United for Peace of Pierce County, WA - We nonviolently oppose the reliance on unilateral military actions rather than cooperative diplomacy.

An afternoon press release from Olympia PMR reported that on Sat., Nov. 10, "Thirteen [a later report from Carmella Fleming said twelve] anti-war demonstrators were arrested while attempting to contain Stryker vehicles from the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division from moving through the streets of Olympia, Washington."[1] -- All were being held in City of Olympia Police Department Municipal Jail as of 3:10 p.m.; by 6:00 p.m. they had been released, Fleming said. -- "[D]ozens of protesters and bystanders report being brutalized by the Olympia Police Department," the press release stated. -- In an article posted on the web site of the Olympian late Saturday afternoon, reporter Jeremy Palowski wrote: "At least 12 people have been arrested today as protests of military-cargo shipments from the Port of Olympia moved to downtown and the Plum Street entrance to Interstate 5. -- About 12:15 p.m., Olympia police arrested at least three people at Fourth Avenue and Plum Street. About 12:20 p.m., protesters gathered at the I-5 entrance in a failed attempt to block convoys. Police arrested at least nine people there. -- Protesters on foot blocked traffic at Fourth and Plum about noon by jumping in front of 18-wheelers towing cargo containers containing military equipment bound for Fort Lewis. But Olympia police in riot gear moved in quickly, spraying pepper spray in the faces of the protesters, pushing them with their batons, and dragging them away from the road. --&nbps; About 10 protesters partially blocked Plum Street at the entrance to Interstate 5 by linking arms through PVC pipes and sitting in the road. Police shot them with pepper spray guns and, when they didn't move, cut the PVC pipes, handcuffed them, and dragged them to a police van. . . . A larger number of protesters stood by and shouted at the police, decrying what they felt were excessive tactics."[2] ...

THIRTEEN ARRESTED WHILE CONTAINING CONVOYS TRAVELING THROUGH OLYMPIA; COMMUNITY BRUTALIZED BY OLYMPIA POLICE DEPARTMENT

November 10th, 2007 -- Thirteen anti-war demonstrators were arrested while attempting to contain Stryker vehicles from the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division from moving through the streets of Olympia, Washington. Three of the arrests took place at the intersection of 4th and Plum St. in downtown Olympia. Ten arrests took place at Union Street and Plum Street near the on ramp to I-5 North where anti-war demonstrators were in lock-down with PVC pipes locking their arms together.

With a commitment to non-violent actions, Olympia Port Militarization Resistance aims to end Olympia's participation in the illegal and immoral occupation of Iraq by stopping the U.S. military's use of the Port of Olympia. As of 3:10 p.m. all thirteen are being held at City of Olympia Police Department Municipal Jail.

Before arrests were made dozens of protesters and bystanders report being brutalized by the Olympia Police Department (OPD). At 8:30 a.m. OPD appeared at the port in full riot gear. Just over an hour later police were using batons and pepper spray on demonstrators blocking the shipment and bystanders as well.

Jeremy Pawloski who is reporting for the *Olympian* newspaper for demonstrations since Monday, November 5th, was witnessed being assaulted by police officers. Caitlin Esworthy reported seeing Pawloski struck in the upper body and shoved back six feet. Tony Overman, photographer for the Olympian newspaper, was pepper-sprayed, according to eyewitness accounts. He was previously embedded with the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry division while they were deployed in Mosul, Iraq.

When asked for badge numbers police officers refused to comply with the law that requires individual officers to identify themselves. Some officers also covered up their badge numbers. Alex Dunn reported being reported being struck by a police baton in the face and his right side repeatedly. The officer who was assaulting him said to the effect "Do you want some more son? Do you want some more?" Another officer knocked the wind out of him when he struck him in the gut, at which point Alex attempted to escape the abuse. Police then grabbed him from behind and pepper-sprayed him at point-blank range.

Kelly Beckham, one of numerous anti-war demonstrators directly sprayed in the eyes with pepper spray, said, "I was in agony because I didn't know what was happening. I couldn't see anything and they had to carry me away. I was really angry. They wouldn't let the medics approach anyone who had been hurt. This is nothing compared to the suffering of the Iraqi people." Alex Patia, 18 years old, said, "I have been through lots of painful medical procedures and I was in the most pain I have ever felt in my life, but I want to see an end to this war and my actions today are my patriotic duty."

Many protesters wore goggle to protect themselves from chemical attack. Andrew Yankey reported [hearing] the officer in charge giving the orders, "Take off their goggles. Spray under their goggles." He also witnessed police stealing water from demonstrators, drinking it, and laughing at demonstrators as they were in agony. Pepper spray causes immediate swelling of the eyes, severe pain, upper body spasms, difficulty breathing, coughing, and may cause severe allergic reactions in some individuals. Repeated exposure can cause long lasting changes in vision.

