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200 gather to support Alex Svoboda

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By ZACH PLUHACEK / Lincoln Journal Star

Monday, Aug 27, 2007 - 12:11:01 am CDT

A visibly shaken Jan Enstrom on Sunday recounted her daughter’s scuffle with Rhode Island police and the teary 6 a.m. call in which she learned of the 22-year-old’s extensive injuries.

A sympathetic crowd of nearly 200 was gathered on the north steps of the Capitol to hear the family’s stories and support the injured protester, hurt during a confrontation with North Providence police at an Aug. 11 labor demonstration.

Alex Svoboda tore every ligament and a large artery in her left leg when she was tackled by police.

Story Photo
Nick Svoboda, left, looks on as his father Scott Svoboda prepares to speak and his mother, Jan Enstrom, seeks comfort from his brother Markus Svoboda at a rally to support Alex Svoboda, formerly of Lincoln, who was injured during her arrest at a rally in Providence, Rhode Island. (Gwyneth Roberts)

Her family claims she deserves an apology from the North Providence Police Department.

Instead, the Lincoln native faces three counts of simple assault on a police officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest — all misdemeanors.

A simultaneous rally of roughly equal size was held at a North Providence  high school near where the incident occurred.

“They’re in a hostile environment,” said Svoboda’s brother, Nick, before Lincoln’s crowd. “We are in no way implicating the Lincoln Police Department in this at all.”

Providence Journal reporter Mark Arsenault said there was a heavy police presence at the Rhode Island rally. The demonstrators were noisy but peaceful, he said.

Svoboda, who was released from the hospital Saturday, remains in Rhode Island but did not attend the rally there. Her father, Scott Svoboda, said she would avoid making public statements in light of the charges.

Those gathered in Lincoln — including Enstrom and Scott Svoboda, their two sons and other relatives — took pains to follow the law while marching from the Capitol, waiting for stoplights and leaving room for bystanders on sidewalks.

No police presence was noted.

Police were aware of the protest, said Capt. David Beggs, but took no issue with the group.

The march led downtown. They gathered on either side of O Street between 16th Street and Centennial Mall.

Scott Svoboda stood on the northeast corner of the intersection, staring down at the rows of people who had appeared on behalf of his daughter.

“Strangers are here,” he said. “The community support for our daughter is overwhelming...I’ve never expected (this) kind of support in a pickup rally.”

Nick Svoboda guessed about 300 people came and went at the rally, some attending the 12:30 p.m. speeches and others gathering later along O Street.

The gathering was framed mainly as a vigil for Alex Svoboda, her brother said, but issues of labor rights and claims of police brutality came up as well.

“(My sister) is a hometown girl,” Nick Svoboda said. “She may have started a new home for herself in Rhode Island,” he said, but “Lincoln will always be Alex’s hometown.

“This is an issue that effects everyone...it’s a constitutional rights issue.”

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


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Maybe apologize to her wrote on August 27, 2007 12:38 am:
" After she pleads guilty to all of the charges against her. "

 Travis wrote on August 27, 2007 12:53 am:
" I think everyone is granted innocence until proven guilty. The Rhode Island cops are just as innocent as Alex. Anyone that tries to tie the Lincoln Police Dept. into any corruption related to this is grasping at straws. I feel we have a very respectable police dept. that should not be tainted by flagrant allegations as reported in this article. I am also more than willing to grant that same opinion to the Rhode Island police dept. until I see some sort of proof otherwise. My suggestion to everyone involved is to go to work, instead of protesting working! "

 Percentage wrote on August 27, 2007 1:28 am:
" The support was overwhelming? Let's see, 200 in a city of 260,000. That's about 0.08% of the city. To look at it another way, 99.92% of the city *didn't* show up, and on a day with fairly nice weather, when a lot of them had the day off. Perhaps the majority wisely gives law enforcement the benefit of the doubt. "

 Nathan H. wrote on August 27, 2007 1:43 am:
" This is the type of demonstration that was so important to our Founders that it was designated the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Law and order types tend to forget that or ignore it altogether. Just why was the police presence so intense in North Providence to begin with yet Lincoln's police did not feel the need to get out the riot patrol for this demonstration? "Overzealous" only begins to describe the situation that led up to the unfortunate incident that is reason for this rally. "Illegal protest" is an oxymoron in a truly free society. Alex Svoboda paid the price for a maintaining a free country, and for that she is a hero. "

 JC wrote on August 27, 2007 6:17 am:
" I dont feel bad for her at all. She resisted arrest!! "

 Huh? wrote on August 27, 2007 6:59 am:
" How could a small woman be a threat to a well-trained riot gear equiped policeman wearing a helmet, face shield, padding,etc? I have been a police officer and was trained in riot control and this time the police definitely went overboard. BTY, the US constitution guarantees the right of assembly and free speech which the young lady was using. Once we give up those rights and freedoms, the terrorists have won because, according to the right, they hate us for our freedoms. "

