Freedomedia

Episode 12
Originally uploaded by blackcatmedia.

On June 10th, the prisoners doing jail solidarity were finally released. After speaking to the National Lawyers Guild, the prisoners consented to give their names in exchange for having the charges dropped.

This episode focuses on their release and includes a series of interviews detailing their experiences while in custody. While not quite as severe as the scandal in Abu Gharib, the way these young people were treated while in custody is completely reprehensible.

In the words of LBJ “Our safest guide to what we do abroad is a good look at what we are doing at home.”

         

Episode 11
Originally uploaded by blackcatmedia.

Immediately after stopping by the jail, I headed over to the Police Commisioner’s meeting at City Hall. The public comment period begins around 10:30PM on June 9th. This episode is a montage of the testimony given during the Commisioner’s meeting. The prisoners doing jail solidarity have been held in custody for over 24 hours at this point.

At the end of the meeting, we’re greeted by a surprise from San Francisco’s “finest.” Gotta love the power of police intimidation.

         

Episode 10
Originally uploaded by blackcatmedia.

The next day: In this episode, I’m interviewed by the news about what happened when I was arrested. I’m also asked to explain the jail solidarity that’s happening inside SF’s jail. The lawyer representing the defendents still in jail is interviewed about the conditions in the jail.

         

Episode 9
Originally uploaded by blackcatmedia.

In this episode of my vidcast, I suggest to my fellow arrestees, “If we get out by 2(AM), let’s go to Noc Noc’s,” a bar in the Haight. The march started at 5PM, and lasted for about half an hour… It’s now getting dark, it’s getting cold and we’re getting very hungry.

Some of us did get out by 2AM, and we met up with a few people at Noc Nocs. However, as you’ll soon learn in the next few episodes, several of us remained in jail for quite a while.

         

My Birthday
Originally uploaded by blackcatmedia.

Here’s a little bonus video from the footage from the Reclaim the Streets: Mutant Street Party, while we’re waiting to be hauled off to jail, a Happy Birthday chorus erupts…

         

Episode 8
Originally uploaded by blackcatmedia.

The hours drone on as we wait and wait for the “arrest process” to begin. After they arrested a couple medics and took away our sound system, nothing really happened for a few hours. Eventually the KRON news van showed up on the scene; as you’ll see, their side of the story was remarkably different from what you’ve seen thus far in my vidcast.

Please tell me if you feel the news coverage of the event seems accurate to you, I’d love to hear your thoughts…

         

Episode 7
Originally uploaded by blackcatmedia.

In this episode, the police become agitated by our choice of music, “Fuck tha Police,” by NWA, and it isn’t long before they take our music away.

Look for the special cameo appearance by Jesus. Warning: This video contains minor but graphic police brutality, viewer (not parent) discretion is advised.

         

Episode 6
Originally uploaded by blackcatmedia.

In the sixth episode of my first hand-account of what happened on my 22nd birthday, the police attempt to define “chill,” and the cops make their first arrest, a street medic.

         

Episode 5
Originally uploaded by blackcatmedia.

This is the fifth episode of my first-hand account of what happened on my 22nd birthday. This episode begins with all of us very confused about why we’re being arrested, if you’ve ever been to a protest in San Francisco, you’re probably well aware of the customary order to disperse before anyone get’s arrested. We never heard it…

Realizing that we’re stuck in this small area, we decide to make the best of it.

         

Episode 4
Originally uploaded by blackcatmedia.

Here comes the fourth episode of my first-hand account of what happened on my 22nd birthday. In this episode, emcee lynx performs for the crowd as we suddenly discover that we’re under arrest.

“This is a message from the San Francisco Police Department, all people within the police encirclement: be advised, you are under arrest. Do not attempt to break out of the police encirclement or you will be struck by police batons. The arrest process will start shortly.”

Stay tuned to see just how long it takes for the “arrest process” to begin…