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Lincolnites will respond to Rhode Island incident

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By ZACH PLUHACEK / Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 - 12:41:17 am CDT

Local organizers are rallying around a Lincoln native injured and charged with assaulting officers during a scuffle with police in Rhode Island earlier this month.

Family members of 22-year-old Alex Svoboda, who remains in a Rhode Island hospital, have worked with Nebraskans for Peace and the Nebraska Coalition for Peace to organize a march and vigil in Lincoln.

The Sunday event will occur simultaneously with a similar rally in North Providence.

Story Photo
Alex Svoboda was part of a group protesting the labor practices of a New York food distributor used by a North Providence restaurant. (Courtesy photo)
If you go

Solidarity march and vigil for Alex Svoboda, the 22-year-old Lincoln native injured and charged in a scuffle with police in Rhode Island.
  • 12:30 p.m. Sunday.
  • North steps of Capitol (along K Street). The group will march north on Centennial Mall to the Federal Building on O Street, for a vigil in support of Svoboda.
  • The public is invited to attend. Svoboda’s family and local labor activists will speak.
  • For more information, visit the Nebraskans for Peace Web site: www.nebraskansforpeace.org.

The Lincoln High graduate and former University of Nebraska-Lincoln student is charged with three counts of simple assault on a police officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest — all misdemeanors.

Her family and supporters say North Providence Police officers used excessive force when arresting her Aug. 11, dislocating her knee.

She spent several days in intensive care while doctors restored blood flow to her left leg.

An “erector set” of rods and pins was taken off her leg Wednesday, her father said. Doctors decided her soft tissue needs about two weeks to heal before she begins orthopedic surgery.

“We are in the twilight zone,” Scott Svoboda said. “She really can’t be released home.”

Authorities postponed Alex Svoboda’s court dates until she can leave the hospital. Her next scheduled appearance is Aug. 29 — her 23rd birthday.

Studying Spanish at the Community College of Rhode Island, Svoboda was part of an Industrial Workers of the World group marching down a main street to protest labor practices of a New York food distributor used by a North Providence restaurant.

The restaurant’s owner has said he no longer does business with the distributor and sought a restraining order against the IWW, according to the Providence Journal.

Demonstrators, who did not have a parade permit, say they were following officers’ orders to move out of the street when three officers restrained and tackled Svoboda.

The North Providence Police Department has defended the actions of the officers: Jeffrey D. Antonelli, Mark M. Mastin and William J. Shurick III.

All three remain on active duty, said Deputy Police Chief Paul Marino, and none was notably injured.

There are stark differences between descriptions from the protesters and statements in the arrest report for Svoboda.

According to a narrative by Antonelli, the first officer to come in contact with Svoboda, she started swinging drum sticks at him and cursing while he was trying to guide protesters to the sidewalk.

“As I tried to control her hands the picketers grabbed the female from behind and pulled her into their crowd and I did not see her for a few seconds,” it said.

“I was able to push through the crowd where I again saw the female fighting with Off. Mastin and Off. Shurick. She was swinging the sticks at them as they were attempting to place cuffs on her.”

But Mark Bray, a Providence IWW organizer marching next to Svoboda, said she tripped and landed on the sidewalk after an officer pushed her.

“I saw people catching her as she fell, lifting her back up,” he said. “After she was helped up, the crowd did try to convince officers that we were complying with their orders.

“(The officers) charged into the crowd, and they apprehended and assaulted her.”

Svoboda isn’t violent, her father said.

“… Alexandra is a peaceful and sensitive young lady who would never ‘attack’ any officer and eyewitness and photos back this up,” he wrote in a blog on the Nebraskans for Peace Web site.

The two sides also disagree on the size of the original march. IWW members say there were 30 to 40 people. Police estimated 75 to 100.

The mayor’s chief of staff, Richard Fossa, said the Rhode Island attorney general and Rhode Island State Police launched their own investigations and will review the North Providence Police Department’s internal investigation.

“You can forget the internal investigation, because no one is going to believe that,” Fossa said.