Olympia Port Militarization Resistance is caring for community members affected by the brutality inflicted upon them and will not be deterred in their non-violent struggle to de-militarize the Port of Olympia.

Photographs of today's demonstrations may be obtained from Rob Whitlock, 360-259-4291, robwhitlock1978@yahoo.com, www.flicker.com/photos/rwhitlock.

AT LEAST 12 ARRESTED AS PROTESTS MOVE TO DOWNTOWN, I-5 ENTRANCE
By Jeremy Pawloski

[PHOTO CAPTION: Riot police take a protester into custody after he blocked the entrance to I-5 near Plum Street Saturday.]

[PHOTO CAPTION: Dressed in riot gear, Olympia Police officers pepper spray protesters lined up at the Port of Olympia as they make way for the semi trucks waiting to enter the port to pick up military equipment destined for Fort Lewis Saturday morning, November 10, 2007.]

OLYMPIA -- At least 12 people have been arrested today as protests of military-cargo shipments from the Port of Olympia moved to downtown and the Plum Street entrance to Interstate 5.

About 12:15 p.m., Olympia police arrested at least three people at Fourth Avenue and Plum Street. About 12:20 p.m., protesters gathered at the I-5 entrance in a failed attempt to block convoys. Police arrested at least nine people there.

Protesters on foot blocked traffic at Fourth and Plum about noon by jumping in front of 18-wheelers towing cargo containers containing military equipment bound for Fort Lewis. But Olympia police in riot gear moved in quickly, spraying pepper spray in the faces of the protesters, pushing them with their batons, and dragging them away from the road.

About 10 protesters partially blocked Plum Street at the entrance to Interstate 5 by linking arms through PVC pipes and sitting in the road. Police shot them with pepper spray guns and, when they didn't move, cut the PVC pipes, handcuffed them, and dragged them to a police van.

Earlier in the day, Olympia police officers dressed in riot gear used pepper spray and physically removed the 20 or so Olympia Port Militarization Resistance demonstrators who were blocking the entrance to the port about 9:45 a.m.

A larger number of protesters stood by and shouted at the police, decrying what they felt were excessive tactics. A smaller group that included some of the truck drivers who were waiting to move military equipment to Fort Lewis voiced quiet support for the police actions.

By about 10:20 a.m., a large number of trucks had entered the port and about 20 officers lined the road at Franklin and Market streets, making sure the road was clear of protesters.

About 10:30 a.m., several protesters -- including one young woman screaming in pain -- were being treated by paramedics after being pepper-sprayed by police. The line of protesters at the port’s gates, some of whom wore goggles and other protective gear, withstood several sprays and were physically removed by officers who picked them up and threw them away from the road they had blocked.

Saturday’s actions by police come one day after protesters were able to halt to two trucks from removing military equipment that had been unloaded from Iraq.

All week, OlyPMR has been protesting the use of the port by the USNS Brittin, which landed at the port Monday to unload equipment that was used in Iraq by the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team).

On Friday, protesters, including several small children, were able to keep two trucks, including one towing a Stryker vehicle, from leaving the port. Olympia police said the department did not have enough officers available to remove the protesters Friday, and that they were not prepared to physically remove children.

Olympia Port Commission President Paul Telford said Friday night that he understood police did not have the resources to remove the protesters that day but added he was “a little disappointed that we didn’t get some police support.”

Early this morning, protesters were blocking the main entrance to the port, and overnight a barricade had been built at another road providing access to the port on Market and Marine Drive. Protesters said they were there all night.

The barricade, which included the axle of a truck with four wheels attached and plastic garbage cans, was cleared by what appeared to be port workers using a bulldozer about 8:15 a.m. today. Police also cleared protesters from the barricade using pepper spray.

Before today's action by police, truck drivers who were waiting to do their jobs said they didn’t feel police were doing theirs. Overnight, truck driver Mike Cutberth said protesters stole equipment from his struck that he had used to secure cargo containers.

“The police response (stinks),” Cutberth said of Saturday’s inaction by police.

“We’re a tax-producing business,” said truck driver Tory Liljeblad. “Why don’t we get protection?”

Nathan Forrest added that “I can’t make a living” with the protesters blocking port access.

After the trucks rolled into the port this morning, it appeared that OlyPMR’s resistance would continue; police scanners were reporting various actions in the area of the port and on Fourth Avenue after 11 a.m.

--For more information, check back at this site and see Page A1 in Sunday's Olympian.