 Hero? wrote on August 27, 2007 7:05 am:
" She's just some hippie kook who apparently doesn't like to listen to police. She got what she deserved. Don't be shocked when she plea bargains out, and pleads guilty. Seriously, how hard is it to listen to the police? They tell you to move, you move...not run your mouth. "

 Ernie Johnson wrote on August 27, 2007 7:08 am:
" This is the type of demonstration that violates the law. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of assembly -- it does not say that the assembly can ignore the orders of police. Alex's communist friends (the International Workers of the World Party she was protesting with calls itself a communist group) failed to get a permit to march. Permits to march are required in Providence, in Lincoln and pretty much every place in America. That helps guarantee crowd control -- i.e.: the general safety of the people, another item so important to our Founders that it is designated in the Constitution. But even without a permit, these people were allowed to march. When the police simply asked them to move onto a sidewalk to allow better traffic flow (there was traffic because they failed to get a permit, so no roads were shut down), they refused and resisted. They antagonized the police into action. That's when Alex got her butt kicked. It's real simple -- when you refuse to obey police commands, you run the risk of forcing the police to make you obey. They can do that. It's both legal and constitutional. Those people in Providence yesterday are very lucky that the police didn't treat them like they treated the miscreants Alex was protesting with. There's no mention of them having a permit for yesterday's march, which is required by law. The police could have stopped it before it got started, but they allowed the freedom of assembly -- just like they allowed it a couple of weeks ago, without a permit. Why didn't Lincoln police make a large police presence? The people here were friends of the Svoboda's, not communists. They had no history of trouble and there was no reason to believe trouble could happen. The Providence police had plenty of reason for police presence because it made sense that many of the people who previously protested would be in the crowd again. "Overzealous" happens when police overestimate the potential danger involved in a situation. The communists had proven in the past that they had no problem defying police orders; therefore, the large police presence was needed for the general safety of all the people. Alex Svoboda got her butt kicked because she didn't obey police orders, which all citizens are required to do. She paid the price for thinking she was above the law. For that, she is exactly where she ought to be. You hope she gets better but more importantly, you hope she's learned her lesson. "

 cit wrote on August 27, 2007 7:21 am:
" This foolish girl is not a hero! "

 ted wrote on August 27, 2007 7:33 am:
" There are many ways to excercise free speech other than blocking streets and forcing taxpayers to pay for police services. What was this girl doing protesting a restaurant where she never worked? Why does society (us)have to pay for every single person's personal protests? This girl assumed the risks for her socially disruptive behavior. I'm sick of every individual's personal political causes being forced on the rest of us outside of existing legal procedures. "

 Hi wrote on August 27, 2007 7:55 am:
" She is about 30 years to late to protest like that. The hippie era is done, you can give it up "

 NL wrote on August 27, 2007 8:00 am:
" I take offense to the comment "Alex Svoboda paid the price for a maintaining a free country, and for that she is a hero." She isn't a hero! "

 percentage nailed it wrote on August 27, 2007 8:02 am:
" That is one of the best comments I have ever read. Direct and to the point. Well done. Memo to LJS- ENOUGH of this story already. Based on the comments I have read in relation to the multiple articles on this topic, the vast majoirty of people do not have, and will not have, and sympathy for this criminal. Please stop force feeding us this and report on something that is relevant in the world today. "

 Lincoln resident wrote on August 27, 2007 8:24 am:
" Well put Ernie Johnson. I am glad the Rhode Island police enforced the law with this hippie. Maybe next time she will learn that she is not above the law. "

 Wm. Morris wrote on August 27, 2007 8:27 am:
" More old news from the LJS "

 Ryan wrote on August 27, 2007 8:35 am:
" How many of us were there? Did you see it happen? Did you watch her 'guilt' take place? Nope. None of it, yet so many people come in here spouting off her guilt so readily because maybe they disagree with Svoboda's politics. Last I heard protesting was a Constitutionally protected act and also we are considered innocent until PROVEN guilty, so unless you were there I'd avoid placing labels on either side of the argument. It just makes you look ignorant and really frightens me for the current state of America. "

 Dano wrote on August 27, 2007 8:55 am:
" Actually I wish she would go back or stay at her new home. This is on brain that can drain from this state. If you can;t follow the laws or assualt police officers at a peaceful rally, then I sure don;t want you here. They shold apologize to her, when she apologizes for being an idiot. "

 3181 wrote on August 27, 2007 9:02 am:
" three things could have prevented this from happening. 1. When a cop tells you move you move 2. A bucket is never a good replacement for a drum 3. Hanging out with comunists is never a good idea "

 victim............NOT wrote on August 27, 2007 9:06 am:
" This adult is not a hero! She bucked the system, resisted arrest (never underestimate the physical strength of a woman who is mad!!). The officers did not inflict physical damage on her, she resisted and physically fought back and therefore caused problems. I so agree with some of the other comments, hippie days are over! I am always sad for anyone that is in pain, but when you cause your own physical negatives.................... "

 Dave K wrote on August 27, 2007 9:17 am:
" I hope Svoboda apologizes to the officer for assaulting him. "