Svoboda has a lawyer for her criminal charges, her father said. That and her care — not civil action against authorities — are her family’s immediate concerns, he said.

He and Jan Enstrom, Svoboda’s mother, plan to return to Lincoln Friday and attend the Sunday vigil.

Svoboda’s brother, Nick, remained in Lincoln this week. He estimated he took 30 to 50 supportive phone calls since the incident.

He’s been one of the head organizers of the Sunday rally in Lincoln, communicating with Nebraskans for Peace and other groups to seek a permit and send out fliers. Thousands of invitations will be sent out by Sunday, he said.

The group was still waiting on the permit Wednesday.

Tensions in North Providence have escalated leading up to that town’s pro-Alex Svoboda rally, to be held at a high school on a thoroughfare there.

Svoboda supporters originally planned to hold a protest march from the police department to town headquarters, without a permit, but meetings with North Providence administrators convinced them to get a permit and change the site.

Residents began passing out fliers for a counter-demonstration — to support police — after the upcoming rally was announced. City officials asked counter-demonstrators to stop, Fossa said, and the leader of the group is cooperating.

Still, North Providence is on high alert. A hospital will have a triage tent in its parking lot. The entire police department is on call, and state police also have been notified.

“We won’t be at the rally, but we’ll close by,” Fossa said.

Bray said demonstrators will be peaceful. The group would have preferred to march near the police department, he said, but the high school is on the same street and the rally will still draw attention.

“We are not expecting any sort of violence.”

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


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Wake up Young people wrote on August 23, 2007 6:06 am:
" Frist let me say I really feel for th young lady and hope she recovers completely from the incident. But, what was she thinking when the police gave her and order and she starting swing drum sticks. I and I'll bet may others don't have problem with peole expressing their views, but when asked to do some by an officer maybe you should. After reading all the articles I believe there was some force that may not hve been needed, but in todays age an officer has to take that extra care to protect him or her. How does an officer know what else a persomn is carrying for a weapon. I, truely do hope the young lady recovers and will be able to carry on a normal life, and I hope charges can be dropped, since she may have learned a lesson the hard way. "

 I feel sorry for her... wrote on August 23, 2007 6:53 am:
" ...but at the beginning of the article, it stated the marchers didn't have the proper permit. If you don't want to get in trouble with the law, thus opening yourself up to the possibility of "police brutality", don't take part in something illegal. "

 Tragic wrote on August 23, 2007 7:09 am:
" Our thoughts and prayers go out to Alex and her family. But not for the IWW, an organization founded on fomenting violence that whips up good-hearted young people like Alex to use them for its own ends. And not for the North Providence police, whose story is highly suspect. In the end, this is a personal story; may God grant Alex a speedy and full recovery, and may we all give support to her and her family during this very difficult time. "

 No more wrote on August 23, 2007 7:26 am:
" I feel so sorry for Alex, but it's to bad the family decided to join with Nebraskan's for Defeat to promote what happened. The lost any support from this guy now. "

 Doug L wrote on August 23, 2007 7:48 am:
" As her Dad said "She is peaceful and sensitive" Didn't hear him say anything about being bright "

 unbelieveable wrote on August 23, 2007 7:49 am:
" The protesters account does not sound believeable. Why would the police single out a female that was NOT causing any trouble? It isn't like it was some small town cops that didn't know how to stop a riot in the making. They would not have done that. It sounds like her friends that kept pulling her back away from the police may have had a bigger part in her injury. You can see in the picture that the stance of the police was a protective one for themselves which leads me to believe that the protesters WERE fighting with them. And she doesn't sound TOO peaceful if she was trying to hit police with drumsticks which they say she did several times not just once. I wonder how many more can get injured Sunday and try to be martyrs for their cause. That is what these kind of people do when all of a sudden they get hurt. Like the Kansas "church" lady that protests and disrupts soldiers funerals or those "crazy" weirdos that stand their children out on busy streets holding signs protesting abortions. Maybe if the police would be a little rougher with the people that do these type of "aggrivation" protests there would be less of it. Most Protesters are after all Bullies and Bullies will back down if they are threatened. Their intent is to threaten other people. "

