FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Chapel Hill, North Carolina, November 15, 2011 )– The General Assembly of Occupy Chapel Hill/Carrboro, meeting at Peace and Justice Plaza, expresses outrage and disappointment at the disproportionate and disturbing use of force by the Chapel Hill Police Department.
Officers pointing automatic weapons at the heads and bodies of unarmed and peaceful individuals as they did on Sunday afternoon — without issuing any prior warning — raises serious questions about who they are meant to serve and protect. “I’d say I’m not so much angry, as disappointed to have witnessed assault rifles used aggressively and indiscriminately on unarmed protesters and onlookers alike in our fair town of Chapel Hill. It ain’t right. It just ain’t right.” Sonia Katchian, Chapel Hill resident. We feel the CHPD has created an artificial sense of fear and uncertainty for many Chapel Hill/Carrboro residents as a result.
“Seeing police pointing machine guns at unarmed protestors, next to a public bus ready to carry them away, and plastered with a Wells Fargo billboard was really ironic. It really makes you think about the kind of democracy we have,” said Carrboro Alderman Sammy Slade.
The General Assembly thanks the occupants of the Yates building for their clear statements explaining that this was not an action of the Occupy Chapel Hill General Assembly at Peace and Justice Plaza. We also want to express appreciation to the various local media for their accuracy in reporting this important fact. As stated publicly Sunday afternoon prior to the police action and arrests, this action was neither discussed nor authorized by our General Assembly. It was an autonomous action by a group of people, many of whom do nevertheless identify as part of the larger Occupy Wall Street Movement — an international movement with occupations now in numerous countries around the world.
“This movement is about revealing and addressing real problems in our economic and political system,” said Michal Osterweil, lecturer at UNC Chapel Hill, ”whether or not you agree with the tactics, we must recognize that it opens up a crucial conversation about access to property and who violence is reserved for.”
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I am not sure if this is the proper place to post this, but it’s an issue that everyone seems to be missing. There is no debate that, while breaking and entering is indeed illegal and an arrestable offense, the S.W.A.T. tactics employed by the police were FAR excessive and a very chilling reminder that the police state has hit home (the fact that even onlookers were hoarded onto a bus, with, ironically, a Wells Fargo logo, seems very Orwellian to me, for my lack of finding a better term at the moment.)
Nevertheless, there was an utter disregard for gun safety. The link to a WRAL video below, as well as the News and Observer photos, illustrated this point. As a firearms owner myself, I know there are very strict rules and safety precautions that must be followed when handling a handgun or rifle. One should never aim a gun at someone or something unless they are definitely going to shoot their target. A gun should always point in a safe direction. This is common gun safety knowledge. A gun is ALWAYS loaded, even when it’s not. One shouldn’t even aim an unloaded gun at someone! There is always a possibly of misfire. Police should be trained with this basic knowledge, and it’s very alarming if the cops can’t follow basic gun safety rules. Unless, the Cosmos forbid…
Our bubble has burst. My condolences goes out to everyone who was involved.
In solidarity…
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/11/14/at-least-25-heavily-armed-commandos-arrest-eight-at-occupy-chapel-hill/
Gun safety: http://www.nrahq.org/education/guide.asp
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