Stun gun vs Occupy DC: Cops tase protester in pyjamas (VIDEO)

Published time: January 30, 2012 10:05
Edited time: January 30, 2012 14:52
Video still of the moment of arrest on McPherson SquareVideo courtesy: YouTube user MrFr0zak (WARNING: Video contains strong language)
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US park police have used a stun gun on an Occupy protester, whose only crime was tearing down fliers warning demonstrators about a ban on camping in Washington’s McPherson Square.

­On Sunday afternoon, while arresting a man for the abovementioned activity, the three officers got nervous when he started to cry out repeatedly “I have done nothing wrong!” To cut things short, a police officer shot the man in the back with an electronic stun gun to make handcuffing a smoother process.

Park police insist that the man turned “aggressive and confrontational”, so the use of force was legal, promising an internal inquiry, as with any use of force by police.

On the video taken by one of many witnesses, it is clearly visible that the man was extremely frightened, and not aggressive. But the woman in police uniform still looked like she couldn’t wait to put her gadget into use.

With the National Park Service calling on protesters to stop camping a few blocks away from the White House, more police action is on its way. It appears Washington’s authorities have made a decision and police have already served notices, attaching them to protesters’ tents.

So McPherson Square could very soon resemble a scene from the movie District 9, with armed-to-the-teeth police treating Occupy protestors like aliens and forcing them to move on to a safer place for protests.

Comments (79)

Remmy 19.03.2012 19:47

Really?  You all think it's ok for some thug police person, on a power trip, to tazer someone for no apparent valid reason?  If we haven't done anything wrong - we are to bow to someone grabbing at us?  I'm missing the "freedom" part of this.

It's no different than you pulling your arm away if someone grabs it.  Because they wear a uniform does not give them license to unjustly and without cause: push, shove, grab, kick, punch, knock down - ET cetera!

You all may be a bunch of wimpy, wet, shaky chihuahua cowards - but that's not how the original American's behaved.  They were real men. . .and women - who stood up for themselves and their rights.  Freedom and liberty was part of that.

I have no idea why Occupy is out there - never have really understood it - I don't think most people do.  However, they have the right to protest - and should be free to do just that - without fear of the jackboots coming out there singling someone out and tazering them - to promote fear among the others.

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tides 08.02.2012 14:34

After seeing this on RT all weekend, I want to revisit this issue. This video could be a training video on the proper application of use of force. Kevin Zeese is not correct in calling it excessive. He needs to review actual use of force policies if he believes that. RT is risking its credibility by implying that this use of force is excessive.

As soon as the protester starting kicking with his left leg, the Taser was used. The white guy seemed to have seniority and I thought he displayed superior leadership. The officer using the Taser really did a great job. I am sure the adrenaline was pumping, but she had great control, especially for a younger cop.

The protester got too excited and didn't know how to deal with police. OWS needs to train these protesters. It's a stupid tactic if OWS is trying to stage these videos on purpose. Flexyourrights.org has produced the videos "Busted" and "10 Rules For Dealing with Police." If OWS is serious about the long haul, they need to start educating their protesters about police use of force tactics.

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Katrinka45 04.02.2012 16:33

Are you people Blind??? He was "Clearly" resisting arrest everytime he pushed the police hands away while they were trying to detain him...also after he was handcuffed he was "Still" pushing back against police's authority to detain him!!! Don't you guys get it...you can protest all you want but you Cannot pitch a tent and live in a public park...what is so darn hard to understand about that??? I have seen hundreds of protests on DC and elsewhere and never once did I see any of them pitch a tent and move in to a public area...go away at night and come back the next day...just like everyone else...the rules are for everyone...Including You!!!

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