# Teacher pepper-sprayed while talking on the phone **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 30, 2015, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330 "2015-01-30T14:45:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330/41 "2015-01-30T20:27:31Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > [Do the letters “WTO” mean anything to you?](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_Seattle_WTO_protests#.22N30.22) _Over the next few hours, a number of marchers began to converge on the area from different directions. These included a student march from the north, a march of citizens of the developing world who marched in from the south and, beginning around 9am, militant anarchists (in a formation known as a black bloc) marching down Pike Street from 6th Avenue, blockading the streets with newspaper boxes and smashing windows. Some demonstrators held rallies, others held teach-ins and at least one group staged an early-morning street party._ _That morning, the King County Sheriff’s Office and Seattle Police Department fired pepper spray, tear gas canisters, and stun grenades[citation needed] at protesters at several intersections in an attempt to reopen the blocked streets and allow as many WTO delegates as possible through the blockade. At 6th Avenue and Union Street, the crowd threw them back.[citation needed]_ _By late morning, the black bloc had swelled to 200 people and smashed dozens of shops and police cars. This seems to have set off a chain-reaction of sorts, with previously nonviolent protesters throwing bottles at police and joining in the vandalism shortly before noon. Some protesters tried to physically block the activities of the black bloc, however. Seattle police (led by Chief Norm Stamper) did not react immediately because they had been convinced by protest organizers during the protest-permit process that peaceful organizers would quell these kinds of activities._ \*The New York Times printed an erroneous article that stated that protesters at the 1999 WTO convention in Seattle threw Molotov cocktails at police. Two days later, The New York Times printed a correction saying that the protest was mostly peaceful and no protesters were accused of throwing objects at delegates or the police, but the original error persisted in later accounts in the mainstream media. The Seattle City Council also dispelled these rumors with its own investigation findings:\* Your views of the sacrament of the **Propaganda of the Deed** and mine are very different. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330/42 "2015-01-30T20:28:53Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > A group of 40 or 50 people surrounding the cops and refusing to disperse, you say? The video doesn’t show that. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330/43 "2015-01-30T20:36:12Z")
Claverhouse, that was sixteen years ago. Are you saying that she was worried about trouble like that? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330/44 "2015-01-30T20:37:30Z")
One of the things we who are critical have not pointed out is how calm and professional all the other police in that video behaved. ---
**Author:** ![sweat209](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330/45 "2015-01-30T20:40:04Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I searched, but didn’t see a thread on this. > > [Cop Pepper-Sprays Teacher Who Was Talking On A Cell Phone](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/jesse-hagopian-seattle-police-pepper-spray) – Good video. > > [KING 5 story](http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/seattle/2015/01/28/jesse-hagopian-naacp-pepper-spray-seattle-police/22497723/). > > This is what I see: A guy is walking along, talking on his phone. A female Seattle P.D. officer is yelling ‘Get back! Get back!’ to all and sundry (i.e., not to anyone in particular) while brandishing a large container of pepper spray. She seems a bit unhinged, especially compared to the other officers. As the guy walks by, talking to his mother, the cop gives him a hefty blast of pepper spray. > > Based on the video, the cop seems unsuited to her position. It’s a good thing she only had pepper spray in her hand. Should she be terminated directly for her actions? Should she undergo a psychological evaluation to determine whether she should be terminated? Should she be reassigned to a position that prevents her from being a danger to the Public? Or are people who exercise their Constitutional rights fair game? Sadly this is all over America. Cops in America are aggressive.We talk and get supervisor after we beet you down in handcuffs. There many videos on youtube of cops screaming like 9 olds, getting worked up for filming in public even arresting them .There even videos of home owner getting arrested on his own property in gun friendly state for bad guy on his property.After he called 911 of bad guy on his property. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330/46 "2015-01-30T20:43:22Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > One of the things we who are critical have not pointed out is how calm and professional all the other police in that video behaved. I should have mentioned that. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330/47 "2015-01-30T20:49:03Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Claverhouse, that was sixteen years ago. > Are you saying that she was worried about trouble like that? Why ask me ? I didn’t provide the link. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330/48 "2015-01-30T20:50:16Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > One of the things we who are critical have not pointed out is how calm and professional all the other police in that video behaved. But neither calm nor professional enough to tell their maniacal colleague to chill out. ---
**Author:** ![llcoolbj77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/eb9ed0/32.png) [@llcoolbj77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/llcoolbj77)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330/49 "2015-01-30T20:59:27Z")
She sprayed it into the wind as well. I’m surprised she didn’t incapacitate herself and the officer directly to her left as well. What an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330/50 "2015-01-30T21:09:21Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > Why ask me ? I didn’t provide the link. My mistake, sorry. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330/51 "2015-01-30T21:14:24Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > But neither calm nor professional enough to tell their maniacal colleague to chill out. What, and get a face-full of pepper spray? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330/52 "2015-01-30T21:26:46Z")
> [@sweat209](#): > > Sadly this is all over America. Cops in America are aggressive.We talk and get supervisor after we beet you down in handcuffs. ☹ I hate beets. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330/53 "2015-01-30T21:33:07Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > ☹ I hate beets. I like them better than handcuffs. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330/54 "2015-01-30T21:42:51Z")
I would prefer to see the the video about a minute or so before this…she already had her pepper spray out when the video starts so I am wondering if there was something else that set her off a few seconds before this. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330/55 "2015-01-30T21:49:34Z")
Give her a break. Cops like her are on high alert because they know how long it takes them to reach into their breast pocket, grab their one bullet, and load it. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330/56 "2015-01-30T21:51:44Z")
She looks like a scared little bitch with zero confidence or any natural authority. Worst type of cop ever. I’d bet this is the 100th time she’s sprayed people because they didn’t “respect my authoritay!” Seriously, I’d love to find out how many cans of spray she’s gone through. I wonder if they keep records on that? ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330/57 "2015-01-30T21:59:14Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > [Do the letters “WTO” mean anything to you?](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_Seattle_WTO_protests#.22N30.22) LOL, thanks for the laugh! ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330/58 "2015-01-30T22:00:50Z")
Maybe — for some enthusiastic cops, at least — it is a case of BYOD. Records be damned. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330/59 "2015-01-30T22:10:18Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > ☹ I hate beets. try them with some pepper. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2015, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330/60 "2015-01-30T23:06:24Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Or, maybe, people could pay attention to their surroundings. He was walking away from her. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-pepper-sprayed-while-talking-on-the-phone/711330.md?page=4)