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united states

31.May.2004 15:32

human & civil rights | imperialism & war

Direct Action at Local Armed Forces Recruiting Center!

author: Carl Williams

BOSTON- 5/26/04- A group of people got together to do an action at the Tremont St Armed Forces Career Center (AFCC) in Boston. JP and CW met NF and JM at the location. (11:00 am) JP donned a black hood, a loosing fitting black shawl, sandals and two black cords hanging from his hands. He was standing on top of a plastic milk crate. (11:25 am)
This was a visual approximation of the infamous torture photos from Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison.

Photos of army recruiting action and arrest After standing in front of the Armed Forces Career Center for about 10 minutes someone came out to talk to us about the action. (11:35 am) The man that spoke with us was quite angry. He made several statements such as: (11:40 am)
"Hey, you need to go away." , "You should go." , and "This is federal property... You are damn right... in front of the building."

"This is a public building, it is federal property." The protestor responded.

"I will call the police, don't worry about it." During this exchange the man grabbed JP by his shoulder in an attempt to remove him. This incident was clearly videotaped. The man seemed to discontinue his actions when he became aware that he was being videotaped. Just as the man went back into the AFCC, SP arrived. (12:00 noon) At one point someone who seemed to be in the employ of the AFCC came out with a Poloroid instant Camera and took a picture of the action from the door. (just after noon)

Several law enforcement officials (Park Rangers, State Police, and MBTA Police) passed by the event. None of these people took any note of the event as being offensive or terribly disturbing. None of the law enforcement officials talked to or questioned any of the individuals involved in the action.

Photos of army recruiting action and arrest Also during this time an individual inside the AFCC pointed to JM, who was taking photographs and made a fist and clearly mouthed the words "I am going to fuck you up". While doing this he pointed at his fist and pointed at JM.

A Boston Police cruiser arrived in front of the Military Career Center. Some short time later another cruiser arrived and then a third. For at least twenty minutes, perhaps more, the officers who arrived in the cruisers said nothing. They did not question or ask individuals to move along. They seemed to assume a posture of 'wait and see'. (12:30 pm) That was all dispelled when a ranking Boston police officer (lieutenant?) arrived. He entered the AFCC with at least two, possibly more, Boston Police officers. After a brief time inside (10 mins?) they exited the building and along with other Boston Police officers started to clear the sidewalk of onlookers who had gathered to watch the action and response. They started taping off the area with yellow "police line" tape. When this started CW approached JP (who could not see due to the black hood over his head). CW asked JP if he wanted to leave the area, CW further suggested that it might be a good idea at the time considering the attitude of the police. JP stepped down from the milk crate and removed the shawl and the hood. As he started to walk away, two Boston Police hurried over to prevent JP from leaving and separated him from his fellow activists. (12:40 pm)

JP was not handcuffed. He was questioned at length. Sometime during this a Black Boston Police van arrived. Someone of the onlookers mentioned that this was the "Bomb Squab". No one from the "Bomb Squad" immediately inspected JP. At one point one of the black clad "Bomb Squad" officers casually looked at the shawl JP had been wearing and then picked up one of the cords and turned it in his hands for 2 or 3 seconds before tossing it to the ground.

Photos of army recruiting action and arrest Soon afterwards, JP was handcuffed and arrested. He was placed into an Area A-1 Boston Police Cruiser. Boston Police repeatedly refused to respond to NF and JP when they asked what JP was being arrested for. And one must mention that it seemed at the time the Boston Police didn't know why they were arresting JP themselves. The police cruiser drove off with JP in it, presumably to Area A-1 holding. (12:55 pm) Boston Police approached the remaining activists, SP, CW, NF and JM. All of these people were made to give ID to the police. (1:00 pm) CW remarked,

"I am aware that I do not have to give you my ID, but I am going to anyway. I am sure you are aware of this as well."

To which the officer replied, "I am aware of that." Then one-by-one all of the activists were questioned by a rather large and tattooed Boston Police officer. CW was asked "How tall are you?", "What do you weigh?", "What do you do for a living?", and "Where do you go to school?" The last question CW refused to answer by stating, "I do not have to answer your questions, I want a lawyer present." With this statement the tattooed officer became visibly upset and began to raise his voice.

