Because there are so many honest, dedicated police officers in this nation, I hesitate to level a charge so severe as racism at any group of policemen, but in the case of the police in Ferguson, MO and St Louis County, I have to make an exception. The more I learn about them, the more disguised I become. Local demonstrations against them continue.
The protesters, almost all of them black, raised their fists and chanted, “We shall not be moved!”
Down the hill, advancing against them late Monday night, were police officers in gas masks and riot gear, most of them white.
“Don’t shoot!” some of the demonstrators yelled, inching closer to the barely visible police line. One man drifted several dozen feet closer with his arms up, lifting his shirt and spinning around as if to say: Look, no gun.
Then an older woman in a dust mask to shield her a bit from the swirling tear gas spotted him and shouted, “Get your ass back here!”
The two sides were locked in confrontation in this working-class suburb of St. Louis, where the police shooting of an unarmed young black man triggered a night of looting Sunday — and demands for justice from a predominantly black population…
Inserted from <LA Times>
It’s hard to imagine that the scene above is the police response to unarmed demonstrators, upset over the apparent police murder of an unarmed black teen with his hands in the air.
Rachel Maddow provided the best coverage of this tragedy I have found.
I don’t have much else to day, except that this level of Republican hatred and racism must be stopped.
Update:
Footage tonight from Jake Larson in Ferguson. He appears to be just a resident, whose other video’s haven’t been politically oriented. The situation has degenerated into a police riot.
20 Responses to “Police Racism in Ferguson”
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This should be on the front page of every newspaper and the lead story of every News report on TV. The police have declared war on citizens. The film looks like a war zone. MO Governernor is on his way there now. Will he do any good? Only when justice is obtained for the unlawful murder of Michael Brown by an on duty police officer.
I think when the police force dresses up in riot & SWAT gear – with NO condition at the time warranting it – they shouldn't be too surprised when they provoke their riot.
Gov. Nixon announced that the State Police and Federal authorities would be relieving the local police of their duties. He has also asked the FBI to investigate the shooting, hoping justice in this case.
AFTER Obama put a bug in his ear.
Knowing what the problem is is not enough. So true. Sometimes it is vitally necessary to state the obvious. (Rev. Al made me cry BTW.)
If the Governor were to be there incognito – and see what really happens as opposed to what they put on for show – I don't know.
Just Plain Sad 🙁
An incredibly powerful Tweet picture comparing Ferguson now to Civil Rights days back then:
https://twitter.com/David_Leavitt/status/499956851753369600/photo/1
Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose
Dang!! Deja vu!
This whole situation is so sad, And so wrong!
Of course, with the ongoing situation in Ferguson, many articles are appearing. In addition to the "riot", a one sided affair to be sure, Alternet reports that journalists have been roughed up and arrested while sitting in a McDonald's restaurant working at their lap tops. Here is the link http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/journalists-arrests-ferguson-spark-media-outrage-over-increased-police .
There is another article in Alternet, link http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/11-shocking-facts-about-americas-militarized-police-forces?paging=off¤t_page=1#bookmark , which outlines 11 facts about the militarisation of police forces. In Ferguson, racism is clearly at work (#11) as is cracking down on dissent (#7) . . . so much for 1st amendment rights. The matter of public debate and oversight (#10) is clearly missing, and innocent people are being hurt or killed (#1).
Is this what America wants?
"A recent New York Times article by Matt Apuzzo reported that in the Obama era, “police departments have received tens of thousands of machine guns; nearly 200,000 ammunition magazines; thousands of pieces of camouflage and night-vision equipment; and hundreds of silencers, armored cars and aircraft.” "
It is true that this does not represent every police force. However we have seen it in Ferguson, Missouri most recently, during the OWS (Occupy Wall Street) movement across the nation, in Los Angeles, etc. And too often, this militarisation is used in "minority" or non white neighbourhoods as is happening in Ferguson, MO. A peaceful protest about the shooting of unarmed Michael Brown was met by rubber bullets, flash bangs and tear gas. For pities sake, people were walking with their hands in the air, In TomCat's article Police Racism in Ferguson, there is a video shot by Jake Larson who appears to be a resident of Ferguson. It shows a militarised police force taking unilateral action against unarmed civilians whose hands are up. This is not how one expects "to serve and protect" to play out
It is past time to say ENOUGH! Yes there are criminals out there and they do bad things. But every time a police department militarises, the criminals up the ante even further. When does it stop? I don't want to turn this discussion into a discussion of 2nd amendment rights or "stand your ground" legislation, but America, you're going in the wrong direction. And with looming midterms, don't allow the Republicanus/Teabagger politicians to gain further purchase in government because you will see even greater assaults on the civil liberties of Americans, especially minority groups.
