It was 9 p.m. Monday evening. Prosecutor Robert McCullough had just announced that there would be no indictment against Darren Wilson, the white Ferguson police officer who killed an unarmed Michael Brown, who was black, after a brief confrontation, firing off 12 rounds and hitting Brown with six.
Linda Haywood president of the Flagler County Branch of the NAACP, was watching the prosecutor’s announcement on TV, and would spent most of the night watching unsettling events unfold in Ferguson. She called Rev. Gilliard Glover of First AME Church and asked if there’d be some space available at the church the following evening.; She wanted to organize a quick protest, or at least a way for people to gather, show their disappointment in the decision in Ferguson and, as she would say Tuesday evening, “have a positive way to voice their opinions, to reflect upon past actions and to let their voices be heard in a positive, peaceful manner. And I think that was accomplished.”
Despite torrential rain, some two dozen people gathered at the church after 5 p.m. Tuesday, including young people, at least two pastors and two cops—the Flagler County Sheriff’s Cmdr. Mark Carman, who oversees the Palm Coast precinct and has generally maintained warm and open rapport with the black community, and Sgt. Larry Jones, who was retiring the next day.
There was no anger, no chants of protest, at least not the emotional sort. The outrage was muted and channeled, calibrated between calls for self-discipline and, more than anything, self-responsibility while being clear-eyed about the sort of society that allows young unarmed black males to be gunned down on their own streets, whatever their lack of speakers at the event termed “discipline.”
“We know this is true, because we’re sometimes so undisciplined,” Stephanie Ecklin of the NAACP said. “However that does not escape the fact that a child who has not become all that he can be yet ought to be given the opportunity to live. There was no reason to kill a child. None. Perhaps disable the child. Shoot him in the knees. You didn’t have to kill the child. That’s all I’m saying. All right, you have an undisciplined teen-ager. You can stop him without killing him. So we as a community have to accept but law enforcement has to get a hold of themselves as well.”
Haywood echoed the theme of better parenting children. “We’re not taking the time to educate our children on how to be decent, contributing members of society,” Haywood said. “We dropped the ball. We dropped the ball. We’ve got to pick that ball up and run with it. It’s not too late.” She stressed the importance of every life, but also the importance of self-respect. The scenes from Ferguson, she said, broke her heart—the looting, the assaults, the spraying of journalists with pepper spray. “There’s no reason for that. There’s reason for the anger. There’s a reason for the frustration. There’s a reason for the outrage, the moral outrage. But then you must behave morally.”
Then Pastor Sims Jones, a frequent voice at local government meetings, spoke up: “I do a lot of fighting in Flagler County for rights,” he said, in schools, in housing and local politics. He said he has “nothing against police officers,” citing his own brother as one highly decorated one. “But when those police officers are not doing the right thing are not being held accountable for the things that they’re doing, they taint all police officers. And when the other police officers look the other way because this is a brother officer, or they help to smooth things over, they then taint all other good officers, because when someone is doing something bad and they’re not held accountable, everybody is now being painted with the same brush. But I’m not here to talk just about police officers.”
He spoke of government and judicial officials voted in by the public who “fail,” saying the judicial system in Missouri “did not do its job.” He then retold the story of the shooting of Michael Brown, focusing on his being unarmed: “Not only did parents fail, but our judicial system failed, our police officers failed, our elected officials failed, because when it came time to remove this biased, biased prosecutor, our own elected officials did not do their job.”
Jones then recounted the sort of story almost every black man can recount, and many white ones too, of situations where a cop’s badge becomes license for intimidation and an exercise of power rather than protection, let alone service. Jones had been stopped by a cop for allegedly failing to stop at a stop sign.
Closing the event, Glover spoke of an African proverb that says “to call of the name of the dead gives them life.” Glover said: “What we’re dealing with here tonight is not isolated. It’s been going on for a while.”
He then called out 22 names, pausing between each in what proved to be the most moving moment of the evening. The names, all those of young black men killed, including that of three 17 year olds, ended with the names of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown. Glover then cited the two verses from the Gospel of Luke: “When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, ‘Lord, should we strike with our swords?’ And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, ‘No more of this!’”