When SP was questioned, the police officer asked for her social security number. She asked, "Why do you need that information?" The officer did not answer the question but repeated the question. SP gave him her SS number. He asked her "What is your work?" She replied: "I am a volunteer. I don't get paid for my work." He said: "What do you do?" "I work at a soup kitchen," she replied. He asked: "So how do you make your money?" SP replied: "I don't see how any of this is relevant." He repeated the question. SP answered that she had money saved from college jobs. When the officer finished questioning her, she started walking away and one of the remaining officers also questioned her. "So how do you know these guys? What group are you with?" SP replied: "We are friends." "Yea but how did you meet each other?" SP replied: "I met JP at school." "What about the rest?" "We are just friends," she replied.

After questioning them, SP, CW, NF and JM were allowed to leave. The 4 activists left the scene and went to the office of the National Lawyers Guild. After several calls CW found out that JP was being held at Area A-1. While on the phone an officer at Area A-1 said that JP was going to be taken to Boston Municipal Court to be arraigned. Several activists went to the court to see the arraignment. With the help of a friendly public defender they found out that JP was not at the courthouse but at Area A-1. (between 1 and 3:30 pm)

CW, NF, SP and NP then went to Area A-1 to see if JP wanted to be bailed out. Upon arrival CW asked the Desk Officer if JP was in holding and if the desk officer could ask JP if he wanted bail. (4:00 pm) While the desk officer was checking with JP about the bail, a Boston Police officer asked CW

"Was he [referring to JP] the one over there at the military center?"

"Yes." CW replied

"Well you know those Marines and the Navy there shudda' came outta' the office and beat the shit out of him."

"Umm, wouldn't that be like assault?" CW asked.

"I don't give a shit. Look I just got back from the Air Force Reserves and ... look ... grrrr ... assholes!"

"I think he (JP) just got back from the Middle East."

The Officer then said: "Yea, I don't care ... .ggggggrrr... scum!" (around 4 pm)

The desk officer returned and told the activists that JP didn't want to be bailed out. It is assumed that JP was making a statement of solidarity with poor and oppressed people.

JP, full name Joe Privetera, has since been charged with a felony for exercising his freedom of speech.

See: "Arrest, felony charges for protester at Boston military recruiter" at this link: A href="

http://boston.indymedia.org/newswire/display/21879/index.php

contribute to this article

awesome

31.May.2004 17:09

required

link

that is a great idea. the military recruiters bothers folks at schools all the time; perhaps its time to go bother them a bit. And "Military recruiter sends protester to hospital" sounds like a great headline to me, especially if the protester is "16 year old high school student" or something.

peace.

Nice job!

31.May.2004 18:50

GI Joe

link

Nicely done! So what is the current fate of JP? You'll have to keep us posted. It was mentioned that he will be charged with a felony... and which felony crime will they charge him with I wonder? It was also reported that the bomb squad eventually arrived on the scene, perhaps the felony charge will be related to that. It could be argued that JP appeared as though he was wired, thus he would have the appearance of a possible threat. All in all, this was a good stunt, save for the wires, I think that's what got him into trouble... Those considering this type of activity in the future should not include anything even remotely resembling a weapon or any other prop that could be construed as a threat. Good luck to JP.

joe

aargh

31.May.2004 19:14

aargh- as in not a pirate- or a punk thankyouverymuck

link

Direct action my ass. It's called civil disobediance. Co-opting terms erodes support for other forms of action that have thier place in a diversity of tactics. This can and does mean that social support for flesh and blood people is eroded by shifting the percieved middle to the exclusion of direct action. I am sick and tired of listining to passafist shit heads say shit like "I'll only support tre if he didn't do it." Thank's for contributing to this betrayal of the every day person that's driven to act.

J.P. A true Patriot

31.May.2004 19:23

Good Going...Great Statement Made

link

J.T. You are indeed a brave young man who stands up for the values of true patriotism. May your quest turn out valiantly. You certainly will inspire many who will read about your great visual action. May God Bless You and keep you safe.

different angle

01.Jun.2004 23:50

eastside

link

i think this protest was in bad taste. it was only a small handfull of people who participated in the prisoner scandal. do these protestors forget that these people in service put their lives on the line for their freedoms? it was disrespectful, and their point was what? the whole armed forces are responsible? it is offensive to have this scandal in our nations services, but it is completley offensive to have a total lack of respect for the honest devoted american soldiers throughout our nations history. i think their intent was good however grotesquely misdirected.
peace!

to eastside

02.Jun.2004 14:23

zero_sum0g

link

eastside: you said:
"do these protestors forget that these people in service put their lives on the line for their freedoms?"

