DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Everything Else... George Floyd Murder + Protests Continued...

IMO this is a large reason for the disease. Other officers see there are no consequences and act accordingly - the bad eggs do what they want and the weak and marginal think that is what is needed to earn respect. Combine that with the fact that you are now luring like-minded scum to come and work with these thugs and disease becomes a bona fide cancer.

As millions of people across the country take to the streets and raise their voices in response to the killing of George Floyd and the ongoing problem of unequal justice, many people have reached out asking how we can sustain momentum to bring about real change.

Ultimately, it’s going to be up to a new generation of activists to shape strategies that best fit the times. But I believe there are some basic lessons to draw from past efforts that are worth remembering.

First, the waves of protests across the country represent a genuine and legitimate frustration over a decades-long failure to reform police practices and the broader criminal justice system in the United States. The overwhelming majority of participants have been peaceful, courageous, responsible, and inspiring. They deserve our respect and support, not condemnation — something that police in cities like Camden and Flint have commendably understood.

On the other hand, the small minority of folks who’ve resorted to violence in various forms, whether out of genuine anger or mere opportunism, are putting innocent people at risk, compounding the destruction of neighborhoods that are often already short on services and investment and detracting from the larger cause. I saw an elderly black woman being interviewed today in tears because the only grocery store in her neighborhood had been trashed. If history is any guide, that store may take years to come back. So let’s not excuse violence, or rationalize it, or participate in it. If we want our criminal justice system, and American society at large, to operate on a higher ethical code, then we have to model that code ourselves.

Second, I’ve heard some suggest that the recurrent problem of racial bias in our criminal justice system proves that only protests and direct action can bring about change, and that voting and participation in electoral politics is a waste of time. I couldn’t disagree more. The point of protest is to raise public awareness, to put a spotlight on injustice, and to make the powers that be uncomfortable; in fact, throughout American history, it’s only in response to protest that the political system has even paid attention to marginalized communities. But eventually, aspirations have to be translated into specific laws and institutional practices — and in a democracy, that only happens when we elect government officials who are responsive to our demands.

Moreover, it’s important for us to understand which levels of government have the biggest impact on our criminal justice system and police practices. When we think about politics, a lot of us focus only on the presidency and the federal government. And yes, we should be fighting to make sure that we have a president, a Congress, a U.S. Justice Department, and a federal judiciary that actually recognize the ongoing, corrosive role that racism plays in our society and want to do something about it. But the elected officials who matter most in reforming police departments and the criminal justice system work at the state and local levels.

It’s mayors and county executives that appoint most police chiefs and negotiate collective bargaining agreements with police unions. It’s district attorneys and state’s attorneys that decide whether or not to investigate and ultimately charge those involved in police misconduct. Those are all elected positions. In some places, police review boards with the power to monitor police conduct are elected as well. Unfortunately, voter turnout in these local races is usually pitifully low, especially among young people — which makes no sense given the direct impact these offices have on social justice issues, not to mention the fact that who wins and who loses those seats is often determined by just a few thousand, or even a few hundred, votes.

So the bottom line is this: if we want to bring about real change, then the choice isn’t between protest and politics. We have to do both. We have to mobilize to raise awareness, and we have to organize and cast our ballots to make sure that we elect candidates who will act on reform.

Finally, the more specific we can make demands for criminal justice and police reform, the harder it will be for elected officials to just offer lip service to the cause and then fall back into business as usual once protests have gone away. The content of that reform agenda will be different for various communities. A big city may need one set of reforms; a rural community may need another. Some agencies will require wholesale rehabilitation; others should make minor improvements. Every law enforcement agency should have clear policies, including an independent body that conducts investigations of alleged misconduct. Tailoring reforms for each community will require local activists and organizations to do their research and educate fellow citizens in their community on what strategies work best.

But as a starting point, here’s a report and toolkit developed by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and based on the work of the Task Force on 21st Century Policing that I formed when I was in the White House. And if you’re interested in taking concrete action, we’ve also created a dedicated site at the Obama Foundation to aggregate and direct you to useful resources and organizations who’ve been fighting the good fight at the local and national levels for years.

