The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

‘F– Michelle Fields!’ — Interview With Reporter Harassed at Occupy DC Protest

Posted on | November 5, 2011 | 242 Comments

Michelle Fields stands next to a policeman while
covering ‘Occupy DC’ protests, Nov. 4, 2011

Michelle Fields, a young video reporter for the Daily Caller, was assigned to cover Friday night’s Occupy DC protests outside the Americans for Prosperity “Defending the American Dream” conference at the Washington Convention Center. In an interview Saturday morning, Fields described how she was targeted for harassment:

Robert Stacy McCain: You won’t be going back?
Michelle Fields, Daily Caller: I won’t be going back to cover it. I actually don’t feel safe going back to those protests, because they singled me out, they singled out the Daily Caller. I just don’t think it’s safe for me to be back around those people.
They actually had a person covering me all night, for about three hours, with someone walking around with a camera, screaming things out to me like, “You’re worse than Fox,” and attacking me, attacking what I’m wearing. So I won’t be returning.

McCAIN: Attacking what you were wearing?
FIELDS: Exactly, yes. I think they were just trying to figure out ways to upset me — about the clothing I was wearing, where apparently I shop, really strange stuff.

McCAIN: Where you shop?
FIELDS: Exactly, yes.

McCAIN: You were wearing what? Abercrombie & Fitch or what?
FIELDS: They were screaming out that I was wearing [designer] Ann Taylor. So I’m not sure — I wasn’t wearing Ann Taylor.

McCAIN: Oh, my goodness.
FIELDS: They were screaming stuff out like that. They were screaming like, ‘F– Michelle Fields!’
And when I tried to conduct interviews, an individual would jump in front of the camera and stop the interview, or block it with a piece of paper or cardboard, so that we couldn’t tape anything or talk to anyone.

McCAIN: Oh, my goodness. So while they want all the friendly media they can get, in terms of —
FIELDS: Exactly, yes. And so people started chanting, ‘Right-wing extremists,’ while we were trying to interview people, and they talked to people who were part of Occupy DC and told them not to talk to us. So they chanted that, they chanted songs at me that I’m ugly, like ‘U-G-L-Y, you ain’t got no alibi, you’re ugly,’ to me individually, and that I’m a ‘horrible person.’ It was, literally, just attacking me and the Daily Caller, but specifically me.

McCAIN: Wow. Wow. And so they had somebody whose job was apparently to monitor you?
FIELDS: Exactly, yes. So for about three hours, I had someone following me around, harassing me, screaming things out to me. And I actually did not feel comfortable, because at one point there were a whole group of men surrounding me saying, ‘F—Michelle Fields.’  And I went to a police officer and I told him that I felt these people were harassing me. And the police officer said he’d take care of it, but it never ended. These people were harassing me for the entire evening.

McCAIN: Oh, my goodness. Oh, my goodness. These are the enlightened, tolerant, liberal, progressives.
FIELDS: Supposedly.

* * * * * *

UPDATE (Smitty): Welcome, Instapundit readers!

UPDATE II (RSM): Linked by Don Surber, Darleen Click at Protein Wisdom, Dan Collins at The Conservatory, Fire Andrea Mitchell and The Lonely Conservative — thanks! — and welcome, Hot Air readers!

PREVIOUSLY: #OWS Protesters Attempt to Storm AFP Defending the American Dream Summit


Category: #Occupy, Fear and Loathing at the Defending the American Dream Summit

Comments

242 Responses to “‘F– Michelle Fields!’ — Interview With Reporter Harassed at Occupy DC Protest”

  1. Good news: OWS sets up women-only tent to help cut down on rapes « Hot Air
    November 5th, 2011 @ 4:17 pm

    […] capture the extent of the menace, either. For that, read R.S. McCain’s interview with D.C. reporter Michelle Fields, who at one point found herself surrounded by a group of men screaming “F*** Michelle […]

  2. Kshampoe
    November 5th, 2011 @ 4:35 pm

    Obviously they were mad because they have to see nasty occupy skanks all the time, not a beautiful women. Poor losers.

  3. Zuccotti Park Occupiers Erect Female Only Tents » Pirate's Cove
    November 5th, 2011 @ 4:43 pm

    […] a similar vein, R.S. McCain interviews the Daily Caller’s Michelle Fields, regarding the crazy Occupiers at the AFP gathering in D.C. Michelle Fields, Daily Caller: I […]

  4. Anonymous
    November 5th, 2011 @ 4:53 pm

    Thanks

  5. Jim Treacher
    November 5th, 2011 @ 5:10 pm

    When I start insulting you, Gary, you’ll know it.

