George Clooney was arrested today outside of the Sudanese Embassy in Washington DC for standing up for human rights. Clooney was protesting the treatment of the Sudanese people, and in particular the government's refusal of food and aid to those living in the Nuba Mountains area of the country. Clooney's journalist father Nick Clooney was also arrested, as was Martin Luther King III.
George has been a supporter of this issue for many years, and unlike many celebrities, he actually knows what he's talking about and is genuine in his efforts. Good for him.
I have to wonder though, how did the cop feel when s/he put the "cuffs" on him? Here is one of the most famous actors in the world, well liked and respected, standing up for those without a voice, trying to do the right thing in a peaceful manner, and you have to shut him down. I guess it's part of the job, and I feel like Clooney would have no hard feelings against the cop. I think I'd feel like a chump.
What did they get arrested for? Certainly not protesting I hope.
ReplyDeleteHe had just had dinner with Obama the night before discussing Sudan. Then he was taken away by secret service and not cops so I have a feeling they will be let go without having a big "arrest" issue made about it. He is George Friggin Clooney after all!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of his acting (can't see what the big deal is, he always seems like George Clooney in whatever role he inhabits), but I really appreciate his activism. He takes time to understand and intelligently communicate the issues. And I must say that it's nice he doesn't seem to be messing (noticeably) with plastic surgery, wrinkles look good on him.
ReplyDeleteGeorge seems happy to be in cuffs...
ReplyDeleteIs this where I get to make "handcuffing George Clooney" jokes?
ReplyDeleteProbably gathering without a permit or disturbing the peace or whatever protesters generally get arrested for.
ReplyDeleteIf he wasn't Clooney, the cops would have probably tazed and pepper sprayed him. Oh wait, he wasn't protesting a bank. Nevermind.
I don't think this is a bad thing, it brings more worldwide publicity to the issue In Sudan
ReplyDelete@ Twinkle - LOL. Although George's "personal cuffs" are probably a lot more expensive and/or custom made. ;)
ReplyDeleteAll snark aside, kudos to George for using his celebrity for good.
This was civil disobedience by the book, glad the police had no choice but to play nicely this time because of the presence of BOTH of the Clooney men (yes, his father was there too).
ReplyDeleteThe police gave them 3 verbal warnings to disperse and not pass a certain barrier. They quietly walked towards that barrier. They were peacefully arrested, one by one. Textbook, this is the way its been done for 30 years, shame so many cops across the country have forgotten that since last September.
Kudos to the Clooney men for the work they do in true belief of their cause, the trips they take, the way they put their lives on the line. Not just showing up for fancy dinners while someone else does the work. Rock on.
Love peaceful nonviolent protest.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the cops went by the book, too.
Right on FS, KUDOS to ANYONE including he Clooney's for standing up for the rights of others!
ReplyDeleteToo bad they don't or can't do anything to help those in need in OUR country.
You know like the 1000's and 1000's of homeless. Or the Military personnel returning home and struggling...etc.
They are both out of jail now. Good for George for finding ways to bring attention to this very scary situation in Sudan.
ReplyDeleteI think being arrested was the objective. That one singular event has been all over the internet and news media, garnering more attention for the cause than meeting with policy makers would ever bring. Smart move Mr. Clooney!
ReplyDelete@Audrey yup you're right... He looks slightly embarrassed by these plastic ones
ReplyDeleteAm I a moron, or isn't it legal to peacefully protest? Why would they be arrested? I'm not one to protest, but I respect our right to do so.
ReplyDeleteSo glad blogger is letting me comment. Jeez Louise.
You know he's protesting against the Muslim north, don't you? It's not in vogue today to protest against Muslims.
ReplyDelete@EmEye --- lol.... did you survive the storm?
ReplyDeleteIt's not about the religion, its about the policies/tactics, etc. They are raping, murdering, starving, you name it.
ReplyDeleteSusan, they probably protested without a permit, but as I said, they were told not to cross a certain barrier and they did. The point of civil disobedience is to be arrested for the cause to draw attention to the protest. A well organized group will have a certain number of members (usually 20 - 50) who specifically plan to be arrested. It's usually just enough to make a point and be so many that they are released without charges. No one wants to process 30 people for a misdemeanor fine, it's not worth the time.
Okay, so I'm totally in awe of this George, who stands up against the atrocities, including rape, in the Sudan, but have trouble reconciling this great man with the one that is in the Room 23 (or whatever it's called) book and linked with the European woman (by Himmmm) who's supposedly into the very poor treatment of women in their alleged, weird, abusive, sex ring. Am very confused. Which is he?
ReplyDeleteGarnering permits. That totally makes sense. I suppose a group needs to go before the town or city council to get permission to protest. Got it! Thanks, FS.
ReplyDeleteHoly font change
ReplyDeleteI was just coming to say what FS already said, but I'll just add this one bit:
ReplyDeleteIt's kind of a big deal when a government breaks international treaties/ SOP, regardless of religion. Using religion as a reason for anything is simply propoganda. And poor form, but that's just my opinion.
Love Clooney...
ReplyDeleteIn Washinton DC, large gatherings of any kind are a legitimate concern, so yes, you have to have a permit or you could be in a boatload of trouble with the Feds. They probably did have a permit, but as I said, they crossed a barrier or whatever. Also, sometimes the permits will be for a certain period of time, like one hour, and people will stay after the time limit to get arrested (that's what happened at UC Davis back in November when those students were pepper sprayed. 12 of them stayed in place after the 3 pm deadline, a planned act of civil disobedience).
