As the “Occupy Wall Street” protests enter their ninth day, an increasing number of videos and photos have begun surfacing, showing near-indiscriminate use of tasers, mace and kettling by the NYPD on demonstrators, who are protesting a financial system that apparently favours the wealthy and powerful over ordinary citizens.
The protest, organized by the New Y0rk Group General Assembly, constitutes a multi-day occupation of the Wall Street area, which had seen early attempts at containment by the NYPD via kettling, and increasingly, violent reprisal.
If you’re not totally amped to watch the above video, I defer to Xeni Jardin for summary:
…two peaceful female protesters were first penned in by police, then at least one of the young women is sprayed directly in the face at close range with pressurized mace. She then falls to her knees, and repeatedly screams in pain.
Police response to the protesters has become increasingly militant; about 80 people were arrested on Saturday as the protest moved north towards Union Square.
More reports and videos are popping up displaying similar incidents.
[Sources: NYT, BoingBoing, NYCGA, Occupy Wall Street Flickr Pool]
