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Ahead of the meeting, thousands of police and National Guard troops were marshaled. Requested permits were denied. Similar measures are employed against IMF and World Bank protesters, others for global justice, some against war, and when Republican and Democrat political conventions are held.
Each time, constitutional rights are denied. Police violence and other repressive measures are used. OWS demonstrators are now targeted and treated like criminals.
On November 13, Portland protesters were evicted. Despite supportive thousands on downtown streets, camp sites in two parks were forcefully cleared. In Salt Lake City, police used bulldozers against protesters. In Berkeley, police used truncheons against peaceful students trying to set up a camp.
Nationwide, thousands of arrests were made. Numbers mount daily. Tent cities are being cleared. Reasons used are bogus. Alleged health and safety issues are raised. So is talk about enforcing local ordinances.
At issue is police state thuggishness, beating up on people for Wall Street and other corporate favorites. Constitutional freedoms are denied. Popular protests globally are targeted.
"Total policing" met London students protesting tripled tuition fees and abolishing the weekly 30 pound low-income family allowance. Entire areas were blocked off. The city was on lockdown.
Section 60 of the 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act "gives police the right to search people in a defined area at a specific time (and) provides powers to require the removal of disguises at public order events."
Protesters trying to set up camp at St. Paul's Cathedral and Finsbury Square were arrested and dispersed. Erected digital screens told people they broke Section 12 of the 1986 Public Order Act. Some demonstrators were constrained, others attacked.
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