 Let's Hope Not... wrote on August 23, 2007 8:02 am:
" IWW = Communist organization. Nebraskans For Peace = ?. Let's hope Nebraskans For Peace realize they're connecting themselves to a group working for the opposite of democracy. "

 concerned wrote on August 23, 2007 8:07 am:
" My guess is that she was never taught any respect for police as a child. If she had treated the officers with respect this probably wouldn't have happened. So much for a peacefull demonstration. "

 Huh? wrote on August 23, 2007 8:24 am:
" The city asked the counter-demonstrators to stop organizing? I imagine they thanked them for the support but were looking to avoid confrontation. But it seems on its face to be totally out of whack -- police supporters asked to not counter-demonstrate against the demonstration by the socialists. Geesh. "

 wow wrote on August 23, 2007 8:29 am:
" how many stories of cops using ridiculous amounts of violence will it take for someone to be punished, that is horrible. "

 Jim J wrote on August 23, 2007 8:35 am:
" old news...you would have us believe that the police get off on charging into a crowed and and harming a person....gee, what a bunch of nuts. "

 silly girl wrote on August 23, 2007 9:07 am:
" Basically, what happened is that a person was breaking the law. (They did not have a permit, they were walking in the street blocking traffic, they were harassing a local business owner) and this girl is arrested. During the arrest, her leg is messed up. There was another person arrested that was not injured. I do not feel sorry for her. She was protesting a company in New York by harassing a chain restaurant in RI. WHAT?!? "

 Terry wrote on August 23, 2007 9:08 am:
" She shouldn't have swung on the police. So deserved to get roughed up a little but not that bad. Sometimes fanatics go too far. "

 Support the ISSUE wrote on August 23, 2007 9:16 am:
" Observation: ALEX was HURT, not NFP. This rally is for ALEX, not NFP. This event is in support of ALEX, not NFP. You know, it is possible to support the issue and not the organization behind it. That's why we have registered "Independents" in the good old "US of A." Be an independent and march for Alex on Sunday. "

 J wrote on August 23, 2007 9:16 am:
" Try not to compare apples with oranges. Communism is an economic model, as is capitalism. Democracy is a governmental model. Carry on. "

 Duh. wrote on August 23, 2007 9:23 am:
" OK. Police Brutality is NEVER justifiable. EXCESSIVE FORCE is NEVER justifiable. If it were justifiable, we wouldn't use the term"EXCESSIVE," we would use the term "JUSTIFIABLE." Police brutality is NEVER justifiable. If it were JUSTIFIABLE, we wouldn't use the term "BRUTALITY" we would use the term "FORCE"...or something. There are some situations in which police have to use their full strength and fall back on all their training. In those instances, I have nothing but respect for them. It's when they power trip and hurt people that I have a problem. "

 Brian in Lincoln wrote on August 23, 2007 9:30 am:
" Why glorify a criminal? What would you do if the police officer was your son/daughter? "

 Anti-whiner wrote on August 23, 2007 9:30 am:
" Hopefully their little parade will get rained out. Find something more constructive to do. "

 CS wrote on August 23, 2007 9:46 am:
" Hmmm.....I don't see anywhere in the Constitution that says I need to have a permit. The definition of 'swinging' her drumsticks is suspect as well-in what way could a 90 pound girl swing a pair of drumsticks at someone 2x's her size and resemble a threat? Ive performed mass crowd control and studied use of force techniques for work-these police officers are digging into the letter of the law to CYA, not because it was necessary. Just because you can enforce something doesn't mean that common sense shouldn't prevail first, and breaking the leg of a 90 pound girl holding 2 6 oz drumsticks is a laughable application of force. This officer must not have gotten enough hugs as a child. "

 silly girl wrote on August 23, 2007 9:49 am:
" So, the Nebraskans for Peace are not supporting the group she was with, they are only supporting the girl. She is a criminal. She was breaking the law and was injured in the process. With that in mind, if she was robbing a bank and this happened would you still support her? Either way she was BREAKING THE LAW when this happened. WHY support her? Or do you forget that she was breaking the law because she is cute and young and WHITE! (I am a white female too) "

 jl wrote on August 23, 2007 9:50 am:
" Ouch, that picture makes it look like her leg may sting a little bit. Good thing she wasn't protesting the company that made the rods and pins to put her knee back together. "