  6. Jim Treacher
    November 5th, 2011 @ 5:10 pm

    You’re welcome.

  7. Steve Funston
    November 5th, 2011 @ 5:12 pm

    Man, it must suck to be losing so badly. Violence, thousands of arrests, rapes, defecating on police cars. This is what the average American thinks about when one mentions OWS. And this is what your SCOAMF president has tied himself to. Thank you  Occupiers for this wonderful gift to conservatives.

  8. Jim Treacher
    November 5th, 2011 @ 5:12 pm

    1) I’m not a reporter or an editor.
    2) I’m not impressed with Romney. Even if I was, I wouldn’t have a problem with any story you’ve got that includes things like names and other facts.
    3) You might want to get that deviated septum looked at. Sounds like you’re having creating problems.

  9. Anonymous
    November 5th, 2011 @ 5:19 pm

    I never said it was unusual. Just linking the story.

  10. Jasmine Clark
    November 5th, 2011 @ 5:21 pm

    sexist idiot. you’re disgusting. instead of blaming the men who harassed her, you blamed her and the daily caller!!  how about you stop talking about HER and start talking about the people who actually did wrong here.

    “Women need combat training if they want to work outside the home.  They
    don’t naturally have a sense for battle beyond cat fighting, which is
    low level stuff.”

    so you think women aren’t suited to work outside the home, huh? all we’re good at is cat fighting? how dumb and rude can you be? you think you’re so tough and strong, just because you’re a man? there are plenty of weak, pathetic, not to mention stupid men out there. i see you’re one of them.

  11. Jasmine Clark
    November 5th, 2011 @ 5:21 pm

    i love you 8D

  12. Jasmine Clark
    November 5th, 2011 @ 5:23 pm

    michelle is brave to go into that environment filled with rabid animals…

  13. Anonymous
    November 5th, 2011 @ 5:24 pm

    Whether or not the building is owned by the government much of it is leased to private entities. Many of the buildings the federal and district governments wanted built are owned by private developers and revert to the government after long term leases expire.

  14. Anonymous
    November 5th, 2011 @ 5:50 pm

    The reason your tinfoil hat doesn’t work is because it’s made of aluminum foil.

  15. #OccupyDC ‘What Democracy Looks Like’ : The Other McCain
    November 5th, 2011 @ 5:53 pm

    […] can’t tell “heaven from hell, blue skies from pain,” et cetera.PREVIOUSLY:Nov. 5: ‘F– Michelle Fields!’ — Interview With Reporter Harassed at Occupy DC ProtestNov. 4: #OWS Protesters Attempt to Storm AFP Defending the American Dream SummitNov. 3: Complete […]

  16. ThePaganTemple
    November 5th, 2011 @ 5:54 pm

    Whoops. Okay that explains it, Eric thinks he’s a libertarian, one that believes in a big, bloated military budget and bases all over the world. So, what branch of the libertarian movement are you affiliated with, Eric? Oh, yeah, I know-the one that never existed.

  17. Anonymous
    November 5th, 2011 @ 6:02 pm

    Saw a CSI episode once where one of the cops had used non-issue pepper spray and when they litup the perp with tasers he burst into flames. If one were buy pepper spray for the first time is there a specific ingredient in or brand name of one should look for in order to recreate those results? Or was that just TV magic?

  18. ThePaganTemple
    November 5th, 2011 @ 6:08 pm

    Putting her in there was stupid or evil, depending on who did it.

    Let me guess. If a man put here there, it was evil. If a woman did it, it was just stupid.

  19. Anonymous
    November 5th, 2011 @ 6:16 pm

    So they think bathtubs are for making meth, that explains alot.

  20. ThePaganTemple
    November 5th, 2011 @ 6:26 pm

    Says the guy who gets his panties twisted in a knot, probably in roughly the shape of Tucker’s bowtie, any time anybody criticizes the Daily Caller whether they deserve criticism or not.

  21. Daily Pundit » Our First Amendments Right, But Not Yours
    November 5th, 2011 @ 7:27 pm

    […] ‘F– Michelle Fields!’ — Interview With Reporter Harassed at Occupy DC Protest : The Other Mc… […]

  22. Dave
    November 5th, 2011 @ 7:36 pm

    Can we kill the “bases all over the world” meme? We’ve got about 20 of any significance. Now, you can argue whether we should have that many, and that’s fair, but the whole meme smacks of the Ronulans “OMG! HUNDREDS OF BASES ACROSS THE GLOBE, MAN! IMPERIALISM!” nonsense. A contingent of marines standing guard at one of our embassies is not a “base”.

