I am very glad she still has her leg, and hope she continues to improve.

It's the police who should be on trial here, not her.

She got hurt because she resisted the police.If you re told to stop and control yourself and you don't, you can expect to be restrained. If you continue to resist you will undoubtedly get hurt. They were breaking the law the police were called and they refused to cease and desist. Next time the police tell her to stop I hope she has learned they mean what they say. STOP!!

There was a time when a group could protest without the threat of police....

Might as well say PEACE to freedom as we knew it cause it's going out the window to the illegals before they give legal Americans the right to protest.

Perhaps if Ms. Svoboda and her group of activists had done their homework, they'd have realized that the business they were attacking no longer did business with the company the Workers of the World were picketing. That's strike one against them.

Strike two was resisting arrest.

Strike three was blaming the police for Svoboda's and WW's own ignorance and resistance. She and the WW were in the wrong place at the wrong time for the wrong reasons. They provoked the incident and then resisted police attempts to clear the streets (which they were illegally blocking). As a result of her actions, Ms. Svoboda is exactly where she belongs today -- in court. I have no compassion for agents provocateurs such as Svoboda and the Workers for the World, and I hardly think anyone in North Providence would disagree.

Sorry but I disagree about the last portion of the comment above, she crossed the line of common sense as many exactly like her frequently do. Actually I'm suprized things of this nature don't happen more often. I too am glad she did not lose her leg over a stupid act on her behalf.

I've listened to both sides of this story. I have to side with the NPPD. Irregardless of your political belief, when law enforcement gives you an order, it's wise to listen. If you refuse or resist, expect the worst.

She obstructed an officer, regardless of if she was fighting for a good cause the same penalties should be imposed any individual who obstructs an officer doing his JOB! They are there to protect and serve!

How is she accused of assault, when is obvious that she was the one assaulted!

I am also very glad she still has her leg and hope she continues to improve, maybe next time she will do what she is asked to do by the Police and not act like an animal while trying to exercise her constitutional rights.

Yeah, let's all jump to conclusions that it's the police who are at fault (once again). While we're at it, let's go find some innocent Duke Lacrosse players to prosecute.

Typical Rhode Island police. They all have a huge chip on their shoulders! Iraq have bad police? They should look at ours!

This is a simple case of police Brutallity.God Bless young lady.
Thanks Bob R.

While it is a shame that this person was hurt, the group should have done what the police officers told them to do and get out of the street. They are called Law Enforcement for a reason - to enforce the law, so don't go whining when something like this happens because you are breaking the law! Yes, they have a right to protest but they do not have the right to block a busy street and put other people at a safety risk.

[From Aug. 15 edition of the Journal]

"I saw an officer put his hands on her and grab her as he went forward into her,” he said. “She was playing drums on the bucket, and she recoiled.” The impact caused her to fall back down into the crowd, according to Bray, who says he then saw the police charge into the crowd after her. “I was right nearby. She was dazed from the initial encounter and then three cops converged on her. One took the task of kicking her legs from out from under her while they pushed her to the ground. It was a fall, but not a natural fall."

Sure, the police handled this well. After all, it only took three 200-pound policemen to break a 110-pound woman's leg so severely it almost needed to be amputated.

Free Speech??? Remember that. She's a Hippie Thug!!

I love the people that want to blame the police for DOING THEIR JOBS! Part of what's wrong today is that few people want to take responsibility for or accept the consequences of their actions. Fine, if you want to protest, it's your right. But if you break the law, then the police should be there to protect the safety of the GENERAL PUBLIC. I went to very liberal university where peaceful protests accured all the time without police involvement. I'm sorry for the extent of her injuries, but it's mainly her fault that's she's hurt. She put HERSELF in that position.

how many of you who have posted a comment were actually there to see for yourself what happened? how can you blame this woman for her her own broken leg when you were not there to see if she assualted the police or if the police assaulted her? and believe it or not, the police act inapproprately at time too!

The police didn't need to use such force on a girl in order to subdue her. If you saw the video they gang tackled her like she was a 300 pound ape. The North Providence police made fools of themselves and they beat up a little girl. There is no defense for that, especially when these were protesters and not rioters, drunk nightclub patrons, or unruly thugs. They had picket signs and drums not guns and billyclubs. What an embarrassment for Rhode Island!

"How is she accused of assault..."

That's what happens when you beat the nearest cop with sticks.

Sorry yet I was running and almost got hit by an off-duty officer in NP. Officer was from Providence, begins to mouth off stating I am not in South Providence, mind you I'm running. At the insistence of the off-duty cop NPPD runs my name(nothing found) and I am on my way. I am sure the majority will come to the officers defense yet I have NOTHING good to say about this department. Have already filled a complaint yet we all know where that will go.

Welcome to 'Gestapo World' of North Providence. If stopped by the Gestapo, be sure to put your hands above your head and lay flat on the ground.

Wow N.P.PD she looks so intimidating !!! No wonder it took 3 officers and pepper spray to subdue her. I hope her parents hired a good lawyer.

Even if you believe that she resisted arrest and even if you believe that she struck a police officer, the US Constitution states that Due Process of law dictate what should be her punishment, not the police. I don't know who is right or wrong in this situation, but it seems to me that there is a very good case to be made that this woman was punished by the police when they slammed her to the ground (whether in anger for being slapped or not)and thus her punishment doled out before any court hearing or decision. Was so much force needed to gain control over this woman that the police injured her? If she had not weapon, where was the threat to the police that required heightened force? There should be 2 trials, one for this woman and her actions, and one for the police and their actions, let our fellow citizens in a jury decide.

