Donald Trump’s Version of Law and Order Is Nonsensical

Donald John Trump, the impeached president of the United States who Senate Republicans refused to remove from office, uses “law and order” to intimidate three groups.  The first group are protesters.  If enough of them are blinded by rubber bullets, maybe they will stop protesting. The second group are people afraid of protesters believing that all protests and marches are riots. (Trump has so far identified that group “suburban housewives”.) The third group are Republicans who have strange, generalized beliefs that all Democrats are evil.

In an unbalanced, prejudicial, generalized manner, Trump represents all protests as riots.  He postures all as taking place in cities with Democratic mayors or states with Democratic Governors.  There are too many cities and states to list, but not all looting and vandalism occurred in Democratic led cities or states.  Additionally, there were attacks by people upon protesters that Trump does not mention.  There was also great physical harm caused by police on protesters and journalists.

https://twitter.com/TeeBiggs/status/1272196014057885698

 

Maybe Trump is threatening to send mercenaries to American cities after he realized that there are police who understand, agree with, and will not harm peaceful protesters.

While it is true that some protests included damage to property and looting, Trump is not addressing the root “law and order” issue.

On May 25, 2020, where was law and order for George Floyd? 

Indeed, an officer of the law casually tortured Floyd for over 8 minutes until he died.  The video of Floyd’s death went viral, waking-up many people to just how “law and order” is abuse of power and cover-up with dishonest police reports.

Distrust — Why People Are Demonstrating

If you’re like me, since the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Cop Derek Chauvin, you’ve spent hours watching demonstrators in the streets of major cities.  I was doing that yesterday when seeing signs carried by demonstrators. Some signs had names of others killed by police.  One name struck me.  That name is Jose Campos Torres.

Kare reports the following:

MINNEAPOLIS — United States Attorney Erica Macdonald says they’re conducting a “robust and meticulous” criminal investigation into the police-related death of George Floyd.In a press conference Thursday evening, Macdonald said that the Department of Justice has made the investigation into George Floyd’s death a top priority.

“We have assigned the highest of the high in my office to investigate and look at the case,” Macdonald said. “FBI, likewise, has assigned their experienced law enforcement officers to conduct the investigation.” She added that President Donald Trump and Attorney General William Barr are “directly and actively monitoring the investigation.”

If people did not trust that system before MacDonald spoke, they certainly did not — cannot trust it after she stated that Donald Trump and Bill Barr are “directly and actively monitoring the investigation”.  For some, the distrust was planted in 1977 when Jose Campos Torres was killed by Houston police officers, and how that system punched justice in the face.

On October 7, 2015,  I published an Open Discussion post.  In that post, I wrote about Jose Campos Torres.  Seeing his name yesterday on a sign carried by a demonstrator inspires me to share with others that the people on the streets are not only protesting the death of George Floyd.  They are also demonstrating against a system of empty promises that has often laughed in our faces because they have the authority to do so.   The following is an excerpt from that post.

White Nationalist Organizers and James Alex Fields Sued for $3 Million

Tadrint and Micah Washington, the owners of the car struck in the protests held in Charlottesville, Virginia this past weekend, have filed a lawsuit in the Charlottesville, VA circuit court.

James Alex Fields He drove his car into a group of counter-protesters, killing Heather Heyer

James Alex Fields has been arrested and charged with one count of second degree murder, three counts of malicious wounding and one count of failing to stop at an accident that resulted in a death.  Fields was a participant in the “United the Right” demonstration organized by White Nationalists in Charlottesville, VA.

Fields allegedly drove his car into a group of counter-protesters.  At his appearance on Monday in court, Fields told Chief Judge Robert H. Downer Jr.  that he cannot afford a lawyer.   The 20-year old Fields has been assigned court appointed attorney Charles Weber.  Fields’ next court appearance is on August 25, 2017.  He is currently held in the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail and was denied bond.

The Washington’s allege in court documents that they were driving home when Fields drove through a group of people, ramming their vehicle from the back injuring them.

