On the eve of the RNC almost 300 protestors have already been arrested. Some may say this number is small in comparison to the number of protestors that have turned out to the various events, but one does have to wonder about some of the arrests. For example, there is Josh Kinberg, creator of Bikes Against Bush, who was arrested while demonstrating his bike to Ron Reagan during an MSNBC interview [via] . (Links to arrests of the video over at Kottke.) Also via Kottke, this guy was arrested for taking picture of Critical Mass riders being arrested.
Some lawyers and law students are taking action however, to protect the rights of protestors. They plan to be out on the streets over the next few days observing interactions between police and protestors and documenting cases of alleged misconduct.
For myself, I just hope that things don’t get too out of hand and that there are no serious injuries or other abuses. As written by Todd Gitlin and John Passacantando of The Nation:
Everyone shares responsibility to avert a debacle. The police ought to be scrupulously well-behaved. The media ought to cover disruptions proportionately. Viewers must understand that the cameras are drawn to sensational excess. And the marchers need their own monitors to practice nonviolent discipline and contain any disruptors–who are, de facto, not misguided friends but opponents.
Now, in a precarious time, every force in America is being tested. The Bush Administration plainly flunks. The Bloomberg administration has proved its small-mindedness. But we who oppose Bush face our own tests. If, as the whole world watches, rioters hijack the protest, the fine intentions of millions will have been canceled by the behavior of a few. Let dissent with dignity win the day and let us get on with a more perfect chapter of American history.
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