I know people are very upset about this, and I know that I'm inviting a lot of controversy with this diary, and I'm not particularly interested in having a long back and forth with everyone who feels differently, but I don't agree with the rush to judgement on this issue, and I believe that images from one of the videos on the scene show the person on the ground, already screaming, with both feet/legs free, still in front of the front tire, at a point where the motorcycle/scooter cop has already stopped.
It's certainly possible that the person on the ground was bumped and/or injured by the bike when it was approaching, but I see no possible explanation for how, from the moment of this image, the person on the ground's feet/legs could have ended up between the front and rear tire unless he deliberately moved them there.
I did find this episode upsetting/distressing when I viewed it, and I certainly empathize with others who were moved by it. I've stated my opinion (, eg "I don't think that OWS guy got his leg run over."), but I'm not claiming to know the truth. I think that we are best served not rushing to judgement on this, and waiting for more information to come in. Image after the jump.
Here's the video: http://eastvillage.thelocal.nytimes.com/...
If you click pause/play, you can get something approximating a frame by frame view.
14 seconds:
You see the officer approaching and honking, slowing, and putting his foot down , still moving forward slowly and honking.
20-22 seconds:
Person is already on the ground, both feet still in front of the front tire of the bike.
24 seconds:
Person on the ground starts screaming.
25 seconds:
Clear view of both legs of person on the ground, still in front of the front tire, still moving.
At this point, with the crowd already gathering and yelling, and given that the bike is almost stopped, it would be possible for the officer to gun the engine and run over the person's feet, but it would take a very deliberate effort that would be obvious to all the bystanders. The person on the grounds' leg would probably be torqued dramatically as the weight of the wheel came down on his foot/feet, and the bike would noticeably bump over the feet. The officer would have to rev the engine loudly to accomplish that.
However, the person on the ground is already screaming, yet both feet are clearly not impacted by the tires of the bike. If there was an injury, it has apparently already occurred.
26-27 seconds:
Person on the ground rolls on his back, showing apparent full mobility. If his feet were trapped at this point, this would be a very awkward and unnatural movement. Bike is still moving slowly forward.
28-29 seconds:
Person on the ground's legs are now between the front and rear wheels of the bike, officer stops fully, then rolls slowly backwards.
30 seconds:
Officer gets off bike and walks away.
36 seconds:
Clear noise of bike being pushed over.
40 seconds:
Person on the ground is being dragged by officers, person is showing significant leg/foot mobility.
47 seconds:
Person on the ground is on their stomach being cuffed, feet and legs show no obvious injury, and are being moved normally.
I am pretty damn certain this person didn't have their foot/feet/leg/legs run over, and I feel confident that a careful viewing of this video supports that opinion. We will be hearing from bystanders, we'll be seeing pictures, we'll be hearing about the hospital visit and injuries, so this will come clearer.
I am not discounting the possibility of police brutality, or its existence during these protests, but I feel that its essential for us to stay focussed on clear facts, and not undermine the strength of the movement by rushing to judgement.
From what I see in this video, this officer approached the crowd a bit too quickly, but thereafter acted carefully, and barring clearer pictures/eyewitness accounts/analysis/evidence to the contrary, I don't think he ran over the person on the ground.
Remember, that police officer is part of the 99%. And so am I.