Crisis in Ferguson Continues
The Ferguson Police Department is under investigation after an officer fatally shot Michael Brown an unarmed black teenager. On August 9th, Officer Darren Wilson, responded to a call concerning a robbery in a convenience store and encountered and shot Brown on the street, claiming Brown assaulted him and reached for his gun. The shooting sparked a massive protest, as the residents of Ferguson swarmed the streets demanding justice for Brown’s death.
Days after Brown’s death, tensions continued to rise between the police and protesters causing the police to go to extreme measures such as the use of tear gas to stop the riots. Riots and protests continued to escalate resulting in over 75 arrests and 10 injuries to both protesters and policemen causing Governor Nixon to order the National Guard into Ferguson.
The protests received national attention causing the federal and local government to further investigate the shooting of Brown as well as the tactics of the Ferguson police department. The St. Louis County Prosecutor’s office revealed that Michael Brown did not have a previous criminal record and his autopsy revealed that Brown was shot at least six times. The Justice Department investigated possible civil right violations related to the shooting finding that at least five other Ferguson police officers were involved in civil rights lawsuits alleging the use of excessive force. Four of the five victims in these cases were black. These cases along with Brown’s death suggest that there is a systemic problem within the police department. However, many continue to support Officer Wilson as his online fundraisers continue to surpass those for Brown.
On August 20th, a grand jury began investigating whether Officer Wilson should be charged criminally for the death of Michael Brown. A week later Michael Brown’s friends and family, as well as White House aides attended his funeral. Peaceful protests continue in Ferguson as the grand jury proceeds and investigations of Brown’s death continue.
Sources: http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/20/justice/missouri-shooting-grand-jury/
http://www.kmov.com/special-coverage-001/Reports-Ferguson-protests-turn-violent-270697451.html
http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/20/justice/missouri-shooting-grand-jury/
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Police shootings of unarmed African American teenagers are definitely becoming major news today which is saddening. From the shooting of Trayvon Martin by the neighborhood watch leader to full on Police officers, raises the question; who can we trust? Missouri residents are suing the city and the police department of Ferguson $40 million for “wanton and excessive force” after the riot mention in this article. After reading some of the claims made during this riot I read an article by the Washington Post that I thought was an interesting take on the police shootings. “Ferguson Isn’t About Black Rage Against Cops. It’s White Rage Against Progress.” Agree with the article or not, its an interesting view on the matter and also the comments will definitely make you question where were at in society.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ferguson-wasnt-black-rage-against-copsit-was-white-rage-against-progress/2014/08/29/3055e3f4-2d75-11e4-bb9b-997ae96fad33_story.html
http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/michael-brown-shooting/ferguson-st-louis-county-hit-civil-rights-suit-over-protests-n191501
The Ferguson shooting, and many other related shootings of African Americans by white police officers has been a reoccurring issue that needs to be addressed. While police officers can be known to use extensive and excessive force, and violate rights of citizens while trying to do their duty of “protecting and serving”, there is not always clear proof of what happened. After reading this article I read another article that was published today headlining that the Ferguson police department has purchased body cameras for all officers. The officers are all required to wear a body camera and turn them on to start recording when they are addressing a citizen. Many feel that this will greatly improve problems with police abuse because it hold the officers responsible and makes the citizen feel safer, while all providing further evidence for cases. While these cameras will not be the ultimate end to issues relating to police, I believe it will greatly improve this problem we are currently facing in the US.