The freedom to be beaten by riot cops for standing in the street with an anti-war sign? How ironic.

With all due respect, please remind me, how was Iraq threating our freedoms? IIRC, every one of our military attacks on sovereign nations since WWII have been utterly unprovoked. The aims of the radical terrorists/militants who have spoken of their motives, are to REMOVE US military occupiers and permanent bases from their countries. Explain to me how the current official strategy of escalation and aggression is likely to solve this? I'm curious.

Hummm....

03.Jun.2004 10:05

Hmmm...

link

Good idea, wrong place to do it. We know already that almost anyone, good or bad, are capable of doing terrible things if certain conditions exist (Prison experiment, Abu Ghraib, many mobs, high school bullying and so many others). The best way to stop these terrible things from happening is to reinforce the outrage of **everybody**. Doing it outside the AFRC just allows everyone to go into comfortable "us and them" mode. If you really wanted to get ambitious, invite people from the armed forces, or family of them, and have a demonstration with people from all sides that says "never again" regarding the torture.

Going to Iraq was stupid and senseless, but many people went over there with the best of intentions. There are stories of army units who have forged great relations with communities, and then there horror stories. You don't have to agree that going to Iraq was just. You just have to agree that torture is not acceptable under any circumstances.

The Pretenders

05.Jun.2004 09:34

Vietnam Vet's kid with a memory

link

This article got me remembering about the TWO CASES of recruiting officers in Riverside County being accused of raping females interested in their offers. I considered it just a 'little personal breaking in ceremony', the females protested that ceremony however.

I personally think this was a very creative and constructive expression-boy how these dead meats hate creative, thought-full, non-violent Americans who have eyes that see and the courage to protest, forcing other's to open up their eyes. Too bad most taking up space recognize their own kind, or are on the TAXPAID DOLE THEIRSELVES and are disgusted (frightened)by those with the guts to relay what they know and see and put theirselves right out in the open for all others to take notice of. I hope they all sue the shit out of the PD and the city's who allow the anti-American activities shown by these political protest arrests.

For all of you anti-life Anti-Americans who like to pretend to yourselves and demand (by force) that others pretend along with you that enlisting in the military is for doing good works-just remember the shunning (...baby killers, drug addicts...) of the returning military from that other illegal and unjust invasion, Vietnam, was based on your own actions and behaviors.

I hope there won't be a draft like during Vietnam-those were innocent kids who were drafted and didn't even have the RIGHT OF THE VOTE then. If that monstrous mis-step that did make the billionaires more billions-and decimated both the people of Vietnam and the American generation who were FORCED TO 'SERVE'- had any good come out of it at all- was the right for ones targeted for involuntary servitude TO AT LEAST BE ABLE TO VOTE!

Shame on all of you warmongers who pretend that you are interested in the military to do good for the countries that you 'just following orders' are invading and decimating.

During the Vietnam era it was also totally common for the local police to be called PIGS, based also on their own gung-ho actions of using violence against the people who pay them to PROTECT AND SERVE. I don't recall any actions then and there won't be now for these public employees who harm others in the course of "doing their jobs".

This country has always had radical propoganda to refer to cops, soldiers and fire departments (all uniformed TAXPAID PUBLIC EMPLOYEES) as heroes, pretty bizarre when you see or remember these uniformed ones blasting protestors with fire hoses, chasing down and beating demonstrators and killing inncocent unarmed fellow Americans-Kent State, Ruby Ridge, Waco anyone? We are all doomed for history to repeat for those fuckwits who refuse to remember it.

Fuck you creeps, I will never support anyone that I know is committing crimes against humanity, the United States Constitution and the entire planet. I hope all of you monsters are called on your anti-life actions and go to prison for them versus being welcomed back in society and using the tactics you have been trained for against the American populace in the guise of the police departments.

wheres the help this dude fund

05.Jun.2004 21:16

link

this dudes action is far more valiant than snatching some bolt cutters!

When talking to pigz....

