Across America we continue to see local communities arise in frustration after the killing of another citizen by a police officer, or following the memorial services of such a victim.
Today in Baltimore, Maryland we're seeing it again.
What greets these (for the most part) peaceably assembling citizens who want a redress of their grievances from the local government?
In every single case, so far, what we see are RIOT POLICE uniformed in what appears to be some of that donated Military Gear and Armor greeting them.
What if instead of a line of kevlar-armor bearing riot police, the local Mayor and his City Council members came out in public to treat with those citizens...
Am I just crazy?
Shouldn't there be a better way for our democratic Republic to respond to such events than for local government to sic the up-armoured local law enforcement on those citizens who dare to publicly decry the actions of that same local law enforcement against one or more of their fellow citizens?
I've watched far too many of these 'uprisings', these standoffs between upset citizens and local law enforcement (all of whom more closely resemble a military unit ready for War than city cops or sheriff's deputies) over the past year or two now to see anything but what they are: the prelude to some community, in some American city, engaging in an actual uprising against these continuing and unrelenting killings by local law enforcement which ends in nearly 100% of the time in the killer in question going without so much as a legal charge for their actions and almost never spending as much as a day in jail for the unwarranted taking of an innocent life.
Why is the very first option of our cities and towns, to a group of concerned citizens assembling peaceably on public roads or public areas, to roll out such a show of armed force instead of someone, anyone, in a position of power and authority to DO SOMETHING about the latest death by cop coming out to have a serious conversation with these upset and grieving folks?
Or am I just crazy to think that in the United States of America that this is still our Supreme Law which is to be applied equally to all citizens:
Constitution
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
[emphasis added for clarity]
Per suggestion from inclusiveheart and gchaucer2
Please see the Baltimore Sun for updated information on the current situation developing there, including multiple injuries to Law Enforcement, at least one burning vehicle (police vehicle from images), looting in a number of businesses.
Perhaps the new Attorney General, Loretta Lynch, will not be as passive on the issue of #BlackRightsMatter, rioting and Civil Rights as the outgoing Eric Holder has been:
Please see jpmassar's Tweetpic diary on #Baltimore
Please go read Susan Gardner's Front Page piece "Baltimore Erupts into Chaos: Governor activates National Guard"