  23. Anonymous
    November 5th, 2011 @ 7:47 pm

    I suspect intimidating journalists is a feature not a bug, attempting to harness the narrative to class struggle. This regime tried the same thing but realized they it would require tactics they couldn’t afford to use for the moment.

  24. Jim Treacher
    November 5th, 2011 @ 8:01 pm

    You set out a scenario and I responded in good faith, hon. The only one here with a knot up his ass is you.

    Try to keep in mind that you’re still raging over a one-liner I made…

  25. » Zuccotti Park Occupiers Erect Female Only Tents
    November 5th, 2011 @ 8:32 pm

    […] a similar vein, R.S. McCain interviews the Daily Caller’s Michelle Fields, regarding the crazy Occupiers at the AFP gathering in D.C. Michelle Fields, Daily Caller: I […]

  26. ThePaganTemple
    November 5th, 2011 @ 8:43 pm

    I have no idea what temper tantrum you’re talking about, nor for that matter which of your imminently forgettable “one-liners” you  have the hubris to imagine I could remember since the last time you were here, so I guess I’ll have to plead not guilty to your charge of internet rage.

    I’m not in the least even slightly agitated. In fact, I think its funny how you come here to Stacy’s blog to piss on the parade of your fellow DC reporter. Her work was supposed to be the subject of this post, but good old Jim he just couldn’t have that, could you boy? Jealous much? If nothing else you can always build a resume of hijacking comment threads to make sure little Jimmy gets all the attention.

    As for what I was talking about earlier, unfortunately the post has been removed from the Minnesota newspaper website and which I had linked on my blog. But it doesn’t matter, if I can find the story from another source, I’d actually prefer to forward it to somebody I know will make use of it, provided there’s a there there to begin with.

    Now run along, little Jimmy, you have important work to do for the DC tomorrow, I’m sure, and Tucker’s coffee, well that shit don’t make itself.

  27. Jim Treacher
    November 5th, 2011 @ 9:14 pm

    The tempter tantrum is the one you’re having right now. In reaction to one line I posted making fun of you.

    Now please write another 500 words on how angry you’re not, as you flail around like a nut while claiming your blood pressure hasn’t even twitched. It’s great stuff.

  28. ThePaganTemple
    November 5th, 2011 @ 9:22 pm

    Jim, believe me if you want, or not, but no, I’m not mad, or throwing a tantrum. I can understand why you might think that. Really, I get it. In your world, people are supposed to pretend they’re real important and stuff, so naturally I must be pissed off because you’ve so brutally eviscerated me with your brilliant, rapier like wit. But I swear, I just can’t remember this brilliant one-liner that’s supposedly got me in such a rage. What was it again?

  29. Jonathan Grummer
    November 5th, 2011 @ 9:26 pm

    God thank you for such a great and courageous woman like Michelle Fields. I pray you bless her for her unwavering fight for freedom and liberty and let her light, that you have placed in her, shine like never before in Jesus name I pray AMEN!

  30. Jim Treacher
    November 5th, 2011 @ 9:27 pm

    Jim, believe me if you want, or not, but no, I’m not mad, or throwing a tantrum. I can understand why you might think that.

    Well, I’m only basing that on the hundreds of angry, hostile words you’ve typed. Other than those, you seem really calm.

    In your world, people are supposed to pretend they’re real important and stuff, so naturally I must be pissed off because you’ve so brutally eviscerated me with your brilliant, rapier like wit.

    Oh, sweetie. If you keep putting your heart on your sleeve like this, somebody’s bound to break it.

    But I swear, I just can’t remember this brilliant one-liner that’s supposedly got me in such a rage. What was it again?

    It was intolerable. To you, at least.

  31. ThePaganTemple
    November 5th, 2011 @ 10:05 pm

    It was intolerable. To you, at least.

    I don’t know about that, but there’s one thing for damn sure it must not have been-memorable. Because I sure as fuck don’t remember it, and from the looks of things neither do you. That’s all right, Jimmy, I’m sure you’ll teach me a thing or two one of these days. Just pitch till you win.

  32. Jim Treacher
    November 5th, 2011 @ 10:09 pm

    Of course you don’t, dear heart. Now say “fuck” some more to show how tough and in control you are.

