I actually have Zinn's A People's History of the US, buried somewhere in the depths of my messy apartment, though I haven't had a chance to read it (planning to this Summer).

You need to dig up the book and read it. It's long, but you might be able to read it in one qeekend because it's a great book.

guaranteed to evoke a violent reaction from police is to challenge their right to "define the situation." --- David Graeber citing Marc Cooper