RNC Day One: The girl with glitter on her shoulders

September 03, 2008
by Charley Underwood, 9/1/08 • This particular girl went forward to offer a flower to a riot-clad officer ... I was working as a street medic all day today, mostly offering people sunscreen and lozenges and water and so on. At one point, after the large and very peaceful march had finished, every single bridge across I-94 was blocked by officers wearing paramilitary-style riot gear. Neither cars nor pedestrians were allowed to cross the freeway unless they had Republican credentials. Both cars and walkers could leave, however, and at one point I saw three women leaving the area, so I asked what had been going on. The girl had been dancing in the streets with her friends. I assume it was somewhat in the nature of taunting the police. This particular girl went forward to offer a flower to a riot-clad officer and he maced her in the face. I didn't notice any piercings or tattoos on the girl. What I noticed was that she was dressed in a sleeveless brightly colored dress and that her bare shoulders had been decorated with glitter. She certainly looked innocent, more dressed for a party than for a riot. I also noticed, of course, that her eyes were quite red, that she had been crying and that she seemed shocked and afraid. I believe she was totally surprised by the reaction of the man in the paramilitary uniform. I hope she is well now. I hope the first aid center could decontaminate her quickly, that she could cry and get hugs from her friends. I hope she finds someone to love her and maybe has children of her own one day, if that is her wish. I hope she somehow regains her innocence and her trust in humanity. We should all accept, of course, that something may have been taken from that young girl that she can never regain. Perhaps she will now live in fear, seeking some elusive protection in cowering and anonymity. Or perhaps something in her heart will have hardened and she will join with those who have come to see the police and the true source of danger, who see the police as their enemies. Whether she becomes fearful or filled with rage, it is hard for me to see how democracy was served today.

    Comments

    Our need to keep communicating

    Submitted by Reva R Rasmussen (not verified) on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 3:07pm.
    Charley, I am saddened to read your story. It's really upsetting. The girl had an experience that hearkens back to the era of protests against the Vietnam War when I was a young adult. I have been downtown during this convention, too. I was close to peace marchers on Labor Day, in fact, I had to march with them part of the way because the police would not allow us out of the area. I am trying to practice peace within myself every day, while trying to say what needs to be said: dissent. It is a hard, hard road and that young girl - I would have dressed like that in 1968, too - has tried her best. She'll have loads more opportunities. I hope she keeps taking the opportunities. My experience with the police on Labor Day and Tuesday evening was different. I believe in part this is because I was not near people who were igniting violence. Both nights I had respectful conversations with police in full riot gear. One said, "sorry to inconvenience you" when my friend didn't stop when told to stop. I believe that police officer was trying to promote peace as a police officer, she was struggling in her consciousness. I respect that struggle. We were not in a "hot spot" of downtown. I avoided those areas (maybe there was only one). I did not want to get involved in violence for free speech or violence for peace. I know the police are different in those spots; I might be too. I thought making a presence and talking to the police like a friendly human being was what I could do for peace. I kept talking to the police in part to calm them down, also to keep reminding them that we are human beings together. I don't believe they are the enemy, not even in light of the experience you write about. The officer who committed that offense needs training. Loads of training. Last night when I was trying to cross a street, a frighteningly tall officer in full gear, with the face mask -everything - calmly gave me directions of where to walk. I didn't trust him, but I reminded myself to keep an open mind. He looked all powerful and inhuman, but I could see his face behind the mask and he was just a guy. His voice was gentle, helpful. Our little conversation kept us connected. We were just two human beings and, as we know, it is hard to be a human being. It is especially hard to be two human beings practicing free speech. I believe even the riots and brutality are part of democracy until we learn to speak up and allow others to speak up, until we learn to listen and until we are heard. May we be strong enough to keep learning. I posted my Labor Day experience here in the Free Speech Zone.

    lost innocence

    Submitted by Kat (not verified) on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 9:37am.
    Thanks, Charlie. There's a video of the spraying (actually more like a hosing down) of the girl with pepper spray on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kyvsc1ktgJE It appears that she was innocently and naievely hoping to defuse the situation through a simple act of kindness. Perhaps another officer would have reacted diffferently.

    Thank you Charley!

    Submitted by Rachel Dykoski on Wed, 09/03/2008 - 8:11am.
    This picture you paint of the peaceful innocent being met with violent rejection is one I'll take from this week's events. I think we all want to wish the young woman a healing balm of encouragement and love. And I hope she gets it. Thank you for being there doing what you do and to tell her story. "Standing up for our rights - we're all in the same boat; I'll fight for your rights because they are the same as mine."