Editorial Cartoon: Occupy Police Crackdowns

Editorial Cartoon: Occupy Wall Street Police Crackdown

Today’s Editorial Cartoon is sponsored by your local police department.  OK maybe not but the cops are getting some bad reputations all over the U.S. as cities try to figure out how to manage the Occupy Wall Street and other Occupy protests.

First, I am a huge supporter of the police in general and the tough job they do.  And they are just following orders in many cases.  However, some of the tactics they have engaged in during the sweeps of the occupy locations are questionable at times.  Maybe it is adrenaline or maybe it is just a few assholes on the force happy to show who is boss, but there has to be a better way.

Now I don’t for a minute think that in all cases the protestors who claim innocence are in fact so.  When you come at a cop with a potential weapon or show aggression in response to an order, all bets are off.

But to let a group assemble for an extended period only to decide you have had enough and aggressively remove them without warning is wrong IMO.  I get it though.  If the cops announced they would be removing people at a specific time, they run the risk of additional protestors coming out in force to try and stop it putting officers at risk.   Maybe a better way would have been to surround the park with officers and announce to the protestors that they had 30 minutes to remove themselves and any belongings they wanted to keep from the park.  After that the park would be emptied with force if necessary.  Seems to be what they are doing in Toronto by serving eviction notices.

Any thoughts on how to best manage the occupy movements so that they can remain peaceful, without crimes, sanitation issues and other problems that tend to start after prolonged encampments?

Comments

63 responses to “Editorial Cartoon: Occupy Police Crackdowns”

  1. Chris Howard Avatar

    Ask yourself about the practice of covering badge numbers and the white shirts that have been showing up. This is not the police force. This is corporate paid thuggery. And what can eventually happen… the blue shirts turn around and refuse to follow orders, refuse to commit a crime against innocents.

    1. nursemyra Avatar

      what happens when the brown shirts arrive? followed by the black shirts?

    2. Bearman Avatar

      Chris it will be interesting when and if a private security team ends up in the news for assaulting citizens.

      Myra…good question.

  2. Bo Lumpkin Avatar

    I don’t know about the police but in the sixties when I was in the National Guard and there were riots most of us were as young as the demonstrators and were scared to death. Most policemen do not deal with resistance and excitable protesters on a day to day basis. Adrenaline is really pumping at times.

    As the Mayor of New York said “The First amendment guarantees a right to free speech. Not camping out in public parks.” I don’t usually agree with him but he has a point.

    I don’t know the answer either but with all the anti-war protest in the sixties they didn’t accomplish anything. We still have war.

    I’m a strong believer in freedom but I am not sure what these people want.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      I think you are right with the adrenaline Bo but that is what training drills should be for.

      I know what some want, others not, and others are just there with no reason.

  3. MJ Smith Avatar
    MJ Smith

    How to get rid of then? Have the NYFD come in with a fire truck and hook up a hose. and fire away! This will get rid of the protestors and the stink, so that the park can be enjoyed by tax payers.
    I understand protest, but living in a park?! Seriously, what do these people expect to accomplish that way.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      Well we are talking about them so they accomplished something.

  4. Nate Fakes Avatar

    I figured police would get involved eventually. Next step – Occupy Police Department

    1. Bearman Avatar

      Originally I wrote this as Occupy Police Crackdowns but I didn’t want to confuse people.

  5. Brian Hagen Avatar

    Bearman, this “Occupy” topic is explosive. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve re-written the text accompanying my “Occupy Denver” cartoon for today.

    And then somebody “Stumbled” our website yesterday (StumbleUpon), bringing 100 extra visitors so far.

    Yeesh.

    By the way, did you know that Jerry Rubin, the Yippie who nominated a pig for president in 1968, was born and went to high school here in Cincinnati?

    1. Bearman Avatar

      Are you afraid of the extra attention Brian? 100 extra is good.

      Didn’t know that but I did know Charles Manson was.