  33. ThePaganTemple
    November 5th, 2011 @ 10:49 pm

    You think I use cuss words because I’m mad? What a small minded little man you are Jimmy Poo. And since the word fuck has such a visceral affect on you I guess we can assume your mind isn’t all that’s teensy weensie. But hey that’s cool, just so you now know and can accept the premise that one does not have to be mad, or enraged, to say the word fuck, or to use it in any kind of casual conversation or prose, or hell even poetry, well I guess we can move on, can’t we? Unless you would prefer to keep this going for a few more hours. If so, maybe I’ll catch up with you tomorrow sometime.

    Or maybe not. Right now, I’ve got a few important things to do before I call it a night. A few important people to see and catch up on, you know. Until such time as I get around to subjecting myself to more of your mind-numbingly brilliant one-liners, remember-pitch till you win.

  34. Jim Treacher
    November 5th, 2011 @ 10:55 pm

    I don’t remember the last time I saw somebody try so hard to act like they weren’t trying too hard. You’re doing a great job of covering your anger and hostility, though.

  35. ThePaganTemple
    November 5th, 2011 @ 10:58 pm

    The point is, he’s not a libertarian if he believes in maintaining the current level of defense and military spending. He talks more like a Neocon than anything, and if he is that’s fine, but he’s also about as far from libertarian as you can get.

  36. Dianna Deeley
    November 5th, 2011 @ 11:59 pm

    From your keyboard to the gods’ monitors.

    Just don’t make me have to vote for Romney. Please?

  37. Dianna Deeley
    November 6th, 2011 @ 12:09 am

    Ugly. I am beyond disgusted with the Occupy idiots, and please, please stay safe.

  38. Dianna Deeley
    November 6th, 2011 @ 12:15 am

    Excuse me?

    You clearly have comprehension issues. The people hurt by the driver – we saw them being carefully loaded on gurneys and taken away, and we saw the cops, and we saw the protesters haranguing the driver. I have to think that the video showed all significant facts. Except, of course, what happened before the reporter and camera operator got there.

  39. Dianna Deeley
    November 6th, 2011 @ 12:17 am

    The event was private.

  40. Dianna Deeley
    November 6th, 2011 @ 12:19 am

    We can hope, but I somehow doubt it.

  41. Dianna Deeley
    November 6th, 2011 @ 12:23 am

    Same video already linked. Get a grip, please.

  42. Dianna Deeley
    November 6th, 2011 @ 12:27 am

    That formulation is no longer sold. However, when it was, yes, it would (indeed) light up in a truly spectacular fashion.

    There’s a Mythbusters episode about it – and Adam and Jamie had a five-second cameo in the CSI episod.

    Forgive my fan-girl-ness.

  43. Dianna Deeley
    November 6th, 2011 @ 12:37 am

    Because Luap Nor is running for the Republican nomination. Some people think that makes him “one of ours”, even though most people who vote Republican think he’s even nuttier than we thought Ross Perot – and a whole lot of us thought he was seriously off his head.

  44. Dianna Deeley
    November 6th, 2011 @ 12:38 am

    It’s not a “gotcha”, because, bluntly, Luap Nor and his supporters are usually people who need serious psychological evaluation and support.

  45. Anonymous
    November 6th, 2011 @ 12:39 am

    “only shows snippets of when the Occupiers did something wrong but not when the people inside the building started beating and hurting us ”

    WTF were you doing inside the building in the first place?  Oh, that’s right: laws don’t apply to lefties because you’re “special.”

  46. Anonymous
    November 6th, 2011 @ 12:41 am

    Doesn’t matter.  Just because the building is publicly-owned does NOT mean the public has unlimited access to it.  Don’t believe me?  Try to bull your way into the White House.

  47. Dianna Deeley
    November 6th, 2011 @ 12:45 am

    If this is satire – speaking as someone who frequently misses satire and ends up looking silly – it really, seriously, does not work.

    There is an edit button available. You can fix this.

    Why, yes, this is dripping sarcasm, in case you can’t spot it.

  48. Dianna Deeley
    November 6th, 2011 @ 12:47 am

    One strongly suspects this is unsuccessful satire. I wouldn’t worry about his “sexist” views.

  49. Dianna Deeley
    November 6th, 2011 @ 12:55 am

    One’s Linked-In page generally shows one’s associations.

    Lacking a professional need, I suppose you do not know that.

  50. Anonymous
    November 6th, 2011 @ 12:58 am

    Thanks.