Following the Department of Justice report on the rampant corruption, brutality and racism emanating from the Ferguson, Missouri Police Department, President Barack Obama issued a response to the findings. He said that the type of racial discrimination from the police in Ferguson is in no way unique to that one police department. Instead, he said that there is a need for national law enforcement reform and retraining. He described this in terms that cast police accountability and reform as a civil rights struggle.
Obama said that this need for police reform “requires collective action and mobilization” similar to what the nation saw during the Civil Rights Era. Unfortunately, he did not say what protections would be afforded to protesters who are routinely slapped with trumped up charges by the very corrupt police officers they are protesting.
Unfortunately, as well, after making somewhat strong commentary on police brutality and racism, the President backed off a bit, saying “I don’t think that is typical of what happens across the country, but it’s not an isolated incident.”
Many activists across the country say it very much is “typical of what happens across the country,” whether in Los Angeles, Ferguson, Beavercreek or New York City.
Obama discussed this with the The Joe Madison Radio Show on Sirius XM radio’s Urban View channel, adding: “I think that there are circumstances in which trust between communities and law enforcement have broken down, and individuals or entire departments may not have the training or the accountability to make sure that they’re protecting and serving all people and not just some.”
In a separate interview with radio host Tom Joyner, the President said that even though there has been great progress in fighting racism in the past half century, the recent DOJ findings show that this “is an unfinished project.”
“There is work to be done right now,” he added.
Unfortunately, those doing the work on the streets across America are becoming the targets of police threats, intimidation and false arrests. There was no word on what the White House proposes for dealing with the unconstitutional steps being taken by corrupt departments to squash dissent and intimidate protesters.
Post a Comment