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Injured protester making progress

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By ZACH PLUHACEK / Lincoln Journal Star

Friday, Aug 17, 2007 - 12:10:18 am CDT

The former Lincoln woman injured and arrested Saturday in a scuffle between police and protesters in Rhode Island is alert but in pain, her father said Thursday.

Alex Svoboda’s condition was upgraded to good, and surgery to restore blood flow to her leg saved it from possible amputation, said Scott Svoboda of Lincoln.

“Emotionally, she’s still trying to figure how or why this happened.”

Story Photo
Alex Svoboda

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Photos from the protest

So are Rhode Island authorities.

The North Providence Police Department is investigating the incident, in which Svoboda is charged with three counts of simple assault on a police officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, all misdemeanors.

The attorney general’s office and state police will review the investigation.

“The photographs I have seen depict a serious injury and are certainly very troubling,” Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch said in a statement.

“I can only hope Alexandra’s recovery is swift and complete. The photographs constitute only a snapshot, however, of the end result of a series of incidents whose chronological facts need to be fully explored and developed before any conclusions are reached.”

Now studying Spanish at the Community College of Rhode Island, Svoboda, 22, was part of a group marching down a main street in North Providence to protest labor practices of a New York food distributor used by a local restaurant.

Demonstrators, who did not have a permit, say they were following officers’ orders to move out of the street when three officers restrained Svoboda, tackling her and dislocating her left knee.

The Lincoln High School graduate and former University of Nebraska-Lincoln student was admitted to Rhode Island Hospital in serious condition, suffering from a detached fibula, soft tissue and ligament injuries and compartment syndrome, which restricted blood supply to her leg.

The officers remained on active duty Thursday, said North Providence Deputy Police Chief Paul Marino. Svoboda was scheduled for a court appearance Wednesday, but was unable to make it due to her injuries.

Police were scouring a nearly three-quarter-mile stretch of road, hoping security cameras at businesses along the way might have captured video of the incident, “just to get the sequence of events and the facts down as accurate as we could possibly get them,” Marino said. Thursday afternoon, they had not yet found a usable video.

They did manage to get what officers believe to be unbiased witness accounts from merchants, said Marino, who would not go into further detail.

“We are calling it an internal affairs investigation, and that’s basically what it is,” he said.

The Providence Journal reported that in narratives provided by police, the officers “suggest that they were not only surprised by the demonstration but they were uncertain what to do — since the demonstrators refused to heed their demand to get out of the way of traffic and to walk on the sidewalk.”

According to accounts from Officer Mark Mastin, quoted in the Providence Journal, Svoboda cursed and swung drum sticks at officers, forcing them to restrain her.

“The crowd of demonstrators began screaming and advancing toward us,” Mastin said. “They were attempting to pull the suspect away from our custody. When we broke the suspect free from their hold, she was taken down to the ground.”

Marino said the officers’ actions were neccessary. Police estimated the number of protesters at 75 to 100, a number they say thinned out when officers arrived.

Protesters, who say there were no more than 40 people at the demonstration, held a vigil outside Rhode Island Hospital Tuesday. They plan more events — including an Aug. 26 march to the police station — to show support for Svoboda, as well as denounce the actions of the officers.

Originally, they planned to hold the Aug. 26 protest without a permit, but decided to apply for one to avoid further injury or legal action, Scott Svoboda said.

Reach Zach Pluhacek at 473-7395 or zpluhacek@journalstar.com.


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Nebraskan Singaporian wrote on August 17, 2007 12:55 am:
" Why the gang tactics from Rhode Island's finest? This is an APPALLING example of law enforcement. I hope Alex is going to be ok, but she is likely to suffer permanent physiological damage from these zealots. All I can say is, three cops of undetermined size TACKLED one dissident/terrorist female. "

 Oh Please wrote on August 17, 2007 12:57 am:
" While I certainly hope that Alex gets better, let's not forget what could of happened to the police officers that responded to a large crowd that can at any moment get violent. Alex got hurt because she chose not to listen to police commands. "Trying to figure out how and why" she got hurt? Barf. The police officers had no intention of hurting her, accidents happen when you resist arrest. Another protest lined up to "denounce the actions of the officers????" Oh please. You mean be mad they were doing their jobs, enforcing laws and restoring order while the protesters blocked traffic and disturbed other law abidding citizens???? Good one. Make some signs, get a permit, and vocalize if you must. Yet, when police arrive, listen!!! Follow orders!!! Not too hard of a concept to understand. "

