New York cops defy order to arrest hundreds of ‘Occupy Albany’ protesters
36 replies, posted
[quote]
Occupy Albany protesters in New York’s capital city received an unexpected ally over the week: The state and local authorities.
[URL="http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Under-pressure-to-make-arrests-police-and-2232934.php#ixzz1bietzrSH"]According to the [I]Albany Times Union[/I][/URL], New York state troopers and Albany police did not adhere to a curfew crackdown on protesters urged by Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and Albany mayor Gerald Jennings.
Mass arrests seemed to be in the cards once Jennings directed officers to enforce the curfew on roughly 700 protesters occupying the city owned park. But as state police joined the local cops, protesters moved past the property line dividing city and state land.
With protesters acting peacefully, local and state police agreed that low level arrests could cause a riot, so they decided instead to defy Cuomo and Jennings.
“We don’t have those resources, and these people were not causing trouble,” a state official said. “The bottom line is the police know policing, not the governor and not the mayor.”
[URL="http://occupyalbany.org/"]Occupy Albany[/URL], an offspring of Occupy Wall Street, has seen its protesters remain as committed as those located at its parent site. At least 30 tents have remained in the park over the weekend. [/quote]
[url]http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/10/24/new-york-cops-defy-order-to-arrest-hundreds-of-occupy-protesters/[/url]
Of course Cuomo would want them gone. The police aren't a private army for political leaders to order around.
It's good to see the cops not being total assholes for once.
[QUOTE=DamagePoint;33001094]It's good to see the cops not being total assholes for once.[/QUOTE]
But there are plenty of good cops, you just never hear about them
[QUOTE=DamagePoint;33001094]It's good to see the cops not being total assholes for once.[/QUOTE]
It's painting them as heroes, but it's really just saying that they refused to follow through with the order because they had better things to do then arrest 700 people because the governor told them to. That's really good if you ask me.
[QUOTE=Rubs10;33002101]Things could be looking up from now on.[/QUOTE]
Until a bunch of cops in a different city totally fuck up Occupy X and injure people, and then that story completely overshadows this one.
this really isn't a measure of support, but rather a call for sanity to the albany mayor, they know shit will get fucked up if they go and arrest a bunch of people. Good decision for them.
Well,
Good.
Good to hear, very good to hear.
Police made the right call. No need to instigate anything when the protesters are merely breaking a curfew. It pays to choose your battles and this just isn't one worth fighting.
[QUOTE=DamagePoint;33001094]It's good to see the cops not being total assholes for once.[/QUOTE]
Most aren't, just the higher ups ordering them around like they fucking own them are.
[QUOTE=imawerewol;33001132]But there are plenty of good cops, you just never hear about them[/QUOTE]
Damned shame too. Too much anti-cop news makes me sad.
Don't curfew laws only apply to minors?
[QUOTE=gamefreek76;33004808]Don't curfew laws only apply to minors?[/QUOTE]They probably mean that the park specifically has a curfew. It's pretty common: they don't want bums sleeping in the park.
I think this is why the police in Oakland really screwed up. Instead of possibly negotiating with rally members to move to a similarly public place and properly isolating them (not saying they need isolating, just saying isolating in terms of their activities) and keeping a proper eye on them, they decided to send in the riot police, force them out, and have to deal with forcing them out AGAIN with tear gas.
So who exactly is going to get hell for this? If the State Troops [I]and[/I] the police agree they should defy a direct order, I don't imagine their superiors are going to be happy. Quite a few people might lose their jobs, and/or be severely reprimanded.
Good to hear!
[QUOTE=usaokay;33005210]Albany is a shit place to live what with its crack houses and how the neighborhoods look like it's in piss-poor quality, so I understand this.[/QUOTE]
I live in Albany. It's no shittier than any other city. It has it's rich neighborhoods and it's ghettos.
Sack them all for not doing their jobs.
Now I am concerned. The police are refusing to carry out their orders. Were some soldiers were to do such a thing then all the soldiers would probably be shot.
[QUOTE=Sobotnik;33007625]Now I am concerned. The police are refusing to carry out their orders. Were some soldiers were to do such a thing then all the soldiers would probably be shot.[/QUOTE]
Uh it wouldn't be that severe but yes if you're part of the police force it is a lot like the military in that you can't just pick and choose your orders and make your own call. They did the right thing here but it's not an easy decision to make.
[QUOTE=Sobotnik;33007625]Now I am concerned. The police are refusing to carry out their orders. Were some soldiers were to do such a thing then all the soldiers would probably be shot.[/QUOTE]
Insubordination is why we have Court Marshalls. I don't think you're allowed to just BLAM people anymore for that.
Though somebody's going to lose their job, that's for sure. Quite likely a fine, too - maybe some jail time. Someone has to take the fall for this.
A Governor can suggest actions, but they have no authority to punish police officers for deciding the risks of an action is not worth the reward. If the police think a course of action is not warranted they can say no.
[QUOTE=imptastick;33007738]A Governor can suggest actions, but they have no authority to punish police officers for deciding the risks of an action is not worth the reward. If the police think a course of action is not warranted they can say no.[/QUOTE]
Well, yeah, but I can see some higher-up people getting a little bit pissed and maybe trumping up some charges.
[QUOTE=Cone;33007791]Well, yeah, but I can see some higher-up people getting a little bit pissed and maybe trumping up some charges.[/QUOTE]
I agree they may try but I don't see it going anywhere, going after cops for refusing to abuse their power is a sure way to make sure a politician does not make it next term.
[QUOTE=imptastick;33007818]I agree they may try but I don't see it going anywhere, going after cops for refusing to abuse their power is a sure way to make sure a politician does not make it next term.[/QUOTE]
They've probably got people who can get away with such a thing. It isn't hard to hire someone to do that when you flash a lot of money. All it needs is one "anonymous tip" and some semi-burnt photos.
I'm imagining the cops saying "FUCK THE POLICE!"
I like where this movement is going.
[QUOTE=Cone;33007836]They've probably got people who can get away with such a thing. It isn't hard to hire someone to do that when you flash a lot of money. All it needs is one "anonymous tip" and some semi-burnt photos.[/QUOTE]
That's the problem with our current system, it is so corrupt that the ones who stand up for justice are punished. It would not be the first time that cops who stand against corruption are targeted famous example would be [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Serpico]Serpico[/url] of course.
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