But rather than also recite the next line in the verse—“And he touched the man’s ear and healed him”—Glover then unexpectedly turned Jesus’s “No more of this” into a polemic: “No more crimes against our community,” “no more enlisting the enemy to educate our children,” “no more fathers forgetting about their families,” “no more gangs gathering up our little guys,” “no more hollering when we should be helping,” “no more incarceration rather than education,” “no more killing defenseless kids,” “no more lying and calling it legal,” “no more wishing for change but not working for change.”
He then offered a prayer.
m&m says
The judgement was right. Deal with it and move on.
Redtired Ct firefighter says
Thank You Law Enforcement ……………you are protecting us all from idiots who think they are above the law.
sw says
these people are in denial they wont
Justin says
The police officer did not do anything wrong. He was defending his life aganist someone who was trying to kill him. Thank you officer Wilson for doing your job.
Sharon says
If someone is going for your gun would you just let them have it? I didn’t think sO, neither would I!
Anonymous says
overkill and excessive, all of you think about this, what if it were your child………………………….??????????? i dont condone the idiotic rioting but i understand. nothing will bring the young man back, NOTHING!!!
anonymous says
My child would never behave the way Brown did. He would be too afraid of what his parents would do to him when we found out. People keep preaching about the rights of the deceased, but keep forgetting that the deceased was actively violating the rights of Officer Wilson, after he just violated the rights of a store clerk. There are consequences for your actions and, in extreme cases, the consequence is death. People need to stop casting blame on everyone else for the decisions made by Brown that night. Wilson’s life is now changed forever, and that was done by choices made by Brown, not himself.
sw says
excessive to try and steal a cops gun exactly
liberal says
RE: ‘Stephanie Ecklin of the NAACP said.” There was no reason to kill a child. None. Perhaps disable the child. Shoot him in the knees. You didn’t have to kill the child. That’s all I’m saying. ”
This “child” wasn’t 3 ft tall and 35 lbs. He was 18 yrs old, 6’4” and almost 300 lbs. A large Man in most peoples minds.
I’d like to see Ms. Eclklin carefully aim and shoot a charging 292 lb man directly in the knees while under the stress of possibly being killed if you miss. Noting that a bullet in the knee does not disable the hands.
She should educate herself a little more before making statements as such.
"Rick" says
Uh liberal, a bullet to either knee will certainly disable anyone’s hands by the simple fact that it will drop said person to the ground. If someone is immobile, laying on the ground, they’re already much less offensive. Not completely, but much less mind you.
By the way, I am still unable to wrap my head around any sensible part, or not, of this situation, for what it’s worth to anyone. Not that I really care what someone else thinks of my opinion. To each their own.
Live & let live. Within reason, it hasn’t done me any wrong for quite a long awhile.
Outsider says
Not to mention in the likely event of a miss or a through and through shot, that bullet could end up killing someone who had nothing to do with the event. Think of the can of worms THAT would open up.
Sensible says
While the death of Michael Brown was tragic, it is clear he contributed to his own demise. In the coming weeks and years, the names of the dead (young black men) will be added to the roster with dramatic speed. The vast majority of those will have been killed by other blacks. It is well known that there is no outcry about this by the so-called “civil rights leaders” such as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. Why? I’ll let someone else answer that question; but you can no longer run from the facts. America is going to hell in a handbasket. God bless.
Ben FL expat says
If I was black, I’d be very leery of white cops – I’m white and I’m leery…
Just because you have a badge it doesn’t always mean you’re the good guy.
Check out: http://www.copblock.org
Read how trigger-happy police are shooting a lot of pets these days, besides young black men.
paul says
Pastor Jones does not seem like the type of person who would enter a small store and intiminate a shop keeper half his size and then steal from the store as the peaceful owner stood by helpless and scared to death…..young Mr Brown did this………the first time he has done this? i doubt that…..a person with this type of behavior would be the type to assult me….pastor Jones or a police officer……Correct Pastor? also pictures show the officers face suffered trauma caused by Mr Brown….would you be protesting now in the officer was killed………..the answer is ………
Groot says
Lesson here, don’t shove people around and steal from them, do what the cops tell you to do and most importantly, never, ever go for the cop’s gun. All this over a handfull of cheap swisher sweets? I understood the anger over Trayvon. I mean the kid was walking on a sidewalk and some self serving yo-yo with a gun decided to play deputy dawg but this one, the one in Ferguson, I don’t think so. Show’s over folks, move along to the next train wreck.