 The Mighty Quinn wrote on August 17, 2007 3:23 am:
" It's good that this girl is getting better, but had she done what the officers told her to do from the start, she wouldn't be where she is today. Of course, if reports are correct, she was marching on behalf of the International Workers of the World Party, a known communist organization. So maybe if her parents had done a better job of teaching her what it means to be an American -- that Americans reject communism, not embrace it -- she wouldn't have been there to begin with. "

 Commenter wrote on August 17, 2007 8:06 am:
" Here's why it happened dad, she attacked a police officer with her drum sticks "

 Brian in LIncoln wrote on August 17, 2007 8:25 am:
" I guess being in your 20's, you are allowed to make some bad choices, and sometimes the consequences of these choices can be painful "

 Ted wrote on August 17, 2007 9:01 am:
" Once again, you got what you deserved for not complying with police orders. I have no sympathy for you. Although you protesters do some good for us ... you make us laugh. "

 Kevin wrote on August 17, 2007 9:18 am:
" From the story: "Demonstrators, who did not have a permit.." From 'Oh Please': "Make some signs, get a permit, and vocalize if you must." Get a permit!? Since when did americans have to get a permit to engage in constitutionally protected activities? Wake up America! Less and less are we the land of the free -- these increasingly prevailing attitudes of the populace are downright scary. It is the spread and acceptance of such attitudes that are destroying the principals that America used to stand for. Be careful, it is a precursor of fascism. "

 Former Lincolnite wrote on August 17, 2007 9:21 am:
" Ironic, in a communist world she would have been detained and tortured and put into reprogramming, just for speaking out. So she wants to be a communist? She got a tiny taste of what her future would be like. Indeed, ironic. This type of injury at the hands of the police shouldn't happen here, but it does. And in this case it appears that she is responsible for what happened. I hope she heals well. I feel sorry for her family for the anguish, embarrassment, and helplessness. Her parents are not to blame, and I don't like those comments. She (Alex) is to blame for her own actions. She is an adult, albeit misguided. "

 Liz wrote on August 17, 2007 9:25 am:
" All you people "that don't feel sorry for her" need to wait for the investigation to "take its course" )as George Bush would say). It sounds like the RI attorney general feels sorry for her and so maybe the police did make a mistake. Gasp! Regardless of who's at fault, the girl sounds to have some very serious injuries and deserves support. "

 protests wrote on August 17, 2007 9:25 am:
" Anyone who has ever been involved in a protest knows the last thing that is on the mind of the protesters is violence. At all the protests I have attended there has actually been a meeting before hand to lay down some ground rules in case of confrontation. First among these rules is no violence, then positive language only, don't spit, and respect others in the crowd. When people organize it is in response to the passive violence of the system under which we live. Passive violence being the way in which our system allows members to suffer and die while resources exist to prevent this suffering. The opponent of protesters is not the police, or the people on the street but the violence our society condones. Before you assume to know everything about everyone you need to consider their motivations and get to know them. It is clear that the police were caught unprepared and this frightened them. People make mistakes when they are scared and that is undoubtedly what happened here, the police simply overreacted. However, we cannot let them off because their intentions were good, a clear message must be sent to these police that brutality, assult, is not permissible for them just because they are hiding behind a uniform and badge. We haven't seen this sort of violence in Lincoln because the protests always have permits and the police are prepared. Because of this they are actually very kind to protesters. This is an ugly situation and the hate spewed by so many posters is really the ugliest part. "

 Gregg wrote on August 17, 2007 10:43 am:
" If she hadn't resisted them, they would not have escalated their use of force to subdue her. The fact is, the law says you MUST obey an officer of the peace. "

 who needs evidence? wrote on August 17, 2007 11:13 am:
" In an online survey taken by the Providence newspaper, over 75 percent of respondents replied that the police "overreacted," and many of the comments cited past incidents of excessive force. I hope, if I'm ever accused of a crime, most of the posters here are not sitting on my jury. The story of the mayor and police seems to be changing by the day, and as of yet there is absolutely no evidence to support accepting the word of the police officers who are trying to protect themselves over the word of protestors. That's not to say that the word of protestors is necessarily the truth either, just to say that if 75 percent of local people who have an idea of their police force believe they overreacted, it might at least give us pause here before we assume Ms. Svoboda is guilty of what they claim. "