 LJS reader -- for now wrote on August 27, 2007 9:24 am:
" I could not possibly care less about this non-story. "

 AJ wrote on August 27, 2007 9:26 am:
" Regardless of her guilt or innocence, unless Alex Svoboda is a 7-foot-tall Amazonia guerilla woman, the force used to arrest her was excessive. To inflict the damage seen in the photos to a 22-year-old knee would require her to have been tackled forcefully. She had drumsticks and a bucket. Those aren't exactly lethal weapons. Whatever she did or said, the police decided to personally teach her a lesson and not wait for the justice system. Even if she's guilty, the officers involved acted unprofessionally and should be reprimanded. "

 Gregg wrote on August 27, 2007 9:39 am:
" Its not about how much of a threat a 'small woman' could be to a group of law enforcement officers. The fact is, when a cop says "stop" you stop. You don't throw something, slap at them, or call them names. Had she obeyed, she probably wouldn't have even gotten a citation...just a 'calm down and go home if you can't behave' lecture. Instead she gets caught up in the heat of the moment and now has the battle scars (and soon a criminal record) to show for it. "

 Paul wrote on August 27, 2007 9:46 am:
" Ted is right. Protesting just brings on more problems. Apparently we don't study the Martin Luther King senerio. Marching & protesting only brings on more animosity and bloodshed and hurts. Rhode Island is NOT Nebraska. You have different kind of peoples temperment in all parts of the U.S. Crime & murders are more rampant in those areas. They are not laid back ho hum farmers. People in the Virginias, Ohio, Indiana, Ky. Tenn and south are all different. You have the Bible belt area in KY, Tenn Indiana and Ohio, its different than Nebraska. Nebraska is good at shoving taxes on people for instance, they do that in Indy, and people protest with out the violance and disrespect and the city leaders listen and reduced the taxes. That hasn't happened in Lincoln, you pay or else get out. Just because Lincoln forces everything on people and what the youth are taught, doesn't mean you can go to other cities/states and demand they are going to live Nebraska's way of life!! Where I lived in the Bible belt, people were gracious and ya visited and always had friends. Here in Lincoln if I try to be neighborly, I'm treated like I'm trash, and don't bother me attitude!! You don't even find that in the churches for heavens sake!!!! "

 Spouting off wrote on August 27, 2007 9:46 am:
" Alex and her fellow protestors VIOLATED THE LAW!!! Not having a permit to march and block the streets is obvious and documented. Get over it! No matter how much you hippies and socialists want to paint this, you can deny she violated the law. And enough of the articles glorifying this! "

 LGG wrote on August 27, 2007 9:47 am:
" Regarding obtaining 'permits' for such demonstrations, 'the right to assembly' since it is guaranteed in the Constitution as a protected right of the people of this country, should not 'mandate' obtaining a permit to so do, but yes there are risks involved in public demonstrations especially in overpopulated cities for both the demonstrators and general public's protection. Whether that was the case or not, as a protected right even on a public street, if there was a danger to the public and demonstrators it does appear that excessive force may have been used obviously - and why didn't the officers, who are trained in traffic control, rather turn their attention to then directing traffic instead. And 'public demonstrations' are not 'hippie' at all, and were used by the founding fathers in order to further their cause. All those with those comments and positions, ought to reread your American history. "

 Safely Assume wrote on August 27, 2007 9:55 am:
" We can safely assume that none of those 200 that showed up were Republicans. If all that showed up were Democrats, that's still less than 0.05% of the ~55,000 registered Democrats in Lincoln! There are 347 registered Greens in Lincoln, thd they barely got half that number at this Kumbaya rally. Statistically, no one cares about this incident, even though the LJS is flogging it for all it's worth. "

 King Biscuit wrote on August 27, 2007 10:02 am:
" Nathan H. -- under your theory, assault is also an oxymoron in a truly free society. So is bank robbery and murder. Free does not mean free to do what you want, when you want, how you want, if you want, as you seem to think it means. Free means the opportunity to conduct your life with MINIMAL government intervention. Minimal, meaning there is some intervention you must accept. When you decide to protest in the form of a march, you must get a permit from the locality in which you will protest. Most jurisdictions in the US require this. Your topic can pretty much be anytyhing. Even the Ku Klux Klan is allowed to march in protest -- with a permit. But when you do this you agree to be peaceful and obey the directives of the police. No one has the right to just drum up a group and start a march, which is what it appears Alex and her friends did. She is no hero. She's a lawbreaker. Should she have been beaten up for it? That depends on the situation at the time, which neither you nor I know. But if she defied police commands, the police had the right to force her compliance. You don't defy police commands if you want to be a law-abiding citizen. According to all reports, she did, and she got hurt. "

 Observer wrote on August 27, 2007 10:04 am:
" I never quite realized how oppressed we are in this country. "

 Liberal minds wrote on August 27, 2007 10:23 am:
" How many time can you liberal minded folks keep backing her up because you say we don't know the facts. The facts we do know are that they had no permit and she was told to leave and she hit him with a stick. Unruly + Running your mouth + hitting with stick= broken leg. "