Ferguson is only the tip of the iceberg.
Sadly, all too true.
When crowds set afire a gas station (most gas stations have thousands of gallons of gas on hand) and loot stores, how can we call that a peaceful protest? Just last night the crowd set a liquor store on fire and looted more stores. I decry the racist, militeristic behavior of the police, but I won't defend, or support the dangerous actions of these protesters. This is not a peaceful protest, but a dangerous mob attacking a community.
Steve, any time there is intense xcivil unrest, there will be a few anarchistsd or criminals who act out. I have no doubt that of the thousands demonstrasting, fewer than 50 were engaging in such activities. I think you are mistaken to label the entire demonstration a dangerous mob, based on the actions of a few. The police's job is to respect the erights of the citizens swho are obeying the law and arrest thosew who are not.
Of course you are right TC. Can we apply that same thinking to the cops? Are all cops racists, or is it more about the training of police and the agressive policy of police training (shoot first ask questions later). We read stories of police abuse from around the country. The cops don't know who in a crowd of thousands are the criminals and the looting of the stores involved opportunists. The job of police is to protect the community. So I wonder if their response was out of line when faced with fire bombings and looting? The cheif is an idiot and probably a racist, but in a court would be found not guilty of any "overreacting" charges. Early reports show the shooting was unnecessary and maybe even criminal. What I do know and believe is that violence in response to violence, or discrimination, is not the answer and I believe MLK taught me that, and I thought taught our country that. You have been around long enough to know (fair, or not) that violence by a few paint the whole movement. Even after the cheif was replaced and a temporary calm came to the town, 24 hours later another fire bombing and more looting. If you were the cheif (non racist and fair) what would your response be to your town being fire bombed and looted?
Steve, throughout this crisis, I have said that ther vast majority of all police are dedicated public servants. But, if the rank and file have a racist chief, who orders out the riot gear before there is a riot, many of the rank and file are just happy to be to play able with the new toys. I knew Dr King as I was on the National Committee for Vietnam Summer. I believe in nonviolence as a response to violence. In Ferguson, the violence was not a response to descrimination. It was a response to police violence directed at mostly peaceful demonstrators.
If I were chief, I would employ force to apprehend violent criminals. I would respect peaceful demonstrators. i would not shout racial epithets or tell the demonstrators to "bring it on". I would not target journalists. I would not beat people for exercising their right to film the crisis. I would not cause the riot it was my job to prevent.
Dave Chappelle and his white friend Chip
http://youtu.be/JJ3dk6KAvQM
dave chappelle – talks about police brutality and 911 calls
http://youtu.be/RkQKOBiHyNU
The number of traffic stops alone shows the racism in that town. The reaction of the police to citizens who were peacefully protesting does, too. The night of rioting and pillaging set the stage for the police to use any excuse to shoot, unfortunately. I know little about Missouri, but the footage I have seen and the articles I have read since this started show that Mississippi has nothing on Missouri for racism. How sad after this many years to still have places where the color of your skin determines your safety.
Thanks all.
Here is the next proble there. The person who gets to decide whether or how the police murderer is charged is a Republican, even though he was elected as a Democrat.,
St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch Thursday night blasted the decision by Gov. Jay Nixon to replace St. Louis County Police control of the Ferguson situation with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
“It's shameful what he did today, he had no legal authority to do that," McCulloch said. "To denigrate the men and women of the county police department is shameful."
He surely does talk like a Republicanus/Teabagger!