Different reactions in same city
Occupy Davis relations with the democratically elected city council and local police forces have been genial and productive. The authorities have worked continuously to harmonize the occupation’s presence with the park and surrounding businesses and ensure that all aspects of the encampment remain non-violent. Those in charge of using force are aware that they are democratically elected officials that are directly accountable to the people.
Occupy UC Davis, a mere three blocks away, is under the jurisdiction of an undemocratic, appointed regime of force over which its subjects have no meaningful democratic control. The authorities there attacked non-violent protesters with indifference, and, in some cases, a clear display of sadistic pleasure.
There could be no better illustration of the differences between a democratic, accountable public safety effort and a fascist, totalitarian, unaccountable police state. The students of UC Davis have no meaningful voice, and that is reflected from the very top of the administration down to the officer on the ground, who can spice up his day with a confident sense of utter, unassailable impunity.
As for the message of the protest, the police on the scene made a far more compelling case through their brutal actions than my printed words ever could.
God bless those who sat for our rights that day, submitting their bodies to be brutalized, sacrificing themselves to expose injustice. They truly are the heroes of humanity.
Bernie Goldsmith
Davis
Short URL: http://www.davisenterprise.com/?p=106995
View this story on page A11
Posted by Letters to the Editor
on Nov 22 2011.
Last Login:
Filed under Letters. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
With all due respect to Bernie Goldsmith, calling UCD a “fascist, totalitarian, unaccountable police state” is WAY over the line. This is just sensationalist hatemongering. Let’s stay civil. Let’s stay real.
Barbara, your criticism is well-taken. My apologies for going over the top. I was rather emotionally influenced by my experiences on the quad, watching my close friends being brutalized by armored police and being powerless to do anything to help them.
Bernie,
Understandable, but folks need to show the same thoughtful restraint with their words as the students have with their actions.
…over the top or not.