An RNC view from behind a badge...
Author's Note: Linking to this post is welcome, I only ask that you please leave a comment to make me aware of it. No media, please.
You know... I hadn't planned on making any formal posting on the RNC. Ever.
Until someone asked me how many people's civil rights I violated.
For those of you who don't know, a little background:
* I am a security guard. I work via private contract for Ramsey County, in a government building. While my building does not typically host the best citizens the County has to offer (the primary offices are child support enforcement, alcohol monitoring/SCRAM, and probation), I have never been less than courteous, kind, and often more respectful than some folk are used to (I've been told as much).
* For the entirety of the Convention I was loaned out to a high-profile building inside the "secure zone," and easy distance of every protest (and the Xcel Center). The building was open to the public, held nearly a dozen delegate events, and one of the only events besides the actual Xcel that ran all four days. I spent this week on-call, and reporting primarily to a Commander for Ramsey County Sheriffs Department. I had an insane amount of clearance for a limited time - on the local, state, and national levels.
* I am a fierce Browncoat. (If you don't know what that means, watch Firefly. Or Serenity.) I have friends and acquaintances across the entire political spectrum - from a delegate in town to vote McCain into the ticket, law enforcers, guards, ordinary folk protesters, and anarchists. Several of those folks were arrested, and a near equal number were arresting them.
Now. All of that said, I still had a job to do - to protect the building I was assigned to, assist employees, patrons, volunteers, media and law enforcement whenever possible, and in general help assure the safety of everyone I saw.
In the course of my week, I was stopped several times by some form of law enforcement and asked to comply with checkpoints and searches. As I was entering a secure zone, I expected as much, and was generally surprised the times that a simple show of my badge would do. A particular officer (federal) was very upset with my attempts to simply enter on my uniform and badge alone - it was the only time I ever used my connections and clearance this week.
Once, I was asked to submit to a search on my way *out* of the secure zone, which I refused. When the officer pressed, I informed him that I was aware of my rights under the 4th Amendment and that he did not have probable cause to search my secured belongings based on what was immediately visible to him. I left without further incident.
I was repeatedly introduced to/questioned by media. While most were simply introducing themselves or asking directions, I was asked for my comment on various situations and protests as well. I offered no comment, and the one time I was pressed on that, I explained to the journalist that while I respected his 1st Amendment right to expression and press, I was likewise expressing a desire not to be involved - silence is an expression under the same rights.
Many of the folk in the building I patrolled were thankful for additional security presence during the high volume and chaos. Some were merely tolerant; and two were outright hostile. One such individual asked me how I felt about contributing to a police state, told me he felt like a POW in his own office because of me, and implied that I was part of a Nazi-esque regime. I told him I was sorry he felt that way about the event and my involvement, and that I would do my best to ensure that he did not feel intruded upon. (I was in his exhibit, which the Commander requested we tour once per day to ensure that nothing suspicious was left by patrons)
I was called any number of names, spat at, threatened with violence against my person and my property - all by folks upset at the Convention, and/or the additional security and changes brought on by it. This happened at work, at school, and out in the general public. Not *once* did I retaliate.
I'd like to go on record as stating that I saw any number of protester/police conflicts - some ended badly, most did not. I was involved in a couple of conflicts myself, and even stepped up to help cover my boss' ass once when he couldn't/didn't get the job done. (An individual needed to be removed from the building, for being a nuisance. After the boss talked to him, he went back to bothering folk, so I ensured his removal - without confrontation)
I'm not defending or attacking anyone across the board on either side. It's too mixed a bag for that. However, the press is generally focused on outrageous, sensational acts - and I'm living proof that it wasn't all that way. I went to work, I did my job under a great deal of pressure and stress, and I went home. I accosted no one, nor did I retaliate against friend or foe. I did, however, cry every single day of this damned event at how people were treating each other, from both sides of each conflict. At how people were treating me - particularly those whom I associate with outside of work. Several folks were tremendously supportive, and I thank them for that, as well. I appreciate them all the more in light of proof that people can be so combative with one another, without grounds or proof - that ideals can be just as blinding in either direction.
Now that the whole thing is over, I have this to end on:
* To those folks who supported the effort of peace, I thank you.
* To those who were injured, I pray for you.
* To those inconvenienced and unheard, I empathize with you.
