Above is a screen capture I took while witnessing–via live video streaming–the wrongful detention of hundreds US citizens in Oakland, CA. The people arrested had participated in a peaceful march, on 1/28/2012. For the most part the mainstream news media did not cover this event. It is interesting to note, it was the first mass arrest that occurred after President Obama signed the 2012 NDAA, (the annual National Defense Authorization Act), section 1021 B2, into law. He did so on New Years Eve, December 31, 2011, at 8:30pm, while most people were with family and friends. Very few people even know what this law is or what in means. I have wondered if the police viewed this as an opportunity to test the boundaries of this new law.
Below is an interview with former NY Times journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner, Chris Hedges who with other journalists and activists, has filed a lawsuit in NY against President Obama and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta for their bringing into law provision 1021 B2 of the NDAA. This interview occurred after recent oral arguments in the case were heard before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York, on February 6, 2012.
Below is another interview with Chris Hedges on the same day, where is speaks more broadly about the case. You can see former Whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg, another plaintiff on the lawsuit, standing behind him.
Leave a Reply