Cop pepper sprays Occupy protesters

[ducatilover]

Honest question, do people on here believe that citizens should not be allowed the right to peacefully protest?

Nah, string 'em all up and tickle their toes.

[scumdog]

Honest question, do people on here believe that citizens should not be allowed the right to peacefully protest?

I believe they should be left to protest - eventually they would just become part of the scenery and ignored.

At which point their 'protest' would become pointless...

(Of course the protest should not risk alienating the citizens by inconveniencing, obstructing or reducing business of aforementioned citizens)

[unstuck]

So what happened to the " protesters" in wanganui years ago who took over the local park, did they just get bored and move on, or did they get peppersprayed and chewed by big dogs? Cant recall what the outcome was. Getting peppersprayed is probably one of the worst things I have experienced.

[SS90]

Seemed they were pepper sprayed for a good reason to me.

Lucky they're not in Egypt then.

I was waiting for the good old catch phrase "KILL THE HIPPY"

What "good reason" would that be?

[SS90]

Yes I do. But when the community in which they're protesting has decided that enough is enough, shouldn't the protestors respect that decision and cease and desist? If they continue doing what they were doing, against the community's wishes, doesn't the community then have the right to move the offending citizens on?

Wow......

Who actually says the citizens don't want this?

mainstream media?

Who has the money, makes the rules, and he who makes the rules, owns the newspapers....... Just ask R. Murdoch.

[Oscar]

Wow......

Who actually says the citizens don't want this?

mainstream media?

Who has the money, makes the rules, and he who makes the rules, owns the newspapers....... Just ask R. Murdoch.

Bullshit.
The mainstream media hasn't controlled the news for a decade.
Anything they don't/won't/can't publish turns up on the internet.
As for Mr. Murdoch, he's getting his comeuppance right now.

In NZ the community support for this particular group is underwhelming to say the least.

[scumdog]

In NZ the community support for this particular group is underwhelming to say the least.

But in case Oscar is wrong 'somebody' should organise a march of support for these 'protest' groups around NZ.

[oneofsix]

But in case Oscar is wrong 'somebody' should organise a march of support for these 'protest' groups around NZ.

That would be a hikoi, right?

[Oscar]

But in case Oscar is wrong 'somebody' should organise a march of support for these 'protest' groups around NZ.

We had one in Hamilton on the weekend.
The organiser was a 28 year old food technician from McDonalds.
Seven people turned up.

[BoristheBiter]

What "good reason" would that be?

Didn't move when asked.

[jazfender]

In NZ the community support for this particular group is underwhelming to say the least.

What are you basing that on?

[jazfender]

I believe they should be left to protest - eventually they would just become part of the scenery and ignored.

Agree, although I'm not sure about the second part. Maybe if it was just a local thing and not part of a global movement.

[Oscar]

What are you basing that on?

They were gonna occupy Garden Place in Hamilton.
Seven turned up, all went home after a short while.

Apart from that, on the international scene I don't see Cairo-like crowds turning up to defend the occupiers in NY or London.

[Virago]

Wow......

Who actually says the citizens don't want this?

mainstream media?

Who has the money, makes the rules, and he who makes the rules, owns the newspapers....... Just ask R. Murdoch.

This is what it comes down to - do the public want this?

While the protesters make their claims of "We represent the 99%, and we're going to reclaim democracy", I don't actually recall democratically electing these people to speak on our behalf - can you...?

Any attempt to point out that we don't want them to represent us, will be met with a dismissive - "You're not part of the 99%".

While the protesters and their few supporters claim to have a public mandate, it is in fact far from the truth. The closest they can get to defending that position is to demand proof that they don't. Meanwhile, the overwhelming evidence that they don't have such mandate can simply be dismissed as a media conspiracy.

They are fighting for our democracy, whether we want it or not. The irony is sadly lost...

[Woodman]

They are standing up for something they deem worthy to protest about. Its not about being nice, or even popular but saying your piece and making some noise about it. From what I have seen it is pretty peaceful.

I have ancestors fought (and died) in wars so they could do this shit.