You have the nerve? says
Get over OJ!
Law-abiding citizen says
Seems pretty simple to me… If this young man had respect for the law, he would be alive today. It’s not the officer’s fault.
Lin says
This is about officer Wilson and Michael Brown and what the Grand Jury decided.
I’m sorry for every injustice suffered by everyone but we can’t judge every situation by another.
And Holder, Obama, all those demanding prosecution because of something that happened to THEM are perpetuating this climate. The anger shown towards police who are trying to keep the peace especially in a high crime area does not foster good relationships. The riots and burning is so sad for the innocent people of Ferguson. Is Michael Brown responsible for his actions? Reaching into the car? I’ve heard a lot if the evidence and it is compelling — those who are indicting us Americans, and especially police officers, do they care what the facts are? This is our system, not that it can’t be improved but 12 jurors heard from 60 witnesses and Wilson and made a judgment — if the races were reversed, would there be riots? Just so sad.
We are more alike than we are different. I can’t change what awful things other races have endured but how long do innocent Americans have to suffer for it?
Nikia says
I think throwing a punch at an officer makes you loose all credibility. I understand that there are genuine cases of abuse of power but I don’t know if this was one of them. I remember being a kid and ashamed to be white when the Rodney King case happened then the rioting started and I went from shame to shock.
Palm Coast Prosperity says
There are two different justice systems in this country: one for white folks and one for black folks. Regardless of whether Officer Wilson acted lawfully or not, much of the protest and anger in Ferguson is aimed at that. Its not just about the killing of Michael Brown. Its about a system of racial injustice, of which the legal system is only one part.
Until all of us of every racial and ethnic stripe recognizes that fact and really puts our hearts, minds and money behind doing something about it, more Fergusons are sure to happen again. This country still needs to live out the true meaning of its creed. We are all Americans and we all deserve better, no matter the color of our skin.
sw says
until people obey the law their will be
wake up! says
If you act or look like a thug that’s the way you should be treated. When the police tell you to do something
shut up and do it and don’t argue with them. White or Black if you fight with the police your going to loose!
By the way what does setting fire to your neighborhood and stealing cell phones and tv’s have to do with Mike Brown’s death?
unacceptable says
Shoot em in the knees!!?? Brilliant idea, now…. you go give it a whirl on a moving target.
Outsider says
First of all, my hats off to Pastor Sims for his dedication to making the world a better place. That being said, I have a hard time understanding why the likes of Trayvon Martin and Mike Brown become heroes; they were victims of themselves, no one else. If you attempt to kill someone, then the tables may be turned on you. Why should Officer Wilson be charged with anything? He did what he was trained to do. If he gets hung for that, then no one will take the job, and we will be at the mercy of the likes of Mike Brown, who will rough you up and take what is not his from you. The world will not be a better place. It’s not the color of these guys’ skin that got them killed; it was their behavior. You try to take a cop’s gun? I’m sure if I go and do that, the cop will overlook the fact that I’m white and shoot me just the same. It’s pretty simple: don’t commit crimes, and you won’t get arrested or worse. It’s worked for me, and millions of others of all colors.
IvaHadit says
“… That being said, I have a hard time understanding why the likes of Trayvon Martin and Mike Brown become heroes; they were victims of themselves, no one else.”
So, how was Trayvon Martin a “victim of himself”??
Dave says
It has been proven that it was not a Black/white issue , just a thug that lost his life attacking a police officer, People really do need to teach their kids right from wrong , Had this thug been taught these values in life from his family this never would have happened .
w.ryan says
It’s pointless leaving a comment. The polarization saddens me! The truth and manipulation of the truth is as plain as the nose on our faces!
sw says
at fault MB
boomer says
the problem is that the black community does not teach respect for anyone or anything…sorry facts are facts…..these people are not civilized PERIOD….you are in the spot light because 99.9% of the time you are the criminal and until you change your ways you will continue to see this…..look into the mirror and you may see the problem…it is about time to be civilized, if not, go to the middle east and hang out with those stinky S.O.B.’S…good luck….OH, a reminder NEVER SURRENDER YOUR WEAPON!!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous says
So glad to see Flagler people recognize what happened. A criminal attacked a police officer. Has nothing to do with color.