Everyone always blames the cops for stupid things people do. It's just another scapegoat for everyone to use. If it weren't for people like police and military men who fight for your freedom you wouldn't HAVE the right to protest. If she was stupid enough to resist, then she got what she deserved.

she get what she deserves shes lucky she didnt get tased!!!

It sounds like the group was just looking for headlines. I'm sure they were aware that their targets were no longer doing business with the company that was the target. I do have compassion for her, but Im sure learned her lesson the hard way. Hopefully she will be prepared to listen before she leaps.

Regardless of her plea or questions of guilt, this is a clear example of police abuse. Even if she were a murder suspect, the police do not have the right to use excessive force when making arrests. They should arrest with the least possible force. They are trained in appropriate use of force and have other tools available. Ever heard of mace? This young lady - a threat to the police - what a joke!

The lack of understanding regarding the Constitution by many of you is both sad and sickening.

Even if this young lady struck the Officer, there is no excuse for her present condition.

Officers are there to arrest, not to dole out justice. I hope in the final analysis we find out that the whole thing was an unfortunate mistake. There is no protocol under which a simple arrest should lead to a broken leg.

At no time if we decide to disagree with an Officer do we give up our Constitutional Rights. They have an obligation to arrest us. We have the right to pursue a jury trial.

Most of you sound like really sad and bitter Republicans. How has that been working out for you lately?

For those of you who think she get what "she deserved" I hope you spend some time with your Priest, Deacon, or Rabbi this week.

you people all need a role model.

It sounds like the group was just looking for headlines. I'm sure they were aware that their targets were no longer doing business with the company that was the target. I do have compassion for her, but Im sure learned her lesson the hard way. Hopefully she will be prepared to listen before she leaps.

It is coming to a point that she was not going to kill them therefore there was excessive force. It does not matter if they were breaking the law, it is the excessive force that police are continously getting away with. Though she should be charged with breaking the law, the officers that are responisible should be also. The cops are not god they are there to enforce the law and this was a tad bit excessive.

Why is it that the protestors (the IWW) refuse to make public all of the photographs of the incident and the police dept. refuses to make public the tapes from the surrounding surveillance cameras?

I cant belive we still honor the police in this matter. right or wrong, he was still at fault. Police and courts does anyone get the point, they work together what do you think the outcome will be? Dont you think they talk on the side lines. Cops are not as honest as what you all think. or do you think at all.

I have taught my teenage sons never to hit a woman, never mind a girl. This young girl could have been restrained with less intense measures than what is visible here. And because she is so badly injured, the sympathy will of course be with her and cast doubt on the policemen's need for using such brutal force. Goodness, one of them could have just carried her over his shoulder and put her in the police car.

I think 1 million dollars and three badges should be the price of such brutality. When the police are too incompetent to make a "professional" arrest on such a benign suspect, I fear for the safety of all citizens.

yea. She seams such a threat. Is force that necessary? Wow! I've seen less for murder. I would say the force is excessive for the crime she committed or didn't commit. The police should use better judgement in such situations. I just move here from the West Coast and I hope that Rhode Island isn't such a fascist state as it appears in this case.

A repeating theme throughout this dialog seems to be she should have heeded the warnings of the police and she wouldnt be sitting in a wheel chair. Has anyone stopped to think a second who the police work for? They are hired by us to protect and enforce the laws. Did the protect us from anyone engaged in felonious activity while they were protesting? Of course not. They ordered someone to do something who refused. She was then brought down like a thug holding a gun, not a defiant coed with a purpose, right or wrong she didnt deserve to have a thug of a cop sitting on her... If it were your daughter I think maybe you might have a different opinion of the north providence police.. Lets jump ahead 3 years.. I predict an out of court settlement of 1.5 million easy...

A repeating theme throughout this dialog seems to be she should have heeded the warnings of the police and she wouldnt be sitting in a wheel chair. Has anyone stopped to think a second who the police work for? They are hired by us to protect and enforce the laws. Did the protect us from anyone engaged in felonious activity while they were protesting? Of course not. They ordered someone to do something who refused. She was then brought down like a thug holding a gun, not a defiant coed with a purpose, right or wrong she didnt deserve to have a thug of a cop sitting on her... If it were your daughter I think maybe you might have a different opinion of the north providence police.. Lets jump ahead 3 years.. I predict an out of court settlement of 1.5 million easy...

out-of-town, spoilt Brownies should mind their own business and stick to protesting the non-veggie places on Thayer Street....there is little more pathetic than a rich socialist!

If you like Communism so much, quit moaning and groaning and move to China. I'm sure the police are much nicer there.

Her friends posted a whole raft of photos, leaving out the ones in the middle that show her attacking the cops. If the missing photos proved her innocent, they would have posted them as evidence of such.

Also, even if the cops used excessive force, that doesn't mean she is innocent, it just means they are both guilty. She shouldn't be absolved of a crime, just because she may have been treated poorly.

Yes, where are those missing photos of the actual encounter?

It is amazing how well trained most commenters are.

the basic concept of a desire to express judgment without a proper review of relevant evidence is the earmark of a fascistically indoctrinated society. I wish you all good luck in waking up.

as far as protest goes, Ghandi's and the Czech's seem to have worked. all others seem destined to fail. What did Ghandi and his followers have to do to successfully battle the Euro banker allaiance, and are they now truly free of that cabal? hmmmm

I see this girl on a daily basis, she is the most sweetest well mannered person I have ever encountered. Her injuries are going to be with her for the remainder of her life, she will never life the live the rest of us have, she will have more surgeries before this is over. Anyone can tell this is police brutality. These types of injuries would never happen from a simple fall. God bless her and give her the strength to forgive these men that don't have any respect for the female race.