reply to post by Dronetek
I have been on the "enforcer" side of a riot control line. G-8 meeting at Sea Island, Gerogia about 5 years ago. I don't remember the name of the
company, but there is a company that provides "protesters" for training before these types of events. At the official training we had before that
event I was amazed at the numbers of "undercover" agents training to fit in within the crowd. The unofficial training we did at our armory was
funner and rougher than the actual event.
I personally thought that "agent provacatuers" were something from a bygone era until I saw the Canadian video. I'm altruistic enough understand
and support the need for non-uniformed officers within the crowd to identify violent protesters and provide intelligence, but when they pick up a rock
and attempt to incite violence in order to shut a protest down they have crossed a serious line with regards to the rule of law they supposedly
support. Niether am I naive enough to think everyone showing up for a protest is simply there to be heard. Some people just want an opportunity to
burn and break stuff.
Great report OP. Though I thoroughly support the right to
peacefully protest, it seems like I've heard from a friend that the Twin Cities have
little more of the rowdier protesting element native to there than other places. I remeber this friend telling me about an "anarchist bowling
league" that was active during some protests in the late 80's early 90's.
I'm hoping to catch some videos of whats going on up there to have a look at myself. As long as people remain peacefull and almost as important,
videotape everything reasonable people can identify legitimate protesters, people just looking for trouble, and agent provocatuers.