Police assault on protester in US A and Ireland- spot the difference.

Have a look at these two short videos from youtube.

They show very similar instances - in the first one a police officer in New York City (Officer Patrick Pogan) assaults a protester at a critical mass bike ride, and in the second a member of the Garda Siochána (Garda Kevin O'Connor) assaults a protester at an anti-Shell protest in Mayo.

There is one big difference though.

The New City Poice Department launched an investigation into the behaviour of their cop, and removed his gun and badge so he is not dealing with the public anymore. (see New York Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/nyregion/29critical.h...egion)

In Ireland, no action was taken against the Garda. He is still on duty.
The incident wasn't even reported in the mainstream media.

It's the little differences that can show the true state of affairs.

Caption: Video Id: oUkiyBVytRQ Type: Youtube Video
Embedded video Youtube Video

Caption: Video Id: a6N5Fk6xaKo Type: Youtube Video
Embedded video Youtube Video