The lawsuit names Fields, “Unite the Right” rally organizer Jason Kessler and about two dozen alt-right leaders and organizations as defendants.

Violent clashes between white nationalists and counterprotesters in Charlottesville

I hear David Duke say that the protests were to take “our” country back. Back from what? That question has not been answered.

The Secular Jurist

CHARLOTTESVILLE – Hours before a noon rally was set to begin Saturday, violent skirmishes broke out between bands of white supremacists and counterprotesters who have converged on this college town around the issue of a Confederate statue.

Men in combat gear, some wearing bicycle and motorcycle helmets and carrying clubs and sticks and makeshift shields fought each other in the downtown streets, with little apparent police interference. Both sides sprayed each other with chemical irritants and plastic bottles were hurled through the air.

A large contingent of Charlottesville and Virginia state police in riot gear were stationed on side streets and at nearby barricades but did nothing to break up the melee.

Continue reading:  Violent clashes between white nationalists and counterprotesters in Charlottesville

Further reading:  Who Are the Alt-Right Leaders Behind Virginia Rally?

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Marches Across America and The World Standing In Solidarity Against Donald Trump

I’ve spent most of today watching and reading the news about the  “Women Marches” happening today.   It is reported that in America alone, the numbers are over a million participating.

Photo credit: (Meredith Blake/Los Angeles Times)

Teresa Shook of Hawaii is given credit for starting the march.  She invited her Facebook friends to join her in a march in Washington, D.C. and what began with 40 of her friends grew to 10,000.  Today, there is an estimated 500,000 in attendance in D.C.

In Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. Rep. John Lewis,  kicked off the proceedings.

“We all came to this land in different ships but we’re all in the same boat now,” Lewis told the crowd, to loud whoops and cheers. “Got on your marching shoes? Let’s do it!”

Others are marching in New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles,  Portland.  Women and men  around the world are also marching in solidarity and in opposition to the bigotry and hate that  Trump represents.   There are marches in  Sydney, Berlin, London, Paris and Cape Town, South Africa.

 

Los Angeles, California

 

For about 2 hours now, MSNBC and CNN have reported that Trump’s press secretary is suppose to give a statement.

 

Spokesman Who Attacked Rams’ Ferguson Protest Was Fired From Police Job in 2001 for Misconduct

It looks like the most recent agenda of those such as Roorda is to attack the employment of people who they don’t like.

The Fifth Column

The Rams players’ pregame protest. | CBS Screenshot

Salon

After several members of the St. Louis Rams NFL team made a “hands up” gesture of solidarity with Ferguson protesters before the team’s home game yesterday, a group called the St. Louis Police Officers Association issued a statement criticizing the players. The group’s statement quoted its business manager, Jeff Roorda:

The SLPOA is calling for the players involved to be disciplined and for the Rams and the NFL to deliver a very public apology. Roorda said he planned to speak to the NFL and the Rams to voice his organization’s displeasure tomorrow. He also plans to reach out to other police organizations in St. Louis and around the country to enlist their input on what the appropriate response from law enforcement should be. Roorda warned, “I know that there are those that will say that these players are…

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Injustice in Ferguson Missouri Simply Explained

This is the face of a killer

Darren Wilson

This is the killer’s accomplice

Robert McCullouch

These are their victims

Grand Jury Does Not Indict Darren Wilson

On August 9, 2014, Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson shot and killed Michael Brown in broad daylight. The most that the public has received by way of verified evidence is that Michael was shot at least 6 times, with the kill shot fired in the top of his head.

Eyewitnesses are consistent, reporting that Michael had his hands up as Darren Wilson fired and continued firing.

A grand jury began seeing and hearing evidence and when their session expired, the judge extended their time until January 2015.  Strangely, Darren Wilson was invited to testify before the grand jury and it was reported that he testified 4 hours.

Rocky Ford, CO – Shades Of Ferguson

Last Sunday, James Ashby killed 27-year old Jack Jacquez in Jacquez’s home. No one knows why Ashby came to Jack’s house. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Rocky Ford Police Department have remained silent. That might be due to James Ashby being a police officer.

