War protesters not too thrilled about their night in S.F. jail

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 3/22/03 | Henry Lee

[GSWarrior]

Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writer Saturday, March 22, 2003

War protesters not too thrilled about their night in S.F. jail
They say police were rude, food and bedding inadequate

Anti-war protesters emerged tired, hungry and, in some cases, tearful Friday after being held overnight in a San Francisco jail.

They weren't exactly treated like royalty but said they would be willing to get arrested again.

Most of the 1,400 demonstrators arrested by police Thursday were cited and released either later in the day or Friday on misdemeanors, including blocking traffic, unlawful assembly and disturbing the peace.

Five people arrested on Thursday and one on Friday face felony charges, most of which involve battery on a police officer. They will be arraigned Tuesday.

"Our interest is to distinguish between those (who) practice civil disobedience and those intent on violence and destruction. The latter will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," said Mark MacNamara, spokesman for District Attorney Terence Hallinan.

Among those facing felony charges is Asaf Achitoov, 34, of San Francisco, who allegedly threw bottles at police on horseback at Powell and Market streets, and Mink Kim, who grabbed another protester in a bear hug near Van Ness Avenue and Fell Street in an attempt to thwart an arrest of that man, police said.

Ian Walker, 39, of San Francisco was arrested for allegedly grabbing an officer's billy club near Fourth and Market streets, prompting police to hit him with batons.

Those who were released Friday whooped it up as they reunited with their friends outside San Francisco County Jail on Seventh Street. A group of women hugged and cried. Many declined to give their real names as they ate hot cereal and drank tea provided by supporters.

"I'm free -- no charges, no papers. Bonjour, mon ami!" exclaimed one man in a bright yellow sweatshirt.

Protesters were less pleased about how they had been forced to spend the night.

"We understand that we were not on vacation, but it was unacceptable the way we were treated," said a protester who gave her name as Pancetta, 24, of Berkeley.

Some protesters said a few officers and deputies were cordial and accommodating, flashing peace signs and responding to their requests quickly. The complaints, however, were more widespread.

Some arrestees said that their hands had been bound too tightly and that police had ignored their complaints.

Brian Henderson, 19, a UC Santa Cruz student, said police had used "scare tactics" on a protester who wouldn't give her name, including threatening to withhold bathroom privileges.

"That is not right," Henderson said.

Overnight, some protesters slept fitfully on the ground in small holding cells that housed 25 each. Others slept on mats with blankets in a gymnasium.

Some women were addressed by deputies as "little girl" or "hon," one protester said.

They griped that their requests for water or food were ignored or delayed for hours. When they did get fed, they got cheese or peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches that didn't taste great.

"They didn't give us any water at all," said a woman who wished to be identified as Venus, 23, of Berkeley. "One (deputy) looked at me and turned away, and another said, 'I just got on duty, I don't know about water.' "

Chris, 25, of Berkeley said their complaints were met by derision by deputies, who said, "This is what you get for protesting. Next time, don't protest."

Carolina Dolimite, 20, of Oakland said of the jail conditions, "Just because it's expected doesn't mean it's right."

Sheriff's spokeswoman Eileen Hirst said that those arrested had been processed and housed according to department policies and that anyone was free to file complaints.

[bluecollarman]

There needs to be heavy fines imposed during times of conflict for unlawful civil disobedience during a war or high terror alert. Kinda like the "speeding fines doubled" rule for certian stretches of highway or road construction.

[GSWarrior]

Do they not understand that the entire point of civil disobedience, as practiced by Thoreau and others, was to GET arrested as a demostration of their beliefs?

The organizers behind these demonstrations--ANSWER, NION, etc--would certainly like to see mass arrests in the hopes that martial law be imposed, thereby spurring those who would not normally revolt to take to the streets. It's the system they are trying to destroy.

The stooges who are arrested serve as useful idiots.

[MississippiMan]

they got cheese or peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches that didn't taste great.

Well, gosh knows all prisoners are entitled to great food at all times!

MM

[Uncle Hal]

The protestors said they were doing this because innocent people in Iraq were being killed or maimed and no matter what happen to them it is nothing compared to what is happening in Iraq. But when they spend a night in jail they complained about the conditions, food, being treated rudely etc. They can not have it both ways. These people are so two faced. The hyocrasy of these people is unbelievable.

