FYI: from indy media
watch the video and read the article here:
twincities.indymedia.org/2009/sep/eviction-crime-cops-respond-eviction-
resistance-raid-assaults
bump it up on the youtubes here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy-BDfVwqEg

spread this around! the video footage is an eye-opening look at how the police treat social justice activists. Especially hard to watch is when a woman is kicked repeatedly while she is lying on the ground.

*****

Thirty-five days into the popular occupation of 3138 Clinton, Rosemary
Williams (one of five Minnesota women publicly resisting eviction -
TCIMC/PPEHRC video) was inside her home when it was raided by the
Minneapolis Police Department around 2:45pm Friday afternoon. Three
supporters were inside. Police claimed they would give ample time to
move out remaining belongings, and those inside did so, aided by
several dozen who rallied to the scene.

But later in the afternoon, the MPD's plan for a quiet, obedient
eviction was foiled. After rallying the crowd, a handful of activists
crossed the yellow tape roping off Clinton Avenue on either side of
the house and were promptly assaulted by the police with kicks and
pepper spray. Other supporters crossed the now-removed yellow tape
from the opposite direction to ensure the activists' safety. Officers
responded aggressively; one shoved someone to the ground with a two-
handed shove to the chest. A TC Indymedia volunteer was sprayed
directly in the face while on the "public" side of the police tape.

Four or five people sat down in front of the house in an act of civil
disobedience. An officer pointed to another man standing motionless
with the crowd outside the police cordon, grabbed him and arrested
him. Eventually, seven were taken waiting vans in the alley and
arrested. An MPD spokesman said they were charged with obstruction of
legal process, though they have not actually been formally charged as
of tonight. This video (1:50) shows the police conduct during the
civil disobedience.

Related video: Before the arrests

Upcoming: Saturday 10am Leaflet at 7th/Hennepin outside Obama event |
Sunday 2pm Press conference outside Rosemary's house

Have videos, photos, or updates? Post them as a comment or publish to
the newswire.

At the time of the raid, occupants of the house were preparing for a
two-year-old's birthday party. The party was moved to a nearby home.
MPD spokesman Jesse Garcia later lied in front of reporters by denying
that the child's party had been disrupted.

Garcia was later heard saying into his cell phone what sounded like,
"we look like the bad guy." Certainly, any prospect of the MPD
appearing benevolent disappeared as afternoon turned into evening.
Although one or two officers were reportedly helpful - as helpful as
one can be while evicting a 55-year block resident - during the
process, most were unsurprisingly rude with neighbors and supporters
as well as disrespectful to Rosemary's belongings.

A man and woman from the MPD crime lab were inside the police lines,
taking video and photo of activists. For a significant time they
refused to identify themselves, but eventually gave their badge
numbers after extended jeers from the crowd.

As police milled about, outraged activists and many immediate
neighbors joined in chanting, "Who's house? Rosemary's house,"
"Housing is a human right! Eviction is a crime" and "Let Rosemary stay!"

The building was boarded - or, more accurately, the windows were
sealed shut by unfamiliar sheets of durable metal - by workers from
Vacant Property Security of Chicago, Illinois (where the Cook County
Sheriff has boldly declared a moratorium on foreclosure evictions).
The special materials are supposedly designed to make breaking in more
difficult. They were also used on the second story windows; the city
of Minneapolis typically only boards the first-floor windows of vacant
buildings.

According to City Council member Elizabeth Glidden, who has offered
tepid support for Rosemary throughout her struggle, private security
has been hired by mortgage company GMAC to patrol the property, and
the MPD will not pay it special attention. A man wearing a private
security uniform arrived on the scene as police and protestors
prepared to leave, and spoke with an officer. He refused to identify
himself or his company, or say whether his company was the one hired
to patrol.

Glidden said the police action "makes no sense," and was saddened by
the scene Friday. She says she "scoured what she could do" and "tried
to be a personal advocate for Rosemary," though some supporters have
questioned her commitment to seeing Rosemary keep her home no matter
the method. She refused to condemn the MPD, saying they were "caught
in the middle." Notably absent from the scene of the raid, however,
were any other seated politicians, including mayor RT Rybak.

A FOX 9 TV cameraman arrived, though other TV stations were notably
absent. The day's corporate news was instead dominated by the 9/11
anniversary, a pending Barack Obama visit to Minneapolis, and the
funeral of a North St. Paul police officer killed on Monday while
responding to a domestic violence incident (the suspect was himself
shot and killed by a fellow officer). Print, radio and independent
media flocked to the scene, however, including a German reporter on
assignment from the Washington Post who had been in Minneapolis to
cover the occupation

Just before 5pm, Rosemary emerged for the first time from inside her
house, holding a bouquet of flowers in the air to applause from the
crowd, which began to chant, "It's not over yet!"

Soon thereafter the civil disobedience and arrests began. As the
arrested activists - some going limp - were dragged to the alley away
from the crowd and most media, many began call-and-response chants
with the gathered suporters. Those who had been pepper sprayed
directly had their eyes washed out with water. People berated the
police for their rough treatment of the arrestees.
Ironically, the MPD dragged at least one arrestee through Rosemary's
house, out of view, to the backyard to be loaded into the booking van.

Shortly after the action subsided, one officer's arm was being
bandaged with what looked like a small blood stain soaking through.

Rosemary Williams was not one of those arrested.

Later, others were allowed to continue moving out some belongings.
After a long wait, around 8pm, the workers finished boarding and drove
away, followed by most police officers. When it was all done, a crowd
of about three dozen still remained.

A Small Sampling of Overheard Professional Remarks from the
Minneapolis Police Department:

Officer I. Raichert, pointing to a legal observers' cap (NLG legal
observers have traditionally worn the green caps for years): "So, is
that leftover from the RNC?"

Unknown officer leaning from second story window, to a supporter in a
neighbor's yard: "If you don't get out of the yard, we'll put a 45mm
in your face."

Unknown officer when asked about his badge while leaving: "I'll take
it off and we can figure this out aruond back, if you want." He
refused to give his badge number.