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[quote=jsteele]I support Occupy DC. I would like you to support your description of them as "thugs". A thug is a violent person. Occupy DC has been decidedly non-violent. Dvorak's article is inaccurate in many ways and is contradicted by the live treating of Post Reporter Tim Craig who was on the scene yesterday. Regarding Dvorak's claims of taunting and insults of the police, Craig tweeted this today: "I think, while clearly a few often taunt police, most do not, so got to be careful about over generalization."

I watched the livestream being broadcast during the arrest of the five protesters who climbed on the structure. I could clearly hear many of the chants of the crowd. Several were friendly toward the police, and even humorous. For example, when the police began putting on riot gear, the crowd chanted, "You're sexy, you're cute, take off your riot suit." There was also a chant that -- paraphrasing -- said "even after this is over, we will still give you a hug". Another chant said "the police are just like us". Of course there are always a few jerks who go beyond what is acceptable. That's true on both sides. Yesterday on the livestream the narrator told of seeing a protester knocked to the ground in order to be arrested. A commanding officer of some sort ordered an officer to use his tazer to subdue the already subdued protester. The officer refused the command and arrested the protester peacefully.

But, I will stress that the police have mostly been professional and respectful. The Occupy Movement in DC enjoys a much better relationship with authorities then in other cities. Sometimes the bar is set pretty low. For instance, praising officers that didn't pepper spray people who were simply taunting them seems like a low bar. But, the DC and Park police perform well above that bar. The police really didn't need to remove the five protesters who were on top of the structure -- how long could they have lasted without food or water while standing on thin beams without even the benefit of warm clothes? But, given the police didn't want to wait them out, they did the best the could under the circumstances.

The Occupy Movement deserves praise for bringing attention to issues that were being ignored. The fact that people living comfortably in their warm homes choose to ridicule these brave protesters who are sleeping out in the cold is a shame.

Today, Jackson Browne stopped by Freedom Plaza to perform for the protesters.  It's good to see his offer of support.
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