US Police Strike Back

#GeorgeFloyd may have sparked mass protests – but it’s not only about him. 

It’s about police brutality. It’s about systemic racism. It’s about black lives matter. 

And as the protests burgeon, it would seem that a significant section of US law enforcement respond with more police brutality! 

A wee sample of tweets that show the police are striking back:

“NYPD officer just called a female protester a “stupid fucking bitch” and threw her to the ground” (Jason Lemon @JasonLemon video posted May 30, 2020, 08:38 AM). 

“In New York City, police officers plowed through protesters with their vehicles” (Pierre G @pgarapon video posted May 31, 2020, 08:13 AM).

“In Queens, NY, a young black protester had his hands up and an NYPD officer pulled down his mask and pepper sprayed him” (Ms. Anju J. Rupchandani @AJRupchandani video posted May 31, 2020, 08:27 AM). 

“In Atlanta, the APD broke car windows, slashed tires, tazed both passengers and arrested both passengers in the vehicle for nothing” (black lives matter @imactuallynina video posted May 31, 2020, 10:01 AM). 

“In Minneapolis, the National Guard and the city police department fired paint canisters at residents standing on their porches” (Tanya Kerssen @tkerssen video posted May 31, 2020, 10:37 AM). 

“In Seattle, a police officer maced a child; then refused to give his badge number” (zellie @zellieimani posted May 31, 2020, 07:35 PM).

“Philly police attempt to disperse crowd after hundreds mased/gassed on Parkway. This was @ 5:30 as curfew nears. Dude w/ white shirt provokes scuffle, shoves baton into civilian’s throat. #phillyprotest #blacklivesmatter #GeorgeFloydprotests #protests2020” (Peopledelphia @Peopledelphia video posted June 02, 2020, 06:49 AM). Note: The Temple University student suffered "serious bodily injury, including a large head wound that required treatment in a Philadelphia hospital, including approximately 10 staples and approximately 10 sutures.

“In Orlando, police deliberately box in protestors *before* curfew, forcing them to stay in place until after curfew so they can be arrested” (T Greg Doucette @greg_doucette shared video posted June 04, 2020, 11:44 AM). 

“In Buffalo, police officers shove man in Niagara Square to the ground (WARNING: Graphic)” (WBFO @WBFO video posted June 05, 2020, 09:13 AM). Note: The 75-year-old man suffered a serious injury and is now at ECMC in Buffalo, NY.

The US is becoming a failed state. 

In the meantime, more protests in more cities in more countries around the world. Besides Canada, Denmark, Germany and UK, demonstrations have popped up in Australia, Austria, France, Greece, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa and the list goes on.