Rioting in California soon?

Originally posted by getreadyalready

Don't make assumptions. I didn't claim that the chaos was channeled well, I simply stated that it was an appropriate action to a situation that had gone on way too long. I also did not claim to have any part. My report was based on having grown up there and living through it versus what the MSM showed the world.

Today, the control systems are in virtual worlds today and require a coordinated response to have any impact. Or sheeple need to simply stop consuming the latest iPhone for example.

The police are supposed to protect and serve and in most cases that is exactly what they do. In this case a murder occurred.

This took place in Oakland,a long way from Southern California.

There may be mass demonstrations of the verdict in the Oakland area but I doubt much will be made of it else where.

I am certain the same rabblerousers will show up(Jackson and Sharpton) to get face time on television but I don't see much else happening.

Living in a city where most people have a general fear of police officers, i don't think we will see riots. When people gather to display a peaceful protests the uniforms come on full force and intimidate those that are non violent simply because they feel threatened so many want and will get their voices heard. It is almost as if they will forcefully silent those that have an opinion and criminalize you for not being a weakling who backs down easily.

Originally posted by IvanObanion
i think the police and public should get together and riot against the gangs. i guess it doesn't matter when police get shot by some retarded teenager. it only matters when they beat up the wrong person.

Police are the direct cause of gangs, you think police are somehow against gangs? They enforce the fascist drug laws that directly create gangs, in my opinion its disgusting. I'll get flamed for this, but I'd shoot a cop too before getting locked up for half my life over something as petty as drugs, as far as Im concerned police are the largest gang, every drug arrest I consider to be a kid-napping.

reply to post by zroth


The "you" was directed toward SoCal / LA / and Rioters in general. I apologize if it was taken as "you" personally.

As for the "system" existing in virtual reality, you are exactly right! It would be virtually impossible to riot against the system, because the system is a vast array of nameless, faceless, electronic codes and signatures.

I see two solutions for that dilemma:
1. We have to replace all of the people behind the electronics and politics. The Tea Party (not the FOX news / TV version) but the real local Tea Parties are attempting to SACK THE INCUMBENT this fall. Get involved as much as you can. Campaign for or against somebody, but get involved.

2. We can hold each individual accountable at the time and place that it is appropriate. You don't beat a dog for peeing on the floor yesterday, you have to catch them in the act for it to be effective. Why shouldn't the same go for cops and politicians and judges? If we as a people stand up for one another and come to the aid of people in distress, and hold the people responsible accountable immediately, locally, and "appropriately" (see below), then the balance of power shifts in our favor.

I have to admit, I am not eager to go up against at police force or suffer legal repercussions on behalf of somebody else, but if it were my wife, or mother, or father, or brother, I would have all the motivation in the world. If we can start looking out for one another in that manner, like we are all brothers and sisters, then we can take back our power.

"Appropriately" is very important here. Most cops are doing a good job. Most of the violence against criminals is well-deserved. Most Judges are trying to interpret the law as they have learned it. Stepping in to help a struggling cop is appropriate as is stepping in to stop an abusive cop kicking somebody that is down. Very, very, very, very x1000 thin line here! I do not want to be the one making those decisions on what is appropriate and what is not, but in some cases it should be obvious. Like the case at hand here. If that cop shot a guy on cuffs on the ground, and I drew my weapon and shot the cop, it would seem to be appropriate wouldn't it? As a matter of fact, the other cops should have done that very thing. No trial, no riots, no expense, just justice served.

I really don't blame them for rioting, if they do, in this case....I'd just like to see them do it at the local police stations and banks, city hall, and the like.

No reason to hurt the guy trying to run the grocery store down the street.

Just saying, I hope they do, because when I watched that, I thought the cops were being overly brutal BEFORE the shooting.

I really don't see the point in riots. How does pulling a random person out of their car and beating them send a message? I mean, if I were just going to work, stopped at a red light, and people pulled me out of my car and beat me, that would get attention, but how would it hurt anyone but me and my family?

If a gang loots from a store, they hurt the store owner and the business and maybe innocent bystanders, but they don't hurt the judical system.

What everyone is mad at is the system, but why hurt innocent bystanders or businessess?

I know it does send a message, but it is so sad that people hurt others who are innocent. There is absolutely nothing I or my neighbor can do to change the judicial system by our getting beat or our dying.

I think if people are upset they need to find a better way to get attention and fight the system.

