Presidential Debate Protesters Charged by Mounted Police; Iraq Veterans Injured, Arrested

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Pandemonium erupted outside Hofstra University tonight at around 8pm, an hour before the final presidential debate of the 2008 campaign was scheduled to begin there, when mounted police charged protesters and spectators.

Fifteen people were reportedly arrested and three injured. Protesters included a contingent of the group Iraq Veterans Against the War. Members of the group intended to submit questions to the the candidates but never had the chance. Local police on horseback drove the protesters away from the university's David S Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex, where the debate was held, knocking some to the ground and in at least one case trampling them.

More videos available at Be the Media.

Reporting and video by David Mathison.

Comments

[BioLiberty]

For those who would like to support the Hempstead 15, here are some suggestions from IVAW

So what can YOU do about it? My fellow veteran brothers need you. We need to call the NY police department and ask them why they would trample IRAQ WAR VETERANS exercising their FREEDOM SPEECH in a peaceful manner. Is this the way members of the military who don the uniform and make an oath to defend the constitution, America, and it's people are treated? We MUST NOT ONLY hold the Police Department accountable but the Presidential Candidates as well for allowing this to happen. THIS IS NOT DEMOCRACY, THIS IS A POLICE STATE.

Below are the numbers. Call now and anytime until November 10th when the court date is set for the detained veterans. Stay posted for a possible action then.

LAWRENCE MULVEY
COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
Public Information Office
516-573-7135
516-573-7138 (24 hour)
516-573-7118 FAX
And the complaint line
Call 516-573-7000 and ask to be connected to the Desk Officer where the incident occurred (Hofstra University).
NC Police Internal Affairs Unit: 516-573-7120
NC District Attorney’s Office, Special Investigations : 516-571-2100
NYS Attorney General, Civil Rights Division: 1-800-771-7755

[bogues]

It just makes no sense at this time so close to the end of the campaign, for anyone on either side to go to an event with the intent to protest. The very best way to make your voice heard is to VOTE for the candidate of your choice. Stop all this protesting and just VOTE!

[11907281]

I guess you think the constitution is just a G*d damned piece of paper, like Bush?

[monoxboogie]

People protest movies on opening day. It's their right as Americans to protest where and when they want in a peaceful manner. Also, it's your right to think that it's better to vote than protest. That's the beautiful thing about our country.

[BioLiberty]

THERE IS NEVER. REPEAT, NEVER A BAD TIME TO EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS!

That being said, www.IVAW.org was there is influence the debate by demanding to address both candidates. There questions should have been ask. After all. they are the most relevant to the domestic/veteran issues.

Veterans Affairs is not fully funded, it is understaffed and McCain has voted against fully funding the VA and New GI Bill. Suicides are at the highest rate ever, with over a 1000 attempts reported per month and more than 16 per month actually succeed in leaving this world behind. So why dose McCain and main stream media avoid the issue?

As for Obama, he has refused to address his conflicting stance on the issue that he himself brought up early in his run for president. "The Iraq war is illegal". So, why dose he continue to fund it?

My hope is that he wants to get into the oval office before he issues arrest warrants for the previous occupants. That is a Lawyer for you!

[argent1]

If you don't know this already -- Society condones police brutality -- it is cheap and easy. Police have license to use force. Shoot first ak questions later. Most juries side with the cops. It's not facism, just the good old american way

[The Lorax]

I think we all agree this is angering as well as sad. So, how about we make sure to make the right choice when we vote for our next president and choose the team who has compassion, understanding, and love for people. All people, not juse the rich or conservative or big business.

And how about we all make sure we're heard when we call bulls*** from here on out.

I've been to many a protest but luckily have been tolerated well and given my chance to speak out. We should all have that, it's a right.

Good lord, what is happening to us. We ALL need to work together to get back on track.

[whatsgoingon]

To all that served. You must remember a pat on the back is only a few feet from a kick in the pants. As a nam vet, to all that protested last night on Long island, Welcome Home.

[iv64]

Whatever their questions are I am sure they had more validity at a presidential debate that Bill Ayers and John Lewis.

We are turning into a police state ........or are we already?

[Mikeeee]

This would be funny if it wasn't so sad. Think about it, you have a bunch of guys who were in a situation of people trying to murder them everyday and who saw many of their friends die or be maimed, being pushed off by thugs on horseback who whine everyday about how dangerous their job is, how they have to deal with violent people all the time.
It's absurd that when the people who went to fight for the freedoms of all citizens are denied one of the basic freedoms.

