Note: This is a press release from anonops@cyber-rights.net not a report by WL Central. WL Central does not condone or condemn this action.
On September 17, 2011 approximately 15,000 peaceful demonstrators in dozens of cities around the USA gathered, marched - and occupied public space to protest the unjust policies of the US government and the corruption in our financial institutions. The central protest site was in the financial district of New York City, where peaceful protesters faced phalanxes of heavily armed paramilitary police officers from local and federal jurisdictions. The arrests began almost immediately, many for violating the 1845 so called "mask" laws.
Later that day, and according to plan - many of these protests ended with a peaceful occupation of public space. Again, the central occupation occurred in NYC. More arrests continued to take place. All of this was expected, it is part of progressive activism. Anonymous was content to challenge these "mask" laws in court. Not only is the Guy Fawkes mask covered under freedom expression as a symbol of our movement, but we believe that everyone has a right to protest anonymously using bandanas, masks - etc.
But then on Tuesday - September 20, 2011 everything changed in a flash of police instigated violence. As rain began to fall on the NYC encampment, heavily armed police moved in; Removing tarps used to cover media equipment, arresting independent journalists, confiscating media equipment - and using excessive force against and arresting innocent peaceful protesters, several of whom were abused and injured.
This year, we heard President Barack Obama and Secretary Hillary Clinton say over and over in country after country from the Balkans through the mid-east to Africa that the right to peacefully protest and occupy public space is a right that MUST be respected in every instance. And they are correct, and this also applies to the USA. In fact, even more so. In the USA of all countries in the world, the police should have been deployed to PROTECT the protesters - not a giant brass bull that is the ultimate symbol of greed and corruption in the United States. And yet we were treated to the grotesque picture of dozens of armored police surrounding this brass bull, while thousands more police were deployed solely to harass, arrest - and abuse peaceful protesters.
Anonymous & the other cyber liberation groups around the world together with all the freedom loving people in the USA will NOT stand for this. We will peacefully yet forcefully resist the abuses of the NYC Police Department. And so Anonymous announces a nationwide "Day Of Vengence" to take place in dozens of cities across the USA on Saturday - September 24, 2011 at High Noon.
In coordination with these protests across the USA on September 24th, Anonymous and other cyber liberation groups will launch a series of cyber attacks against various targets including Wall Street, Corrupt Banking Institutions - and the NYC Police Department. We encourage the media to follow the Twitter feed @PLF2012 for ongoing reports throughout the day.
We Are Anonymous - We Are Everywhere - We Are Legion - We Never Forget - We Never Forgive
EXPECT US -- Anonymous
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New York
So far all is good on WallStreet. The protestors are doing a good job and their credibility grows. I was pleased to see a 'Wikileaks' van in a photo.
I previously missidentified the Mayor of New York as Gulliani when of course the current Mayor is Mr. Bloomberg, which possibly explains the restraint of the police, who have also been doing quite well.
Armchair activists everywhere are aware that it will not be possible to have a meaningful win through violence (if that were even possible). All violence ever achieves is destruction and further loss of freedoms.
Anonymous
I posted this to Allison Killkenny’s report at The Nation, yesterday. I have nothing to add. Readers are not stupid! Keep your reports honest or you will get no support from people like me.
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. posted by: Paul_Repstock at 09/21/2011 @ 11:53am
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People should be honest in their reporting. The crime here is in denying the right to peacefull assembly and protest. From what I've seen, the police have not been acting savagely or brutally. They are doing what they are told to do by their superiors in a muted and professional manner. I'm certain that Mayor Gulliani and the uber thugs have a heavy force of roit squads nearby, sofar they have not been used. Let us hope that they continue to be kept away. A repeat of Toronto G20 protest response would not be good.
Police are a necessary part of society even if it is changing. Do not inflame sentiment against those who are doing their jobs to the best of their abilities.
http://freecanada.wordpress.com/a-message-for-the-police/
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This movement and these protests are legitimate and 'legal'. If the participants have the moral courage to persist in this fashion the people of the United States will gain confidence and respect.