Seminole Pride says
I see the looting,burning and no concern for others or there property and wonder what Mr. King would think of this. I’m sure he never intended for his dream to turn out like this. So sad.
Enlightened says
I do not understand these people. They want equal rights. What about our equal rights? Since when do we get hired over someone because of the color of our skin and having to meet a quota? How about we drop all of this deal and just forget about it. Slavery was many years ago. Get over it already. You are still yelling racism at every turn. Get over it already! How about a nation whit month, or German month, or Italian month. Get my point? It’s time to move on into the year 2014 and beyond and stop living in the past. We were all created equal. Start acting like that instead of a bunch of animals. You are just looking for any excuse to loot, light fires and act uncivilized.
Will says
For all the people willing to credit the grand jury and praise the prosecutor, take a look at this article from Bloomberg. http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-11-25/fergusons-grand-jury-problem
Maybe this will give you perspective. There were a lot of problems with the process.
biker says
A thug robs a store and attacks the officer attempting to perform his lawful duties, but some how the thug is the victim here. What a perverse way of viewing this situation. Fact is if the thug didn’t rob the store and didn’t attack the officer he would still be alive. The thug caused his own demise. Period..
Tired says
Thank you Ms Haywood for organizing a constructive way for folks to come together to discuss their feelings. Regardless of my opinion of the Ferguson issue, the fact that someone had the foresight to address this in a positive way is commendable. Happy Thanksgiving.
Jim R. says
A lot of racist comments trying to hide behind concern for
‘law and order” If it was white people bearing the brunt of police misconduct they would be out in the streets acting the same way. Just wait awhile, the police state grows stronger everyday and your white skin wont save you from it’s abuses.
‘
Sherry Epley says
Palm Coast Prosperity you are most certainly correct! The ever widening racial, financial, gender, religious and sexual choice biases in our country actually have created UNEQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL!
Our divisive political climate, which is exploited/celebrated 24/7 in our media outlets, is subversively spelling the decline of our nation. . . and is spreading rapidly to weaken the evolution of our world wide civilizations. United We Stand, Divided We Fall!
Many of the comments here are examples of deeply held bigotry for which our community should be ashamed. The heart breaking reality is that there is little in the way soul searching insight or even an attempts to walk in another’s shoes/see things from any other perspective. Closed minds are much too easy to manipulate!
Let us be thankful for our many blessings. . . and hopeful for a much more reasonable, peaceful future with equal justice for all. . . born of love for ALL our fellow human beings!
Rob says
My response is not based on some bigoted perception of Blacks, Spanish, poor Whites or other minorities. Nor am I going to hide behind the usual code words some used here as well as on other news sites by these so called mom and apple pie Americans. My assessment is based on YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, not from listening to: CNN, Fox News, or watching any crime shows. I don’t watch any of them.
As more details emerge and after watching the interview of Wilson, studying his demeanor and listening to his voice inflections my experience and instinct tells me his truthfulness is in question. One thing is that Wilson said he felt as if Hulk Hogan was punching him. Based on the photographs of Wilson at the hospital Hulk Hogan should be irate because he was slighted. His entire story isn’t believable to me and I have experience conducting interrogations and interacting with those who engage in deception.
His interview and Grand Jury testimony was pat. As expected he was well rehearsed and coached. His written words had to match his testimony. That’s ok. I didn’t interrogate him nor was I on the team investigating the shooting. Had I been he wouldn’t have been left unattended to wash his hands and handle his weapon. Those are just two glaring errors committed by his peers. There are probably more errors that will surface in the future. What did he say immediately after the shooting and what did he write down in his report? We don’t know and we don’t know if they matched. His department’s investigation was suspect.
The Prosecutor had no intention of indicting Wilson. The target is never the first to testify, the target is last. And yes Wilson was the target of the inquiry. The softball questions lobbed at Wilson insured he would not be indicted. The Grand Jury didn’t know how they were being directed, the State’s Attorneys did. Based on the transcripts I read there was little to no follow up or exploratory to Wilson’s testimony. He gave an answer and that was it. I have seen lawyers just out of college do a better job. I have also seen people convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms based on one and only one eye witness’ testimony. According to the Prosecutor the eye witness testimony was suspect even though there was numerous eye witnesses who testified. Were they all wrong?
