"The police acted irrationally and out of fear"
Molly OHakes
phone: 719-276-0346
Hello;
I have spent several days trying to process what happened in Co. Springs this
past Saturday. I am angry; but sadness is my main reaction. Hearing the updated
news coverage regarding the "Riots" (Fox News last night, 2/18/03) has prompted
me to write.
My best friend, Janie, & I headed to the Springs early Saturday morning, from
Canon City. Our 2 daughters Erin, 16, & Skye, 10, were with us. We have always
taught our children that violence should never be an option & is not acceptabel.
We came peacefully & with dignity. We took the oath of non violence. We danced.
We were awestruck by the speeches, we were inspired. The feeling of love & peace
prevailed. We feel peace is important; especially in this day & age. By being a
part of this contingent, we were demonstrating to our daughters that sometimes
things are just unacceptable, & people cannot sit idly by.
Before we all started walking out onto Academy, we were made aware of the "Peace
Keepers", the men & women in yellow arm bands. We walked, we sang, we danced, we
chanted, we waved... At times, the four of us found oursselves in a group of
"Rowdies". We would look for the yellow arm bands, steer outrselves in thier
direction & ask questions as needed. We made it to a corner one or two blocks up
from Academy & Maizeland. We stood & waved & held our signs. Had a very nice
conversation with one police officer, who honestly seemed to be "One of the
People". I wish I had gotten his name. I did take his picture. Traffic had been
blocked off at this time. We saw people were starting to get arrested. We saw a
Peace Keeper & followed him back down the street, crossing Academy in the
process. We heard reports that the Police were about to use tear gas on the
group we had just left. We stood & watched for quite some time. We re-crossed
the street right before Academy & Maizeland... As we got to the corner, we saw a
demonstrator getting arrested; I stood on the curb with my 10 year old & watched
others getting arrested as well, supposedly for stepping into the street. We
were appalled when one guy that was arrested was taken near to the median &
uncerimounsly dropped on his belly. In handcuffs, shirt exposing his belly to
the street, feet shackled as well. (He was left there for quite some time ~ he
was still there when tear gas was used.). I took pictures of all this. Janie & I
saw the police getting edgy & anxious & decided to cross into the park to
retrieve our car, where we had luckily found a parking space... We heard a
policeman shout into a mega phone something about an "Illegal Gathering". We
stood just off the curb in the grass when the tear gas was lobbed... Erin
grabbed Skye & the started running. Janie & I ran, but I looked back & saw a
woman falling, so I headed back to help her. No heroics, just gut reaction. I
stood up & got hit full in the face by a tear gas "cloud". I couldn't see a damn
thing & stumbled for the parking lot. I saw a blazer & headed for it. Although
this was not our vehicle, I needed refuge... but I heard Janie's voice further
up the line of cars & headed for her. I stumbled up while she was unlocking the
car. I laid beside it & threw up. Somehow Janie managed to get both girls in the
car & get us all out of there. Bless her, she is my hero. As we were driving
out, we saw a couple hiding behind a car, the woman holding a tiny infant in her
arms, trying to shield the baby with her blanket.
While it was tough on all of us, Erin had contacts in & could not get them out.
Janie drove down Maizeland & pulled up outside someones from yard. She got Erin
out & Erin got her contacts out. All of us crying, baffeled & bewildered. The
owner of the house came out to see if we needed help. Bless her. A group of
fellow Peace Demonstrators stopped & offered assistance. This group of women
helped flush out Erin's eyes; other cars driving by stopped to offer water & any
type of assistance. The true spirit of the Peace Demonstrators... God bless us
all.
Yes, there were "Rowdies" ~ in every crowd, aren't there a few? They were far
out numbered by PEACEFUL people, who took the same oath me & mine did. Who were
truly there in the Spirit of Peace. The police acted irrationally & out of fear.
Yes, I heard that on the news, the police were in fear of us, a delegation of
peaceful demonstrators! George Bush wants us to go to war ~ he is acting
irrationally & out of fear.
What did this teach our daughters? Strength, & fortitude. That ignorance is not
bliss. That sometimes the "Powers That Be" do not know best. And so many other
lessons that cannot be taught in a class room, but can only be learned by
action. That all people are not the same ~ there are "Bad" people everywhere,
some who happen to be in positions of authority. That people should think for
themselves, not be mindless drones, (lots of the police said they were "Just
Doing Thier Job") & always do what is morally correct. By being present &
accounted for, we demonstrated that doing what is right is not always easy, & it
might be painful... but you should never compromise your convictions!
Please let us know when & where the next demonstration is. We will be there.
Peace,
Molly OHakes
Canon City CO.