 Rusty Shackleford wrote on August 27, 2007 10:24 am:
" Svoboda’s brother, Nick, said, “We are in no way implicating the Lincoln Police Department in this at all.” What an amazing grasp of the obvious. But what about GW Bush, trans-fats, and global warming...are they as innocent of this leg breaking as the Lincoln Police Department? "

 Glad to be gone wrote on August 27, 2007 10:25 am:
" Alex is very much a hero for standing up to a police force and government becoming more out of control every day. And you sheepish Lincolnites swallow up more of it every day. Laughable. "

 Free County? wrote on August 27, 2007 10:30 am:
" Hey Nathan H.: What country are you living in? If its USA, then please tell the rest of us about this truly free society that you live in. We have freedoms, yes, but nothing is free. Taxes pay for services, infrastructure, government, etc...and we all pay them... therefore, nothing is free. Everything has rules, regulations and laws. Society must have them or we'd have even more of a mess than we have right now. The bottom line in this is its an unfortunate incident where someone crossed the line. I don't know if it was the girl or the police, I wasn't there. You call her a hero. Ask someone that has been around a while, like your grandfather, the definition of a hero and see if she qualifies. "

 Darrell wrote on August 27, 2007 10:34 am:
" Follow police orders and you won't get your butt kicked! "

 Go, Alex!! wrote on August 27, 2007 10:40 am:
" I wish this family continued vocal support community support, strength and legitimate pride in their brave daughter. Be well "

 Brian in Lincoln wrote on August 27, 2007 11:26 am:
" When there are photos of people being arrested, there accounts from all involved that they did not have a permit, accounts from both sides that said they were told to move, and photos of Alexandra with a potential weapon in her hand and accounts of her failing to comply and resisting.....not too hard to make up our minds on this one. She learned a hard lesson, actually a few. Very few people care about what ever cause they were yipping about and if you are going to stand up for a cause, her right to do so, you may take some lumps in the process. I'd find a better hobby "

 Justin wrote on August 27, 2007 11:26 am:
" I went to the march yesterday. I listened to her family speak about all the work Alex has been involved with for peace & justice. I stood with wonderful people, in solidarity for a brave woman. I wish I could be more like Alex. More courageous. More compassionate. More bold. To be an activist these days is not an easy choice to make, living amongst a population where the majority seems to be all too comfortable, all too quick to judge & make light of horrific situations here & across the world. This message board proves that. I can only hope that in action, we can all work to be more like Alex, & others who have made the hard decisions to stand up for what is right & just. "

 Kim wrote on August 27, 2007 11:27 am:
" Did you SEE the picture of her leg??? And they were still handcuffing her??? Give me a break, people. Those were thugs not cops. You keep spouting off about how she deserved it, she shouldn't have been protesting, should have had a PERMIT TO PROTEST, she should have been a good girl and stayed home and kept her damn mouth shut. Do you honestly think any of these protestors DESERVED to be badly hurt for standing up and saying what they believe in? Were they harming anyone? How on earth can you justify this violence against a citizen? How can you sanction this type of violence from your own government? Perhaps I do understand it - this is OUR government and if the majority of people think its acceptable to hurt/control citizens in this manner then that's what we're all going to damn well get. "

 bobo wrote on August 27, 2007 11:37 am:
" You know it is really funny all these people who say how bad Communism when EVERYONE in this county supports it EVERYDAY. EVERYTHING you buy comes from China, a communist country. You complain that this girl was marching for the rights of a worker and then go shop at walmart. Hypocrites! WE SUPPORT COMMUNISM EVERYDAY ALL OF US! If you do not think that you do you are a fool. "

 Tired of Whining wrote on August 27, 2007 11:39 am:
" Ernie Johnson... well said. Secondly, anyone that thinks they live in a totally free society had better log off of their blog site, climb out of their basement, and actually take a look around without their perceived idealiology getting in the way. Fact of the matter is, our founding father's didn't even create a Democracy! They founded a Republic. Remember that the next time you want to burn your bra and interfere with other people's lives just to make a statement in a way that 99.2% of your "home town" doesn't even agree with. "

 Provoked wrote on August 27, 2007 11:40 am:
" I think what some are saying is the police provoke individuals into situations. Have seen it too many times attempting to throw power. Use to work around them, made me sick, leather gloves, skin heads and those sunglasses. Have seen police come up to quite individuals and begin harassment techniques and then who is uncontrolable??? Sorry I believe the police use excessive force about 75% of the time. Not saying she is a hero at all....just saying it was EXTREME. "

 NE Girl wrote on August 27, 2007 11:40 am:
" I take offence to all of these "hippie" comments. Just because someone is taking a stand for something they believe in does not make them a hippie. Sure, she is a girl, like me, who is trying to make a difference in a world where no one seems to care about the environment or equal treatment of people. There is nothing wrong with protesting. It only takes one person to make a difference. I feel proud to be a person like Alex, someone who is not afraid to fight, unlike the people who are making the comments about how bad it is to be different. "

