WITH THE BRUTAL ACTION BY THE FREDERICTON POLICE FORCES??? IT COULD BE A LONG AND NOISY SUMMER IN THE CAPITAL OF NEW BRUNSWICK!!!!!

14, originally uploaded by Oldmaison.

If you don’t wish to read a long winded blog? Don’t bother reading this one...it’s going to be a long one and the grammar should once again be terrible. lol


Ok...beautiful day in the Capital. It was so nice that I woke up very early and decided to go at the Farmer’s Market.

Once there, I was told that the Fredericton Police Force told the panhandlers or buskers to leave the area. It was too bad in a way because it’s just a way for the poor people to make a few bucks.




Once inside I was approached by Asaf Rashid. I have known this guy for around three years and just like me? He’s involved in different issues.




This time around? It was a Solidarity Across Borders demonstration.


I was told to go there for 1:00pm. Every weekend I’m bored so I decided that I would take a couple of pictures for my blog. I drove my bicycle to Queen Square for the gathering.



Once there, I notice a couple of reporters from CBC Radio Canada.






I chatted with the two reporters for over 20 minutes while we waited for the show to get on the road.



They offered free food and trust me? It was delicious. These immigrants should can cook.







I would say that 30 minutes later, everyone gathered together and they were told that they were going for a nice peaceful march at City Hall.



On the way, they would hand out pamphlets and educate the public of their issues.




I didn’t bother to follow them because I had my pictures. Myself and a reporter stay behind while his partner the cameraman film the protesters heading towards City Hall.







I wished the CBC the best of luck and I was on my way. I drove by the Legislature and I was surprise to see the protesters on Queen street while vehicles were following them at a close pace.








I followed them closely and decided to take a few close up picture of the peaceful protest.









The protesters suddenly came to a sudden half.




I noticed two police car stopping them in their tracks.








I quickly began taking pictures. The police officers told the protesters that they cannot protest on the streets without a permit from City Hall.








I noticed that I wasn’t the only individual with a camera. Someone else was clicking away and it grabbed the attention of the cop.




He shouted- Are you the media? In another word, if he had a pass?







I wish he would have asked me the question because I would have told him that I was much better than the media!! I’m a blogger!!!



I don’t believe the Fredericton Police Forces understands what’s a blogger?



Minutes later, another police officer arrive from the back. The protesters were surrounded.







They began to shouted a phrase - No one is illegal!!!! No one is illegal!!!! No one is illegal!!!!!







They let it known that they meant business with their message and no permit law was going to stop them.



Personally, I believe this was a mistake because the cops had a very angry look on their face.







The police decided to let the protesters continue their march at City Hall but in a very stern voice- They ordered the protesters on the sidewalk and watched them very closely.








A person could feel the tension in the air. I didn’t have a helmet so I followed from across the streets.



Once at City Hall, they spread out and gave the pas-by some pamphlets. I watched but didn’t bother taking any pictures.



Asaf Rashid. and his Father made a little speech and after it was the turn of a female.








A guy came over to congratulated me on my blog.




I said to myself - Speaking of blogs? I got to go home and blog this little story of the police stopping the protesters on the streets.



Hey? News is news right? There were no media people around so I was the only one to let the public know of the going ons in the Capital?



Too bad that I don’t get paid a single dime but I enjoy this little hobby!!!




Once I blogged the pictures? I decided to return to Queen Square. I’m suppose to borrow that Bull horn for next week because I got a battle of my own against the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission but that’s for another blog.







Once at the square? All I could see was the pots and pans from the meal. I asked a few people around but no one saw the protesters.



I drove to City Hall and nothing. I once again peddled at the Square and still not a soul around. Thank God that I have ADHD!!! I got he energy to peddle but I must remind myself that I’m getting up there in age.




I couldn’t locate no one so I decided to go do my daily duty at the Fredericton Soup Kitchen.




I was told from someone on the streets that the cops arrested some protesters at City Hall. I said- Yeah right!!! Once I got home, I saw a comment on the blog that some protesters were indeed arrested.






I quickly peddle to the same where I believe these protesters were gathered and I was right.







They were all sitting down around a table and being Charles the agitator? I said- You guys want to go to Saint John and protest the Atlantica Conferencet??? You can’t even protest in a small group in the Capital without being arrested???...lol....



Well, they showed me the pictures and it’s true that a picture has 1,000 words.



I’ll pasted the people arrested comments at the end of this blog.



Yes, the Fredericton Police Forces must have tottaly forgotten that we’re in the year 2006!



The days that a person could only be defended was with the presence of the media.



These days? The police comes to the scene and everyone are up in arms but not with guns but with cameras and video camera from their cell phones.




Afterwards the pictures are pasted on the information Highway? The whole world can witness the story.






The protest was really peaceful until the cops made their presence known.



The Fredericton Police seems to be on a witch-hunt against the poor in this City?




The panhandlers are forced from the streets and now this?




The scary part is this is only the month of May? Last year, I never witness one single protest all summer long compared to the year before but from the sound of it? This year could a total different story because of the brutally of the Police Forces.



