Anti-war demonstration

Analysis:

This story is based upon an anti-war march that took place in Grand Rapids on Saturday, March 17. The story frames the issue up front with this comment “A protest in West Michigan was one of many taking place across the country, but some police in Grand Rapids said this group went too far.” What do they mean when they say “too far?” The next sentence also has a comment from the reporter who uses the statement “Unfortunately, they ended up clashing with police.” What does that mean when the reporter says “clashing with police.” Is it clear what provoked the arrests? The only sources cited in this story was one protest participant and two different police officers. The story mentions that people marched to Congressman Ehlers’ house and to the mall, but is there any clear indication from the story as to why people marched to those locations? The last comment made by the police officer also leads viewers to assume that people were not “peaceful,” since the police officer uses that term in his statement, but no clarification of his comment was provided. Is it clear from this story the reasons why people were protesting?

Story:

News reader – A protest in West Michigan was one of many taking place across the country, but some police in Grand Rapids said this group went too far.

Reporter – Monday marks the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq. The group says they wanted to let people know how they felt about the war. Unfortunately, they ended up clashing with police and 4 people were arrested. Those taken into custody include a Sociology professor from Grand Valley State University. People involved in the anti-war protest said they wanted to make a statement. They are against the war in Iraq and want the troops to come home. It all started in Grand Rapids.

Protest participant – We marched over to Congressman Vern Ehlers house. Who’s been a staunch supporter or the war since its inception.

Reporter: That’s when the “peaceful” protest got ugly. The Grand Rapids Police Department says someone in the group was using a megaphone. That’s a violation of city ordinance. When police asked the man to stop, they say he refused, so they attempted to arrest him. Police say some of the others hindered what they were trying to do.

Police – When we went to arrest one person, they jumped on the back of the person we were trying to arrest.

Protest participant – Several members of our party were arrested for, as far as we can tell, basically standing there. Including a Grand Valley Professor.

Four people were arrested before the crowd moved on to Kentwood. Police there say the protestors were on private property.

Police – The mall did not want the protestors on the property and we assisted in that.

Reporter – With Grand Rapids Police and mall security there to help, the protestors moved to the sidewalk along 28th street. The group says they are disappointed by what happened.

Protest participant – I mean everybody’s being very emotional, it’s a charged subject. We’re here just trying to make a bit of a statement and feeling like we’re being censored because of it.

Police – If good choices were made, this would have been peaceful and no one would have gone to jail.

Reporter – And Grand Rapids Police say those that were arrested were taken to the Kent County Jail. What they were arrested for was a misdemeanor. If they haven’t already been released they will be soon. They will also face a fine.