Tag Cloud
Friday, February 10, 2012
Confused Demonstartors
by Ed Fogle, published on May 1, 2009 at 8:55 PM
Storyline: Breaking and Action News Stories
Loading images
Sacramento, CA
Friday, May 1, 2009
Several Sacramento Police officers formed a blockade at the front entrance of the Five Fifty Five building on Capitol Mall today as demonstrators gathered to let their voice be heard by Bank of America officials. The downtown branch of Bank of America is located on the ground floor of the Five Fifty Five building. Bank personnel guarded the back ally entrance to be sure that those entering were there for bank business and not part of the demonstration. At this location the demonstrators were voicing their opinion of alleged misuse of bailout funds handed to the banks, and calling for the CEO of BofA to step down. When we attempted to question bank officials, we were met across the board with “no comment”.
Demonstrators dispersed peacefully and continued marching down Capitol Mall under police escort to the sidewalk in front of the Capital on the West side. We took this opportunity to talk with demonstrators. As we inquired as to the purpose of their demonstration, there seemed to be a bit of confusion; it seamed each demonstrator we talked with had a different mission for being there. We did finally discover that the main purpose of the protest was for laborers’ rights and that these protest were taking place in several locations throughout California.
We caught up with Albert Rojas (pictured in white t-shirt) at the demonstration. Rojas shared with us how he felt the misuse of bail-out funds impacted all tax payers. He stressed how it was his opinion and event organizers that immigrants should be a working, tax paying part of the American Society rather than tapping into the welfare system. Rojas is a student majoring in business. He stated that he purposed to fund his schooling rather than taking out student loans that he may not be able to repay. We asked Rojas about the inflatable characters they staged on the sidewalk; he stated that “they are symbolic to give a face to the mentality behind some of the bankers.”
While there did appear to be some confusion in the mission and purpose of their demonstration, it was clear that each person had definant opinions and missions. Each came to exercise their freedom of speech and right to be heard. Not only did they get that opportunity, their rights were literally protected as officers stood by to keep the peace.
Conversation Express your views,
debate, and be heard with those in your area closest
to the issue.
Leave a Comment
These guys should be angry at the pissing away of money going to GM and Chrysler who will never be able to repay the billions that they have taken from the government. In four months Chrysler has accepted $14 BILLION from the government as it’s been descended into bankruptcy. The Italian automaker Fiat's getting 35% of Chrysler at no cost and will have continued government funding to stay afloat till Obama leaves office. Over the next few years, billions upon billions will be spent of our tax dollars to keep Chrysler in business, this should make you sick.
Life IS simple folks so celebrate! celebrate! bike to the music!
Trap? Solutions baby! Think solutions.
Poorly written article by the way D+
Top of the list: Get out of the story! It's not about YOU, unless your name is Hunter S. Thompson. The word "we" (got a mouse in your pocket?) appears a half dozen times in the piece. NONE necessary. "When we attempted to question bank officials, we were met across the board with 'no comment'" reads tighter as: "Bank officials declined to comment on the demonstration."
Second graf is a train wreck. I don't have room in a comment to pull it apart and rebuild it but, again, the "we" conceit is superfluous. We (the readers) don't care where you were standing to gather your MOS comments. Something along the lines of "participants offered a number of conflicting (if they _were_ contradictory) reasons for demonstrating, though protest organizers said blah, blah blah" should do the trick.
Who is Rojas? A spokesman for Students United Against Oppressor Banks? Event organizer? One of the "confused" protesters? Again, I don't care that you "caught up with him" -- I need to know what his role was and why his comments are relevant.
And your last graf needs much more rewrite than it's probably worth. If it needs to be in the story at all, it'll march much better if you can get the cops to tell the story. Something like "Sacramento Police Sgt. Joe Friday, field commander at the May Day protest, reported no arrests or clashes with demonstrators. 'Our job is to make sure participants' First Amendment rights are protected while also ensuring B of A's property wasn't damaged and they were able to stay open for business during the event,' added Friday."
There's an old broadcasting joke; "he has a great face for radio". If it helps Ed, we can adapt that to read "as a journalist, Fogle is a great photog". I'm willing to bump you up to C- for effort in light of the fact your primary calling is to shoot and the story needed told. But you gotta be willing to take some wordsmithing basics on board in return. Deal?
Please use the comment section to discuss the issue in the above story.
Please feel free to address any critiques of our site to feedback@sacramentopress.com.