Lastly society allows law enforcement a lot of latitude in its operations it is very close to impunity. Do we know what really happened? Analyze all of the eye witness testimony, remaining forensics, and compare them to Wilson’s statements. The only downside is that there is no second chance to cross examine Wilson. His testimony is in the book and the book is now closed. The Prosecutor did a good job protecting the officer.
biker says
Rob it appears that you are not considering the evidence offered. The prosecutors office even allowed the families own medical examiner to testify. This is highly unusual and could be considered pandering. Not one of the so called Michael Brown witnesses statements could be squared up with the forensic evidence. And when it did not square up, they changed their testimony to fit the newly learned facts. I dont know what your Years of Experience are in but you completely threw out the physical facts of the case with the statement you posted.
Anonymous says
There were four witnesses, who were black, who confirmed Wilson’s story. There were many who, upon subsequent interviews, changed their stories. Several just never returned. Most of those were the ones who told the most fantastic stories, such as Officer Wilson shot Brown from behind as he knelt on the ground pleading, “Don’t shoot.” Unfortunately, the witness who really knows what happened, Brown’s partner in crime, destroyed what credibility he may have had by claiming Brown was shot in the back when that was clearly refuted by all of the autopsies. It was that false claim that started the rioting and protesting; he shoulders more of the blame for the ensuing chaos than anyone, yet he gets a pass, because he was being a good thug by lying and sticking to the white man killing the black child script just to save his own ass. Is he being held accountable for anything? I doubt it. The sad part of this whole thing to me is if this is the worst example of alleged racism and injustice in America, a criminal getting killed committing a crime on a police officer shortly after committing a crime on a shop keeper, then I am unimpressed. I’m not claiming there is no racism in America, but by highlighting this and similar examples you just make a lot of people roll their eyes and not pay attention real examples of wrong doing, thus hurting any chance of fixing any problems that may exist.
djsii says
Injustice doesn’t come in just one color. There are many incidents of people being shot for reasons less sever than those shown in the Brown case. Example: http://downtrend.com/71superb/unarmed-white-man-shot-by-police-no-riots-al-sharpton-silent-obama-keeps-golfing/
I firmly believe that if it had been a black cop that had shot Brown for the exact same reasons that we wouldn’t have heard even a murmur about it.
If you exhibit criminal activity, expect to be treated as a criminal.
Sherry Epley says
Thank you, Rob, for your professional insight and analysis. I agree with you that the evidence just does not fit the officer’s much contrived and rehearsed testimony. If officer Wilson was so hurt by Michel Brown, why did Wilson only have slight bruises but Michael Brown’s blood was in the police car? An officer with a gun against an unarmed kid. . . yet the officer was scared so badly that he shot Michael Brown so many times. . . and at such a distance? We only have one side of the story and there are many, many holes in it!
The police department and justice system in Ferguson has HUGE problems. . . even beyond what has been reported by the media! Why is it that these days police are often on patrol alone?
If it was a white kid killed by a black officer. . . I simply believe that the legal outcome would have been vastly different.
Concerned says
I find the racism reflected in these comments shocking, and sadly a larger reflection of what’s happening in Ferguson and beyond. But what really boggles my mind is the amount of sheer erroneous information you bigots put forth in an attempt to justify your prejudice. My heartfelt sympathy to those of you who are so blind you will not see. In case any of you have any desire to rectify that, please understand that the National Bar Association has filed a plea for federal takeover of the case due to the serious mistakes, misrepresentations, and perjuries that took place in the grand jury fiasco in Ferguson.
wake up! says
When you punch a cop and try to take his gun you have rolled the dice! He got what he deserved. The guy that was with him that didn’t attack the cop is still alive!
IvaHadit says
Well said, Rob. And thank you for posting rational, unbigoted comments that actually made sense. (More than I can say for the majority of comments on here.)
nomad says
The Prosecutor’s father was a cop who was killed by a black male during an armed robbery and abduction of a white woman. His father’s death played a major role in his career choice. And I’m sure this was a factor in selecting him. Interesting that Ferguson is a democrat stronghold.
“no more enlisting the enemy to educate our children,” —- who is this enemy you speak of, pastor? The government? There is always homeschooling, you know.