 Nebraskan Singaporian wrote on August 17, 2007 11:35 am:
" Well, hey, there's a lot to hate in this world; there's a lot to stand up against. Right? left? Left, right, left? Who cares. You gotta beef? Exercise the First Amendment of the Constiution; just don't get in the way of traffic, or you might draw attention to yourselves and disrupt Grand Island NE, a pardisical bastion if ever there were. Cops are there to searve the public; no doubt! With out cops, society would not function. Let me say it: WE NEED COPS. Yes, cops are human, and as we all know, humans make mistakes; but still, THREE cops on one female??? How freaked out were these guys? A communist does not usually exercise rights, for they are concioues or their not really having too many; for those of you who are calling Alex a communist, that's a shrill call indeed! What evidence do you base this claim? Most of you don't know any [communists], so just what do you know? What you were told? Exactly! Do you ALWAYS do what you are told to do? You don't have to 'cause you have Rights that are above any god, so God Bless You! Please, don't lambast Alex for exercising her Constituional rights, she's only an American. If anyone here thinks that citing the Constitution is a tactical ploy made "liberal sycophants" [and I know all those right wing dirty thoughts, 'cause I used to be so foolish] to elict some sort of authority, it's because they are making a tactical move in "the debate' and they can; the Constitution gurantees as much! Food for thought: "Do as The Man says, Dear; What? Oh, never mind that his name rymes with Heinrich Himmler..." You'd best keep your eyes open for the tempting thrill of fascism; it creeps into society via the shadows left by stalking authoritarians posing as standard-bearers of pre-emptive freedom. They are also immune to third party suffering, an attribute of which they are proud; their chest is beaten purple from much self-thumping and harumphing. Oh, Please! "

 Nina wrote on August 17, 2007 11:43 am:
" Protestors used to just lie down and make police drag them away. Still sounds like a better ploy than playing cadence on a cop with your drumsticks. Wishing Alex good health and healing. "

 whatever wrote on August 17, 2007 12:00 pm:
" When laws infringe upon the right to dissent those laws MUST be disobeyed. It's interesting how the grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren of those who dissented are so quick to cave in to authority whether that authority is right or wrong, lawful or unlawful. I'm not assuming which party is in "the right" here, but I certainly wouldn't jump to the conclusion that law enforcement walks the high ground each and every time. Simply look at the recent case in Lancaster County reported in the JS regarding the assumptions an officer made regarding a search of a vehicle. It turned out the "searched" were likely guilty, but the assumptions made by the officer about what is or is not suspicious activity were WAY OFF base. It's also true that protesters can certainly over step their bounds. But to blindly assume an order by an officer is lawful and correct is an abdication of rights that this conservative and REAL AMERICAN simply isn't willing to do. Also keep in mind that we inprison people at a rate that would make most communist regimes blush. "

 give me a cause wrote on August 17, 2007 12:20 pm:
" How about a few quotes from the people the protest was conducted to help. I'm thinking about finding a cause to support. I'll start by organizing a group of sign carrying folks to obstruct non-involved businesses abillity to function. I'll pile them into the streets to obstruct non-involved citizens abillity to go about their daily business. I won't be troubled with a permit the sole purpose of which is to allow the cops to assist in my abillity to peacefully protest. (Remember when the NSM was allowed to rally on the steps of the capital?) Lincoln cops were on hand to protect their right to assembly and to make sure both sides of debate had a place to be. Finally, I'll arm my protestors with cameras just in case somebody decides to poke a cop (or cops) with a drumstick. "

 JR wrote on August 17, 2007 12:40 pm:
" Do any of you people remember Kent State? Look, I'm not saying she was in the right her ... nor am I saying she didn't get what she deserved ... all I am saying is please, please, PLEASE!!! DO NOT ACCEPT EVERYTHING THE POLICE DO AS RIGHT!. 98% of our law enforcement put up with way too much b.s. for way too little money. But, every once in awhile we do find that a certain officer decides top take out his frustration on an innocent person. So, please wait before we judge. "

