Petition to Protect We the People of Nevada from Police State as Witnessed at the 2009 G-20 Summit i

We the People of Nevada as supporters of the Constitution of Nevada, the Constitution of the United States and the Constitutional Republic it created hereby present this petition to:

1) illustrate the abusive and disturbing measures employed by the United States Military and federal & local police officers at the “G-20 Summit” in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,

2) demand lawful security measures be taken in our communities in the State of Nevada,

3) insist our elected and appointed leaders condemn the “police state” confrontations that took place at the “G-20 Summit”; and

4) proactively work to protect Nevadans from any such militarized tactics that could be used on the People of Nevada in the future.

 

The following illustrates well documented sources outlining the abusive and oppressive measures of “police state” confrontations as captured in video and press reports.  These abuses form the foundation of our fears as we proactively attempt to preclude their use as future actions within our country and state.

 

Thousands of people gathered in Pittsburgh during the G-20 Summit meetings to protest and assemble peacefully in order to demonstrate their political dissent and demands.  The protestors and onlookers were repeatedly denied the right to assemble over several days, and were met with a militarized police state.[i]  The police used LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Device) throughout the event in a manner[ii] that, according to Carl Gruenler, former Vice President of LRAD manufacturer, ATC, was contrary to its design as a non-lethal weapon.  Explained Carl Gruenler, “… the device is extremely painful…” that the “device is powerful enough to cause permanent auditory damage, but that it is only meant to be used for a few seconds at a time”.[iii]  Bystanders had riot police enter their dormitories and were “pepper sprayed in their pajamas”.[iv]  There was a man that was, by all accounts, abducted by the military off the street.[v]  Not to mention the countless videos of criminal police brutality.[vi]

 

We the undersigned denounce the city of Pittsburgh, especially the Mayor, for:

1) combining domestic and military agencies for the purposes of surveillance of the protesters;

2) using riot squads on bicycles and military troop transports;

3) using agent infiltrators into political groups;

4) placing provocateurs on the streets;

5) revoking and denying  permits to assemble;

6) mass arrests of protesters & bystanders alike, with ethically unsound at best, and dangerous at worst, crowd control weapons used on the people who only stand to exercise their freedom of speech and lawful assembly. 

 

Nearly 200 people were arrested, including juveniles.  Many claim they were physically abused, with use of batons and projectile devices.  Arrestees claim the charges are demonstrably political, devoid of actual commission of a crime.[vii]    Such abuses against protesters and observers are NOT acceptable.  We demand our elected and appointed leaders in Nevada’s governmental, police and enforcement organizations:

1)  Publicly denounce these abhorrent practices through a public report.  The report must dissociate our cities/counties/state enforcement agencies from any and all methods that use intimidation or force to suppress speech and assembly, and guarantee We the People of Nevada that these measures will not be used in Nevada.

2)  Publicly call for investigations into and prosecutions of those committing these well documented brutal events.

3)  Actively train our courageous men and women in law enforcement that these Un-Constitutional acts have occurred in our United States, and that they will not be tolerated in our state.

4)  Take measures to adequately train our law enforcement in how to handle political protests with methods that foster and protect the First Amendment and protect Nevada’s citizens and police. 

5)  Outright reject the use of military involvement or the use of federal agents in future protests.  Additionally, Fusion Centers that utilize military intelligence in participation with Nevada’s law enforcement violate the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 and must close.

6)  Mandate that the United States Military perform all exercises on Federal lands that consist of 80% of this state.  Specifically, mandate that the United States Military be held accountable to the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878[viii] and discontinue any and all exercises in the public domain. 

 

As citizens, these reassurances are needed in these difficult times in order to maintain our confidences and lawful respect of our governing authorities and do so without fear.  We stipulate that you guarantee the inalienable rights We the People possess as protected by the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Nevada.   Further, we recognize with tremendous gratitude the positive efforts by your respective offices and positions thus far in the history of our state.  We affirm that our courageous men and women in law enforcement have provided us with safety and service insomuch that it is with regret that these atrocious events took place elsewhere and must be addressed in this manner.  At no point is this petition intended to reprimand any of the actions by our public servants, but rather to look forward to continuing to provide Nevada’s citizens these guarantees of freedoms.  Additionally, we recognize our elected and appointed official

[i] Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/pittsburgh/s_638774.html, Phuiledelphia Inquirier http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20090930_For_G-20__Pittsburgh_became_a_police_state.html, Pittsburgh Post Gazette http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09272/1001566-485.stm, Pittsburgh G20 Summit Article Center http://www.g20media.org/taxonomy/term/3?page=5

 

[ii] Video Evidence via YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSMyY3_dmrM, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXElVCAqhyA, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bDAIOW6RLw&feature=PlayList&p=86395878652F83E9&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=17

 

[iii] Public Information of LRAD as well as quote of former VP of ATC http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Range_Acoustic_Device 

 

[iv] Alternative News Site http://twincities.indymedia.org/2009/sep/g20-dispatch-4-while-world-leaders-fly-away-riot-cops-blast-away-u-pitt

 

[v] Video Evidence via YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2q0l6lpGbw

 

[vi] Video Evidence via YouTube  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAlP1_LJ5HQ , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZGfflHFPHw , http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=g20 police brutality&search_type=&aq=f , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8NMyUHlFhM , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmwUUddjQ8k , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-D5Dys4Q_U  Alternative News Article via Infowars.com  http://www.infowars.com/military-attacks-american-citizens-with-sound-weapons-tear-gas-at-g20/ , Pittsburgh City Paper http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A69445

 

[vii] Pittsburgh Post-Gazette http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09274/1002180-482.stm Department of Public Safety of Pittsburgh http://www.g20safety.org/update.htm?id=12#  Personal Testimony mixed with video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmwUUddjQ8k

 

[viii] TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 67 > § 1385 Use of Army and Air Force as Posse Comitatus:  Whoever, except in cases and under circumstances expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress, willfully uses any part of the Army or the Air Force as a posse comitatus or otherwise to execute the laws shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.  http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/usc_sec_18_00001385----000-.html#