 Eyes Wide Open wrote on August 23, 2007 10:23 am:
" One more reason to distrust cops. "

 crap wrote on August 23, 2007 10:34 am:
" In all honesty how does marching in Lincoln help anything. Yeah, i bet everyone will be so moved that they will all call the goverment in Rhode Island and complain. Or wait maybe it will be so big Rhode Island will hear about it on the news. Its great when all of the people on welfare can use tax payer money to complain about the goverment that gives them the money to live. Find something better to do hippies. Write 900 letters that will flood the Rhode Island goverment mayors office instead of marching some where that is thousands of miles a way and won't do crap. This is the problem these peole don't constructively think. Put your energy into something useful that will make a differnce. "

 Told_ya wrote on August 23, 2007 10:41 am:
" I just think the first picture is kind of funny. You have three officers. One trying to defer the camera man, second one messing up this girls leg, and take a look at the third...aiming pepper spray at the crowd for observing and taking pictures of what they are doing to this girl. A pic is REALLY worth a 1000 words! "

 Gerard Harbison wrote on August 23, 2007 10:43 am:
" I am sympathetic to Ms. Svoboda and believe she was in fact the victim of police brutality, but there is no way I will have anything to do with Nebraskans for Peace. it's a shame the family has gotten involved with that organization. "

 JJ wrote on August 23, 2007 10:49 am:
" I hope Alexandra a speedy recovery, but she shouldn't have been there in the first place. It sounds like the Alex supporters are trying to convince everyone she was just an innocent bystander. Is this the reason for all the publicity? "

 WOW wrote on August 23, 2007 11:14 am:
" Look at the reflective glass windows, doesn't look scary at all. The police just took their actions too far. And now all have to answer. With pictures like these the police are going to do alot of explaining. His foot looks like it is on her damaged knee. "

 Earl Warren wrote on August 23, 2007 12:24 pm:
" It is the spirit and not the form of law that keeps justice alive. "

 mike wrote on August 23, 2007 12:25 pm:
" Sorry she was hurt, BUT, she was swinging at an officer...how does Nebr for peace (what a joke of an organization by the way) support her violent acts against the officers? "

 MLK Jr. wrote on August 23, 2007 12:25 pm:
" I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law. "

 Kristine wrote on August 23, 2007 12:28 pm:
" Those pictures are the same pictures, at different angles/distances, 'told ya'. It doesn't 'clearly show'an officer causing anything, and I'm exhausted by the references that it's 'so obvious' from these pictures that the cops roughed her up. Whatever. "

 Gregg wrote on August 23, 2007 12:29 pm:
" I'm sure she isn't violent. But when the adrenaline starts pumping in the heat of the moment, people change. Fight or flight...and in a crowd there is no flight. If you choose to engage in protesting activities, be prepared to STOP when an officer of the peace tells you to do so. If the officer is wrong, sue him later. BUT YOU ALWAYS OBEY THE POLICE. "

 nitemare wrote on August 23, 2007 12:42 pm:
" Yes pictures are worth 1000 words but not the pictures in this article. The police were outnumbered at least 3 to 1 in the pictures that I saw. That is scary. Maybe your idea of a good time is having an angry mob coming towards you carrying sticks and other items that can be used as a weapon but its not mine. In the past when a police officer has instructed me to do something - I did it with no questions asked. I bet the next time she will too. "

 Before you judge the pics... wrote on August 23, 2007 12:46 pm:
" ...you should have seen the website these came from. There were about 40 pictures, these are only two. Someone posted teh website address the first time this story was run. Search LJS archives, and check out the comments. It's still there. Then go look at the pictures yourself. This was an unruly crowd, and there is one picture (if you enlarge it) in which one of Ms. Svoboda's mates is having a tug-of-war with an office, Ms. Svoboda being the rope. Get the whole story before you make judgements on the police. "

