For Immediate Release Contact: Chris Blankenhorn, (217) 487-4948, OccupySpringfieldIL@gmail.com
Press Release
Occupy Midwest Encampment Violently Disbanded by St. Louis Police
As Occupiers from Around the Midwest Disbanded Their Occupy the Midwest Summit Encampment, the St. Louis Police Violently Assault the Peaceful Protesters
(March 15, 2012, Springfield, IL) – “As Occupiers from across the Midwest gathered for the beginning of an Occupy the Midwest Summit in the city of St. Louis, the St. Louis Police Department engaged in unprovoked violence against the peaceful protesters. There is no excuse for state power to violently assault a non-violent gathering of citizens. Such draconian measures show that those in power will use any means necessary to enforce control and submission. Throughout the history of the Occupy Movement the state has tried to use violence to suppress our constitutional right to assemble in public space and voice our grievances. Time and time again we have been beaten, tear-gassed, tazed. And time and time again we have stood strong and committed. We cannot be beaten down, we cannot be silenced. Every time we have returned stronger than before, more committed than before. Occupy Springfield, IL denounces the St. Louis Police Department’s use of violence, and calls for those responsible for the assault of peaceful US citizens to be held responsible for their actions. In times of strife our bonds grow stronger. The power to bring about a better future exists within us all.”
Below is the Occupy the Midwest Press Release from 11:45pm on March 15th, 2012.
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For Immediate Release
March 15, 2012 11:15p.m.
Occupy the Midwest //Occupythemidwest.org//
@occupymidwest
Contact:
Occupy the Midwest: (314) 827-5048, occupythemidwest.press@gmail.com
Rachael Perrotta, Occupy Chicago: 314-596-2285, plusssone@gmail.com
Cathy de la Aguilera, Occupy St. Louis: cathy@organizemo.org
St. Louis Authorities Violently Disband Occupy the Midwest Encampment at Compton Hill Reservoir Park
At Least Twelve Arrested
(SAINT LOUIS) As protesters disbanded their camp at Compton Heights Reservoir, dozens of St. Louis police used pepper spray and violent tactics on the crowd of around 150. Twelve were arrested, several visibly bloodied.
Occupiers from around the region streamed into St. Louis today, gathering in Kiener Plaza.
“City officials had indicated that park curfew would be enforced, but the actions taken tonight were unprovoked and without warning,” said AJ Segneri, one of the summit organizers. “Tonight’s shameful actions by the City of St. Louis should be a wake up call around the region.”
The Occupy the Midwest Regional Conference will take place March 15th-18th in St. Louis, MO. The week of action has been endorsed by 18 Occupations, with participants converging to participate in actions, share skills, and form a network with which to coordinate regional and national demonstrations and campaigns.
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One Response to “Press Release: Occupy Midwest Emcampment Violently Disbanded by STLPD”
on March 19th, 2012 at 2:26 pm #
[...] didn’t care to hear it, and traveled two hours to be there. He wrote an Occupy Springfield, IL press release responding to Thursday night’s violence that was quoted in the Huffington Post, and is one of the [...]