18:31 PM
Where did they come from? by tjb on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 10:15:19 AM
People Die Every Day by Bob Gormley on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 10:28:27 AM
Tip of the Fascist Iceberg by Mr M on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 11:07:56 AM
THIS HAS HAPPENED HERE IN THE USA POST-911-01 by Kathryn Smith on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 12:49:48 PM
Hate to correct you people...but the United States by Susan Nelsen on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 1:04:21 PM
That does not mean.... by Kathryn Smith on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 1:34:29 PM
The Bill of Rights by Kathryn Smith on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 1:35:42 PM
Listeners can make up their own minds I guess Tony by Brett Paatsch on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 2:29:27 PM
Sorry my above comment is in the wrong place Tony by Brett Paatsch on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 2:44:39 PM
hard to tell by Tony Forest on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 2:44:59 PM
dumb by robert braunstein on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 2:46:25 PM
Hand it to the pink ladies! by Margaret Bassett on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 4:21:33 PM
...voting machines...Once fooled...twice warned. by Ginger McClemons on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 6:39:47 PM
That's right by scott creighton on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 8:08:54 PM
Fraud, including election fraud is always around but by Brett Paatsch on Thursday, Aug 28, 2008 at 1:24:25 AM
Since the 60's by Roger on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 7:36:06 PM
since the sixties... by Ginger McClemons on Wednesday, Sep 3, 2008 at 2:14:57 AM
I did a story on this... by scott creighton on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 at 8:02:59 PM
THANKS FOR BEING ON TOP OF THIS by Meryl Ann Butler on Thursday, Aug 28, 2008 at 11:11:32 AM
Baton Bashing everywhere by Penel on Friday, Aug 29, 2008 at 2:38:28 PM
I couldn't agree with you more by Ginger McClemons on Wednesday, Sep 3, 2008 at 2:52:46 AM

 
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