 Dustin wrote on August 27, 2007 12:02 pm:
" Most of YOU are pulling at straws...believing everything the man in blue tells you, and believing your government when you know that they will lie to your face to get what they want...BUSH, WMD??? ring a bell...why are our troops in IRAQ?? Oh wait, yeah, you all bought into the lies, so sit and watch your televisions and believe everything they say. Heck, most of you think its okay that there is arsenic in our drinking water but the FDA says, well its okay, if its just a little... Wake up!!! "

 Doug B wrote on August 27, 2007 12:19 pm:
" I haven't followed this story very closely for many of the reasons cited above - let the facts come out in court and go from there. I've attended 'protest' rallies, beleive in free speech, freedom, etc. but all the publicity on this is wearing very thin and may rival Kent State unless LJS moves on. In my experience, if you follow the rules, obey authority and stay within the boundaries you fare just fine. Our community has bigger issues to confront than this incident. "

 TR wrote on August 27, 2007 12:19 pm:
" "Alex stands for peace and Justice"? Where was the license to march???? Peace? banging drum sticks in an officers face????? Peace & justice? not obeying an officer????? Hummm kinda a difference sort of peace and justice wouldn't you say???? Don't think I want any of her kind of peace and justice!!!! "

 Time, Place, Manner wrote on August 27, 2007 1:50 pm:
" For those who think there is an absolute freedom of speech and assembly in this country, not so fast. The Court has ruled that while you can say what you want, what you say and where you say it may be guided by the principle of the time, the place and the manner of the speech. For example, one can "protest" the war. However, if you do it at 2 a.m. while trespassing on a neighbor's lawn, that is a violation of the law even though one could argue that the officers are violating their freedom of assembly and speech. Or take, for example, the yelling of "Fire!" in a crowded theatre. Can you do that? Nope. That is why permits are issued for marches, which this group did not have allegedly. Hence, while they are free to say what they want, the where and when are different matters all together. "

 Mythoughts wrote on August 27, 2007 3:18 pm:
" not much support here...look elsewhere. Alex, dont fight the police and you wont get hurt. "

 Erin wrote on August 27, 2007 3:25 pm:
" If this is a non-story then I don't know what to call some of the other meaningless, stupid articles the LJS runs. Just because you don't agree doesn't mean it's a non-story. It surprises and disappoints me to hear how close-minded some Lincolnites are being about this issue. Whether this woman did wrong or not, pointing fingers and placing blame doesn't help the situation. And seriously, calling her a hippie makes you only sound ignorant. "

 Taking up Arms wrote on August 27, 2007 3:39 pm:
" This country is in a COLD CIVIL WAR. The blogs on this topic are proof to me. Won't be long and I'll have one of you Republican Religious Right Wingers in my sights. Dubya and company have succeeded in dividing this country like no other before him. Nice job. "

 Buffs Fan wrote on August 27, 2007 3:43 pm:
" Were the family members in Rhode Island when the gal assaulted the cops and resisted arrest? I wonder how they know the allegations are false. Of course, everyone tells the cops the truth and the cops are always wrong, until they are found guilty. Too bad she got hurt. I wonder if a cop would have been hurt if it would have received as much coverage. You don't like to see anyone get hurt but if you resist arrest, assault a police officer or 3 police officers, the odds are you are out of control and your actions will likely result in the police gaining control of the situation with tactics they are taught to handle someone out of control and you could be injured. What was her excuse for being so out of control at a peaceful protest? "

 Th wrote on August 27, 2007 3:48 pm:
" It's just fabulous how almost everyone here is willing to line up, salute, and say "sieg heil" to anyone in a uniform. Law and order without justice is the ideology of the police state, not a democracy. The men and women who fill the uniforms are just as susceptible to human failings as anyone else. We don't know enough facts yet to assign responsibility to anyone. And we won't until a neutral and credible third party comes forth with an account of what happened. My INITIAL impression from the photos on the Web is that excessive force was used by a few police officers. The only "weapons" this woman had were drumsticks, and unless they were timpani mallets, an assault resulting in a such severe injuries was unjustified. In fact, nothing alleged in the reports justifies the severity of the attack: not the lack of a permit, nor not moving quickly enough to get fully off the street onto the sidewalk, nor the fact that the IWW has socialists in its ranks. The fact that this was a march in support of labor rights also seems to go over the heads of most the writers here. Heck, we can just call the IWW commies and pretend we've said something worthwhile. But that's no surprise given Nebraska's longtime status as a "Right to Work (at minimum wage)" State. Organized workers are an essential counterbalance to increasingly centralized capital taking advantage of a pathologically "laissez-faire" economic environment brought to us by every U.S. administration since Reagan's (yes, Clinton too). We're reduced to the point where we have to pay the holders of capital with our taxes to come to our state and give us jobs. Alex Svoboda may not be a hero--we all know how overused that word is nowadays--but she was at the front of the line for worker's rights. The fact that it “wasn't her job” makes her participation all the more praiseworthy in my eyes. "

