Armed, Baton-Wielding Police and Police Dogs Greet Peaceful Protesters
LANSING – Michigan citizens attempting to enter the state Capitol to speak with their elected officials and witness the votes on “freedom to freeload” legislation face a gauntlet of armed, baton-wielding police, some of whom are openly carrying tear gas canisters and assault rifles, as well as police dogs and, according to some reports, plainclothes officers stationed in the crowd.
“The police presence today is massive and oppressive, clearly designed to intimidate peaceful Michigan citizens who are attempting to exercise their right to free speech,” said Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer. “What Governor Rick Snyder and House Speaker Jase Bolger have done at the state Capitol looks like a scene out of a Third World dictatorship. This unnecessary, heavy-handed police presence is provocative.”
There are reports from the Capitol that Republican staffers have filled the galleries to prevent Michigan taxpayers from seeing today’s proceedings in the House and Senate.
Several pictures of the police presence at today’s Day of Action are available here: http://ow.ly/g0pP9.
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