JACKSONVILLE, Ore. — Crawford, Texas is no stranger to protests and public gatherings, having provided a backdrop for such events for nearly four years now. Local and area law enforcement agencies have gained experience in protecting the Western White House and its famous inhabitants, and have devised a methodology for arranging for peaceful protests out of the sight and hearing of the president.

But things got out of hand last week in Jacksonville, Ore., leaving some local residents there expressing fear of freely voicing their opinions.
Some residents of Jacksonville feel that their First Amendment rights were taken away as they witnessed an encounter that resulted in pepper balls fired into crowds of men, women, and children as an abrupt “sweepâ€

I'm sure this type of story is more common than it is written about.

--PunkDavid

Very sad.

Keeps me fighting though!

And motivated!

Can you honestly tell me what this action accomplished?

What on God's green earth could an innocent child have done to warrant being fired upon???

Being near those who might utter a bad word about the president.

tsk tsk

Horse shit I say!

Late change set Bush protest clash in motion

October 21, 2004
By SANNE SPECHT

JACKSONVILLE — It was President Bush’s last-minute decision to change dinner plans that caused the chaos between crowds and police last Thursday night, officials said this week.

Local law enforcement officers were told that Bush would eat dinner at the Jacksonville Inn restaurant — rather than in his cottage as planned — when the president’s motorcade was on its way back to town after a rally at the Jackson County Expo.

"It’s difficult for a president to be impetuous," said City Administrator Paul Wyntergreen. "Making sudden decisions has a lot of ramifications for a lot of people."

Secret Service wanted a one-block perimeter cleared between Bush’s dinner spot and the vocal crowd of approximately 300 people — fast, said Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters.

"It was the Secret Service that made that request," said Winters. "And the time frame was three to five minutes."

Jacksonville Police Chief David Towe was in charge of perimeters during Bush’s visit. Upon receiving the new perimeter demand, Towe ordered tactical teams of sheriff’s deputies and Oregon State Police officers to begin moving everyone off the sidewalks on both sides of California Street east of Third Street, Wyntergreen said.

"It was a sudden change of plans and we had to change gears suddenly," said Wyntergreen.

Both Bush supporters and protesters — which had filled the town’s narrow sidewalks for several hours prior — appeared confused as officers in riot gear emerged from side streets and began their advance. As teams of officers attempted to push the crowds east toward Fourth Street, one officer used a loud speaker to try to communicate.

Wyntergreen, who was standing west of Third Street, said the crowd control "was not a movement to limit free speech."

Wyntergreen described crowd behavior prior to the sidewalk sweep as a loud but orderly demonstration.

"We had a mix of opinions on both sides of California Street," said Wyntergreen. "People were basically chanting what their opinions were."

However, he said, things changed quickly as police pressed the crowds to retreat.

"When the movement started and there was a noticeable outcry, (the Secret Service) revised their order and continued moving (the crowd) back to Fifth Street," said Wyntergreen.

Some people fell while scrambling over benches, trash cans, stairs and each other.

"They were physically pushing us shouting, ‘Move! Move!' But it was like herding cattle through a tiny chute," said Lisa Glass, 33, of Talent on Friday.

Several shots rang out at one point. Jacksonville resident and anti-Bush demonstrator Michael Moss was hit seven times in the back with pepper balls while helping a fallen member of the crowd. Two protesters were arrested.

Both OSP and sheriff’s teams have "pepper ball guns," Winters said. He described the weapon as a non-lethal air-rifle that shoots plastic-coated "paint balls" filled with capsaicin.

He said only one officer fired shots but he did not know the officer’s identity.

Winters arrived on scene from the Expo shortly after the crowds were pushed back to Fifth Street, he said.

Wyntergreen said his town had six days to get ready for the presidential visit. He said he put out an urgent request for extra officers to help his small four-officer department during Bush’s visit. Wyntergreen said he had help from as far afield as Weed and Yreka, Calif.

Winters said law enforcement is reviewing the events in Jacksonville.

"We have a video one of our officers took," said Winters.

http://www.mailtribune.com/archive/2004/1021/local/stories/17local.htm

Why the fuck are little kids at a protest?

There are so many of these types of stories, and they're all so disturbing. America seems to be turning into a big brother-1984 world... which reminds me I must read that book again.
Anyway, just don't vote for George fucking Bush... please

Parents don't want to or are unable to pay or find a reliable person to look after the child. Happens quite a lot. The bigger protests I've been involved in, the occasions when it's all about the general public and not just the usual suspects, there were always parents pushing their prams along. Or elderly pushing their zimmer frames. People do that. It's what people do.

At least it wasn't a pro-life protest. The use of children in those is disturbing.
not that this is any less disturbing.

I dont even know how to respond to this article. I fucking hate this administration so much that words can not do my feeling any justice.

there's a difference between George W. Bush, and the Secret Service agents assigned to protect him.

You act as if GW himself was out there shooting at people.

But whatever you need to tell yourself to fuel your own blind hate ...

There was a difference between Hitler and the S.S., but everyone knew who was calling the shots.
And before you say "I can't believe you are ignorant enough to compare Bush to Hitler," let me beat you to the punch. Bush doesn't equal Hitler. This is a comparison between a leader and his "men." No president has ever been as isolated and out of touch as Mr. Bush. Is the reason terrorism? Not likely. Demagoguery for the choir? Now we're talking.

Yeah, usually they're running around untamed and helping the argument for the other side!!!!

*fuels Kilman's blind hate*

*runs*