May 4th unpermitted march update : Cleveland IMC (((i)))

Using the area's infamous drum machine as a stage we were presented with words from: Jello Biafra, Vikki Lovegren, Art Mckoy (Black on Black crime committee), Lee (NION), Laura (NION).

The speakers have spoken and the march begins, leaving Manchester Field. Through the campus to the memorial area, stopping to remember the four casualties, reading a piece of prose at each memorial. Helicopter hovers all day. Police with video cameras with the march the whole way.
The march continues through the campus. Before spilling into Main st. a white van in a parking lot with a large megaphone mounted on top of the vehicle was used by the 'officer in charge' as a soundsystem to give the order DO NOT GO INTO THE STREET you may be subject to arrest if you enter the streets. The majority of the march had already past this location. VERY few people were within range to hear this. The officer giving the order was at least 1/2 a football field away from the march to begin with, not to forget when we march we chant, and we chant loud.

The march spilled into Main St., past Wilson St., past Sherman St. - on Sherman St. a State Trooper blocked the way - behind him was a van and bus of police suiting up in riot gear. Continuing a short ways further at E.Main and University if you were standing on Main St. you would see the line of riot police closing in both directions.
This is the point the march moved off the street onto the sidewalk.

The police began arresting what appeared to be anyone within reach who was an easy picking. On one arrest made I saw an officer point to him before a group of officers went in to grab him from the crowd. Similar tactic to what I've recently learned from a wonderful workshop(wink) as a 'Snatch Squad'.

There was a situation with an undercover/narc officer in the grassy area away from the street and away from his buddies in blue. This officer became useless once identified and fled from the crowd taking no 'prize' with him.

On several occasions I witnessed the police blocking camera lens with their hands. This would occur near the street at an arrest scene. The corporate media was positioned mostly behind the police line. It is said one person with a video camera was arrested. He was unable to hand off his equipment.

11 arrests were made. All male. From all areas, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Columbus...Varity of arrestees, older,
younger,wearing a face cover, uncovered faces, people sitting down, people standing....

The march made it's way back to the memorial area - in silence and shock of the injustice that had just occurred. Keeping with solidarity a womyn was on a megaphone trying to keep everyone together on the walk back, as it was dangerous to be alone.

At the memorial area the police gave an order to leave the campus, those that live on campus "are free to go home". If the crowd did not leave in ten minutes arrests would be made. Most persons left. Most then went to the jail.

Later those that did stay added one more arrest making it a
even dozen arrested today. (as of 8:00pm). At the jail the only information obtained is talk of a 4th degree misdemeanor. This is all I have to report. At the jail persons began using sidewalk chalk to write things like fascist police, PEACE, body outlines... the police came out of there station to tell us we can not 'damage property' or 'vandalize' or we would be arrested. So some went and got poster board and made signs that said, Honk against police brutality, Honk if you hate pigs, 2 others also. Lots of honking from the roadway. Lots of peace signs out the windows.

A police car parked across the police station to observe.
About 30 persons where in front of the police station showing support for their comrades when I left.

Cleveland Indy Media Center