Barton Creek Mall Christmas Arrest

CodePink Austin, along with allies from Veteran's for Peace and Women in Black staged a Don't Buy War "freeze" at Barton Creek Mall on Saturday, December 3rd. 

The group was between the Santa photo station and the Gamestop store, which prominently advertises the 'Modern Warfare 3' video game. 

The goals were to raise awareness about the continuing wars on Iraq and Afghanistan, to educate shoppers about the costs (both human and economic) of the wars, and to dissuade parents from purchasing war toys. An APD officer assaulted/arrested a young woman (Nicole Mann) who had joined the group spontaneously. 

*Update*


First reports are that she sustained 4 broken ribs!  Also, from people associated with the arrest.  She has been charged with 1 felony and 2 charges that were lowered to a class "B" and class "C" misdemeanor.

Searches to find information within mainstream news have turned up no information.

**I've often wondered when it became policy for security/police to surround people being arrested so that they can be brutalized while unthinking corporate servants run about telling people to stop filming.  It is not illegal to film public officers in public spaces!!!

Power-washing City Hall During Occupy Austin

I received a call that the Austin City Council made the decision to have the mall in front of City Hall power-washed between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. The requirement was for all signage, equipment, tents, etc. be removed so that the city could clean.  Occupants were told they would be allowed to return after the cleaning.

Officers and occupiers were respectful and communicated with little confrontation throughout the process.  Occupiers were told that they should move across the street, which most complied with. 

 A lone occupier stays until the last moments.

 

The power-washing begins.

Initially, police had advised everyone that no one would be allowed on the sidewalks in front of City Hall. 

After discussions with occupiers, the police advised the crowd that they could be on the sidewalk as long as they did not impede traffic.

Four occupiers refused to vacate and were arrested without incident.  But not without some good humor.

 

  Of course, not all arrested were in such high spirits.

 All in all, the actions of the occupiers and the police made me proud to live in Austin.