EYE WITNESS of OCCUPY DC - Hit And Run

[Emery McClendon]

Violence At Occupy DC

Americans for Prosperity held Hostage

 

Each
November, Americans for Prosperity Sponsors an event known as “Defending the
American Dream.”  People from all around
the country attend to show their support for restoring pride in the Founding
Principles of our Constitution.  A big
hit during the event is The “Tribute to Ronald Reagan” Dinner.  There were over 2500 in attendance this year.

I had the
opportunity to attend the event for the 4^Th time this year as a
Blogger. 

During the
event we were informed by The Emcee that the building had been surrounded by
the Occupy DC protesters, and that were numbered at about 500 or so.  They were attempting to break into the
building and were very aggressive.  As a
result of their activity the building was placed on lock down.

They were
banging on the windows and placing children in front of the doors to keep those
attending the dinner from leaving. 

I left the
Ballroom to get a look outside.  The
building was surrounded by them, security guards, and Police.  They were chanting, beating on the building,
and blocking the streets. 

After the
dinner was over we were told to exit in large groups to avoid violence, and for
our safety. The protesters blocked all the exits, and people were finding it
difficult to leave the building, and those that managed to exit were attacked
with physical violence.

As I walked
around the building looking out, I noticed several people being attacked by the
protesters and hit with objects and their fists.  At one exit they knocked down an elderly lady
and surrounded her.  At another exit they
attacked people as they exited by allowing them to get half way or more across
the street then grabbing the last people in the group and hitting them.  

Not being
able to exit the building I approached a Security Guard and asked for assistance.  He stated that we were not to leave the
building and placed us in an area on the second level to wait until it was safe
to leave.  We were a group of about 10 or
more people, and we could see what was going on outside.  It was at that time that I noticed no cars
were driving through that section of the street.  Then I noticed the traffic light turn green
and a light colored vehicle entered the block, but was immediately surrounded
by the protesters.  It was in the left
lane, and people were beating on the car, and yelling and screaming at the
driver.  The vehicle tried to creep
forward, but the protesters keep blocking it. 
The vehicle then turned sharply toward the right side of the street to
escape but several people kept standing in front of it.  The vehicle then ran over a protester and
sped away.  It looked as though several
others may have been struck also.  There
was a police car parked in the opposite direction with its lights
blinking.  It did not pursue the
vehicle.  You could hear the protesters
chanting that the driver had struck a person and that the police should arrest
the driver. After a few moments the police car pursued the vehicle with lights
and siren.

After this
the protesters attacked another group that exited the conference and struck two
women.  I then asked the Security Guard
if he could allow me to leave.  He stated
that he could take a small group of us out a secret way.  We then proceeded to walk following him.  We arrived at our exit point but were told to
duck down because protesters were approaching. 
The Security Guard went outside to check the area, after a short wait we
were told to run toward the exit and to proceed to the right outside to the
Metro Station. 

When
arriving at the Metro entrance we noticed about 10 – 12 Police Officers
standing there.  We could also hear the
protesters around the corner, and many Police sirens.

Being a
little nervous we entered the wrong Train and rode to the end of the line to correct
ourselves to get back to our final destinations.

LINKS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVcHaG7fqH8

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/art-levine/occupy-dc-violence_b_10774...

 

http://dailycaller.com/2011/11/05/chaos-video/

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6smpjyX3Px4

 

 

 

[Emery McClendon]

Sandra:  Thanks, it was quite an event.  I really hope that it does not come to this as a norm, but I think that it just might.

I have been too busy to Blog much, but I will try to do more.  God Bless You and the rest of the Patriots here.

[Sandra]

WOW Emery;  What a nightmare! I am so glad you are OK! So much for peaceful protests, I had read that the bad folks were arriving at these events.  It seems like an impossible thing for the police to arrest those types! Talk about no justice and infringement on your rights and safety. I do hope the person driving the car got away sadly there seems no choice and that is what is taught to do in a bad situation. Maybe the cop just went for coffee and not the car?  I have missed our posts... Stay home until things calm down, PLEASE!