By Cliff Montgomery – Sept. 6th, 2012
The past few days of the 2012 Democratic National Convention (DNC) being held in Charlotte, NC has unwittingly provided an odd study for security procedures during a major political event – and especially for one peppered with demonstrators.
Police in Charlotte continue to be praised for their earnest attempts to defuse passions during demonstrations. Protesters agree it’s better than the more heavy-handed, ‘full riot gear’ approach to peaceful protests that often is adopted by police forces in other cities.
But then there are the sheer absurd numbers of officers patrolling the streets, and the frankly oppressive number of restrictions on the downtown area…
That heavy, ferocious state of security – or is that, ‘state of siege?’ – has even become a punch line on late- night talk shows.
The cast of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show currently is camped in the city, and has provided a number of observations that are as hilarious as they are true.
“The demilitarized zone between North and South Korea has a lot of security. This is insane,” boldly stated one Daily Show correspondent. Another perhaps provided the most accurate visual image the 2012 DNC: a reporter wearing the needed slew of credential tags, being forced to stand alone on a Charlotte street inside a little fenced cage.
Yesterday this reporter asked a number of protesters currently camped at Charlotte’s Marshall Park about their experiences with this strange police dichotomy, a force that is simultaneously friendly and oppressive. Below, The American Spark is printing a few of their observations, raw and untouched:
“I haven’t dealt with any problems, though I know some people have suffered through some 4th Amendment issues while down here. “The police numbers are huge. And it was the same thing in Tampa. And Charlotte has – or gets to keep – a huge police state apparatus now. You know the cameras that are now on every corner, all that stuff? The city gets to keep that equipment.” – Nathan Dawley
“Two nights ago, I decided to walk around in this city. I like to do that when I come to a new place. Besides, it was 3 A.M. and I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t walk far from the park area when a number of police – federal cops – pulled me over, started yelling at me and making threats, and then said they wanted to search me. Remember, it’s 3 in the morning, I’m in a place I don’t know, I’m just trying to take a walk…
“I honestly…I don’t know why I did it, but with their threats and all I agreed to sign a ‘Consent to search’ form. I still don’t know why I agreed to that.
“Anyway, they caught me with some pot. With the feds yelling at me, I foolishly agreed to sign that form.
“Now I have a pending trial on Oct. 10th.
“But except for illegal searches, I don’t mind the extra police. The extra number of police helps me feel safe.” – Eric Taylor
“We’re trying a few different tactics, but now everything that’s done is an attempt to show that we don’t need anyone’s say or consent to march. After all, we’re a peacefully assembled group of people, that’s all.
“The police haven’t worn any riot gear. They have sometimes worn some extra armor. But when you have gas cannisters there in full sight of everyone and things like that, it shows that they don’t serve us, but that they only work for corporate interests.
“Overall, police have been following orders. Now that may not be bad – until the orders may be to beat or harass protesters, as police have done in the past.
“The police [here at the DNC] have shown batons, gas cannisters and such things. It’s only to scare us, and I’m not intimidated.
“If they do begin any beatings or harassment, they’ll have to pay for using force.” – Andrew Speirs
“The different protests were putting on now, they’re not a matter of planning. The whole thing is a matter of frustration. With these overwhelming numbers of police, we feel put upon.
“At least here they’re not in riot gear, like they sometimes are in New York. The police have been pretty cool in Charlotte – but the numbers are just effecting how we protest.” – Brent Lengel
