reblogged from I-Witness Video
Last Wednesday, while presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain debated domestic policy issues in front of a live television audience at the Long Island campus of Hofstra University, Nassau county police faced off with a few hundred spirited but peaceful demonstrators. And using excessive force, police -- on horses and in full riot gear -- trampled several people including Iraq vet Nick Morgan. I-Witness Video member Emily Forman captured the ensuing bedlam, police violence, and injuries on tape.
Earlier that night, a group of protesters from Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) had, in accordance with a pre-announced plan, assembled on the streets outside the Hofstra University venue where the debate was being held. IVAW had informed the police in advance that several of their members would be participating in a symbolic, non-violent, civil-disobedience action: attempting to deliver two questions for the candidates. The group has engaged in similar actions before, at the Democratic National Convention in Denver and the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. Last week, at the presidential debate, the veterans hoped to ask Barack Obama if he would support soldiers who do not want to be deployed to an illegally occupied Iraq, and to ask McCain why he has voted against funding for the Veterans Administration since the beginning of the war in Iraq.
But the veterans' efforts to stage a peaceful protest last week were countered by violent police actions. After a small group of veterans was calmly taken into custody in a choreographed arrest, the police became very aggressive. The police commander on the scene ordered the horses and lines of riot police to push the crowd from the street onto the sidewalk. Mounted police officers charged into the assembled vets and other protesters, pushing the frightened people backwards and up onto the sidewalk. Riot police then forced some demonstrators to the ground, where police horses rode over them.
Former Army Reserve Sergeant Nick Morgan was caught under the hooves of a horse ridden by Nassau County police officer Quagliano. The horse stepped on Morgan's face, breaking his lower orbital (cheekbone) in three places. Bleeding heavily from his face, Morgan drifted in and out of consciousness until another police officer appeared and dragged him away from the scene. After a delay in which Nassau County police refused to take Morgan to the hospital, he was finally taken to Nassau County Medical Center, handcuffed to a gurney, given Motrin and a prescription for antibiotics, and sent on to jail.
Besides Morgan, several others were injured in the crush of horses and police, including Nadine Lubka, whose nose was broken. Fifteen people in total were arrested; they all received disorderly conduct charges.
Except for a brief Associated Press story and some video and photos uploaded to CNN's iReport website by citizen journalists, there has been almost no corporate media coverage of this story.
Thank you Lisa G. The only person who reported anything about this was Amy Goodman last Thursday. Everyone in the MSM and the blogosphere was caught up with “Joe the Plumber” for days.
The coverage on Iraq by the MSM been reduced to “2 minutes per week, per network”. Can you imagine if you are a Vet and have the media completely ignore you. That is exactly what has happened. Thanks for putting the spotlight on this.
By Leen on October 24th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
This is the way we treat our Vets…pathetic and the MSM and the progressive blogosphere was all about Joe the Plumber
By Leen on October 24th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
This should go up as the head FDL thread.
By Leen on October 24th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Thank you, lisaG. DIGG
This story should be followed up on, especially by the Iraq Vets Against the War. Surely among them is a person skilled in horsemanship who could give a critique of Officer Quagliano’s poor control of his horse.
I am not a professional horsewoman but grew up in Texas around horses for which I was often responsible and which I had to learn to control, often in groups of 5 while riding one.
Well trained horses are very sensitive to the least pressure from the rider’s hands, knees, heels, toes, body balance, etc. It definitely appeared to me that Officer Quagliano had very poor control over his horse. The horse danced, went forward, back, side stepped, etc. At least once I saw that the horse’s rump was turned directly to the crowd. That should never be permitted as a horse’s best defense, when not allowed to escape by running, is to kick with great force with its hind legs.
IMHO Officer Quagliano and/or the horse should be pulled from the crowd control brigade unless or until they are sufficiently trained for the work.
I would like to see here a critique of this event from a professional horse trainer’s point of view.
By acquarius74 on October 24th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
I hate to be the one to tell you, but sadly police horses are used as weapons.
My understanding is, the rider backs the animal up, to override the animal’s natural tendency NOT to stomp on people. I dare say it is a part of the officer’s training. Reprehensible, for sure.
We’ve seen horses used in this way a few times in NY, with very serious injuries resulting. It’s vile that the rider would use the animal in this way.
By LisaG on October 24th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Generally I have more respect for horses than most people I’ve had experience with.
Even though I’m 74 years old, I still am continuously blindsided by my own naievte. It never occurred to me that the officer was deliberately threatening the individuals in the crowd with the horse.
I’ve known persons in my lifetime who were brutal to horses. In nearly every case, horse karma returns to them full force. Takes time, but it does. That despicable officer deserves that which he has called upon himself.
By acquarius74 on October 25th, 2008 at 1:21 am
I hear you, but I think this is what this guy is paid to do. He’s is stomping that guy’s head in my name, and in yours. The prez debates are a “national security event,” like the political conventions and all other large national political events.
So, yes I think this is about policing, not about individual bad behavior by one officer. Let’s keep in mind that Nassau County police Officer Quagliano is working under orders, paid by taxpayers. I am not defending his behavior, just calling for a political analysis of it.
By LisaG on October 25th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Thankfully I do not live in NY. I hope that no part of my tax dollars support suppression of freedom of assembly and all the other constitutional rights which the Bush administration has trashed by dictatorship.
I voted early, marking my paper ballot only for Democrats. I try to be hopeful that with the their return in both Congress and Executive branch that sanity will govern our country.
Thank you for your postings.
By acquarius74 on October 25th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Are folks aware of any other coverage by blogs on this issue? I started linking Amy’s coverage on this site and other blogs the Friday after the debate? I am still trying to get one of these blogs to run this issue as a front line issue. Also making contact with Talk of the Nation and Diane Rehm show. Please push this issue. Please. Thanks Lisa for picking up on this.
By Leen on October 25th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Check out http://ivawactions.ning.com we have been collecting stories about this since the minute it happened.
By gordonsoderberg on October 25th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Thanks for that link
By Leen on October 26th, 2008 at 6:16 pm