George Floyd murder | Clashes between US police and protestors

[Alex - City Matters]

Well done on doing something. I have a question though. This is part of reclaim the blocks mission statement.

"We believe health, safety and resiliency exist without police of any kind. We organize around policies that strengthen community-led safety initiatives and reduce reliance on police departments. We do not believe that increased regulation of or public engagement with the police will lead to safer communities, as community testimony and documented police conduct suggest otherwise."

In other words, defund the Police, use community self regulation. No need to engage with the Police. We can do it ourselves.

Happy with those words? Like them to do the same in Manchester? Scrotes in Piccadilly Gardens again? I'll pop over and have a word. That will sort them out.

I think it is difficult to compare our police with those in the US. The Police budgets in the US dwarf ours, particularly in regard to things like weaponry which has been mentioned in this thread.

Reclaim the Block's work in practice seems to be more about reducing funding and instead putting it into community driven initiatives. I believe in 2018 they were able to gain $1 million that would have otherwise gone to Minneapolis Police Department. Whilst, yes, I do agree, no police would be stupid, it is easy to appreciate why African-Americans in a major US city would be cynical to the police ever being a good idea for them.

The idea that the police in the US can be 'reformed' into a fair and equal body has also been rejected by some in recent days (not saying I necessarily agree, but there is support around it). See https://www.theguardian.com/comment...iolence-is-not-reform-its-defunding-heres-why for example.

 

[BosnianBlue]

I don't like this looting at all. I could understand it first night or two when everyone was angry and could get wrong judgement in that frustration. But it's a week now and from what I've seen watching live streams last night, it's just pure vandalism and robbery. I'm all for attacking police, burning their cars, attacking government buildings, but just plain booting, vandalism and robbery.. that has nothing with blacks rights cause.

 

[JRockBlues]

I think it's extraordinarily sad that the video of the assault on the Australian TV news camaraman and reporter will probably garner more headline news around the world than some of the more horrific injuries sustained by peaceful protestors or other innocent bystanders. Holes in forehead or blinding in one eye are probably too graphic for the 6pm news shows though.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

I'm surprised it hasn't happened even more.

I'll make sure to keep you updated in the future.

 

[Trautmann's Chiropractor]

I don't like this looting at all. I could understand it first night or two when everyone was angry and could get wrong judgement in that frustration. But it's a week now and from what I've seen watching live streams last night, it's just pure vandalism and robbery. I'm all for attacking police, burning their cars, attacking government buildings, but just plain booting, vandalism and robbery.. that has nothing with blacks rights cause.

There are some opportunists among the masses but that shouldn’t detract from the main point of this.

Thousands of people don’t take to the streets for nothing. A riot is the language of the unheard.

 

[idahoblues]

Does it ever occur to you that they 'say' that they support Trump out of fear of persecution, but actually vote democrat, or not vote at all?

No, they don’t feel that way

 

[Man_City_Loyal]

I'll make sure to keep you updated in the future.

cheers hun

 

[BosnianBlue]

There are some opportunists among the masses but that shouldn’t detract from the main point of this.

Thousands of people don’t take to the streets for nothing. A riot is the language of the unheard.

I absolutely support people on the streets, I'd absolutely support violence and rioting against institutions, no change without some level of violence, but I'm afraid the real cause will get buried because of this.

I watched protest in Las Vegas last night and it was bit boring. They were just walking through the city and whenever faced the police, they would turn and walk in different direction. They will change fuck all with that. it's too big problem, too deep in society as whole to change it with just walking through the city.

Then I watched the one from Providence, RI and I saw police car burning, police and protesters facing each ones and preparing for battle. That's better, that's where anger and frustration is showed and it's acceptable level and place for bit of violence in struggle for change. But soon, many of them moved from that position and just started vandalizing the whole city. At one point they set the shoes shop on fire in the building with many apartments above the shop. I didn't like that at all.

 

[BimboBob]

I think it is difficult to compare our police with those in the US. The Police budgets in the US dwarf ours, particularly in regard to things like weaponry which has been mentioned in this thread.

Reclaim the Block's work in practice seems to be more about reducing funding and instead putting it into community driven initiatives. I believe in 2018 they were able to gain $1 million that would have otherwise gone to Minneapolis Police Department. Whilst, yes, I do agree, no police would be stupid, it is easy to appreciate why African-Americans in a major US city would be cynical to the police ever being a good idea for them.

The idea that the police in the US can be 'reformed' into a fair and equal body has also been rejected by some in recent days (not saying I necessarily agree, but there is support around it). See https://www.theguardian.com/comment...iolence-is-not-reform-its-defunding-heres-why for example.

It's very hard indeed to compare both countries police force. Ours is country wide led, their's can be distilled down to a Mayor and a few officers doing their own thing in a small town right up to the big city police that you see in places like New York. They have state borders, traffic cops that have no jurisdiction on none traffic violations, traffic cops that do and all other weird foibles.

The City you picked is a difficult one to call. The most segregated City in America. And yet 40% of it's occupants are black. It's well above the national statistic for rape, robbery, homicide etc etc and it's apparently the 8th most dangerous City in the US. It is also the second poorest. Calling for a no Police city sounds like fairyland at best. Using the money to retrain the Police and gain community support seems the way forward to me. Not pushing them away.

And yet it all sounds lovely on the brochures. Largest music festival in the world. Some great museums and beer. Lots and lots of lovely beer. I've been and had a great time.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

I don't like this looting at all. I could understand it first night or two when everyone was angry and could get wrong judgement in that frustration. But it's a week now and from what I've seen watching live streams last night, it's just pure vandalism and robbery. I'm all for attacking police, burning their cars, attacking government buildings, but just plain booting, vandalism and robbery.. that has nothing with blacks rights cause.

At this point the continued plight of black people in America has taken a back seat to the widespread brutality that has been ramped up over the last few days.

Two days ago police were filmed opening fire on civilians on their own property and obeying curfew guidelines. Last night four police officers were shot in Missouri. It's only going to get worse as the tension intensifies.

Public property and civilian lives were always going to get caught in the crossfire and, as unfortunate as that is, opportunities for de-escalation have not only been ignored but overt actions have been taken to provoke those who stand in the way.

The vast majority of protestors don't want violence. The other side is pushing for it.