07.Jun.2004 14:16

Moss

link

I don't mean to knock their protest(it's a great idea!) and I'm sure this was their first solo act, however the above story is a classic example of what not to do when confronted by pigz. NEVER, ever answer pigz' questions. If you plan to do a protest always know your legal rights and make sure that those working with you know their legal rights WELL. You have the right to remain silent. Take full advantage of it. They will most likely take you and try to process you. But a couple hours in a cell beats the heck out of YEARS of harassment, possible jail time, secret bad marks on your record, etc. Also contrary to popular belief, you can refuse to give your name, finger prints, photo, etc. without a group of people with you doing the same. I have done it with just 2 people and came out quite a bit bruised but anonymous. It forces them to evaluate just how far they are willing to go and how much resources they are willing to piss away just to get you on some petty charge. Most often they'll just choose to dump you off somewhere. The alternative would be that they would have you on their records and they would have additional info to stalk you with. Yes, they do stalk you to see who you hang out with, where you go, what you buy, etc. and then they exagerrate what they saw. They call your work, school, family, etc. It's mostly about intimidating you into silence, justifying their usefulness, and possibly looking for the perfect frame-up for you. Don't believe they have and will continue to do all that? Look at the records from 70s & 80s which were exposed last year about all of the local Portland activists. Listed as under surveilance were, Lloyd Marbet, Bicycle Repair Collective, Denise Jacobson, Ghandi World Peace University, New Day School, Women's Rape Crisis Line, People's Food Co-Op, Metro Cafe Collective, ACLU, Vera Katz, American Foundation For The Handicapped, Oregon Voter Registration Project, Sisters Of The Road Cafe, Radical Women, plus literally hundreds more just as ludicrous. Look at their new budget and agency. Homeland security can do alot and has to in order to justify keeping that same budget next year and the year after that. We all have to be very careful. Odds are, your being surveilled. Don't make it easy or legal for them to do so. Make them have to jump through hoops to get your info. If they want it bad enough, well they'll get it, but the harder you make it the more you'll have to throw back at them should you ever find yourself framed. Also, They'll have to evaluate how important you are to them as to whether they are willing to put out the resources or not. There's no such thing as safe activism. We must all be cautious(still very active!) and have eachother's backs.

I'll look for a link to the article and post it later.

5 minutes of fame

07.Jun.2004 16:00

matt

link

i wonder how JP would like it if a terrorist captured him. if he made it out alive and got back to the U.S., think he would do this again? highly unlikely. or maybe if one of their own relatives were murdered like berg for the whole world to see.. think they would have still done this? doubt it. remember, pearl was murdered BEFORE the prison scandal. sure, its their right to speak out.. also my right to think what they did was offensive to the U.S. and our military.

Links

07.Jun.2004 16:17

Moss

link

Here's the links to articles about the exposed files:

http://portlandtribune.com/archold.cgi?id=13722

http://portlandtribune.com/archold.cgi?id=14024

http://portlandtribune.com/archold.cgi?id=13723

http://portlandtribune.com/archold.cgi?id=13692

http://portlandtribune.com/listdocs.shtml

http://portlandtribune.com/archold.cgi?id=C1001

http://portlandtribune.com/archold.cgi?id=13896

http://portlandtribune.com/archold.cgi?id=13616

http://portlandtribune.com/archold.cgi?id=13916

http://portlandtribune.com/archold.cgi?id=13970

http://portlandtribune.com/archold.cgi?id=14013

Very, very interesting stuff....

Moss, you hit it right on the head

07.Jun.2004 17:07

PPBCopwatcher

PPBCopwatcher@yahoo.com

link

Moss, right on. You hit it right on the head. It is imperative that we know our rights. NEVER provide your information to a cop unless they have told you they are going to cite you or you are under arrest. AND even then, you are only required to tell them your name, dob, and address. NEVER give the police your SS#.

As a retired police officer, I am continually appalled at what I see police doing all over the country with respect to protestors. The fact that they charged this young man with felony bomb charges is completely outrageous. Anyone can clearly see he is protesting, and not a threat to anybody.

He CAN press charges against the military guy who grabbed him, and if there is video footage of it, then he should definitely pursue this, as well as a civil lawsuit.

same protest, no arrest in nashville

08.Jun.2004 19:00

similar protest

link

similar protest in tennessee on may 18 didn't result in arrest....

http://www.tnimc.org/feature/display/2078

http://boston.indymedia.org/newswire/display/21845/index.php#quickcomment