 NL wrote on August 23, 2007 1:09 pm:
" As taken from an article in the Rhode Island's Providence Journal-Bulletin, "As for the Police Department’s internal investigation into the Aug. 11 events, Deputy Police Chief Paul Marino said 10 witnesses have been interviewed so far, but there are many more to be conducted. The department is still seeking statements from 14 protestors, including the injured woman, Svoboda, who has declined all requests for interviews by the media or by the police, or any of the other officers who were directly involved. Marino said it is highly unlikely that the investigation will be completed anytime soon." Why are the protestors not cooperating? What do they have to hide? "

 haters wrote on August 23, 2007 1:44 pm:
" I can't believe so many people bring up the fact that she is a criminal for marching in a protest without a permit. This is why the jail is so overcrowded right now. Such petty things we choose to label people criminals over. It sounds like a lot of people on this blog don't have a life and are bored out of their minds. "Silly girl" that is exactly what you are. You may be the only one that classifies this girl as cute. I agree with this getting so much attention because she is white though. "

 Nina wrote on August 23, 2007 2:06 pm:
" A regrettable incident for several reasons. Many (protesting) witnesses will swear there was police brutality (even some good cops admit that certain other cops go too far), while just as many others (connected with the police) will say she resisted arrest, and was only being subdued (stand up for your buddies who would stand up for you attitude). A few things are certain, however: To twist a person's leg completely around backward, as the picture shows, takes a strong throwdown with likely someone or something landing on it and twisting. If one chooses to resist arrest, he/she should simply lie down and wait to be hauled off, as per the many films on civil rights marches of years past; however, it is wisest not to resist. In conclusion, the side with the best lawyers (and most money to spend on them) will win. And this certainty: from now on, Alex will be affected by the physical and emotional leftovers of this incident, no matter who's at fault. "

 bobo wrote on August 23, 2007 2:43 pm:
" civil disobedience is not a criminal act, it was closer to freedom of speech. I doubt that the police were afraid of a girl with a drum stick, what were they afraid she would poke their eyes out. The force the police use should be a based on need. This woman had her leg almost ripped off, for protesting. No guns, no violence. Do you expect to get shot by the police for running a red light, speeding, jaywalking or whatever? This act of civil disobedience ranks up with a jaywalking offense. Soo lets just have the police shot first and ask questions later. GET WELL SOON! "

 may the drumsticks win wrote on August 23, 2007 2:43 pm:
" The photograph accompanying this article sends chills down my bones; it makes me wince in anguished identification with Alex's injury. Peace officers who behave violently or abuse power by making false charges and unlawful arrests betray the public trust. "

 t. wrote on August 23, 2007 4:36 pm:
" she got what was coming to her. pay attention to the law and no one gets hurt. they say that in the movies all the time. "

 No Sympathy Here wrote on August 23, 2007 5:17 pm:
" She broke the law plain and simple, considering what officers are up against these days they have to make sure they go home too. I hope she recovers and I do feel bad for her injuries but as I have always been told, don't do the crime if you can't do the time. Protesting or should I say gathering to support her says you support what she did and that was wrong so stay home.Hopefully she learned a hard lesson but support the police and what they do for us each day!! "

 NYC Observer wrote on August 23, 2007 5:22 pm:
" Is it not written in the United States Constitution that one is presumed innocent until proven guilty? I heartily embrace that vital safeguard of democracy with respect to Ms. Svoboda and the uninjured policemen. ...and yet I am curious as to the relentless anti-Ms. Svoboda vitriol that I read in this forum. To my thought, it appears knee-jerk and cruel. How does it behoove the dialogue? I had expected more from Nebraskans. "

 rokdad wrote on August 23, 2007 5:46 pm:
" Hmmmm. Two 200lb+ cops. One little girl. She must have put up quite a fight with her vicious drumsticks. Overdo it a little, boys? Anyone skilled in self-defense would have been able to handle her singlehandedly, even if she had a baseball bat. I love the Lincoln PD. They keep my family safe. Hopefully they do a better job at screening potential employees than they do in Rhode Island. "

 alan wrote on August 23, 2007 6:18 pm:
" why is it some people have chronic problems with police and authority, and I have NEVER had any difficulty? perturbed at getting (deserved) tickets, but somehow I've only been in the right place at the right time for 45 years. "

