My conversation with a police spokesman just now turned up absolutely no new information about yesterday’s shooting except that the police are pounding out a press release which will be sent out at 11:30 AM at that time. Chief Rosie Sizer will be “reading a statement” about the shooting downtown at the justice center. They could not confirm what the medical examiner’s office told the Oregonian about the victim’s race or age (white and 40-something) or why IDing the man has proven difficult.
Here’s how our conversation went:
Me: There was a protest against the police last night that marched up Burnside. Was anyone arrested?
Sgt Greg Stewart: I’m not aware of any arrests.
Me: A couple witnesses said at least two people were pepper-sprayed. What was the incident surrounding that? Why were people pepper-sprayed?
Stewart: I don’t have those details. We’re really focusing on the press release about the shooting right now.
So now you know.
“Why were people pepper-sprayed?”
Because they’re dickheads?
Perhaps they just needed pepper.
Blabby I’m sure you were just being snarky as I’m sure that you don’t really believe that being a “dickhead” is enough of a reason to get pepper sprayed.
I think the real reason was because at least some people in the group of protesters were not being peaceful, obviously. Busting up and ATM and a storefront window were ridiculous acts, and I’m sure if a few in the protest were brazen enough to do that, there were probably a handful willing enough to menace a couple cops.
Menacing a cop in a protest is enough to get your face pepper sprayed, in my opinion, especially when some in your protest group have all ready busted an ATM and a storefront window.
Actually Blabby, I guess that would classify as being a “dickhead”, but you’re still only partially right as there are many other actions that could qualify someone as a dickhead that don’t warrant getting pepper sprayed in the face.
So you didn’t ask any questions about the shooting. How do you expect to get any information at all?
Not walking on a sidewalk is not a reason to get pepper sprayed/pushed around/threatened. No one was pepper sprayed for damaging anything.
How exactly does someone who is unarmed ‘menace’ a person with riot gear and a rifle?
@cfarmer – They’ve made it clear they aren’t releasing any information until 11:30. It’s not like Smirk is the only one in the city asking.
@elicantdie – The same way you menace someone who doesn’t have riot gear and a rifle.
@ Angrycitizen – who said anything about them getting pepper sprayed for jaywalking? How do you know the cops didn’t pepper spray them for damaging property?
@ elicantdie – What Reymont said. The verb form of “menace” means to threaten. Anyone can threaten anyone else at any time, regardless of armament or really anything at all.
Jackattak, I think we’re in agreement. I meant “dickhead” in the same sense that you describe. I.e. those in the crowd who were being dickheads. I’m sure many were not.
I was right behind the one of the people who were pepper-sprayed. Everyone was told to get on the sidewalk (There was no sidewalk. A curb, although), the girl turned to the view the officer, and before she could react, she was blasted for about four seconds with pepper-spray as she ran to the curb. Again, a police officer had zero hesitation to harm another citizen. Luckily, she said she took off her scarf quick enough to avoid long-term chemical weapon damage and went on passionately humming the chants.
I was right behind the one of the people who were pepper-sprayed. Everyone was told to get on the sidewalk (There was no sidewalk. A curb, although), the girl turned to the view the officer, and before she could react, she was blasted for about four seconds with pepper-spray as she ran up the curb. Once again, a police officer had zero hesitation to harm another citizen. Luckily, she said she took off her scarf quick enough to avoid long-term chemical weapon damage and went on passionately humming the chants.