What I find interesting is how pumped up the media is about the possibility of rioting. I have been seen stories about this since before the weekend. To be honest, it really seems to me like they want everyone to riot. They are just planting the seeds so if the verdict doesn't come back as guilty (which in my opinion it really should) than people will automatically blow up.

Does anyone recall the media saying there was a possibility of riots if The Lakers won the NBA title? Does anyone remember the media saying there was a possibility of riots in 1992 when the verdict was due to come in on the officers who beat Rodney King? Was the media busy talking about racial tension in Watts and the possibility of it exploding into what became known as the Watts Riot back in 1965?

Honestly, I think if this officer is found not guilty, people should demand justice. This cop shot an unarmed man, in the back, who was laying face down with another officer on his neck while the shooter was on his legs. I am not for sure if he was handcuffed prior to being shot, some claim he was others claim he was handcuffed afterwards. The Officer who shot him claims he pulled his weapon on accident and thought it was a tazer. Which still leaves the question, even if what he claims is true.. WHY would you use a tazer on an unarmed man who is face down and has a police officer sitting on his neck and legs?

If there is a riot, I can imagine this one making the Rodney King riot look like a picnic.

Between this incident, high unemployment, and now NO income due to the republicans voting down assistance to the unemployed, folks have lots of ANGER, SPARE TIME, and ENERGY to VENT. There is a NOTHING TO LOSE MENTALITY for lots of folks in this country I would assume right now.

Their next step should be a visit to the DOORSTEP of those who voted NAY on the assistance for the unemployed. Since crime will SURELY go up due to those idiot officials, it is only fair that they receive the high crime instead of the rest of us.

Nice job Republicans, maybe after this riot, they will venture into YOUR neighborhood.

[edit on 6-7-2010 by Baloney]

reply to post by Baloney


So everyone else is supposed to take jobs that pay less than they are used to and pay into the system, so that others can be off work for a year or more? Sorry, I think 40 something weeks of unemployment is plenty of time to find another job.

I know, I know, there are no jobs. Really? Then why are there pages and pages of help wanted ads? OHHHH maybe those aren't the jobs you are looking for, so I will just continue to work and you take it easy until the "right" job comes along. I'm sure my family won't miss their time with me that much.

If 40-something weeks isn't enough time, the either you are unemployable, and that isn't my problem, or your area is severly depressed, also not my problem and you should move, or you are not looking for work, and maybe cutting off your check will get you out of your chair and into the street.

Well, nothing is going to happen today at least, there is a juror out sick.

As you know I live in Berkeley, right next to Oakland and I am staying home the next few days, having groceries delivered to be safe.. I'm not venturing out anywhere til this is over.

reply to post by getreadyalready


Completely agree, Star for you! Every country in the world, in the history of the world, that has increased unemployment benefits or the length of time one can attain benefits, has a 10% or greater unemployment rate. The problem isn't a lack of jobs, it is a government full of Keynesian Economists!

BRING BACK THE SMITHIANS!!!

OH yeah, and I wouldn't have shot that cop for doing what he did but I completely agree that the other cops should have. If he had drawn his gun and shot some random civilian how would the cops have reacted? This reminds me of that movie recently with Nicole Kidman... I don't remember the name but everyone gets a disease and they have no emotion and start killing those that have emotion.

Some really good contributions above. Thanks for all the input. This is looking to pan out sometime between Wednesday-Friday so we'll see. I agree that Oakland is pretty far up in California but I cannot ignore the overall attitude of the state and nation. People aren't too happy with the federal government let alone local law enforcement at the moment. Remember that young black woman who was punched in the face by a policeman a few weeks back? I believe that was L.A. Now, granted it was a completely different situation and it was HER who was interferring with the cops arrest of her friend, I think the situation still lingers in the minds of people who already hate policeman. Just another "example" for them to use. So you see this thing is boiling over.

Then I think of Arizona and the projected eruption of race wars all across the border. Regardless of if the Oakland riots could reach down to the border or not, I think the attention switch from the borders to the riots would cause certain groups, whether it be militia men or mexican cartels, to make swift movements. And with people looking the other way yet another small war could erupt. A domino effect of sorts. We'll see...

[edit on 7/6/2010 by easy530]

The jury is taking a while. This often indicates a guilty verdict because juries that convict deliberate for some time to rule out any reasonable doubt. My guess is the cop will be found guilty of manslaughter, but not murder. I wonder if people will riot if there is a "compromise" verdict like this?

reply to post by hotpinkurinalmint


I think you may be right although I think July 11 is the date. I don't know if you buy into the Timewave Zero or Web Bot, but there are many things on ATS that seem to point toward eruption by July 11.

www.abovetopsecret.com...

reply to post by getreadyalready


My issue with that topic simply concerns a MAJOR increased CRIME rate on the VERY near horizon. Crime is a SERIOUS issue to be concerned with when assistance is stopped from TONS and TONS of Americans while the unemployment figures are ALARMINGLY HIGH!!