ReplyDeleteI've never heard Clooney say anything about a 'Muslim Regime' in Sudan or Darfour. He always just talks about the government or the current power structure. That's where the focus should be.
Sadie, I'm sorry that Clooney didn't pick your favorite causes, but I'm sure there are other celebrities like Willie Nelson who support the things you mentioned.
i'd like to be the one who frisks him......that is all
ReplyDeleteLOL @canadachick! You'll probably have to take a number and wait in line.
ReplyDelete@Susan..Yeah I was distressed over the ability to post this AM to. EmEyeKay talked me off the ledge.
ReplyDeleteit's wonderful to see a celebrity of his caliber standing up for the human rights of those who don't have a voice.
ReplyDeleteI have admiration and respect for anyone who talks the talk and walks the walk. Clooney has fought this issue tirelessly for years, and I say good job.
ReplyDeleteClooney knew very well that he and the rest of the group would be arrested before they started protesting. thats why they did it. to bring awareness to the cause.
ReplyDeleteReason #454 why I love this man.
ReplyDeleteIn my office, we have tvs everywhere, on news channels of course. When I first saw the news, I was talking to some male colleagues. It took every ounce of restraint to not say something filthy. Can you imagine being the arresting officer? Hot damn!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.someecards.com/somewhat-topical-cards/george-clooney-arrest-sudan-funny-ecard
ReplyDeleteYet during the WGA strike a couple of years ago Clooney was silent. Didn't want to piss off the studio heads. Yeah, why support working people in your business when you can suck a CEO cock.
ReplyDeleteOMG seeing Clooney bound....EEEEE! (faints)
ReplyDelete(putting zipties on my shopping list for my next date with George)
ReplyDelete...what??? :)
Good Lord I hope someone bailed him out.
ReplyDeleteThe police have a job to do, and they may be just doing it despite personal feelings otherwise. He does have a bit of a smirk on his face so it seems he wasn't too offended :-) Go George and other high-profiles using the camera following them for good!
ReplyDeleteLike Clooney won't run for President one day.
ReplyDeleteNow.... I badlry need coffee.
@EmEyeKay I thought the post would get lost yesterday, can you tell Rita I miss her too!? Thank you. Glad to see all the regulars back here! Have a great weekend folks!
ReplyDeleteFor those asking why he was arrested.
ReplyDeleteHe was arrested because they were protesting on PRIVATE property (and an embassy also kind of means not US property). There is a legal right to protest -- although some places require permits. Technically, in this case it was more arrest for trespassing (while protesting). He knew he'd get arrested and they probably called the secret service in because of the "protestors" involved. Its in the news because they WANT the press to draw attention to the cause.
@Chachi- I agree.
ReplyDeleteWhile I've always loved Clooney's activism, I can't help but think that for him, it serves two purposes: 1. Help bring awareness to worldwide injustice so that positive change can happen and 2. Downplay any sexually alternative activity he might be into. He's an adult and can do whatever he wants, as long as children aren't involved.
His recent association with Diana Jenkins has recently received a lot of attention. I can't help but think that all these photo-ops have something to do with damage control.
"Textbook, this is the way its been done for 30 years"
ReplyDeleteHuh, that's not the way I remember it from back when we were protesting the US military involvement in South America back in the late '80s. Or perhaps I just imagined seeing my friends grabbed by the hair and dragged along the sidewalk, getting knocked in the head, and so on. And this is in freaking liberal bastion Minneapolis. I've rarely seen/heard of cops behaving well with protests unless there were a lot of cameras there, so those other protesters are really lucky they had famous folk to shield them.
@Mooshki, not every protest ends in violence (regardless of side).
ReplyDeleteBack in the 2000s, my city hosted two big summits, one was a G8 conference and the other was ... something else, banking something or other, something that draws protestors. The first summit was handled poorly. It was known the protestors would show so cops were brought in from all over Canada, etc. The cops handled everything so poorly. They only wore riot gear and carried riot equipment. At one point, the protestors were milling about, not screaming, not yelling, being totally calm and peaceful. Two large buses drove up and out came the cops. All dressed in black riot gear with billy clubs and shields. The formed a line and approached the peaceful protestors. The best part was they started banging their clubs against the shields, creating a rythmic cadence. It was bad and shit got ugly very fast.
The next year, another big summit. This time, the cops (who again came from all over Canada and maybe the US as well) wore more casual identifying clothes, t-shirts and regular uniforms, etc. They milled about among the protestors, joked around, etc. No issues, no violence.
I'm not saying either side is always to blame but often, it's all in the way it's handled.
@Fijigirl - yes I DID, thanks for asking! No harm done. Don't care for that kind o' weather, tho, was a little on edge.
ReplyDelete@jbdean79 - I'd be happy to!
What's wrong with him, getting arrested for trying to draw attention to a worthy cause rather than for DUI or assault?
ReplyDeleteMartin Sheen gets arrested like this all the time. I think the press just stopped covering it. Sheen is always protesting something. I really admire Martin Sheen. He seems like a good egg to bad about Charlie though.
ReplyDelete