 Scott wrote on August 27, 2007 4:01 pm:
" I think some of the knee-jerk reactions shown on this page show the intent to oppress "hippies" and "communists" and anyone who doesn't fall in line. Well, we don't live in a police state, and you all have a right to question authority, whatever the government says. Accusations do not equal criminality. I think what really happened here did not reflect the intent to do harm to Alex, nor did Alex intend to resist arrest or any of the charges brought. I think she was forced to the ground by two men twice her size, while her lower leg was wedged against something the wrong way, resulting in tremendous damage to her leg. Everyone's so darn defensive and polarized in this country they can't see straight enough to admit this possibility. Why the police in North Providence overreacted to one protestor, and didn't get this takedown right are the only questions I have. Let's not blow this out of proportion. "

 vice_magnet wrote on August 27, 2007 4:08 pm:
" So, since Providence has about 180 thousand people, one could report that the sympathetic crowd of 200 represents less than 1% of the population. "

 pdl wrote on August 27, 2007 4:21 pm:
" First of all, I didn't see riot gear in ANY of the pictures. It looked like two patrolmen taking a defensive stance against a crowd of unknown size while their fellow officer handcuffed the woman. If demonstrating is such a rough activity where people get hurt, somebody should see that multiple camcorders or some other form of evidence is taken before,during, and after as proof of illegality or police brutality. All the pictures I have seen of Alex's arrest are after the fact....it's no suprise that 200 people came forward to support her. It's support based on the assumption that she is innocent, and we still don't know that for sure. "

 SCW wrote on August 27, 2007 4:29 pm:
" This story is a useless waste of bandwidth. Not because I allegedly 'don't agree' with it, but becuase it is simply an article about one person (who used to live here) who was injured as a result of her disobeying the law. The only means to validate this story's existence is to have the LJS report on EVERY single incident where a former Lincoln resident gets injured while living in a different state. ONLY THEN will this story have any validity. Do any of you think the LJS will start doing that? Why was this incident publicized so heavily? Why do they need to 'protest' her in Lincoln? Why don't they all get on a bus and ride to Rhode Island, and protest there. No one here in Lincoln cares beside her friends and family. If one of my family members or friends were to get injured, will the LJS print several days worth of articles about it? NO! Why would I want them to? Just more people with a 'LOOK AT ME' complex. Just because it happened to you, doesn't mean it's important. "

 Barry Walker wrote on August 27, 2007 4:43 pm:
" Like my great economics teacher Mr. Wudtke told me. TINSTAAFL-There is no such thing as a free lunch. Even though it may seem free to you, someone ends up paying the cost. "

 WTF wrote on August 27, 2007 4:47 pm:
" Reply to Tired of Whining: Maybe people need to learn the definition of a Democracy vs. a Republic. It is true that our founding fathers created a Republic. A Democracy and Republic, are not only dissimilar but antithetical, reflecting the sharp contrast between (a) The Majority Unlimited, in a Democracy, lacking any legal safeguard of the rights of The Individual and The Minority, and (b) The Majority Limited, in a Republic under a written Constitution safeguarding the rights of The Individual and The Minority. Please next time have an understanding of what you are talking about before you post. "

 Buddha wrote on August 27, 2007 5:38 pm:
" I just saw the picture on the homepage of Alex's leg. That is a horrible leg position. Yet the cops had to hold her down and cuff her because she was resisting? She probably was writhing in pain, not resisting. As someone who's seen this kind of injury in sports, I can tell you the person who's had this type of injury just don't lay down and cry their head off; they are writhing around on the ground, screaming in pain. The officers must have seriously mistook her actions for resisting arrest. What a shame they couldn't notice they hurt the heck out of her! "

 I don't get it wrote on August 27, 2007 6:55 pm:
" Of all the critically important things happening around our state and with our country these days, why does LJS think the story about this dizzy broad getting whckced during a RHODE ISLAND riot is news? She has to be the niece or daughter or something of an owner of the paper or something. We have people getting shot and killed in Omaha every day and one of the worst water crisis in the history of the state going on. This is journalistic trash. Let it go. "

 Ironic wrote on August 27, 2007 8:09 pm:
" Alex's parents, & I quote, "took pains to follow the law while marching." Thank you Alex's parents for protesting & making your points known in a manner that follows the laws!!!! A somewhat large crowd gathered & speeches were made & wow, no police were needed!!!! The next time Alex is involved in a protest, I hope she follows their example. "

 freedomandjustice wrote on August 27, 2007 8:24 pm:
" police have no right to be the judge and jury...but are able to take away at any instance a persons rights without review... and then stack on bogus charges so that the town and it's corrupt officials can all make a buck...this happens everywhere in America, everyday...it is the common plague that has infested all police departments...thank you patriot act....the world DOES NOT need more police "

 suzi wrote on August 27, 2007 8:59 pm:
" As per usual, the midwestern mindset has lost the story behind the story. I am disappointed in Americans who condemn others for taking a stand against sweatshop working conditions. Or did you even know that part? Alex is a lovely young women who was courageous enough to say she has seen enough of people turning a blind eye to the real reason we have discounts on already low quality products, in this low quaility loving country. It's like, the more stuff we can have the better we feel about ourselves (materialistic ego). Stop feeding the need to have "stuff" and start caring about others and the earth on which we live. The police officers used excessive force for which they should be held accountable. But then there's that ego problem again. Get well, Alex. "

