‘Anarchists’ to Blame For ALEC Protest Disruption; ‘Occupiers’ Relatively Tame. Cops Break Out the Pepper Spray
Read the whole thing here.
Phoenix police were forced to use pepper-spray on a group of demonstrators protesting the American Legislative Exchange Council at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in northeast Phoenix this afternoon when the activists raised a little hell in front of the resort.
In at least one instance, a protester attacked police — who were decked-out in full riot gear — with a pole that had nails and screws sticking out of it.
Many of the protesters are part of the “Occupy Phoenix” movement that’s (sort of) been going on in downtown Phoenix for nearly two months.
The “occupiers,” however, were relatively well behaved, sources who were at the protest tell New Times. Some of their friends, on the other hand, were the main cause of the disturbance.
“Unfortunately a few Anarchist have joined the occupied movement and crowds tried to push their way through the police line on to the resort property,” Phoenix Sergeant Trent Crump says. “OC spray was deployed twice on aggressive groups, which was effective in stopping their actions.”
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Good to see that the police can distinguish between the regular “occupiers” and the anarchist crashers. Anybody who protests ALEC has my support, as long as they behave legally, and preferably politely.
Of course, LGF is a good resource if you want to learn more about ALEC. They’re having a conference in Phoenix through Friday. There might be more action.