In regards to your views on it, I have to say that I have seen posts like yours eaten ALIVE and SPIT out by MANY folks on here. In VERY convincing fashion I have seen some extremely educated, FACT filled posts displaying that views such as your views to be GROSSLY misguided and inaccurate.

BUT REGARDLESS, whatever the case is, or what is right or wrong, my CONCERN with that topic is CRIME. Thats my issue. CRIME!!!

reply to post by Baloney


I've seen those posts to, and I am happy to debate the ins and outs of social programs in the appropriate thread.

It usually boils down to hard, fast landing with quicker recovery, vs. slow soft landing with long slow tedius recovery.

That goes for the economy as a whole, or just one family having hard times and receiving benefits. I am for the band aid approach. Lets rip it off today, feel the pain, and get to work healing. Some of the very educated opposition to that approach is of the mind that we should let the more fortunate (or more disciplined to be accurate) workers pad and subsidize the descent, and mortgage everyone's future wages to take some of the sting away today.

I suppose the argument has merit, but I don't really see it. Then again, I don't take Tylenol, because if something hurts, I want to feel it and know whether it is getting better or worse. I don't like covering up pain, I like getting better.

There will be something going down regardless of the verdict. The people from the communities will have their demonstrations and those will be largely peaceful. The trouble in terms of riots and routs will come from the opportunistic self-described "anarchists" trust fund babies who scream at the top of their lungs "F' the Police!" but show their true selves when they get brought into booking at CJ #1 and start crying for mummy and daddy.

If worse comes to worse (knock on wood it doesn't) and a declaration of emergency occurs, certain city workers will become "Disaster Service Workers" (CA GOV Code Sec. 3100 et seq.) depending on the needs of their department.
I'm a Sheriff's Cadet (Job Code: 8300) for the SFSD and this past week I've been told all civilian employees should also be expecting the call to go to 12 hour shifts along with deputized staff. (Will be expecting a FAT paycheck if it comes to that.)
Just informed this afternoon that my relative in the SFPD got his hours changed because of the upcoming verdict. I believe it was last Friday that OPD went on 12 hour shifts and they've been building a substantial force over (CHP supposedly sent in 1,500 officers for the bay) at the Port of Oakland in response to any thing that may happen.
We've also heard rumors of possible riots within the Alameda County jail. Honestly, I don't remember a time since the 2003 Iraq War protests that people all the way up the chain o' command were this concerned about civil unrest.

All I'll say is that 2 hours before the verdict is given, those here in the Bay are going to see a MASSIVE build-up of law enforcement on city streets and around Civic Center and all up Market St for those in the City.
For those that are going to be there and WANT to be s' disturbers, the cops WILL NOT be taking anything from anyone. The cops aren't going to be in a "protest" mindset like in 2003 but in a mindset not seen since the Rodney King riots.
I just hope people stay safe that day and have a person you can stay with in the city you're in if you're commuting or have an alternate evacuation route off the main streets and freeways.

I seriously hope nothing terrible happens, but the outlook does not look good...

Looks like we're getting specific times and places now.

Day of Verdict Community Gathering Announcements:
OAKLAND - 6pm, 14th and Broadway
FRESNO - 6pm, Fresno and C
LOS ANGELES - before 5pm, at court house; after 5pm, Liemert Park

Also looks like the case just picked back up today after a couple days recess.

The date of the verdict announcement is unknown. The jury ceased deliberations for the day on July 2nd and the court announced that the jury would continue deliberating on Tuesday, July 6th.

And check out this bit...

Speakers reiterated that the focus now and on the day of the verdict should be on justice for Oscar Grant and all victims of police violence, [if] not potential property destruction should Mehserle be convicted of something less than second degree murder or acquitted all together.

Source

This was exactly my concern with the situation. They are expecting retribution for all kinds of police activity, not just Oscar Grant. I'll try and keep you all posted if any updates continue to pop up, but you all keep an eye on that site too.

[edit on 7/7/2010 by easy530]

reply to post by easy530


Indybay has the same tone concerning everything that has to do with the police, so it's not surprising the game they spin in response to the upcoming verdict. The best thing they're for are media of protests themselves and a comment section written by what seems like a bunch of 12 year-olds.