[gascelebrations]

There is a time, place, and forum for dissent, and there are responsibilities that protesting must adhere to. Craving and instigating verbal and physical confrontation with the police as an end in itself isn't going to get your message across in any coherent manner, but that's what professional protesters want. So they sacrifice their message for theater, and their cause for a ten-second video on YouTube. As a result, the public sees how ridiculous they are, refuse to support their cause, and we all lose when these issues are labeled as theatrical. Next time, put the puppets down and pick up a pen. Or laptop. Or use your head. It's 2008, organize at the grassroots level - romantically attempting to revive an era before you were born sounds fun, but it doesn't work.

[lucite]

I have to agree with you. However people like those you described above were responsible for the end of the war in Viet Nam. A very long expensive war, expensive not in $$ but in human lives. I think something like 50,000 men and women were killed in that war. An attempt was made to present this anti war plea peacefully, however Washington ignored the plea. Violent protest erupted and accomplished the withdrawal of troops from Viet Nam

[Psychonoetic]

I understand your point of view, but not all protesters instigate verbal or physical confrontation with the police. As well, often, the mainstream media's coverage tends to focus solely on instances when violence does occur and perhaps this is partly to blame for the notion that acts of civil disobedience, and the reclamation of public space for democratic protest, is construed as violence and framed as destruction of private property. Further, I hesitate to believe that the police are necessarily the victims of verbal and physical violence. And while it is 2008 there must be more than simply writing letters and signing petitions. Perhaps because it IS 2008 those tactics simply aren't as effective anymore. We're all familiar with receiving loads of links and emails to sign petitions. Finally, I don't think it's a matter of romanticizing a by-gone era of free love and freaking out the establishment. The anti-globalization movement was highly successful as a GRASSROOTS movement and was very media savvy and well organized, however, 9-11 was a huge blow to the ability of citizens to mobilize in acts of civil disobedience. I respect those citizens who are thirsting for change and are willing to risk their bodies and their minds to fight for social justice, especially at a time when I'm sure the powers that be would much prefer a polite email, or better yet, silence.

[LittleTart]

I agree, I have been at plenty of rallies where the taunts and threats of violence came from the "Blue" line. I have also seen taunts from the protesters and watched other protesters quiet them, scolding "That is not why we are here".

[edwcorey]

And the difference between us and Tsarist Russia, again, is?

[LittleTart]

The fact that a media outlet is talking about the incident, and we are able to communicate our outrage over the incident is one of the differences.

[BioLiberty]

Or is it? Can it be that all of our protesting and getting arrested won't change the date of our withdraw from Iraq? This is about oil remember! Not a left or right issue at the presidential level with both parties being funded by the same corps. Real change happens when people choose to be the difference they want to see. When people get off their couches and do something in their own community or for another. Not because it is popular or heroic. But simply because they see that it will not get done until somebody starts to do something. These guys are in pain. They are in different stages of grief and protesting is healthy for them and the country. What is not helping is the ignorance of the American people who would rather not hear about the real costs of this and all other wars. If every American knew what these guys know, there would be no wars.

[wm1066]

Well now that you mention Russia...The RT (Russia Today) is the only news source that I saw this on so far.

[BushDoctoring]

Fight for your country and remain voiceless is a sad indictment.

[JoeLib]

What you don't understand, Senator Obama, is that these people on horses are members of ACORN, and are here to destroy democracy through horse driven crowd control. I know... I know ACORN.... I was praising them just 2 years ago for what makes America special, so I know they hate America. And I know horses... That was how you got to school in my day, as was the fashion at the time. Joe the Plumber came to my house riding a white horse. I know. I know how to fix sinks like a plumber, like Joe. The Plumber.

Terrorists. ACORN. Washed up. FRAAAUUUUUUUUD!

-I'm John McCain and I... uhm, what was I saying again?

[scully09]

They should have been heard, but in a different forum.

[BushDoctoring]

Fight for your country and remain voiceless is a sad indictment.

[ericmiami]

I lived this sort of outrage forty years ago as a member of Vietnam Veterans Against the War. It saddens me to see so little has changed.

[rich misty]

Happens every time the neos get in control - same people were Dems under Johnson

When adminstrations change, they switch allegiances

Chris Hitchens is a classic example

[selu]

This type of supression of free speech that is occurring in this country is, I think, one of the biggest unchecked threats that is happening to our democracy. Honest citizens with a right to free speech are being demonized (e.g., Amy Goodwin) and the veterans of this war have an every right to be heard AND respected. I am very concerned that this has been happening for many years now and gets no major attention. This could have been a headline rather than a sidebar.

[lucite]

McCain/Palin would put our individuaity and freedom of speech at greater risk than the last four years. Palin ignoring the press is very telling.

[Progress08]

And refusing subpeonas.... How very very Dick Cheney of her. I hope the Obama justice department starts issuing subpeonas pretty quickly.

[JayeSF]

That's just sad.....makes me angry...I am sure that sort of response wasn't called for....