 Like I tell my kids.... wrote on August 17, 2007 12:41 pm:
" You don't need to know the law, you don't need to be afraid and you won't be harmed from an avoidable situation if you aren't out doing something you know is wrong from the get-go. These protesters gotta have a cause, this "beating" is no exception. Rally on... we've got better things to listen to. Maybe PETA would be safer for you.. you know, the group People Eating Tasty Animals! "

 rac wrote on August 17, 2007 12:42 pm:
" She DOESN'T deserve my support! Nobody supporting communism get's my support, no matter what their age or whatever else excuse someone can come up with to bolster their ignorance. Here's the hint: protest if you must, that's your right. Obey the law and the officers sworn to uphold the law, that's your obligation as an American. Don't cry if you have to suffer the consequences of your actions! "

 mostly people don't care wrote on August 17, 2007 1:29 pm:
" Obey the officers, yeah, even when they are abridging your freedom of speech and forcing you to swallow the lies of a corrupt system. "Might is right" is a pretty brute and uncivilized attitude, but in that main its what those in charge these days subscribe to. Their might and their right. It's not what you do, but who you do it to, right? No, too many people are treated as just too dispensable. Police officers often have serious power issues; otherwise, they would have gone into social work or become logic or ethics teachers. Never have heard any phrase but "our finest" repeated with such scathing irony and there is plenty of good reason for that. There are exceptions to the lowest common denominator in every profession, but personally I haven't met many in the criminal justice field. If America wants to become a law and order society run by people who haven't opened a book since fifth grade,start filling out my emigration papers now, please. I scorn violence and vindictive punishments of all shades."Judge not, so you shall not be judged" is the essence of having class and treating others fairly. At least a few inspring people like Alex bravely take the risk to stand up for what is right and live to give Lincoln a reputation worthy of its namesake. "

 More coming wrote on August 17, 2007 1:42 pm:
" Just what was the company in New York doing - hiring illegals? Regular hard working citizens are being beatup every time we let another invader in this country. Police are out of control and have no common sense anymore. "What would Sheriff Taylor do?" "

 Simple wrote on August 17, 2007 2:10 pm:
" Alex was assaulted. End of story. "

 Brutal wrote on August 17, 2007 2:12 pm:
" The Rhode Island police department has a history of brutality and corruption. This does not surprise me at all. Good luck to her. This court battle will be of epic proportions. "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on August 17, 2007 2:46 pm:
" We have the same 'anything the police do is OK' crowd turning up after pretty much any article about police misconduct. A couple of months ago, they were assuring us that an illegal auto search conducted by a member of the State Patrol was just AOK. Yesterday, the search was thrown out by a judge. You can see photos of the three big brave cops dislocating the knee of one very small woman here: http://jonathanmcintosh.smugmug.com/gallery/3293537 You can also see the cops macing a woman who came over to see how badly Ms. Svoboda was hurt, and trying to prevent others from taking pictures. "

 Realist wrote on August 17, 2007 3:21 pm:
" Once again people judge Alex without actually ever meeting her. To say that this was an "accident" exercises extremely poor judgment, unless of course you haven't seen the pictures of Alex. And to say that she got what she deserved?! She was trying to raise attention to a worthy cause! I have read eyewitness accounts on what happened, and even if Alex had attacked an officer, which I sincerely doubt, the officers could have easily tackled her without the need of destroying her knee. This was an unnecessary exertion of dominance by someone who is supposed to "Protect and serve" not "Injure and trample rights". Those who think Alex got what she deserved need to seriously rethink their morals. "

 IWW SDS wrote on August 17, 2007 3:40 pm:
" Any fellow traveler of the IWW and SDS deserves everything that comes their way. Both those outfits have been fifth-column communist fronts since day one. "

 DK wrote on August 17, 2007 7:28 pm:
" It's espeically heartening to hear that doctors were able to save this young woman's leg. She and her family are in my thoughts and prayers. "

 Perfect wrote on August 17, 2007 11:36 pm:
" This response to this situation has been absolutely appalling. It's as if the police can do no wrong. They are being treated as if they are super-human beings, incapable of any unjustifiable action. The term, "police brutality" would not exist if it had never happened before. The fact of the matter is, there is a well-documented history of brutality and corruption in the Providence police force. "Rhode Island's finest." What a joke. "

 Communists wrote on August 17, 2007 11:47 pm:
" Where's McCarthy when you need him? I could go for a good-old black list right about now. WE MUST STOP THE COMMUNISTS!! THEY ARE TAKING OVER!! ALL 30 OF THEM!! WE'RE DOOMED!! ...but don't worry. I know how to stop them. Send them to Providence, give them signs, drumsticks and a few angry cops, and they'll never protest/ walk again. ...you people are hilarious. Alex is a communist. Right. "

