MO - Grief and protests follow shooting of teen Michael Brown

[BayouBelle_LA]

i dont even know what to say, honestly. people keep mentioning that there were riots, looting, angry mobs, etc

none of that is happening now, nothing like that at all. why keep repeating it? the whole point of why this situation is so foul is that it is not an angry mob or anyone susspected of engaging in any crime, it is citizens out in the middle of the day, chanting for peace and justice, young girls doing cheerleader style cheers, old people, people with signs... how many times can that be repeated? it is broad daylight, nobody is being threatening, approaching police, or any other thing.

now the other main point - i am not saying the police should not be there, im not saying they shouldnt be proactive, im not saying they should be armed and prepared and alert and even armored.

IM SAYING they should not be pointing loaded assault rifles and sniper rifles at citizens that are not accused or suspected of doing anything unlawful - how is this not getting through? im going to end up getting a time out im sure because i seem to be pretty well despised by the mods here but honestly let the chips fall where they may.

for the last time then i will just ignore it - in a war zone, in a hostile foreign land, you would not walk around aiming your loaded weapon at civilians. you would have it pointed at the ground, how anyone is defending this is beyond me.

I see that you are passionate about what you believe. I don't have a problem with the police, military, etc. having a show of force. I think most law abiding citizens would be ok with this.

 

[liljim]

obviously a great solution for controlling crime in crime ridden neighborhoods would be to patrol those neighborhoods in armored vehicles and have armored riot squad units pointing their loaded assault rifles and sniper rifles at anyone on the streets, painting them with red laser dots, restricting their travel... who is on board? its effective right? those areas have a significant history of being unsafe. what could be wrong with that?

 

[octobermoon]

It is a sad day when that happens and there has been no prior violence.

So these peaceful protesters deserve it? The reporters getting arrested deserve it?

I need to take a break. I can't believe what I am reading here.

 

[popsicle]

FOX2now ‏@FOX2now 2m
Police: Backup 25 feet now.

 

[liljim]

I see that you are passionate about what you believe. I don't have a problem with the police, military, etc. having a show of force. I think most law abiding citizens would be ok with this.

who said anything about having a problem with them making a show of force? im pretty sure that multiple times i specifically mentioned i have no problem with that.

 

[popsicle]

Since they were told to back up the crowd has gotten a bit bigger and louder imo and they haven't moved back.

 

[liljim]

Since they were told to back up the crowd has gotten a bit bigger and louder imo and they haven't moved back.

yep because they have been doing it for hours in anticipation of night, now they have them corralled into a relatively small area. the crowd and mood is certainly going to change as night falls, they put the message out all day that large gatherings would not be allowed after a certain time tonight, seems completely reasonable.

 

[JeannaT]

obviously a great solution for controlling crime in crime ridden neighborhoods would be to patrol those neighborhoods in armored vehicles and have armored riot squad units pointing their loaded assault rifles and sniper rifles at anyone on the streets, painting them with red laser dots, restricting their travel... who is on board? its effective right? those areas have a significant history of being unsafe. what could be wrong with that?

Uh no, that's the behavior of LE in crisis situations. In neighborhoods where there aren't crises, very socially graceful cops are sent in to inspire trust in the community, and build inroads with the leaders.

But the time for that is when things are normal, not right now when it's a tinderbox and at any moment could erupt into full blown violence. Oh wait, it already has. They're just trying to keep that violence at bay tonight.

 

[BayouBelle_LA]

who said anything about having a problem with them making a show of force? im pretty sure that multiple times i specifically mentioned i have no problem with that.

FWIW Guns were not being aimed at civilians. If you're referring to the man in the tank, the gun is clearly pointed above the crowd.

 

[wendiesan]

It is becoming common practice for LE to confiscate cell phones from witnesses if they know they've been recorded while committing a crime.

A few examples:
http://photographyisnotacrime.com/2...fiscating-cell-phone-camera-captured-beating/
Oklahoma law enforcement officers beat a man to death before confiscating his wife’s cell phone after she video recorded the incident, leaving the key piece of evidence in the hands of the killers.

http://abc7news.com/news/witnesses-upset-over-antioch-arrest-police-taking-cellphones/249975/
People who witnessed a man getting arrested in Antioch were upset by the use of force and shocked when officers turned on them.

http://www.salon.com/2013/05/13/after_deadly_police_beating_witness_cellphones_confiscated/
David Sal Silva was reportedly seen and recorded being beaten to death by California police

In British Columbia, the tragic tasering of Robert Dziekanski to death was recorded by a member of the public.

