Police Use Riot Gear, Handcuffs On War Protesters In Washington State

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=74533

Rhonda Erskine, Online Content Producer

OLYMPIA, WA (NBC) -- Police in Washington state arrested nearly a dozen people Saturday when a violent confrontation broke out between anti-war protesters and law enforcement officers.

The protesters were trying to block military traffic leaving the port of Olympia.

With police in full riot gear guiding them, trucks carrying military cargo equipment from the port of Olympia tried to drive past protesters. Young men and women stepped into the street to block them.

Olympia police cleared the way using pepper spray and batons and took protesters into custody. Tor Bjornstad of the Olympia Police Department said, "We asked them initially to please leave, we gave them lots of warnings and lots of time, but there comes a point that that is our only option."

The group called Port Military Resistance, or PMR, opposed the use of the port for what they call an illegal war in Iraq.

[ixion]

1. funny how when "violence breaks out" they blame the protesters

even though it was the jack-booted thugs who were clearing "the way using pepper spray and batons".

Gee, why would anyone not like being pepper-sprayed or whacked about the head and shoulders with a baton? :sarcasm:

[DCKit]

2. According to my Republic sources, that kind of "abuse" is something they usually have to pay for. nt

[rodeodance]

3. full riot gear. the stupidity of it all