Libertarian ping! Click here to get added or here to be removed or post a message here!
Posted on 08/15/2014 2:08:15 PM PDT by bamahead
A stunning change happened overnight in Ferguson, Missouri after the government took a different approach to people’s civil liberties in the area.
Gone were the SWAT trucks and snipers. Gone were the riot shields and militaristic outfits. Gone was the hostility. And guess what? Gone was the violence.
Yesterday the Missouri Highway Patrol was given responsibility over the area. Patrol Capt. Ronald S. Johnson, who is a Ferguson native, marched in front of the crowd and set clear priorities for the marchers which respected their civil liberties. Governor Jay Nixon had vowed to take a different approach to the event, which has spurred national interest after police were caught tear gassing and arresting reporters.
“When I see a young lady cry because of fear of this uniform, that’s a problem.” Johnson said. “We’ve got to solve that.”
Johnson vowed not to blockade the street, and even went so far as to set up a staging center for the media. The officers were careful to ensure that residents had the right to assemble and the police were told to take off their gas masks while working crowd control.
Johnson, who is also African American, hugged and kissed his fellow community members as they walked by. The Washington Post reported that when one man asked Capt. Johnson what he would say to his niece who was tear gassed, Johnson replied: “Tell her Capt. Johnson is sorry and he apologizes.”
From the Washington Post:
Protesters said they were still angry, demanding justice for Brown and answers from local police about why he was shot and who the offending officer was.
But, they said, Johnson’s willingness to physically interact with them, rid the streets of heavy police equipment, and help them coordinate protests was a welcome change in tone.
“Thank you so much for being here,” said Karen Wood, who fought back tears as she held both of Johnson’s hands imploring him to bring answers to residents and maintain calm in the streets.
“This is about human rights, about human beings,” she cried. “It takes cooperation…our youth are out here without guidance, without leadership.”
Moments later, as he rallied the crowd and demanded justice and information about the shooting, the man with the megaphone declared:
“They respect us,” referring to police. “ So let’s respect them. They’ve given us the sidewalk so lets stay out of their street.”
… Organizers worked through the crowd, handing out “community talking points” outlining the goals of the protest.
“This is what our community was like before a child was killed in our streets,” said Jerroll Sanders, one of the protest organizers. “But what we’ve seen is a change in the policing approach. The aggression was never brought on by us.”
Isn’t it incredible what happens when the government actually respects civil liberties?
Our sister site, The Libertarian Republic, produced a podcast this morning on how libertarian politics are informing policies in places such as Ferguson. Have a listen:
that’s because holder sent his thugs to incite riots.
““They respect us,” referring to police. “ So let’s respect them. They’ve given us the sidewalk so lets stay out of their street.” “
Interesting choice of words given that the story is that Brown wanted the street and not the sidewalk.
Nothing left to loot.
Hmmm I guess they don’t count the 3 police officers injured last night or the car jacked victim or the women in the crows shot in the thigh
yea that is peaceful sarc
Thats it then. We just need to pass out juice boxes, energy bars & hugs at the next riot.
Heavy police presence didn’t occur until there was rioting. Civil liberties were respected then, we saw what happened.
It’s ridiculous. Now it’s the police’s fault that people rioted.
“Gone were the SWAT trucks and snipers. Gone were the riot shields and militaristic outfits. Gone was the hostility. And guess what? Gone was the violence.”
BS they had already stole everything they could and destroyed most property. What else was there to do besides move out into other neighborhoods, which could have proven fatal from some more ferals.
bs
the heavy stuff was brought out to quell the looting
the heavy stuff did not precipitate the looting
you must go prepared for the worst contingency
...for some ferals...
Aw, ya think? Eric Holder is supposed to be an even-handed and dispassionate pillar of Justice, doncha know. But since Justice has become Just-Us, the balanced aspect has become a little skewed.
It did not have to be paid agents of the Federal government that showed up. There is a large contingent standing in the wings that KNOW they are safe from indictment and prosecution from Federal authorities, and they can form up at a moment’s notice. Sort of a flash mob, you could say.
The only reason the violence stopped is because they got it out of their system (for the time being.) It had nothing to do with switching agencies in charge. They has already burned down their store and made their point.
I’ve heard both accounts - that protests were peaceful until the heavily armed police showed up - and vice versa - that the heavy armor was just the response to riots.
We may never know which is really the case. Fog of war.
But whatever the case, the change in police tone has definitely helped to de-escalated the whole situation.
Or - it could simply be that the vast majority came to their senses when they found out that Big Mike was a strong-arm robbery thug...
It is hard to measure the the cause and effect of increased police presence on a group of protesters. Can the police incite a riot?
However, when the local PD shoots tear has canisters at reporters who are simply doing their jobs and seized their equipment, it means that it was a Police Riot and the police have no regard for the Constitution.
Sounds like a bit better response than showing up dressed like the army and gassing and arresting the press.
http://www.ksdk.com/story/news/local/2014/08/14/crews-hit-with-bean-bags-tear-gas/14042747/
Give me a break. A girl cries in fear at the sight of the police, when she live among violent ghetto thugs and goes to school with them? She must stay drenched in tears then.
Somebody call Awfull Dull's wife at the RED CROSS. She has experience catering thug throwdowns.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.