"You see that with the militarized riot cops and their helmets and their truncheons and their uniforms," said Bresee. "I think that they are aware of the extent to which that device has become a symbol for us as protesters, because we know about it, we've talked about it, we've seen it."
A crowd of protesters at Dewey recognized the weapon on Saturday. They were "agitated" and "outraged" over its presence, said Bresee. "There was an audible reaction.
"I don't know if it's there because of the image they want to send with it," he said. "Or if it's there just because they spent a bunch of money on it and they want to justify its use."
Related:
Photos: Occupy Boston on the National Day of Action, With support among police quietly growing, can Occupy cross over the thin blue line?, After the occupation, More 
- Photos: Occupy Boston on the National Day of Action
On November 17, 2011, hundreds of Occupy Boston and MassUniting marchers (labor unions, community organizers; SEUI, Local Ironworkers, Jobs for Justice, and more) took to the city streets again in solidarity with another global day of action.
- With support among police quietly growing, can Occupy cross over the thin blue line?
As Occupy camps from coast to coast face evictions — and in many cases have already been pushed out of parks and plazas like so much human trash — it's clear that the institutional response to the movement is escalating dangerously.
- After the occupation
From Oakland to New York, city police departments and their elected overlords are crushing lawful Occupy movements in their midst.
- PHOTOS: Occupy Boston defies Menino’s order to vacate Dewey Square
The scene from Occupy Boston after Mayor Menino gave orders to vacate.
- Photos: Boston Police arrest Occupy Boston protesters
The Boston Police Force cracks down on the Occupy Boston protests early on the morning of October 11, 2011.
- Highlights from the Phoenix's real-time coverage of #OccupyBoston
Here's a quick guide to what you missed — minus the photos, video, and immediacy you'll find online.
- Photos: Occupy Boston protesters rally with unions, veterans, and more
Occupy Boston protesters march alongside Veterans for Peace, as well as other activist groups such as Jobs with Justice and the AFL-CIO, at Downtown Crossing on October 13, 2011.
- Occupy First Night
If the Boston Police Department had undercover officers embedded in the Occupy Boston First Night operation, they would have found a whole mess of juicy goods to bring back to the Suffolk County district attorney's office.
- Photos: #OWS protesters attempt to re-occupy NYC
Occupy Wall Street protesters gathered at Manhattan’s Duarte Square on December 17, 2011 (#D17 day of action) to celebrate the original protest’s 3-month anniversary by attempting to reclaim a space.
- As Occupy Boston struggles with a sex-offender ban, its weaknesses have been laid bare
It was after 10 pm on Tuesday, January 10, in the stale, bright basement of the Arlington Street Church, where now-nomadic Occupy Boston was holding a meeting.
- Anarchistic and self-trained, are street medics the future of first aid?
April 25, 2009: outside of the IMF/World Bank meeting in Washington, DC, police with batons are attacking a group of protesters.
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Topics:
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, Police, Boston Police Department, News, More
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