[mamalujo]

welcome to the real world you spoiled brats, where actions have consequences

[Welsh Rabbit]

Poor babies. At least they didn't end up like that Quaker demonstrator arrested in DC in the early '70s; being denied water at the exact moment you want it is hardly as bad as getting gang raped or stabbed.

[carla007]

Maybe Mr. Henderson would like to know what goes on in Iraqi jails. I'm sure bathroom privileges would be the farthest thing from this dope's mind.

[Revelation 911]

Pancetta,

an italian bacon, salt cured, rolled and slcied thinly - served with melon and a hard italian cheese

not really a persons name

[GSWarrior]

I observed first hand last night as more than 250 police in riot gear had about 100 protesters surrounded a block from my home. The peaceniks were chanting "let us walk...let us walk..."

In other words, it's perfectly acceptable for them to stop me from walking to work, or to the store, etc. But when they are blocked off from roaming the street, it's egregious behavior on the part of the police.

[Noumenon]

Wh yheavens, yes - let's make sure that al lof he vegan types get a tofurky sandwhich

[RogueIsland]

When they did get fed, they got cheese or peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches that didn't taste great.

I don't know how anyone could be expected to survive under such appalling conditions.

[cport]

You read my mind, Unc. Ther "night of hell" would be considered something to thank Allah for to an Iraqi detainee. Some of those SF women should experience a rape room, and get a perspective check.

DISCLAIMER: I in know way desire for these women to truly experience a rape room. No woman should. Which makes this campaign to rid the world of regimes that think to the contrary so important.

[RISU]

I am proud of President George Bush, who in the highest traditions of American Independence, has refused to accept blatant "thugism" that threatens everyone, within America, and without.

The protesters remind me of the young soldier who doesn’t fire his weapon in combat, hoping that the enemy will not shoot him. He only insures that his number will soon be up. This is not "theory", and anyone who has been there will tell you this is true.

It is cowardly not to confront blatant evil when it is so amply demonstrated, as has been the case in IRAQ for so many years. Saddam was an evil monster, willing to kill anyone who had a different view. Even so, America tolerated the mess until it became apparent that it was flashing back upon America itself, and then it became time to act.

I think the "protectors" around the world, and no less those in the United States at this juncture, are inured with "insured socialism", the life of "perfect safety" and "no possible harm" etc. They think because of the education that Liberals have provided children for two generations now that as long as they "follow the rules’ no harm can ever come to them.

This attitude, which is cowardly as well as stupid, creates the very environment in which the Saddam’s of the world, like Stalin, Mao, and Hitler before them, can capture resources and command people in a despotic rule by fear and death.

Let me tell you something. Just because you refuse to shoot your own weapon, gives you no assurance that another will not shoot you!

God bless the President, a President of whom every single American can be proud. President Bush has demonstrated that at least some Americans, the majority of them, can still be counted upon to stand for something.

POSTED BY: RISU Free Republic 3/23.03

[KneelBeforeZod]

ha ha. put them in a cell with some folks from Hunter's Point.

[ricpic]

You'd think they'd be grateful. After all, for the rest of their lives they'll be able to tell about the night when even though they were in the grip of the facsist pig state.....they survived!

[cport]

Hear, hear! Eight years of being administered to by a coward has revealed itself. I would hate to think what this country would be like without the '94 Congressional election. Newt Gingrich and others like him (who we put in office, so props to us, too) is owed thanks for keeping that agenda in check, displaying courage of opinion and ideal that was the antithesis of the administration's and their media lackeys.

[stripes1776]

They griped that their requests for water or food were ignored or delayed for hours. When they did get fed, they got cheese or peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches that didn't taste great.

Boy, the room service sounds horrible in jail. If any other peaceniks have reservations there, maybe they should cancel them. LOL

[texasbluebell]

Kristol on FOX right now is saying that on universities the overwhelming anti-war sentiment is among the professors, not the students.

And I loved what Tony Snow said in answer to him: "Isn't it interesting that what began as the Free Speech Movement in the 60s is now anything but."

[lawdude]

"Some women were addressed by deputies as "little girl" or "hon," one protester said"


Hmmm. The protestors complain that they are called "hon". What about the cops who suffered name calling of a far worse nature.

Hypocritical bastards.

[tophat9000]

Some women were addressed by deputies as "little girl" or "hon," one protester said.

Big deal... Bet the guys were also addressed as "little girl" or "hon,

After all it is the S. F. Jail