 Scott wrote on August 27, 2007 9:03 pm:
" Geeze, listening to all you hacks make me surprised that none of you are saying that the police should've shot her. My God! Disobedience of the law does not justify police brutality. "

 Eric The Red wrote on August 27, 2007 9:22 pm:
" Scott... civil disobedience is peaceful. According to the stories, these people were neither peaceful nor civil. It's simple. When a police officer tells you to do something, you do it. What part of that do you not understand? And you have a problem with calling her a communist? She is associating and marching with communists. What would you call her? Curious? "

 whatever wrote on August 27, 2007 9:32 pm:
" Portraying things as a "midwestern mindset" as some posters have done demonstrates a particularly limited view of the world. Some of these reactions here aren't limited to those in the midwest. I wish people would take the time to study their history, especially the settlement of the great plains up to just after WW I. To do a proper study one must also study European history of the same era. Once one has done that one can better appreciate where certain points of view are coming from. Until then mindless rants about the "midwest mindset" offer nothing to the debate, actually one could make the argument that statements such as that are inherently bigoted and hateful given the political climate of today. Something to think about folks. "

 41 Shots wrote on August 27, 2007 9:36 pm:
" People HAVE been shot for doing much less threatening things because they did not comply with police officers orders. See Amadou Diallo. If you do not do exactly what an officer says, you may be injured or killed if the officer feels threatened. I certainly feel compassion for Ms. Svoboda, but I don't think the officers should be second-guessed if they felt threatened in the slightest. "

 NL wrote on August 27, 2007 9:43 pm:
" There are two sides to this story. Again, taken from a Rhode Island newspaper: The protesters claim Svoboda is the victim of police brutality, and was jumped by the police merely because she was in the front of the march. Local IWW organizer Mark Bray, 29, of Providence, said yesterday that Svoboda was hurt when two police officers “grabbed her, one on either side” and one officer performed a “judo-like move” in which he “used his leg, swung it around her leg, and hurled her forward” onto the ground. “It was a trip move similar to what you see, I imagine, in certain martial-arts training or police training,” Bray said, in an interview after the protest. “Her knee had no place to go behind her leg.” The officer then “kneeled down to cuff her and even put weight on her leg,” Bray said, adding, “we have photos,” which have not yet been released publicly. The police claim Svoboda pushed an officer, swung a set of drumsticks at other officers when they tried to arrest her, then was hurt when demonstrators tried to pull her away from the police and the officers took her “down to the ground” out of concern for their own safety. Deputy Police Chief Paul Marino and Mayor Charles Lombardi have said they don’t believe officers did anything wrong. So which is it, I myself, wonder why the police would just attack an innocent girl in the front of the crowd, knowing it would become an issue and incite the crowd. It's quite possible, playing tug of war is what did the damage. Anyway, promise of photos to come might shed more light on this. "

 JK wrote on August 27, 2007 11:15 pm:
" One of LJS articles said her parents taught her to question authority. Funny, but on the "Wife/Swap" show tonight, the parents with "do their own thing" kids said, they taught their kids to "question authority." That seems to be what parents teach their kids today even from toddlers. Not what I was taught. I was taught to obey authority. So if you teach them to question authority, your teaching them NO respect for anything or anyone! Good grief, even dogs are taught to obey their authority! "

 Prediction wrote on August 27, 2007 11:18 pm:
" I predict that the LJS will do what it didn't even do for JFK when he was assassinated, which is to create a permanent special section for the paper. This section will be the Alex Svoboda Knee Injury Section. We will be able to read many, many stories about only Alex every single day, for the rest of our lives. Our descendents will be reading new takes on the fossilized Alex Svoboda knee injury episode hundreds of years from now. There will be a colony on Mars, named the Alex Svoboda Drumstick Courage Memorial Mars Colony. "

 How sad wrote on August 27, 2007 11:49 pm:
" I seriously doubt any of the folks posting here were there at the protest, nor know anything more of the situation than "scanning" this and the other LJS articles. Yet, they are perfectly willing to assign guilt and innocence. They feel they are justified in calling a young woman's severe injuries as "deserved" because they believe they can label her as a "law breaker", a "communist", or a "hippie". It must be gratifying to be able to take such limited information and arrive at such definitive conclusions. Perhaps some day you'll have the good fortune to be judged in the same manner. "

 Ian wrote on August 28, 2007 12:37 am:
" I just think it's weird that people who are calling themselves "Republicans" wouldn't stand up for this woman. Just think about the basic tenants of your religion, err, ummm, political party. Oh that's right, all you care about is hating on gays, blacks, hispanics and young people. As someone who would consider themself a true republican, I am ashamed of you. I only vote democrat because they have less of a stronghold here in 'Jesusland'. "

