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Anonymous #OpBART-3 Protest - BART Still Hates Free Speech, 8/29/11: video
On August 29th, the third OpBART demonstration called by Anonymous worked its way from Civic Center/UN plaza down the sidewalks of Market Street to the Powell Street, Montgomery Street, and Embarcadero BART stations in downtown San Francisco. As has become customary for these protests, BART PD, SFPD, SF Sheriff's Deputies, DHS officers, and the media were out in force. This time, however, protesters did not demonstration on station platforms and BART chose not to close any of the downtown stations. Protesters did speak out and chant against BART police violence in the non-paid areas of three stations, having been granted explicit permission at the Powell Street station by BART "Tactical Team" (i.e riot police) officer Franklin. The video here includes coverage from throughout the action, leading up to the two "free speech" arrests at the Embarcadero station.
(video 21:03)
At the Embarcadero station, Krystof of No Justice No BART tested BART's policy, as enunciated by BART spokesperson Linton Johnson, that "Inside the fare gates is a non-public forum and by law, by the Constitution, the U.S. Supreme Court, there is no right to free speech there." Krystof slid his BART ticket through a fair gate and stepped a few feet into the paid area, not blocking any passengers from making their way into or out of the station. He led a chant of "No justice, no peace, disband the BART police," and continued to speak out against BART's long history of police violence and recent history of arresting those who voice dissent within stations. Within a couple of minutes, a line of BART riot police moved in and blocked the fare gates between Krystof and the mass of demonstrators. Krystof returned to the un-paid area. A few minutes later, as he spoke amongst the crowd, a gang of riot police moved in to arrest Krystof. A second demonstrator was also arrested at the same time, even though he had never entered the paid area of the station.
Both arrestees were charged with Trespassing, the same thing demonstrators were charged with for speaking out on the Civic Center platform during #OpBART-2, except for the one felony "lynching" charge from #OpBART-2. (All charges by BART PD at #OpBART-2 were dropped at protesters' arraignments on August 29th.) The Trespassing charge is a purported violation of California Penal Code 369i (an infraction). Both arrestees were then sent to the SF County jail at 850 Bryant and released about two hours after having been arrested.
Both also received a visit while in jail from Carol A. Russo, a "Senior Conciliation Specialist" with the Community Relations Service of the U.S. Department of Justice. BART being ineffective in its attempts to stop protests against its police brutality, Russo offered to mediate between protesters and BART, including with BART's police chief Kenton Rainey. As to what exact concessions BART may or may not be willing to negotiate, if any, remains to be seen should activists ever decide to take Russo up on her offer.
After the arrests at Embarcadero, most demonstrators headed back to street level and continued to march on Market before dissipating of their own accord.
On Monday, September 5th, No Justice No BART will be holding a press conference inside the Embarcadero BART station to announce details of an upcoming action to be held at the Embarcadero station on Thursday, September 8th.
For more information:
At the Embarcadero station, Krystof of No Justice No BART tested BART's policy, as enunciated by BART spokesperson Linton Johnson, that "Inside the fare gates is a non-public forum and by law, by the Constitution, the U.S. Supreme Court, there is no right to free speech there." Krystof slid his BART ticket through a fair gate and stepped a few feet into the paid area, not blocking any passengers from making their way into or out of the station. He led a chant of "No justice, no peace, disband the BART police," and continued to speak out against BART's long history of police violence and recent history of arresting those who voice dissent within stations. Within a couple of minutes, a line of BART riot police moved in and blocked the fare gates between Krystof and the mass of demonstrators. Krystof returned to the un-paid area. A few minutes later, as he spoke amongst the crowd, a gang of riot police moved in to arrest Krystof. A second demonstrator was also arrested at the same time, even though he had never entered the paid area of the station.
Both arrestees were charged with Trespassing, the same thing demonstrators were charged with for speaking out on the Civic Center platform during #OpBART-2, except for the one felony "lynching" charge from #OpBART-2. (All charges by BART PD at #OpBART-2 were dropped at protesters' arraignments on August 29th.) The Trespassing charge is a purported violation of California Penal Code 369i (an infraction). Both arrestees were then sent to the SF County jail at 850 Bryant and released about two hours after having been arrested.
Both also received a visit while in jail from Carol A. Russo, a "Senior Conciliation Specialist" with the Community Relations Service of the U.S. Department of Justice. BART being ineffective in its attempts to stop protests against its police brutality, Russo offered to mediate between protesters and BART, including with BART's police chief Kenton Rainey. As to what exact concessions BART may or may not be willing to negotiate, if any, remains to be seen should activists ever decide to take Russo up on her offer.
After the arrests at Embarcadero, most demonstrators headed back to street level and continued to march on Market before dissipating of their own accord.
On Monday, September 5th, No Justice No BART will be holding a press conference inside the Embarcadero BART station to announce details of an upcoming action to be held at the Embarcadero station on Thursday, September 8th.
For more information:
For more information:
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/08/1...
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