Indeed.
This morning, New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly gave a speech at a gun violence panel during the annual convention of the National Action Network, the civil rights organization founded and led by one of the more prominent opponents of the NYPD's 'stop and frisk' policy, Rev. Al Sharpton.
Kelly started his speech by invoking Martin Luther King Jr. using a quote from the slain civil rights leader to express the idea an ideal community should be judged "not by the size of our material wealth, but by the depth of our commitment to economic and social justice."
I have a dream... that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
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I have a dream... that every young man
of color will one day live in a city where
they will be stopped, questioned, frisked
and judged by police officer at least
once a week.
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This took place just two days after New York State Senator Eric Adams
testified in Floyd v New York City that Ray Kelly had spoken to him about 'Stop & Frisk' back in 2010, and said
... that he targeted or focused on that group ((young men of color)) because he wanted to instill fear in them that any time they leave their homes they could be targeted by police."
I find it difficult to believe that invoking the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. to justify 'Stop & Frisk' would do anything but provoke even more anger, frustration and grief among those who are targeted by this policy.
It's time for Ray Kelly, his policies and his attitude, to be locked away in the dustbin of history.
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Diaries on the 'Stop & Frisk' Trial, Floyd v New York City, underway now in NYC:
Stop & Frisk on Trial: NYPD Chief Kelly Admitted Cops Target Blacks 2 'Instill Fear' Says State Sen.
Stop & Frisk on Trial.
Stop & Frisk on Trial. 'Floyd v City of New York' Class Action Lawsuit against Stop&Frisk Began Yesterday