Myself, I had many dealing with these officers I the past but never had a problem. Of course, they tried to intermediate me but I always remain calm, cool and collective.



It could be a very interesting summer in the Capital?




A few were upset with the protesters but what can a person do???






Here’s the statements from the individuals who were arrested

Asaf’s Statement:

Police arrived at City Hall, there was at least two officers, one police car. The car came right onto the city hall court yard. The officers were talking to the commissionaire, eventually the police walk toward the demonstrators, Asaf is on the other side of the road at this point. Asaf sees the police and crosses back over to the city hall court yard. At that point the police proceeded to tell the demonstrators that they had to leave. Asaf said they were leaving anyway, and the police told the demonstrators that they had to leave or they would be arrested for failure to disperse. Asaf and others questioned why they were being told to disperse (tape recorded). Questioned the police because this is a public space, not obstructing people. Asaf asked were there any complaints about the demonstrators and the officer answered that the commissionaire complained. The officer asked Asaf what his name is. Asaf asked what the officer’s name was and read his tag on his shirt, and asked the officer what his badge number is and the officer refused to tell Asaf. The tape recorder had been on and visible the whole time. Now officer grabs Asaf by wrist of hand holding the tape recorder and twisted Asaf’s arm behind Asaf’s back and pushed Asaf to the ground. Asaf did not resist. The officer used his knee on Asaf’s side to keep him on the ground (picture). When Asaf is on ground, officer asked if he had any weapons. After they handcuffed Asaf’s wrists behind his back (Asaf was the only one handcuffed), then the officer led Asaf to the paddywagon and just before the officer put Asaf in the car the officer said “Next time I ask you to leave, you better fucking leave.”


Asaf is sitting in police car, and Chris Erb is then put in the same car as Asaf. Chris is NOT handcuffed.




Asaf and Chris got taken to the police station. Asaf hears someone say take them out one at a time. Door opens to back of car, Chris is asked to come out of the car, Asaf starts motioning to move towards the open door and as soon as Chris got out of the car the officer slammed the door in Asaf’s face while making eye contact with Asaf.

Asaf is in the car, alone, for an undetermined amount of time. Duane, Teresa, and Chris are all led into the police building. The police take Asaf out of the car and tell Asaf that everything Asaf was saying was being recorded. Once Asaf is in the station, Duane is the only one there. Duane is asked for his information. An officer asked Asaf for ID and found it in Asaf’s bag, and Officer Doyle asked Asaf “Where are you from?”, “Are you a Canadian citizen?”, Asaf replied that should be obvious from my ID. Doyle, talking condescendingly, asking what they were doing, why were they there, and asked if Asaf’s brother had been deported, because the officer heard that Asaf’s brother had been deported. Asaf said “That’s not true.”, and Doyle said “I heard you say it.”, Asaf said “I didn’t say that. I said I have friends that have been deported.”



Doyle said “Have you ever been in trouble before?”, Asaf said “Not here.”, Doyle said “Where?”, Asaf said he wasn’t really in trouble, he was taken in a mass arrest in Montreal in a demonstration. Asaf saw/heard Doyle on the computer and phone doing a background check on him. Asked a couple of more questions about where Asaf was born. At some point Asaf said he was not interested in answering any more questions without a lawyer. Doyle said “That’s an easy answer.” Asaf was not at any point read his rights.

Duane’s Statement:

Duane was sitting on a bench and the officer looked at Duane, and Duane took a picture of the officer. And the officer pointed at Duane, and Duane said “We’ll be back.” Time passes, Vaughan and JP are on the bench with Duane, and then the officer is in front of them, and said something to the effect that the demonstrators had to leave because the demonstrators were being asked to leave. Duane had his hands out with his camera in his hand, and said there were people everywhere, and gestured with his camera hand, and then the officer grabbed Duane by the wrist and pulled him and said I’m arresting you regardless. The officer took Duane to a police car. The officer put Duane in the car, Duane asked what he was being arrested for and the officer said “You think I need a reason?”.

At the police station, the officer got out of the car and left Duane in the car by himself for approximately 20 minutes. It was REALLY hot, all the windows were closed and Duane was locked in the vehicle. Duane saw Teresa and Chris being let out of the police station.

Once in the station, an officer asked Duane for his name and information, gave Duane a ticket and let him go.

Teresa’s Statement:

Group met at 12:30pm at Queen’s Square, and waited for people to show up for the demonstration. They talked, sat on grass and ate food (provided by Food Not Bombs). At 1:30pm the demonstrtors began the march. The demonstrators started marching towards city hall, taking over one lane of traffic so that cars could still pass. By the time the demonstrators got by officers square there was one cop car behind them, one front of them, and one drove around them. The police pulled over the car that was driving along with the protest, playing music and broadcasting immigrant rights information. And they pulled over the car and told the demonstrators that they have to get out of the road and get on sidewalk. The group got on the sidewalk, and after cops left, they got back on road. The cops said again that the demonstrators had to get off the road and the group started shouting “No one is illegal!”. The second time the police told the demonstrators to get off of the road, the group permanently moved to the sidewalk.