 Local cop wrote on August 23, 2007 6:58 pm:
" What you guys are missing is that officers use numbers to make situations like this easier. Why risk injury and try to handler her one on one when each officer can just grab a leg or arm. I know the pic of her leg looks bad but I have seen numerous officers get hurt in the same manner from dealing with teenagers. Things happen when you wrestle with people. And as far as an innocent mob, there is no such thing. When people gather they most always yell at us taunt us and they even believe that they are in the right to do whatever they want. For instance 4th of july and block parties. Listen up next time Alex and pick a better cause to get your leg broke over. "

 Willa wrote on August 23, 2007 7:04 pm:
" First of all, I am saddened about the cruelty of people's comments about Alex, about her not "being bright" and she was "never taught any respect for police" and comparing her to the evil Shirley Phelps, secondly these are remarks made by people who clearly don't know her or her family. I was one of her closest friends in middle school and through some of high school until we naturally grew apart. Alex's family is absolutely wonderful. They are caring and supportive for all three of their children. Alex is an extremely intelligent woman and very witty as well. I am saddened that again, many people decide to polarize this issue and label her as another stupid liberal fighting for another stupid cause. Alex respects and deeply cares for the well being of human life as both liberal and conservative people should, and I find it hard to believe that she intentially was swinging at an officer. If she was, as they say swinging and swearing at them, that was an extremely stupid idea on her part, but is a woman with a drumstick and a five-gallon bucket really so dangerous that as her leg is unnaturally twisted behind her back she has to be pinned down by two extremely large men? I have all the respect for our police officers who risk their lives to protect ours, but they are human too. They experience the same emotions that we all do and being outnumbered by a group that "wasn't responding to requests" was probably troubling, but this seems to be crossing the line and Alex was caught in between. I was deeply troubled when I saw my old friend being held down while her leg was abnormally twisted away from her body and the extreme pain so noticeable on her face. My prayers go out to the Svobodas and all of the people involved. I hope this can be resolved fairly through civility and not hateful words and accusations towards one group or the other. "

 Fred wrote on August 23, 2007 7:28 pm:
" Girl, when you run with the bulls someone is going to get the horn . The IWW are Anarchist; not really as peaceful people. I am sure the truth will come out and I'll give the benefit of dought to the police for now. "

 Disturbed By the Pictures wrote on August 23, 2007 10:23 pm:
" If anyone is interested check out this website: http://jonathanmcintosh.smugmug.com/gallery/3293537 These are the pictures chronologically showing the protest. It looks like there are maybe 20 people who are hardly stepping into the street...this seems a little fishy to me. "

 1984 wrote on August 23, 2007 10:29 pm:
" Way to go Alex. I am glad that you gave the sacrifice in your beliefs in standing up toward a police state. You have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Unfortunately many Americans, especially Nebraskans don't see the state of affairs in this country and the way things are heading. Your sacrifice is commendable and honorable. What a story to be able to tell your future generation. You are a true role model in today's history. "

 1984 wrote on August 23, 2007 10:35 pm:
" Way to go Alex. I am glad that you gave the sacrifice in your beliefs in standing up toward a police state. You have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Unfortunately many Americans, especially Nebraskans don't see the state of affairs in this country and the way things are heading. Your sacrifice is commendable and honorable. What a story to be able to tell your future generation. You are a true role model in today's history. A real patriot! "

