I called a friend in New York City Sunday afternoon to find out if anyone I knew got arrested or beaten at the World Economic Forum protest this past weekend. Thankfully, he was home getting ready for the Super Bowl, and everyone was fine.
Of course, not everyone faired so well as my friends.
But before I get into that, perhaps I should explain what this World Economic Forum business is about. As far as I can gather, it's this big meeting where a bunch of corporations get together to figure out the best strategy to reshape the world in their image while pretending to be benevolent.
It's kinda icky, but not really enough to entice me to fork out the airfare. Still, I have to respect the more than 20,000 people who had the courage to speak up for their convictions in a city where people were arrested a few months ago just for wearing masks.
They must have known what they were facing. New York City's been a damn scary place since Sept. 11. Hell, when I was there a month ago, with no political activity in mind, every crossing guard I passed was yelling at pedestrians as if crossing slowly was the most heinous crime ever committed.
So no surprise that the National Lawyers Guild and the People's Law Collective confirmed over 120 arrests, with more probably yet to come. No surprise that many others were surrounded in the streets and detained on buses. No surprise that a couple of people were held without medical attention when they needed it.
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No surprise that some of the police attacked protesters with billy clubs and probably other things I haven't heard about yet. No surprise that there were points when the police actually outnumbered the protestors.
No surprise that a female-to-male transsexual was arrested just for using the men's bathroom. No surprise that an Independent Media Center reporter was arrested while just videotaping a demonstration. No surprise that someone was arrested for holding a black and red flag.
No surprise that the protesters' nonviolence was met with violence.
And yet, I am surprised. I am surprised that so many people are just going to accept this as the necessary side effect of national protection. That some people may even think it's justified.
Here in Albuquerque, two more of my friends are on trial this month for nonviolent protests. Tamara Moore will be tried at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday by Judge Kavanaugh. Ben Tucker will be tried at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 20 by the same judge. I won't be surprised if some people who know nothing about the situation think they deserve it. But I know they're both just good people, trying to do what they think is right.
Just like the police are probably mostly good people who are getting pushed too hard and overworked in jobs that require them to view anyone who doesn't kiss the flag as a potential violent criminal, that require them to do anything but have compassion.
Most of all, I am surprised and shocked that we insist on maintaining a system that is so dehumanizing, to both police and protesters. I am not just some sign I'm holding, some black clothes I'm wearing. The officer eyeing me suspiciously is not just a blue uniform and a teargas canister. But the supposed danger I pose, the risk of arrest I'm facing, these things are difficult - if not impossible - to transcend.
I can't believe this is all that's really possible. There has been something human and soft under every person I've ever met, no matter how much I might disagree with them on the details. As long as that part of us exists, there has to be a better way.
Sari Krosinsky
Daily Lobo Columnist
Please send puzzled inquiries, rabid tirades and unmitigated flattery to Sari Krosinsky at michal_kro@hotmail.com.
