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street party attacked by cops; infoshop under threat of raid and closure
by anon
Sunday, Jul. 29, 2007 at 2:54 PM
A spontaneously organized parade and street party in Athens, OH was attacked by police last night on Saturday, July 28. The Wire, a local infoshop, was also a target of police harassment and intimidation prior to a benefit show to be held that evening.
Athens, OH -- On the night of Saturday, July 28 a parade and street party was spontaneously organized that involved 200 to 300 participants who flooded the streets of the university district and main downtown area. Performers danced through the city, fire spinners awed the crowds who came out of restaurants and bars and onto the sidewalks, and many children and adults wore costumes and silly masks, and created music and noise by singing and playing drums and horns and didgeridoos (while others held signs that read "didgeridon't!").
The festive atmosphere of the parade continued even as a police cruiser arrived at the intersection of N. Court St. and W. State St. An officer jumped out of the car without making any announcements to the crowd and approached a fire spinner, immediately pushing them in an apparent attempt to grab the poi from their hands during a performance.
As the parade continued to move on past the intersection and down towards State and Carpenter, the same officer who attacked the fire spinner then chased after the parade on foot, misting pepper spray into the air and injuring about a dozen people. He then continued pursuit in the police cruiser.
Once the parade reached the intersection of State and Carpenter, police vehicles were seen moving down Mill St. in an attempt to cut up a few blocks and cut off the street party. Participants fearful of further attack broke into a quicker pace and many cut down Grosvenor St. while others continued down Carpenter St. Two police vehicles pulled up on Grosvenor St. and officers got out of the cars and chased participants.
At least one person was arrested, and a handful of others were unaccounted for once people regrouped. Bail was raised by donations from some of the parade participants.
The Wire - Under Attack!
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Following the street party and parade many participants headed for The Wire to attend the ongoing benefit show and dance party.
Upon arrival police cruisers were already parked outside and warning organizers of the benefit show not to exceed legal noise levels. In an effort to placate police demands the benefit show was called off.
Some people chose to drive home at that point and were followed by police. An hour or so later more police showed up with drug sniffing dogs and proceeded to search four or five cars parked in the area outside of The Wire.
Meanwhile people listening in on police scanners heard discussion by officers attempting to obtain a search warrant and organize a raid of the infoshop.
The illegal searches of cars were documented and videotaped. Nothing was found and nobody was ticketed or arrested.
It is still unclear if the police raided The Wire late last night, or if they plan on doing so in the near future.
In addition to previous and current police harassment, The Wire is having financial difficulties staying open, so please think about supporting them in whatever ways possible and helping out!
http://www.athenswire.org/node/25
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