–--"if the authorities are part of a conspiracy to undermine legitimate protest and thus our American Constitution, the threat is even more damning”--- A coincidence that all raids from Oakland to New York City were carried out under similar circumstances and timing? Coordinated action against OCCUPY WALL STREET from West to East Coast of the United States deserves review beyond the mere actions of police to remove, arrest and dismantle the protests. And, if these actions are illegal and unconstitutional, then it does amount to conspiracy - racketeering – and perhaps one with further legal consequences for those who are executing the crackdown on Occupy Wall Street. Federal Anti-Racketeering Laws Applied to Conspiring Authority: Judge in New York City has imposed a temporary injunction on police/NYC from trying to prevent return of protesters. NYC employed pretext of cleanup, but then has refused to allow return of protesters, even if purportedly the only limitation was no camping gear. Also, in all the crackdowns, real and purported public safety considerations have been offered as rationale, although genuine threats have been minimal and significantly less than one might expect for such a gathering. It is also probably no coincidence that after-tomorrow (November 17, 2011) a broader demonstration was being organized for NYC Occupy Wall Street in coordination with mainstream labor and other political/NGO groups. Last time such demonstrations were organized almost 2 months earlier,9September 17), the response was immense, orderly and real psychological, political and financial booster shot for Occupy Wall Street. Is it coincidence that this mornings raids were timed for 2 days before? Conspiracy Theories Aside – Authority is Frightened of Rising Challenge: We should be cautious in rolling out conspiracy theories. However, the tactics, rationale and timing here points to something more than coincidence on the face of it. From the outset, I have seen Occupy Wall Street moving to become a threat to the establishment, and on the right and left. From George Soros to Martin Bashir on MSNBC, Occupy Wall Street has been embraced at some level. Occupy Wall Street in my opinion has not moved fast enough to consolidate into a functional set of demands and methodology to achieve such. It is a broad mass movement of discontent on many levels, but lacking a clear focus of what it is for. Read: “Is Occupy Wall Street Stagnating?” – diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/is-occupy-wall-street-stagnating-by-ambassador-mo/38267). That is my view but others also debate the sustainability and cohesiveness of Occupy Wall Street, and probably are more hopeful. Jeffrey Sachs painted the movement in a New York Times editorial with the title: “The New Progressive Movement.” Brad Lander of the NYC Council provides a great analysis: www.huffingtonpost.com/brad-lander/jeffrey-sachs-progressive-caucus_b_1092612.html . Non-Violent Civil Disobedience Most Dangerous Threat to Bayonets & Batons: However, this is not merely about where the movement stands now, its historical context, where it goes or whether we even agree with its objectives or methodologies. Violence has not been the tool, and authority fears most such civil disobedience that cannot be crushed head-on by the bayonet or baton. That is why it was wise when Occupy Wall Street stepped back and created the void when faced with pepper spray and beatings. This is now most about America’s fundamental character and the supremacy of our Constitution, even when not particularly convenient to sleepy neighbors or insulated dominants. Down at Zuccotti Park, the future of America’s open society, freedom and democracy is being defined. While all of us on the web and social media have a new outlet, it cannot substitute for the physical representation/symbolism of discontent. It is also about the rule of law – if the authorities are part of a conspiracy to undermine legitimate protest and thus our American Constitution, the threat is even more damning than organized crime involved in other more eye-catching racketeering. By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter - Follow us at DiplomaticallyX More at “International Financial Crisis” Channel - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/international-financial-crisis