police violence
some time ago, perhaps in early 2008, i started collecting links and data on the rising phenomenon of evidence pointing out increased police violence. although i’ve since stopped regularly updating–i think there’s too much to track, and i find it depressing–it is an important trend to monitor. at this point, i think it more important to learn about ways to avoid interactions with law enforcement as much as possible. that, and educating oneself and others in the benefits of never, ever, ever talking to the police.
the following is a collection of articles and notable links related to the ever-more publicized, but long-ignored, phenomenon of violence of police against citizens. although i wholeheartedly promote the efforts of watchdog agencies and community practices of “policing the police” that blow the whistle on such abuses of power, i invite the reader to make their own observations and draw their own conclusions. even i find some of the evidence below not only shocking in regards to the nature of police abuse, but abhorrent to my sensibilities as a human being.
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http://thestressblog.com/2008/04/07/the-formula-for-a-police-state/
“On the night of March 15 in an Oceanside, California, parking lot, after a dispute over one car cutting off another, Frank White, an off-duty San Diego police officer, shot five bullets into Rachel Silva’s car, hitting her in the arm twice, shattering a bone, and striking her eight-year-old son in the leg. She was unarmed. She has trouble moving her arm and might have permanent nerve damage.
“Oceanside Police Captain Tom Aguigui promises that the department is pursuing “a very fair and complete investigation” to determine “why this whole thing happened,” but many details are being concealed from the public.”
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VIDEO: Protesters for a Free Tibet beaten by cops in NYC.
absolutely unbelievable.
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VIDEO: Shreveport, LA: Cop beats handcuffed woman in interrogation room; she rolls out on a stretcher.
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news from my home town:
Citizens file a complaint against Baltimore city cop; caught later punching an undercover police officer.
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another home town favourite:
VIDEO: The infamous Baltimore Cop vs. Skater Kid video.
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VIDEO: Alabama cops arrest skateboarders for doing what they do.
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remember sean bell?
Groom shot the morning before his wedding day; DA says it was “no accident.”
follow up: police officers exonerated on all counts of misconduct.
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VIDEO: Probably the most famous police beating video ever caught on tape to date. unfortunately, this clip doesn’t show the lead-up to the beating, and this casts the cops in a worse light than reality. however, there’s no denying that the cops had him well-subdued at this point, and just kept on hitting for personal reasons well after their victim was down for the count.
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VIDEO: Utah cop tazes non-violent, non-combative citizen. please sign your tickets, but nothing else (you may end up waiving your rights if you do so).
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remember mumia abu-jamal?
written nearly ten years ago: Revolutionary Worker #1000, March 28, 1999
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VIDEO: NYPD officers knock down bicyclists near times square, commit multiple abuses of power, execute several wrongful arrests, and violate citizens rights. video footage is later used to expose numerous false statements reported by police, and most–if not all–charges are dropped.