  6. Rent Textbooks Avatar

    I think everyone gets it and its time to head home and work on a more productive way to change things. They Made their point pack it up and go home. I am not a naysayer of themovement but there are plenty more productive ways for these people to spend their time.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      I don’t think it is time to pack it in…just narrow your focus on what changes you want.

      1. Rent Textbooks Avatar

        I meant they should stop protesting in the parks and take this to the next step.

  7. George Avatar

    I’m with the general consensus here: there’s gotta be a better way to represent. If the police are getting involved in a major way, then these protesters need to find a way to protest without getting arrested or pressing upon anyone else’s rights. It’s time to find another route.

    Love your cartoon. You should turn it into a bumper sticker. 🙂

    1. Bearman Avatar

      I think the argument that they are invading my ability to enjoy the park is bogus. But if the noise levels are affecting people at night as they try to sleep in their homes/apartments around the movement, then they have a valid issue.

  8. lisleman Avatar

    good post – respect would do wonders for BOTH sides to use. Maybe one move by the city first could help. The city could open up a discussion about issues related to poor, homeless, job issues and invite the members to join. But I believe many want to be arrested so that they get noticed. I don’t think but who knows, anyone wants to be tazered or hit on the head with clubs.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      Don’t Taze me Bro!!

  9. Comedy Plus Avatar

    I was a cop for 25 years. I know what it’s like to stare into a crowd that would just as soon see you dead. Crowds are dangerous. I will tell you that it’s often the mayors office that is doing the dictating to the police chief. It’s the crowds that make it so dangerous and that crowd outnumbers the cops a great deal. I don’t think these folks are making a difference at all. Do you see any positive change? Me either.

    Have a terrific day. 🙂

    1. Bearman Avatar

      Oh I believe it when you say the mayor is dictating to the police chief. The chief though has to have the balls to say how the best way to proceed is.

      Well the credit unions are happy.

  10. Scholar Mel Avatar

    Usually the only thing I occupy is my computer and dummies comments (used to be stats at one time).

    My father-in-law is a cop in a town of about 6000 people. He is still one of the good guys because nobody occupies streets in the small town he serves in.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      Where is it. I’ll start a one person sit in.

  11. Tony McGurk Avatar

    I can understand their point of view (the protesters) but really don’t think any amount of protesting can change the attitudes of those who are rich & greedy. I think they’ve made their point but can’t see those who really need to change really taking any notice. Maybe it’s time to just end it now before things get too out of hand. Great cartoon cop. He looks like he means business

    1. Bearman Avatar

      What is amazing is that you have all these celebrities supporting the movement that don’t seem to be offering up anything but a mouth piece. And yet no member of congress is doing ANYTHING toward their wants.

    2. JerryBenedict Avatar

      I don’t really believe that the protests are intended to change the views of the 1%. I believe it’s intended to wake up those that vote, and encourage people in the 99% to take a look at corporate involvement in politics.
      In terms of “not seeing a change” yet, the movement is only 60 days old. The change doesn’t lie solely with people occupying a park, but with people picking up the banner and getting involved in their community. What is overlooked, is that they are doing this because they are concerned with the kind of country they are inheriting. We should be more concerned if they were apathetic.

      1. Bearman Avatar

        What is most concerning is that whether or not they agree with everything the occupy folks are calling for not many congressmen seem to care to even address their issues let alone do anything

        1. JerryBenedict Avatar

          I think that’s a combination of things… I think many of the congressmen elected were put in by the tea party, who are generally the opposite end of the spectrum.. and trying to cast a negative light on them. I believe others are trying to figure out where it’s going, and whether or not they want to be affiliated with it. I found it interesting that the Obama administration has offered logistical support to the cities that want to crack down on Occupy. Obama got a bunch of money from Wall Street last election.

          1. Bearman Avatar

            Still a majority of Dem in the Senate. 62 of the Rep associate with Tea Party. But there are some crossovers on what the Tea Party wants the Occupy.

            I think your second statement is true. Politically for both, they don’t know whether to be on the Occupy side or against it so they all stay silent.

  12. Mark Stokes Avatar

    This Movement too shall pass.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      Are you constipated?

