By Steve Pomper
How could I not write about these cops? They brought those of us parched-for-law-and-order folks, “water” in a rule-of-law desert—figuratively and literally. Figuratively because it wasn’t actually H2O, but it literally happened in the desert. Add to that the incident apparently set radical lefties against ordinary lefties and, forget the Burning Man event people were headed to, instead, America witnessed a delightful dustup in the desert.
I suppose, in keeping with recent cultural headlines, this story could be called, “Try That in a Small Town.” But let’s go with how the New York Post reported it. “Anti-capitalist climate activists blocked traffic to Burning Man on Sunday, causing a standstill spanning several miles on a major thoroughfare in Nevada — before a ranger rammed straight through the demonstration in his truck and arrested the protesters.”
“Anti-capitalist?” Then, let’s call them what they are: Marxists using the environment to extort the American people. I’m not saying that; they are. Their signs included, “Abolish Capitalism.”
And I’m sure it was to the shock and horror of the leftie demonstrators that these cops put the “I” in BIPOC.
A miles-long intentional traffic back up of folks headed to the Burning Man festival in Black Rock City, Nevada provoked infuriated drivers to attempt to remove a trailer-turned-makeshift blockade the “climate change” enthusiasts had erected in the middle of the highway.
They weren’t successful in removing the protesters or illegal barrier, but some Nevada Rangers arriving on the scene were. These cops serve the tribal jurisdiction of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribes’ Reservation some 35 miles northeast of Reno. The reservation is remote and vast covering 475,000 acres, including the 27-mile-long Pyramid Lake.
Unlike in New York City, Chicago, Minneapolis; Seattle, Portland, or San Francisco, the folks who govern the tribal law enforcement on the Pyramid Lake Rez apparently take law enforcement seriously. A ranger can be seen plowing his police pickup truck, lights flashing and sirens blaring, blasting through the barrier and smashing signs, but careful not to injure the suspects.
Then a ranger gets out of his patrol truck, is soon joined by other rangers, and they begin arresting the illegal demonstrators— it appears, at gunpoint (though some reports suggest it may have been a Taser.
People may not like how it looked, but that’s proper police procedure with criminal suspects (yes, intentionally blocking a highway is a crime) who haven’t been at least patted down for weapons.
Those cops had no idea if the protesters were armed, despite their cries they were “non-violent climate protesters.” Lawbreakers always say things like that, and sometimes if cops believe them, cops get hurt. Yes, the protesters probably were unarmed and “non-violent.” But any cop would be ill advised to bet his or her life on a probably.
Non-cops (and too many leftist-appointed police leaders) will look at this incident’s resolution and shudder. They recoil at cops actually doing some coppin’ against “peaceful” leftist protesters. Enforcing the law against lefties doesn’t happen in blue America. But the protester’s issues aren’t the only things that matter.
What about the people trapped on that black ribbon of asphalt, in a hot desert, in August? Think being stranded for the hours the activists intended is a “non-violent” action? No. The demonstrators are molesting every single one of those people effectively kidnapped in their cars (ironically, spewing dreaded emissions into the atmosphere. So much for climate activism). It seems, at the very least, this was an assault on the drivers’ freedom to get to their destination unmolested—to pursue their happiness.
As I mentioned up top, the Paiute reservation is remote. On the map, it appears there is one highway to the east of Pyramid Lake and one on the west side, both running north/south. If someone blocks the two-lane highway, there are no alternative routes to the event, to gas stations, to the hospital, or for fire trucks, engines, or ambulances to respond to emergencies.
One thing that struck me was the sense of entitlement exhibited by what Victoria Taft of PJ Media called, “Climate Communists.” The protesters seemed dumbfounded the cops were enforcing the law—against them. The radical left has become accustomed to different treatment by the law than traditional Americans receive when they protest.
They, like other radical lefties, have no qualms about inconveniencing their fellow Americans (even fellow leftists), or even putting them at risk, as long as they make their political point. And they take no responsibility for their actions or the consequences.
“You’re Trespassing on Tribal Lands,” one tweet read. Some video clips show the activists standing in front of people attempting to drive their vehicles around the illegal blockade.
Unlike the civil disobedience of past demonstrators, like the civil rights movement of the 1960s, these uncivil disobedients (made-up word alert!), rather than understanding there are negative consequences to their actions, wail and gnash their teeth when police enforce the law, as the Nevada Rangers did. The civil rights activists of the 60’s accepted jail would be a part of the consequences of their actions.
Today’s entitled enviro-brats are offended by consequences and usually aren’t held responsible in too many jurisdictions, including federal. Consequences are reserved for those on the right—even when they’ve done nothing wrong.
These infants seem to believe their issues are so important that it gives them the right to violate other people’s rights. I loathe to cite the U.N. on anything, but I figure these climate communists would respect the leftist organization’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states, “Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.”
In the U.S., which I cite with pleasure, protesting within the context of the First Amendment, “peaceably to assemble” does not include erecting a barricade and blocking a highway. If you want to stand on the side of the road with your signs—have at it.
But if you want to block roads, avoid the Paiute Reservation. Stick to places like Seattle, Portland, or Chicago where you can block all the roads you’re entitled little hearts want to without legal consequences.
FOX News is now reporting the department is “reviewing” the actions of the ranger who appeared to pull his gun while arresting the suspects. FOX said, “a tribal ranger is seen pulling a weapon on the unarmed climate activists – it is not clear whether the weapon was a taser or firearm.”
One quick question: How does FOX know the “climate activist” was unarmed at that time? Oh, sure, after the incident, they’d learn that. But do they know the officer knew at the time he was drawing a weapon on an unarmed protester? Without searching that person, how could anyone possibly know that?
As for me, I’m fed up with the Climate Communists (thanks Victoria), and give a big good on ya to the rangers for doing what cops do—for the law abiding people they serve—even if it makes a police chief, council, or mayor cringe a bit.