Guards at Stadium Conventions during Song and Prayer

by VM44 40 Replies latest jw friends

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  VM44

  When did the WT start having guards come out during the song and prayer at stadium conventions?

  I noticed this at a convention in San Diego, right before the song begins, a bunch of "brothers" come out and stand at key positions facing the seats, and scan the audience! They remain until after the prayer, and they do not bow their heads during the prayer, but keep scanning the audience.

  What is the reason for this? Did someone do something really outstanding once to bring this about? They (the WT) did not do this in the past (20 years or so ago).

  It is sort of creepy!

  --VM44
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  blondie

  My last DC was in 2002 in the Midwest and they did not do it there.

  Blondie
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  Gopher

  At Rochester, Minnesota I saw these guards near the stage during all assembly parts, including the prayer. (This was in the 1990's.)

  During talks these guards wouldn't look up Bible verses. During the prayer they were scanning the audience. I think it was to prevent anybody from rushing the stage and disrupting the program.
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  blondie

  Oh, is that what you mean. There have always been two brothers sitting/standing on either side of the stairs up to the platform at the DCs. They are there to prevent "unsavory" people from storming the stage or the speaker. The fact is that they are told they cannot touch anyone unless the "unsavory" one throws the first punch.

  I used to wonder if these brothers were prepared to take a bullet for the speaker.
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  VM44

  There have always been two brothers sitting/standing on either side of the stairs up to the platform at the DCs

  Yes, but the "guards" I saw in San Diego form a row in front of the seats, and they are at all the various levels in the stadium. It is obvious they are looking for disruptions in the stands.

  I just wanted to know what happened for the WTS to start putting these "guards" at conventions? (from Blondie's comment, it appears that not all conventions have them)

  --VM44
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  ohiocowboy

  One thing fer shure, they must be really paranoid of us Apostates!!!
  
  
  
  
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  happehanna

  Yes, I have seen it over here in the UK during the prayer. A few years ago a guy got onto the grass area in front of the platform and he tackled down, I feel with unnecessary force during this time the brothers in the stands started to clap why? I am not sure why, maybe so no one could hear what he was saying or that he was being manhandled away. It wasn't pleasant, in fact I left straight after as I didn't feel comfortable.
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  Pleasuredome

  happ

  lol i was there at them time, but i was in the car parked down by the river. i heard some shouting on the radio as i listened and wondered what had happened. someone told me that the crowd cheered when he was rugby tackled.

  there are plenty of these 'guards' or what they are officially called "Watchers" (an occult term btw), around the stadium at these events. they can be identified by the black dot on their badge. i had a run in with these guys in 2002, see http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/7/39248/1.ashx. the head of these 'Watchers' is the convention overseer who told me that they keep this spying operation quiet as people, if they knew, wouldnt be very happy about. imagine who could be staring at you through the binoculars? some slimey child abuser probably.
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  blondie

  I guess they are more paranoid in some areas. It could be that 911 has made the WTS more paranoid. One of my JW brothers is an elder in security and they watch for people not dressed like JWs and follow them letting main security know their description. I never minded that because pickpockets, thieves and pedophiles target large groups of people. There were legitimate law enforcement at the facility and they were supposed to alert them to any bad situations. I don't know about other countries but in the US JoeBlow citizen can't be using strong armed tactics on someone unless that person has physically attacked them first or someone else, the "they laid a hand on you first" policy.

  I haven't seen or heard or any uproar in the stands. What would they look for? Someone holding up a sign, "Down with Ted?" "Pedophiles are here." Actually, it would be counter-productive and I would find it hard to think that any ex-JW who wants to make a real statement would do that. I just gauge that from how my old self would have reacted at the convention to seeing that.

  As far as looking for known apostates, I have heard of that, but if they are minding their own business and listening quietly, on what grounds could they make them leave? I would bring friends, a lawyer would be nice. I would just alter my appearance in a way that wasn't attention-getting, temporary hair dye, mustache, dress in JW convention costume, etc. Pretend you are a counter trying to get into a Las Vegas casino.

  Also, this occurred to me, are you sure they are security and not just attendants looking for empty seats. Some facilities are extremely crowded and they may be people looking for seats.

  These guys are so bored that they look for a problem. I can remember them accosting a bearded man once only to find out that he was one of the administrative staff of the facility. That was good for public relations.

  Now I know there are over-zealous goons in some areas that think that God's law supersedes man's in this arena of security. It would be sensible to cooperate if they want you to leave and physical action is threatened. That is why it is good to bring "witnesses" to the action, one with legal experience would be nice.

  What a world!

  Blondie
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  GermanXJW

  >I would just alter my appearance in a way that wasn't attention-getting, temporary hair dye, mustache,
  
  Blondie, I thought you were a female...