Dziekanski’s tasering and subsequent collapse was filmed by Paul Pritchard, who surrendered the video to police with the understanding that they would return it to him in 48 hours. When they did not do so, Pritchard initiated a lawsuit against them. The video was ultimately returned. Partly as a result of its existence, the RCMP eventually admitted that they had misled the public in several statements about the Dziekanski incident.

http://pencanada.ca/blog/public-photography-is-not-a-crime/

IIRC, LE first denied that the video existed. Currently in Canada, it would seem that public photography is not a crime.

A police officer does not have the right to confiscate cameras or recording equipment (including phones), unless the person in possession of such equipment is under arrest and such equipment is necessarily relevant to the alleged offence. A police officer cannot force anyone to show, unlock or decrypt cameras or recording equipment, or to delete images, even when that person is under arrest, unless the police officer has a warrant or a court order permitting him to do so.

At no time, and under no circumstances, is anyone in Canada subject to arrest for the simple act of taking a photograph or filming, although he or she can be arrested if he or she is breaking another law in the process, such as, for example, trespassing or breaking or entering.

So, IMO, it would seem LE wants to get their hands on a cell phone or camera, all they have to do is arrest the person who took the photographs. Even reporters.

Chris Hayes just announced on MSNBC that Huffington Post reporter, Ryan J. Reilly was assaulted and arrested in Ferguson. Washington Post reporter, Wesley Lowery, was arrested. Inside a Mcdonalds.
http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/...shington-post-reporters-arrested-in-ferguson/

 

[wendiesan]

FWIW Guns were not being aimed at civilians. If you're referring to the man in the tank, the gun is clearly pointed above the crowd.

So the crowd is made up of other LEOs?

 

[JeannaT]

FWIW Guns were not being aimed at civilians. If you're referring to the man in the tank, the gun is clearly pointed above the crowd.

That guy is posed like a lifeguard, IMHO. He looks kind of bored, but watchful. He looks just like a lifeguard in the lifeguard chair holding the floatie belt thing and calmly scanning the swimmers.

 

[liljim]

FWIW Guns were not being aimed at civilians. If you're referring to the man in the tank, the gun is clearly pointed above the crowd.

they absolutely were, not sure how you missed it, assault rifles aimed right in peoples faces, sniper rifles laser sights on people. not maybe, not questionable. maybe you didnt see it, i dont know what to tell you.

 

[liljim]

So the crowd is made up of other LEOs?

maybe he just didnt see it, not sure how you could miss it tho, it is being widely reported, photographed, video'd, and thousands if not millions of people have seen it with their own eyes.

 

[SStarr33]

It is becoming common practice for LE to confiscate cell phones from witnesses if they know they've been recorded while committing a crime.

A few examples:
http://photographyisnotacrime.com/2...fiscating-cell-phone-camera-captured-beating/
Oklahoma law enforcement officers beat a man to death before confiscating his wife’s cell phone after she video recorded the incident, leaving the key piece of evidence in the hands of the killers.

http://abc7news.com/news/witnesses-upset-over-antioch-arrest-police-taking-cellphones/249975/
People who witnessed a man getting arrested in Antioch were upset by the use of force and shocked when officers turned on them.

http://www.salon.com/2013/05/13/after_deadly_police_beating_witness_cellphones_confiscated/
David Sal Silva was reportedly seen and recorded being beaten to death by California police

In British Columbia, the tragic tasering of Robert Dziekanski to death was recorded by a member of the public.


http://pencanada.ca/blog/public-photography-is-not-a-crime/

IIRC, LE first denied that the video existed. Currently in Canada, it would seem that public photography is not a crime.



So, IMO, it would seem LE wants to get their hands on a cell phone or camera, all they have to do is arrest the person who took the photographs. Even reporters.

Chris Hayes just announced on MSNBC that Huffington Post reporter, Ryan J. Reilly was assaulted and arrested in Ferguson. Washington Post reporter, Wesley Lowery, was arrested. Inside a Mcdonalds.
http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/...shington-post-reporters-arrested-in-ferguson/

That's complete crap. Shame on the cops.

 

[popsicle]

yep because they have been doing it for hours in anticipation of night, now they have them corralled into a relatively small area. the crowd and mood is certainly going to change as night falls, they put the message out all day that large gatherings would not be allowed after a certain time tonight, seems completely reasonable.

I watched that crowd approach the LE vehicle and then refuse to back up and then the crowd grew. Reasonable? I think not. jmo

 

[vulture]

A woman last night was shot but not murdered, just attempted murder. Do you want to wait until it's real murder?

 

[Yoda]

This is about to explode. Jmo

 

[Yoda]

http://www.vox.com/2014/8/13/6000785/wesley-lowrey-and-ryan-reilly-arrested

 

[Beaglemania]

The policeman-shooter's name is out there now.