When the demonstrators arrived at City Hall, the Commissionaire, told them they had to leave. The group said they were not leaving. The commissionaire said “You are not allowed to broadcast your opinions publicly. Go elsewhere.” The demonstrators explained that they would not leave, and the commissionaire said that the police were on the side of the commissionaire and that the police would come and get rid of the demonstrators if the demonstrators would not leave. The demonstrators continued to demonstrate peacefully. The demonstrators finished and were preparing to leave. A police car and a van showed up, one of the police officers came and told them they had to disperse. The officer said he would arrest all of the demonstrators if they wouldn’t leave, Asaf asked for the officers badge number and held up a recorder. The officer said he didn’t have to give that information to Asaf and proceeded to arrest Asaf. Chris Erb saw them manhandling Asaf and started taking pictures and verbally protesting. Police arrested Chris.

Tracy and Teresa crossed the street from City Hall, and unrolled the ‘No One Is Illegal’ banner. They began shouting “No one is illegal!”, one of the police officers came up to Tracy and Teresa and said the demonstrators had to leave now. And Teresa said “No.” The officer grabbed Teresa’s arm and told her to bend over the hood of his car so that she could be searched. Teresa complied. The officer asked if she had any weapons or drugs. Teresa said no, the officer pushed Teresa from behind and shoved her into the front of the car. Teresa asked if the officer had to be so rough. The officer looked like he was going to hit Teresa, and said he could do what he wanted to her. Someone across the street yelled “Oh, you’re going to hit a woman?”. The officer then shoved Teresa again, and pushed her into the car.

When the officer gets in the car he says “You’re in one big heap of trouble now, little girl.” Teresa and the cop are alone in car. She’s in back, he’s in front. The officer told Teresa to hand him her purse. She told him she didn’t think she had to give it to him. He said if she didn’t give the purse to him, he was going to make her give it to him, and she wouldn’t like that. Teresa, not knowing her options, since she hadn’t been read her rights, handed over her purse. When they pulled into the police station, the officer left Teresa in the car, alone, for about 5 minutes while he went inside. It was really hot. The officer returns to the car and gets Teresa out of car, he’s holding her by the arm and holding her arm above her head, she tripped and he accused her of having her hands in her pockets and dragged her by her right arm.





They sat Teresa down on a bench next to Chris Erb, went through her purse and asked if the ID she had was the only ID she had. They asked both Chris and Teresa, “Do you two know your rights?”, they replied “no.” The officers wrote them the tickets, and passed them to Teresa an Chris and the officer said if you two are caught for this offense again, you will be charged under the criminal code. Chris and Teresa were then released. They were never read their rights.





Emma’s Statement


On Church street, Emma noticed a female park patrol officer watching the march, and Emma gave her an information sheet about the demonstration and told the officer what the demonstrators were doing. Then Emma walked back to join the demonstration, then she noticed the park patrol officer was talking into a radio and Emma asked the officer if there was a problem with what the demonstrators were doing. The park patrol officer said no, this doesn’t concern you. Later, when the cops stopped them, the same woman was there and Emma said “Thanks a lot.”, the park patrol officer said “no problem, my pleasure.”



src="http://static.flickr.com/76/154448086_0776f927b0.jpg"


The police were being really rough with Asaf, and Emma asked repeatedly, what the charge was and officers ignored her. The officer that was holding Asaf, and putting cuffs on him, was using a lot of force, even though Asaf was not resisting. Police broke Asaf’s megaphone when they grabbed his arm, the megaphone fell to the ground and the officers wouldn’t let anyone pick it up.






Asaf asked for the officers badge number. The officer wouldn’t give it to him. Asaf took out his tape recorder, and the officer wouldn’t say his name, or badge number, or who called in the complaint, even though the officer had said earlier that it was the commissionaire who called in the complaint.






Tracy’s Statement:


The demonstrators were marching. The cops showed up and said the demonstrators were obstructing traffic and that the demonstrators would have to move. Demonstrators moved, and the cops left.





At city hall, that’s when Asaf’s father was telling his story, and the whole time the commissionaire lady came up to several people througout the demo telling individual demonstrators that they’d have to leave, this demonstration is not good for tourism. The commissionaire definitely called someone, and the cops arrived. The protesters were ready to leave at this time. The cops asked who the spokes person was, and were told there wasn’t one. Then Asaf asked what the officer’s badge number was. Then they twisted Asaf’s arm behind his back. They arrested Asaf.





Chris got really upset, he was screaming that they were hurting Asaf. They arrested Chris.

Teresa and Tracy unrolled the ‘No One Is Illegal’ banner and everyone was chanting “No one is illegal!”, on the other side of the road from City Hall. The police got out of their car and told the demonstrators again to leave.


Tracy noticed Teresa said no when the cop said they had to leave. They took Teresa and pushed Tracy.






Tracy told them this is our city and asked where they were supposed to go. They ignored her.