I recognize that these past few months have been hard and dispiriting — that the fear, sorrow, uncertainty, and hardship of a pandemic have been compounded by tragic reminders that prejudice and inequality still shape so much of American life. But watching the heightened activism of young people in recent weeks, of every race and every station, makes me hopeful. If, going forward, we can channel our justifiable anger into peaceful, sustained, and effective action, then this moment can be a real turning point in our nation’s long journey to live up to our highest ideals.

Let’s get to work.

I'd argue nobody should have wanted to be a cop 6 months ago too (here in Chicago). My hope, people will still want to be cops because they can enact the change from within that is needed fur us to heal this, but I may be too naive.

In general, the protests are inspiring, hearing the mayor of Atlanta and Killer Mike speak yesterday made me have hope but seeing all those videos of looting and violence in Chicago, areas I've lived, worked and walked, breaks my heart.

j/c...

Anyone else see the video that has gone viral of the two cops racially profiling and arresting a black guy who was actually an FBI agent? Clowns.

I'd post the video, but too many expletives. Pretty easy to find though.

Start shooting them and lots will go home.

Independent autopsy shows George Floyd died from 'asphyxiation from sustained pressure'

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/01/us/george-floyd-independent-autopsy/index.html

The independent autopsy's findings come after the Hennepin County Medical Examiner found "no physical findings" to "support a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation," according to the criminal complaint released by the Hennepin County Attorney's Office in the arrest of former Officer Derek Chauvin.

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Oh boy....

My guess is Dr. Baden is telling the truth. In my mind the coroners is lying.

Independent autopsy shows George Floyd died from 'asphyxiation from sustained pressure'

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/01/us/george-floyd-independent-autopsy/index.html

The independent autopsy's findings come after the Hennepin County Medical Examiner found "no physical findings" to "support a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation," according to the criminal complaint released by the Hennepin County Attorney's Office in the arrest of former Officer Derek Chauvin.

______

Oh boy....

I'm not a doctor, but I'd have to agree with your opinion.

Now, had toxicology reports show large amounts of drugs in Floyd's system, maybe perhaps that could be used in the officers defense - to an extent.

But, to my knowledge, neither autopsy mentioned anything about drugs.

It shouldn’t be ok for anybody to get treated like that.

It isn’t just black Americans being treated like that. White people are being killed by cops too, and quite a number of those murders are questionable.

We’re just more vocal about it. But when we protest, we’re protesting for everybody’s right to be treated fairly by law enforcement, not just us.

We have to get rid of racism in law enforcement. While it will never truly go away, we can get as close as possible. But then the job isn’t even done.

Cause we have rampant classism in the system in this country as well that doesn’t get talked about.

It really makes me mad when I see people rioting and looting.

Violence isn't the answer to stopping violence, violence creates hate and hate is what these protests are suppose to try and stop. This country and the world has to learn how to live in Harmony and peace.

Most if not all of these business owners were probably as pissed as we all were about what happened to George, but now I'm sure most of them are hating people because of the hate and violence the rioters and looters showed toward them.

Emotions are out of control for so many right now, but I have faith that wisdom will prevail. This is going to get fixed, it has to. The video of what happened to George will bring more change then the riots and looting.

Violence isn't the answer to stopping violence, violence creates hate and hate is what these protests are suppose to try and stop. This country and the world has to learn how to live in Harmony and peace.

I get that police want to clear the streets because there are rioters and looters in the crowd, they can't get to them if there are tons of protesters everywhere. Heck, the peaceful protesters are in danger too. However, you can't clear the streets because it's a violation of the 1st Amendment. I want to hear and see the protesters send their message, but it's hard to ear them with fires burning and hundreds of business being robbed.

We're in a world of hurt right now. I'm crying for our country. We need to be more calm, on both sides. Anger will send a message, but rage and anarchy will cause more problems. I pray this can subside to a point where people can talk, plan solutions and rebuild trust.

We can't let people just loot like that though. They need to be taught a lesson not to do that again, whether that's with tear gas, bullets of some sort, whatever it is.

More police, military, guard is needed to ENFORCE not just stand there.

Here is what you are saying in effect:

"I'm sorry about the black man getting killed but these protesters are looting and causing damage, that must be stopped and they must be punished"...

Maybe you should be thinking:

"I'm sorry those buildings were looted and damaged, but black men being killed in the streets by police or bigots is unacceptable; this must stop and the people doing it need to be punished."

And btw, the protesters are protesting, the looters are looting, stop confusing/conflating the two and don't get distracted from the bigger crime.