* To those who made this strong, fierce woman cry in the dark this week... karma is a bitch, and so am I.
~Samantha
You know... I hadn't planned on making any formal posting on the RNC. Ever.
Until someone asked me how many people's civil rights I violated.
For those of you who don't know, a little background:
* I am a security guard. I work via private contract for Ramsey County, in a government building. While my building does not typically host the best citizens the County has to offer (the primary offices are child support enforcement, alcohol monitoring/SCRAM, and probation), I have never been less than courteous, kind, and often more respectful than some folk are used to (I've been told as much).
* For the entirety of the Convention I was loaned out to a high-profile building inside the "secure zone," and easy distance of every protest (and the Xcel Center). The building was open to the public, held nearly a dozen delegate events, and one of the only events besides the actual Xcel that ran all four days. I spent this week on-call, and reporting primarily to a Commander for Ramsey County Sheriffs Department. I had an insane amount of clearance for a limited time - on the local, state, and national levels.
* I am a fierce Browncoat. (If you don't know what that means, watch Firefly. Or Serenity.) I have friends and acquaintances across the entire political spectrum - from a delegate in town to vote McCain into the ticket, law enforcers, guards, ordinary folk protesters, and anarchists. Several of those folks were arrested, and a near equal number were arresting them.
Now. All of that said, I still had a job to do - to protect the building I was assigned to, assist employees, patrons, volunteers, media and law enforcement whenever possible, and in general help assure the safety of everyone I saw.
In the course of my week, I was stopped several times by some form of law enforcement and asked to comply with checkpoints and searches. As I was entering a secure zone, I expected as much, and was generally surprised the times that a simple show of my badge would do. A particular officer (federal) was very upset with my attempts to simply enter on my uniform and badge alone - it was the only time I ever used my connections and clearance this week.
Once, I was asked to submit to a search on my way *out* of the secure zone, which I refused. When the officer pressed, I informed him that I was aware of my rights under the 4th Amendment and that he did not have probable cause to search my secured belongings based on what was immediately visible to him. I left without further incident.
I was repeatedly introduced to/questioned by media. While most were simply introducing themselves or asking directions, I was asked for my comment on various situations and protests as well. I offered no comment, and the one time I was pressed on that, I explained to the journalist that while I respected his 1st Amendment right to expression and press, I was likewise expressing a desire not to be involved - silence is an expression under the same rights.
Many of the folk in the building I patrolled were thankful for additional security presence during the high volume and chaos. Some were merely tolerant; and two were outright hostile. One such individual asked me how I felt about contributing to a police state, told me he felt like a POW in his own office because of me, and implied that I was part of a Nazi-esque regime. I told him I was sorry he felt that way about the event and my involvement, and that I would do my best to ensure that he did not feel intruded upon. (I was in his exhibit, which the Commander requested we tour once per day to ensure that nothing suspicious was left by patrons)
I was called any number of names, spat at, threatened with violence against my person and my property - all by folks upset at the Convention, and/or the additional security and changes brought on by it. This happened at work, at school, and out in the general public. Not *once* did I retaliate.
I'd like to go on record as stating that I saw any number of protester/police conflicts - some ended badly, most did not. I was involved in a couple of conflicts myself, and even stepped up to help cover my boss' ass once when he couldn't/didn't get the job done. (An individual needed to be removed from the building, for being a nuisance. After the boss talked to him, he went back to bothering folk, so I ensured his removal - without confrontation)
I'm not defending or attacking anyone across the board on either side. It's too mixed a bag for that. However, the press is generally focused on outrageous, sensational acts - and I'm living proof that it wasn't all that way. I went to work, I did my job under a great deal of pressure and stress, and I went home. I accosted no one, nor did I retaliate against friend or foe. I did, however, cry every single day of this damned event at how people were treating each other, from both sides of each conflict. At how people were treating me - particularly those whom I associate with outside of work. Several folks were tremendously supportive, and I thank them for that, as well. I appreciate them all the more in light of proof that people can be so combative with one another, without grounds or proof - that ideals can be just as blinding in either direction.
Now that the whole thing is over, I have this to end on:
* To those folks who supported the effort of peace, I thank you.
* To those who were injured, I pray for you.
* To those inconvenienced and unheard, I empathize with you.
* To those who made this strong, fierce woman cry in the dark this week... karma is a bitch, and so am I.
~Samantha