 What???? wrote on August 28, 2007 6:13 am:
" So now we're going to run this story into the ground. This is only ONE incident in HUNDREDS that happen on a day to day basis. And that's JUST in Lincoln alone. Let's worry about what's happening in THIS town before we start sweating what' s going on 1500 miles away. If her family is SO concerned then they ahould be THERE doing the complaining and not here. We have bigger things to worry about than someone who was in a protest in Rhode Island................ "

 no hero to me wrote on August 28, 2007 8:30 am:
" The men and women who fight for our country via our military are heros to me. Alex is grandstanding, disrespectful and basicly spitting in the eye of everything our soldiers are doing by accepting the term of "hero" to discribe her horrible actions. "

 It is Important wrote on August 28, 2007 10:54 am:
" This is an important story and it is an important discussion. By the amount of comments posted here - many people have read this and have probably come away with much food for thought. You can't control someone else's opinion but there is no harm in adding your input and taking someone else's. "

 Tomer wrote on August 28, 2007 11:26 am:
" A little perspective is in order: Workers in NYC were making around $300 - $500 a week working 70 - 100 hours a week. No minimum wage no overtime. That was the first law broken In response to illegal action by emplyers members of the IWW were supporting thier brothers and sisters and calling on clients of the employer to cut off relations. In response the police attacked protestors and broke alex's leg. This is the 2nd law broken. why is the employer not being prosecuted? Protesting in the street has no victim untill the police made Alex a victim of police brutality. How about the workers, victims of expliotation, lets see someone prosecute employers for not following the laws of this country. "

 Dano asks and wrote on August 28, 2007 11:34 am:
" Can we get rid of this story already? Only their friend and family think this matters here. The only palce this matters is in the courts in RI. This is stupid. "

 Chomper wrote on August 28, 2007 11:37 am:
" If she dresses anything like her brother you can bet she is rebelious. Seems like the parents should take a look on how these kids were raised. From the looks of her brother i bet the parents didnt have much to do with there social lifes. Hey brother if your going to rally look professional. "

 P-Phunk wrote on August 28, 2007 12:56 pm:
" I love how most of you are posting that she's a Commie and a Liberal and then claiming "this is not news!" well...75+ comments on the story say otherwise. If its not news to you, why waste your time commenting on it? Is it because you feel so small about yourself you feel you need to pass judgement on this girl you've never met, nor will you ever truly know? More than likely thats the case. Here in Nebraska, we have this little problem of thinking we are so righteous, whether its our alleged work ethic or our football team, no one rates above us. When in all reality, you know that this state is nowhere near the top in terms of importance, so you feel the need to drag everyone else down with your percieved moral superiority. Remember though, customers drive the media. If this story didn't generate tons of comments every time something was posted about it, then they would quit writing about it. Simple as that. But even if you're just commenting to claim "its not news"...you had to read the article...therefore you are doing exactly what they want you to do. Maybe step off your high horse and try to accomplish something in your own life. It will feel fantastic. I guarantee you. By the way, I AM a Republican. "

 Travis wrote on August 28, 2007 1:08 pm:
" Thank you "No Hero To Me" - I couldn't put it better. "

 Alex started wrote on August 28, 2007 3:42 pm:
" out protesting a food distributor's labor practices in New York. That's admirable. That's commendable. I'm glad she took a stand. Not very many people would do that. Now, it's all about Alex, Alex, Alex & nothing at all is being said about the food distributor. Did the workers even care that there was a protest on their behalf? If so, are they backing her up? Haven't heard or seen anything about that. Was wondering if anyone else has. "

 Not a treehugger wrote on August 28, 2007 10:30 pm:
" Oh Alex, simply follow the laws and all is well. I think after all of this you should end up paying the legal fees that will be occured by their local officials. "

 no communism wrote on August 31, 2007 1:59 pm:
" First of all, Alex is 6 feet tall, not a small woman. 2nd, there was a complete series of photos that her buddies took but all they posted on the net were the ones before and after the attack...if she didn't do anything wrong, where are the ones that prove it? "

 Paul Kyler Jr wrote on September 5, 2007 1:58 am:
" It is apparent from a few of the posts here that cop loyalty to other cops crosses state boundries. Eventually if we as a citizenry are to remain free with our liberties intact, the citizens are going to have to rein in the militarization and gang mentality (all cops have the same shaved heads) of municipal and state police departments. It is sickening the way cops and cop supporters are posting here in such ridiculous and confrontational ways. I will not give any additional benefit of the doubt to men and women who are granted arms. The benefit of the doubt you get is the right to carry a deadly weapon. Asking for more than that is pathetic and weak. "

 Agree with Glad to be gone wrote on September 5, 2007 8:36 pm:
" The small minded and mean spririted postings about Alex and her condition are what make me glad I am no longer living in Lincoln. We don't know all of the facts, but if you have seen a picture of the incident , Alex is clearly a victim of police brutality. There is no reason for the police to have injured her in this manner. The lack of compassion exhibited here is staggering. I guess it easy to judge when it is not your own child, but as a parent I can't believe anyone would feel that she "got what she deserved". "

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