Jack Jacquez

Jack’s family and friends say that he was shot in the back, but even that news did not come from the police but rather, from workers at the hospital where Jack was taken.

About 200 people got together in the small town of Rocky Ford, Colorado to protest, marching to the police station to get answers. Authorities aren’t talking to them. They are not even telling them what they are doing – but James Ashby is on paid vacation.

 

The protests pattern those in Ferguson. Yes, the nation and the world have embraced the reality that what happened to Michael Brown was wrong. “Hands up. Don’t Shoot” is being repeated in Rocky Ford, CO, and even Hong Kong, because of Michael Brown.  Now, it is no longer Blacks who are marching while chanting “No Justice. No Peace.” People of every color are fed up that cops can kill, go on paid vacation, and authorities are silent, adding to the trauma and grief of victims’ families, friends, their communities – our nation.

People of all walks of life are coming together, but sadly it is because of death by cop.

Department Of Justice Orders Ferguson Police To Stop Wearing ‘I Am Darren Wilson’ Bracelets

I also read that the DOJ informed the Ferguson police that not wearing their name tags was a violation of Ferguson Police Dept. rules, and to start wearing them.

The Fifth Column

State Troopers watching a protest in Ferguson, MO. | CREDIT: AP/CHARLIE RIEDEL

Think Progress

A Department of Justice letter sent to the Police Chief Tom Jackson of Ferguson, Missouri on Friday instructed all officers to stop wearing “I Am Darren Wilson” bracelets. Another letter issued on Tuesday ordered members of the police department to wear readable name plates, after officers were seen wearing unidentifiable tags or none at all.

Protests have not stopped in Ferguson since officer Darren Wilson shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown, who was unarmed, in August. And in response to civil unrest, which gained steam again after Brown’s memorial was burned to the ground on Tuesday, and the use of the slogan “I Am Mike Brown,” officers were photographed wearing the bracelets supporting the officer who killed him.

The DOJ letter sent to Jackson explained that the bracelets contributed to an “us versus them” mentality and…

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Demonstrations, Protests, Marches

Demonstrations, protests, marches. Those three words have been on my mind since August 9, 2014 when Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson killed Michael Brown. I admit that I have not yet gotten over Juror B37 in George Zimmerman’s case referring to peaceful protests as “riots.”

Times have changed, and most people may not know or remember why there is a difference in the words.

The citizens of Ferguson, Missouri were protesting and  demonstrating. They were protesting because the name of the police officer had not been released and that he was not arrested. However, they were also demonstrating. They demonstrated against police harassment, injustice, and a system that oppresses, denies, and violates, their civil rights. They were demonstrating against the system that Darren Wilson freely used to take the life of an unarmed 18-year old and protesting because the system appears to be protecting Wilson.

What happened next is that law enforcement turned protests and demonstrations into marches. If the people did not want to do anything other than march, they were arrested. This week, live stream has consisted of watching reporters watch reporters until marchers came in the area where reporters were sequestered. In my opinion, that is not freedom and it certainly isn’t freedom of speech and right to assemble.

‘STUNNING’ CHANGE IN FERGUSON

Hallelujah!

The Fifth Column

At a press conference Thursday, Capt. Ronald Johnson of the Missouri Highway Patrol was named the leader of security operations in Ferguson, Mo. Hours later, he marched at the head of a protest in the city in response to the shooting of Michael Brown. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) | Scott Olson via Getty Images

What a difference a day makes.  Amazing!

The Huffington Post

The man now leading police in Ferguson, Missouri, walked Thursday night with those protesting the shooting of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown, one day after protesters faced rubber bullets and tear gas from heavily armed officers in riot gear.

On Twitter, MSNBC’s Jamil Smith in Ferguson captured a scene Thursday:

Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri Highway Patrol walks along with the Ferguson march. Compare this to Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/Vtezu4MuHk

— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) August 14, 2014

“We all want justice. We all want answers,” the…

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