  13. Binky Avatar

    I’m protesting silently by eating pizza in my backyard.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      Binky’s Pizza?

      1. Binky Avatar

        Of course. With chocolate.
        And so far no police have asked me to leave.

        1. Bearman Avatar

          That is because they are still trying to figure you out

  14. MC/Curtis Avatar

    I think a better way to protest is to keep your money in your mattress and stop buying corporate products altogether. Also gasoline.
    I only do these things as much as I can and not completely, but I still think it does more good than joining these camps. If you want to drop out just do it, but it won’t change anything but your own life.
    It will open your eyes to how stupid both sides are though.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      However there is a hypocrisy in saying feed the hungry and buy organic. Organic food won’t feed the masses as controlled food growing has.

      1. Chris Avatar

        Gah! Oh No U Di’Int!
        if your gonna feed the hungry and the needy, ONLY feed them Organic or you might as well put a bullet in there heads now and save them the misery.

        1. Bearman Avatar

          What about the studies that say if we go organic that we will decrease crop production. I would rather have something that will kill me in 40 years than something that will kill me now.

          1. chris Avatar

            Please show me this study or give me a link to check out cuzz I gotta see this and who wrote it.

  15. Friggin Loon Avatar

    I think they should get the National Guard to recruit the suckers 🙂 . A group of Occupiers in Melbourne have been caught selling drugs to kids. Focus people, focus!!!!

    1. Bearman Avatar

      Want a job? Uncle Sam has one for you. Low pay, long hours and you may get sent over to some other country.

      1. Friggin Loon Avatar

        See, that would work. Watch the Occupiers run!!!!

  16. bschooled Avatar

    That’s still going on? (See what happens when you spend a month in a small Mexican town with unreliable internet access?)

    Ok, so here’s my idea- I think they should make everyone involved spend a month in a small Mexican town with unreliable internet access.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      I am just glad the drug cartel didn’t take you for their slave.

      1. Friggin Loon Avatar

        Or hang you from a bridge for making fun of their singers 🙂

        1. Bearman Avatar

          Neil diamond isn’t… No wait that is blunt delivery

  17. G Avatar

    To be honest, I don’t think that there’s an easy way to remove the “protesters”. The cops are in a catch 22, in that they take their marching orders from above, and the problem is that in some cities, the “above” is in sympathy with the protesters.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      That is a conundrum. Mayor to press: I fully support the protests. Mayor to Chief: Get those assholes out of my city.

  18. SpilledInkGuy Avatar

    On my usual tangent…
    I’ve always found it amusing that having a beef with bloated government can only = cuts in P.D. and F.D. funding. Or schools, assistance programs, etc. Naturally everything else runs at peak efficiency.
    🙂

    1. Bearman Avatar

      Because saying if you don’t agree to raising taxes means we will fire a social worker doesn’t have the same scare tactic as saying we will cut out the people that protect your home and property

  19. Ahmnodt Heare Avatar

    I blogged about Occupy Wall Street soon after it happens. I still think that it’s Pennsylvania Avenue and not Wall Street that should be occupied.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      What if you were the resident of that address after the election? Still feel that way

  20. James Avatar

    This would make for a good Dead Kennedy’s album cover.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      Are they still together?

  21. […] is likely a candidate for another dedicated post, but meanwhile there is lively discussion over at Bearman’s strip. In […]

  22. 25BAR Avatar

    It’s a sensitive topic that’ll lead to agreements and disagreements etc.. I personally think that it’s time for governments, establishments and forces to witness citizen power. After all, it’s 99% : 1%.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      We are taught to obey!!! haha

  23. planetross Avatar

    I wonder how many backpackers are getting free camping in big cities because of the occupy movement. Total score! … except when an eviction is on.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      Probably cleaner than some Hostels I have seen.

  24. Hjörtur Avatar

    We are very lucky her in Iceland we have very little police brutality.

    1. Bearman Avatar

      That’s because its so damn cold, no one wants to go outside to protest.