US Department of Justice Steps Between Chief Monroe and DNC Protesters

One of the interesting aspects of the Occupy protests during the DNC was the appearance of Department of Justice representatives.

In the clip below CMPD Chief Monroe, tells the reporter with the camera the DOJ “just sent them” without any request from the city. Turning the camera on the DOJ/CRS agents at the convention the reporter/camera man gets much the same answer. 

 

Seems the "higher ups" didn't have faith in CMPD's ability to peacefully handle the situation and sent counselors to "mediate" the protesters interaction with CMPD Command Staff.

 

Which would explain the "allowed to stay" aspect of the Marshall Park encampment and Bill James sudden silence on the matter last week. One can assume James got the memo late on Monday saying "The DOJ said so".

 

Which also might explain this little quote from the Charlotte Observer's Editorial Board

 

"The essence of hospitality is allowing others to be themselves in your home, and we embraced just that. Demonstrators demonstrated, often led in their marches by Police Chief Rodney Monroe himself."