[Content Note: Police brutality; police militarization; violence; racism.]
"The use of heavy-duty riot gear and military-grade weapons and equipment to police largely peaceful demonstrations intimidates protesters who are practicing their right to peaceful assembly and can actually lead to an escalation in violence. Equipping officers in a manner more appropriate for a battlefield may put them in the mindset that confrontation and conflict is inevitable rather than possible, escalating tensions between protesters and police."—From an Amnesty International report released today, "On the Streets of America: Human Rights Abuses in Ferguson," which details the killing of Michael Brown and the resultant police tactics in response to protests, and makes recommendations for meaningful change directed toward the Ferguson Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Governor of Missouri, the Department of Justice, and the United States Congress.
Shakesville is run as a safe space. First-time commenters: Please read Shakesville's Commenting Policy and Feminism 101 Section before commenting. We also do lots of in-thread moderation, so we ask that everyone read the entirety of any thread before commenting, to ensure compliance with any in-thread moderation. Thank you.
blog comments powered by Disqus