Well, there's been a violent side to this, no doubt-but since the media have the showing of violence covered (and then some), I chose to show the other side of this.
Another thing to remember: the protest is no one group/ideology/tactics. Much of the violence has been from small groups that seek any occasion to smash and burn (including football games) and are not necessarily affiliated with any political ideology. And yes, there are anarchists that throw molotov bombs, but to reduce the whole unrest to that subgroup is ridiculous. More disturbingly, a tape (that some bystander took) shows groups of mask-wearing, bat-weilding 'anarchists' chatting with police and parting ways amicably, so at least some of it comes from agents provocateurs which, I'm sad to say, is neither surprising nor unusual here. It goes back to the complicated history between anti-authority groups and the police dating back to the military junta a few decades ago. Suffice to say, cops have a vested interest in discrediting any protesters in the public eye.
Anyway, glad you found this useful. I've been frustrated with the news coverage abroad and most of the comments people make online, but I keep reminding myself it's not my job to personally set the facts straight with everybody on the Internet. But I had to at least give my perspective in my own journal.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2008-12-21 02:16 am (UTC)Another thing to remember: the protest is no one group/ideology/tactics. Much of the violence has been from small groups that seek any occasion to smash and burn (including football games) and are not necessarily affiliated with any political ideology. And yes, there are anarchists that throw molotov bombs, but to reduce the whole unrest to that subgroup is ridiculous. More disturbingly, a tape (that some bystander took) shows groups of mask-wearing, bat-weilding 'anarchists' chatting with police and parting ways amicably, so at least some of it comes from agents provocateurs which, I'm sad to say, is neither surprising nor unusual here. It goes back to the complicated history between anti-authority groups and the police dating back to the military junta a few decades ago. Suffice to say, cops have a vested interest in discrediting any protesters in the public eye.
Anyway, glad you found this useful. I've been frustrated with the news coverage abroad and most of the comments people make online, but I keep reminding myself it's not my job to personally set the facts straight with everybody on the Internet. But I had to at least give my perspective in my own journal.