By: Kathleen Hennessey
Source: Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-obama-ferguson-violence-20140814-story.html
As the riots in the formerly peaceful suburb of Ferguson, Missouri continues to rage on, President Obama made a statement denouncing the unnecessary and excessive force used by the police in an effort to calm the situation. Shortly before Obama's statement, Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill made a similar statement saying the "response by the police has become the problem instead of the solution." Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky expressed his disapproval and concern over the rapid militarization of police forces throughout the nation, calling it an "unprecedented expansion of government power." The president has also requested an independent investigation be conducted by the Justice Department and the FBI. The President also stated his disapproval of the arrest and treatment of two reporters on Wednesday night. The topic of race and justice has been a hot-button issue for the President during his second term, and he made this statement in the wake of increased pressure on his administration to become more involved in the deteriorating situation in Ferguson. The President concluded his statement saying that it was the responsibility of authorities to calm the situation, and conveyed his trust that Missouri Governor Jay Nixon would be able to calm the situation and make certain that Justice is done.
This is an important article as it touches upon two of the main key issues facing modern America today; The treatment of minorities by the Law, and the over militarization of our police. Minorities, especially African Americans, and Hispanic groups are still discriminated heavily by the police, even today. Minorities are more likely to receive the death penalty, be pulled over, or be immediately discriminated by law enforcement than white people. Recently in Ferguson, forces responded to unarmed American protesters donning camouflage gear, driving heavily armed vehicles with mounted turrets, and carrying automatic rifles, pointing them at citizens. This is not the military, this is the St. Louis County Police Department utilizing their newly acquired equipment given to them by the Pentagon. This is a serious menace facing small-town Americans, and is an unwarranted breach of Civil Liberties by the police. This is a result of the War on Terror and post 9/11 hysteria turning American streets into warzones. Military grade equipment has no place on American soil, and should definitely not be used to calm protests.
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| Police Officer sits on top of Armored Vehicle |
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| Riot Police using equipment given by the Pentagon, confronting protesters in Ferguson |
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