 Truth wrote on August 18, 2007 2:36 am:
" Why is this even in the news? Kind of like a person complaining that they got hit by a car while jogging on the intersate. Guess what if you "play" protester and incounter the police, you may get beat down. "

 Beyaww!! wrote on August 18, 2007 7:20 am:
" Where's Senator McCarthy when you need him? I could certainly go for a good-old black list right about now. Clearly the communists are taking over. We must stop them at whatever cost - even if it means using excessive force on peaceful protesters. In a time of absolute crises such as this, everything is justifiable. ...I hope you all picked up on the sarcasm here. This situation is ridiculous. Bless Alex and may she have a full recovery. "

 Nebrsakan Singaporian wrote on August 18, 2007 8:20 am:
" If you have not yet looked at the pictures of the march, I suggest you let a thousand words be spoken; if you are one of those, "she got what she deserved" types, take a good long look at how inverted Alex's leg is. If you are one of those types and you do not see the excess in police action, or worse you take glee in it... what kind of citizen are you really? Thank goodness for skilled doctors, who turned out to be the real civil searvants. http://jonathanmcintosh.smugmug.com/gallery/3293537 "

 Ej wrote on August 18, 2007 9:57 am:
" Police officers can't line up for a "fair fight" they need to subdue people quickly and safely! What all you bleeding hearts don't understand is that it is for the safety of the public as well as their own safety. So three big cops one one girl is not excessive. Of course it is unfortunate she got hurt but come on can you really believe she is truly innocent? You are obligated to listen to a police officer, if you disagree take it up with his superiors later they are there for public safety! "

 mm wrote on August 18, 2007 1:12 pm:
" I'd like to hear more about the labor practices of HWH/Dragonland, the New York food distributor that was the subject of this protest. The pictures show the protestors were young--looks to me in their early 20's. Since I've witnessed police attack protestors who weren't attacking them, I'll keep an open mind about how this woman came to be injured so seriously. "

 Mat Rehwaldt wrote on August 18, 2007 2:02 pm:
" This attack upon a young woman by the North Providence police is abhorrent. Now they've "scoured" the neighborhood looking for video tape but didn't find any. As if we the public is to believe they'd actually use this footage to prosecute their own. An independent review is needed in these sorts of matters. Police are notorious for covering up the misdeeds of their brothers in blue. I hope the attorney general does his job. "

 Mary (Martha's sister) wrote on August 18, 2007 4:45 pm:
" Please may Alex-judgers be more circumspect with their comments and watch the story unfold. Alex has had three vascular surguries in one week...her bones are not yet set in her leg and the extensive ligament damage to her knee cannot be surgically addressed for at least a week.... The three policemen are physically fine. Let the legal process begin. There is a story here, but I don't believe it lies in the neoconservative diatribe. "

 American wrote on August 18, 2007 5:04 pm:
" I do not see how assaulting a protester counts as keeping people safe. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think Alex was threatening lives here, I mean, she didn't have a gun pointed at a police officer or anthing did she? And as for those criticizing Scott Svoboda, think of what he and his wife are going through. They probably have not slept in a long time. I know if my daughter was attacked the way Alex was I would be enraged and probably do something very regretful. So far Scott Svoboda has not done such a thing. That alone impresses me. It's just people that automatically attack someone because of if they're a liberal or conservative, republican or democrat, religious fanatic or hell-bound atheist just need to read a book. Preferrably non-fiction. "

 Commentor wrote on August 19, 2007 12:55 am:
" When first reading of the incident I have do admit that I thought she got what she deserved and should have listened. However, after viewing pictures of the protest my thoughts are changing. This is a young female who may have done wrong and not listened but as the pictures show, its a pretty serious injury. Not only is it clearly visible in pictures that her there was serious injury but she was STILL being helf face down with her arms behind her back. Look at the pictures for yourself and you will see....at that point...she couldnt have gotten up and walked away or tried to resist arrest any further. She may not have listened to instructions to move and used her drum sticks in an inappropriate manner but the injury itself shows that the police were not "innocent" in using excessive force. http://jonathanmcintosh.smugmug.com/gallery/3293537 "

 what? wrote on August 19, 2007 1:07 am:
" attacked? Why don't you all in support of Alex look at the other side. The Officers were easily outnumbered, and a protest or "riot" can easily become out of control unless the "problems" are addressed quickly. Alex disobeyed orders, she resisted and reportedly assaulted an Officer. That's a BIG problem for a violent mob against a few Officers. The Officers placed her in custody, controlled the crowd, got her medical attention, and continued with their duties. She fought and lost. This is not a beating. This is merely crowd control, and things like this can happen. "

 pictures show... wrote on August 19, 2007 1:15 am:
" she planted her leg wrong when going down. A little athleticism, and she would be fine. "