 Appalled. wrote on August 24, 2007 12:06 am:
" If you've ever been hit with a drumstick...you should know they don't hurt that bad and if you think they do, you're a big baby. If you look through the entire gallery of pictures, the cops are spraying people with mace for being concerned for Alex. Real nice. Jerks. I wish Alex a speedy recovery as well as a successful court date. Have a good birthday, it's mine too. "

 Geez People wrote on August 24, 2007 12:23 am:
" Yes she was technically breaking the law. Laws get broken everyday. Here's one. You get pulled over for speeding (breaking the law) and the cop breaks your car window and whacks you over the head a couple of time with his night stick, and then breaks your arms for good measure. You're saying that this is OK (the cop beating you and telling everybody that you resisted arrest) because technically you were breaking the law so it is your fault. Wake up and think for yourselves people. Don't believe everything that officials tell you. "

 pdl wrote on August 24, 2007 2:41 am:
" I hope she recovers from her injuries without any disabilities. My opinion is this, when you join a group and participate in public demonstrations such as this, you put yourself at risk. While you might be a calm and reasonable person, another "member" may be a radical nut who creates a situation that quickly spins out of control. I don't know what IWW is about or much about Nebraskans for Peace for that matter. I would hope that if this was such a major event with so many people participating that some sort of video is brought forward to shed some light on the truth of what did happen. I would understand the officer's actions if she were getting out of control and resisting, if you don't comply with the officer's orders, they have a right to keep the situation under control and subdue you, it's your choice to make. The police should not handle you with kid gloves and risk injury. Giving the benefit of the doubt can cost your life. That's what they train for. I am all for holding them accountable if they somehow singled her out of the crowd. You need hard proof these days since people design their own "truths", whatever it takes to move their cause forward. Why would you bring anything that could be contrued as a weapon to a "peaceful march"? No, I wouldn't march to support Alex. I do not know her, and I wasn't there. Just let the truth be told. "

 jesus martinez wrote on August 25, 2007 2:50 pm:
" I am a skinny boy. I have personally arm wrestled Alex, and won. I have also been beaten by riot police, shoved over a bike and detained for hours in the rain at a protest in which I was not even participating in. Of course this was at a protest against police brutality in which 3 McDonald's were set on fire, a bank was bashed in, bricks were being thrown at cops and cop cars, and general demolition was taking place. No broken legs of any of the hundreds of people though, no ambulances either. I didn't see any drumsticks though, so maybe that's why she "deserved" it. Everyone also seems very educated about the Labor Movement here, and how the many people who gave their lives to extend democracy into the workplace has given us the anarchist idea of the weekend, the communist idea of the 40 hour work week, the pinko sympathetic child labor laws, and those crazy socialist safety standards. Oh, and if a union ever decides to strike, you had better believe I'll be bustin kneecaps (especially if someone is playing a rhythm). "

 Benjamin Alexander Reis wrote on August 26, 2007 7:26 am:
" Power to the people...god be with Alex and her family.......god be with all the decent, humane people left on this planet.....smite these power hungry, ignorant,unabashed cowardly cops in rhode island....if you ever spent one second with Alex Svoboda you would know in an instant these violent pigs deserved to be thrown into jail to face justice for these horrible acts they have commited.....get well soon Alex...much love. "

 responding to "feel sorry for her..." wrote on August 26, 2007 5:15 pm:
" Last time I checked, I didnt need a permit to practise my freedom of speech or other first ammendment right. I didnt know that responing to an officer gave them the reason to break my leg, and sever all 4 ligaments in my left knee. But hey maybe I should pay more attention to my government and politics teacher. "

 Emily wrote on August 26, 2007 10:16 pm:
" The attack on Alexandra Svoboda was criminal; it angers and saddens me, but what is more disheartening and depressing is the mean spirited responses to this article. American ideals of dissent, freedom of assembly, and peaceful protest seem to be lacking in many of the respondents. It's scary and shocking to me how cruel and self righteous some of the comments are. "

 pandaqueen wrote on September 29, 2007 5:42 pm:
" So obviously police brutality, and yes the cop's got his foot on her badly broken leg too... how brave and corageous of him!!! How anyone can think this is justified is beyond me! "

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