Across this country and around the world people are demonstrating and protesting. This is in response to over 30 years of decisions which placed the needs of Corporations and the ultra wealthy above that of other Americans.
As my city, prepares for their own such protest – i found myself wondering how parents and children should participate in such shows of democracy. This is the first of series of articles I will right about teaching democracy and activism to young people.
One of the great things have about all of these protests is that they have for the most part been peaceful – the only violence has been perpetrated by the police in several cities. This has been most regrettable – yet, it has made an important point and has shown the world the true intention of the protestors.
During the New York Occupation, the police arrested 700 people who sought to peacefully walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to join their fellow protestors on Wall Street. Police officers attempted to stop them from making that crossing. There are two versions of what happened. Possibly three.
One is the police made an announcement asking the demonstrators not to proceed down a particular walk way. They made an announcement which was not heard by the many people in the crowd. When the police turned and walked into the “forbidden zone” the crowd thought that they were being escorted into this area and followed the police right where they were warned not to be.
Two the police deliberately lead the crowd into an area where they oughtn’t be and then began to arrest the people as they did.
Three is the police were violating the civil right of this crowd to assemble to walk freely across the bridge – And then processed to illegally arrest the peaceful protestors.
I have my own opinion about which of these scenarios is true. You can watch the many videos and make up you own mind – but there is one picture that will never leave my mind or heart. It is the sight of police officers arresting a 13 year old girl. This young one was receiving a very harsh lesson on what it meant to be a citizen of this country and the sight of her confused face has haunted me daily since her arrest.
Ifind myself wondering why this young one seemed tp be alone on the bridge. Why did it not appear that there was an adult or other support person with her? I wondered how she was treated by the police – who did not appear to be treating her with kid gloves and who were being very aggressive in their treatment of other person being taken into custody that day.
There are some who looked at her picture and said that they thought she was laughing – I beg to differ. My experience of pre-teens and teens saw this as the looks of confusion and fear, while at the same time trying to find away to be above what what happening to her. Its was classic! It was heartbreaking!
I found myself hoping that her fellow compatriots in jail took her under their wing and gave her support and love until her family could be with her.
I hoped that this young one had a supportive family who wold respond with outrage to what happened to her. I pray that she was greeted by these loving people and welcomed into loveing and protective arms.
I hoped that she would be able to receive support and have the ability to speak freely about how it felt to be publicly arrested and taken into a police car to jail. I hope that she is being encouraged to write about it – talk about it – scream about it- pray about it – and create about it, until she feels at peace.
I pray that not only she but anyone who has gone through such abuse receives such healing care – for these steps can help to prevent trauma. Such simple considerations heal so much – but sadly, are often hard to receive. But my souls wishes that for this young girl – these blessings are avaialbe and plentiful.
Rights of passage are often difficult and this one has experience a very public baptism. And to this I would like to say,
Welcome young one. Welcome to your American Life. You have been dunked the the waters of freedom and have been arrested for exercising your rights as a free American women to demonstrate for a good cause. You are brave and true. You are amazing! I pray that you will one day tell your children and grand children with pride – that you were one of the Patriots arrested on the of the “Battle of Brooklyn Bridge” – that youwere one of the 700 persons illegally arrested that day. I pray that this experience of being arrested becomes not a wound – but a seed for the righteous woman you will be.
Many people saw what happened to you and know who wrong it was. Many people have begun their demonstrations since your arrest, in part, because they saw what happened to you.I pray that you have been told this and that this knowledge may comfort you and eventually ease from your mind the sting of that painful moment.
You are in the best of company – many freedom fighters have been where you have had to walk. I hope that you were able to fee their hand upon you.
Welcome, young one! Welcome to your American Life!
[tube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgF-diArfqc[/tube]