Not Exactly Martin Luther King Protesting In Ferguson
There were many actual protests across the country -- people lying down in Beverly Hills on the street and people standing on freeways in other places in Los Angeles, for example. You may be angry about this if you're on the freeway trying to get home, but this is peaceful civil disobedience.
Law prof Jonathan Turley writes about the case and "the curious sight of rioters and looters demanding 'justice' when what they are really describing is mob justice in Ferguson, Missouri." From the first Turley link:
The evidence in this case gives Wilson a strong defense. Brown allegedly was coming from the commission of a crime where he appeared to threaten a store clerk. The forensic evidence appears to contradict those who insist that Brown was not shot in a struggle but with his hands in the air. There is evidence that Wilson was injured in a struggle, the gun was discharged in the car and Brown was shot at close quarters leaving blood on the gun. Finally, more than a half-dozen black witnesses reportedly gave testimony supporting Wilson. Other scenarios could explain the evidence, and there is still the question of why so many shots were fired. But those questions might never be answered, a reality of some criminal cases.The law requires us to deal with facts, and when those facts do not support a criminal charge, prosecution is barred regardless of popular demand.
In the end, it rings hollow to cry "no justice, no peace" when you are rioting or looting. There can be no justice if it is merely the result of demonstrations rather than demonstrated facts. Otherwise, the scales of justice become just one more object to throw through the window of an appliance store.
At the second link above, Turley writes:
In perhaps the most symbolic incident, Ferguson Market and Liquor, the store that Michael Brown robbed before he was killed, was looted by people demanding "justice" for Brown.
Turley continues:
Regardless of how one views the evidence of the shooting, the store owner was clearly a victim of Brown and did nothing beyond call the police. However, he now has a ransacked store and is somehow blamed for the killing.The media filmed as people carted out stolen merchandise out of the store last night:
More from Turley:
The discussion of the resulting looting and rioting often seemed a bit too enabling and relativistic. There is no rational connection between ransacking stores and seeking justice...
He also notes to those upset about "states rights" and calling for federal prosecution that the Justice Department looked into the case and found no basis for charges under civil rights provisions. That's President Obama's and Eric Holder's justice department, not the one run by Bull Connor.
A lot of police training emphasizes firing as many shots as you think is necessary (i.e., when you pull your gun, you are in a life or death situation, so fire all the shots you can to defend yourself). A friend of mine is going through the police academy currently, and that's what they are told. Honestly, with the size differential, and adrenaline, it's not a shock to me how many shots were fired.
spqr2008 at November 25, 2014 5:39 AM
Two points keep occurring to me: (1) These are not protesters. They are rioters. The news outlets are showing their bias by referring to them as protesters. (2) They are not seeking "justice," they are seeking vengeance.
Jay at November 25, 2014 6:13 AM
Jay, not all protests are nonviolent. Before the grand jury decision was handed down, some protesters were threatening violence. One man, holding up a protest sign, said, "If you want peace, give us justice." He had no intention of remaining part of the peaceful protest if the decision didn't go the way he wanted it to.
Now, are all the looters and rioters protesters? Of course not. Some of them, most of them probably, are opportunistic thugs. But it's just as biased to say that all the protesters are peaceful.
Beth Cartwright at November 25, 2014 6:19 AM
Beth, I can't figure out what you are trying to say. Are you agreeing with me or taking exception? If the latter let me make one thing clear. Once a "protest" becomes violent it is no longer a protest. It is a riot.
To suggest otherwise is rather disingenuous and a false equivalency with those who exercise their right to speak out against things they find abhorrent. There is no right to loot and destroy others property or effects.
Jay at November 25, 2014 6:52 AM
If you block the freeway and I'm trying to get home, I assure you that you have killed any sympathy I might ever have had for your cause. Do go ahead, aggravating potential supporters, and wondering why your cause gets no traction in this unfair, racist world. Hey, you did something, so that's your consolation prize.
Ten percent of this energy directed at the ballot box accomplish one hundred times what this taantrum did.
MarkD at November 26, 2014 4:31 AM
Amy Alkon
https://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2014/11/not-exactly-mar.html#comment-5559805">comment from MarkDIf you block the freeway and I'm trying to get home, I assure you that you have killed any sympathy I might ever have had for your cause.
Believe me, MarkD, I'm with you on that.
Amy Alkon
at November 26, 2014 6:17 AM
You know what pisses me off about this the most? People who are working diligently to root out and expose bad cops have been discredited by this. Now, anyone that tries to point out police misconduct will have no credibility, and we're right back where we were in the 1980s Drug War years with that.
There was a case in Cleveland the other day of a cop who shot and killed a 12-year-old who was carrying an air rifle. From what I've read, it appears to be a pretty clear case of polic misconduct. People are protesting, but it's getting very little media traction. And worse, the Cleveland protestors have coupled this case to Ferguson, thereby discrediting their own cause.
There's a whole lot of people who claim to be in favor of justice, until justice comes up with a decision they don't like. I compare it to the O.J. trial: A lot of people were disgusted by the not guilty verdict and thought it was a travesty. However, ultimately everyone had to respect the process, even though it produced an answer they disagreed with. I don't recall any mass riots over O.J.'s acquittal.
Cousin Dave at November 26, 2014 6:50 AM
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