 Nebrsakan Singaporian wrote on August 19, 2007 10:43 am:
" I Love the term "bleeding heart"! Such terminology seems to indicate a certain degree of sadism and loathing for "weakness". I wonder if, as the police confronted the "Reds" and made their arrests, traffic slowed down, or held was up, or commerce in the vicinity was disrupted more than if the marchers were allowed to simply take their little walk... if this occured, that would indeed be an irony, don't you think? "

 rukiddingme? wrote on August 19, 2007 12:47 pm:
" dont fight the police + obey their orders +and certainly do not start swinging drumsticks at them = a public beat down. sorry, no sympathy here. "

 Scott wrote on August 19, 2007 1:31 pm:
" Looks like Lincolnites have turned this into a "who are you going to believe" story. Protesters say they were trying to move to accommodate the police orders; cops say the protesters were being belligerent and "threating" them with some drumsticks. It's her and her group's right to protest. Let's wait until all the facts are in before we assign blame. Oh, and for all you IWW haters: it's the 21st Century. Joe McCarthy died years ago. Give it up. "

 NYC wrote on August 19, 2007 2:34 pm:
" I am astounded as I begin to pick up the pieces of this story of police brutality. Obviously, many of you posting on this site have no clue of the reality of police deception, corruption and use of excessive force in this region. Get informed. "

 Common Sense wrote on August 19, 2007 8:55 pm:
" As a retired officer, I know what kind of force was used on Alex. Now I don't know if the protesters were out of line or not (evidence is indicating the latter) but her leg tells a story of brutality, anger, and immaturity. On the force you are taught to keep your cool. A group or protesters will not kill you no matter how stupid they are. What injuries this young woman sustained should not be forgotten about, but should be used to bring justice to the officer(s) that did this to her. The pictures of her leg should be in the dictionary under "Police brutality". I know all about police brutality. I've witnessed it, it happens sometimes without thought, and sometimes it is premeditated. From what I have seen and read this seems to be an immature officer who can't handle the job and has a hot head. He doesn't deserve his badge because of this. "

 Braden Hadfield wrote on August 21, 2007 10:21 pm:
" In response to "oh please", Your comment on this article has made me physically sick to my stomache. Your ignorant view on this situation is what's causing this country to waste away. The statement, "when police arrive, listen!!! Follow Orders!!! Not too hard of a concept to understand", is a prime example of that. This is not the first time something like this has happened, and it's not going to be the last. Thoes police, just as majority of police in this country, were on a power trip. This countries police force is corrupt and is beggining to reflect many key elements of Fascism. my main point that I would like you to recieve from this is: grow up, learn how to ask questions, and never forget that too much power in the hands of humans will always lead to corruption. "

 Artistic Agitator wrote on August 22, 2007 11:29 pm:
" i know this girl personally. she is my best friends older sister. i know for a fact that she would never be so stupid as to assault a police officer. this was a PEACEFUL protest for a good cause. she was not in the middle of the street, she did not hit the police officers with her drumsticks, and she was not doing anything the other protestors were not. she was simply singled out and turned into a target. these officers were very out of line and very unprofessional. they are nothing more than testosterone driven fascist pigs and they deserve dire consequences for this outrageous act of police brutality. those pictures are gut wrenching. her leg was bent completely backwards. no cop has the right to assault a peacefull citizen voicing her oppinion like they did. something must be done about this. these particular officers should have no bussiness wearing a badge and should be fired. "

 Mary Bartholomew wrote on August 24, 2007 11:42 am:
" An appalling event - makes one think of Chinese student protesters. Certainly from the photos, it was a rally of far fewer than a HUNDRED protesters,and those who were pictured didn't look like a terrorist threat to either the policemen or to society. Alexandra has become an unintended martyr in a protest to end slavery conditions - certainly a commendable effort. Knowing her parents, and learning of what happened, I am proud of Alexandra's participation in the march. I doubt very much the accusations about her actions being provocative - and wait for a thorough investigation to show that the police were unnecessarily violent. And I pray for her healing and recovery, for success of the campaign to stop the slavery conditions, and for a healing of the policemen's fear and violent reactions. "

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