.. says
It’s incredible how much racism exists in my home county, you people commenting should be ashamed to call yourselves human. Nothing more than ignorance exists in te minds of most Americans, and it’s easy to see that the media has done a good job educating much of you. I hope you are proud to put so much faith in a government who abuses their power. Good job, White America.
Face Reality says
I do not have a racist bone in my body, but…. Why are we not hearing about the young White people being shot and killed by Law Enforcement. Getting really tired of hearing about the black community being targeted. GET OVER IT, this happens to all races. I have a really good piece of advice, whether your white, black, yellow, whatever… bad things happen to bad people. this kid was no angel, FAR from it. dO I FEEL BAD FOR HIS PARENTS, yes I do, but at some point even they have to realize he was a bad seed…. lets move on from this already
Katie says
Starting a sentence with “I’m not racist, but” isn’t exactly the best way to draw a conclusive point, especially how you then launched into a statement discrediting the struggles of an entire minority community.
Nice try.
NortonSmitty says
What can you say to the commenters here who look at the superficial bullshit they are spoonfed and not into the true and proven facts of the case. I mean I’ve already sad “Get you heads out of Fox News’ ass” so many times it’s getting old. And besides, in this case CNN and MSNBC led them down the same path. Sad.
C says
I agree with holding a prayer vigil for the young Adult, and for the police officer who will have to live with the fact he shot and killed him. I do wish that ALL people would actually take the time to educate themselves on the FACTS of this occurrence, the procedures and training of police officers, before pointing fingers, building monuments, and demonstrating, even peaceful ones.
Michael Brown was 18; had just robbed a local community store, was over 6′ tall and almost 300 lbs. The grand jury heard testimony, studied crime scene photos, etc. They made their decision.
Yes, its a tragedy. Its a tragedy every time a young person dies in violence. Michael Brown made his decisions; no one forced him to rob, fight, disrespect a police officers requests. If he had just gotten out of the street and on the sidewalk, none of us would be doing this. He made his choices; and like all adults in this world, has to live or die with the consequences of those choices.
My prayers are for his family for their sorrow, and for Officer Wilson, and that the entire town of Ferguson heal from this. We here in Palm Coast need to heal our own issues; lets leave Ferguson alone.
barbie says
Dear God, what has become of us? We’re dehumanizing people so we can sleep better at night. We all need to remember something–NO POLICE OFFICER IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is JUDGE AND JURY TOO. I don’t care what Mr. Brown was doing, it was not up to Officer Daryl Wilson to condemn him to death.
DEATH, people. As in “NOT ALIVE”. NO ONE DESERVES TO DIE OVER PETTY THEFT. It sickens me to read some of you. Absolutely sickens me to the point of nausea. Who taught you that our judges and juries are irrelevant? Who taught you that it is okay for a cop to decide who lives and dies because HE thinks someone has “violated the law”? What is wrong with you?
Every last one of you who think that this police officer was justified better not complain when the cops come for you. Because if we don’t get those people in line now, THEY WILL. Disgusting, hateful propaganda-fed nonsense. Shame on you. SHAME ON YOU.
Law-abiding citizen says
“better not complain when the cops come for you”…. really? I don’t have that concern, because I respect the law, and the men and women that have been hired to enforce it!
NortonSmitty says
And when you find that does not matter to the Police, it will be too late to be concerned.
bILL says
Barbi The Officer did not condemn Brown Brows actions did that
barbie says
Oh, and those of you who are sick of hearing about it? Too bad. You’re going to hear about it and hear about it and hear about it until the wanton, unjustifiable murder of our people by “men in uniform” STOPS. I promise.
Jim R. says
The media and many commenters here seem to miss the most important fact about this case, HE WAS UNARMED. No cop or civilian has a right to shoot an unarmed person, this cop was 6′ 4 and 215 not a small person and he had mace and a nightstick to defend himself with, if he was so terrified of Brown he could have backed off and waited for help instead of shooting him. There should be some kind of test for cops to see if they have the good judgment and courage to do the job, cowards make bad and dangerous cops.
biker says
Barbie I do not rob innocent store keepers, I don’t beat up officers trying to do their jobs, I do not attempt to take officers guns therefore I doubt very much I will have be shot by an officer. How about a little bit of personal responsibility here. How about teaching our young that it is not ok to act in this manner.
groot says
If you want to latch onto a cause, Tamir Rice a 12 year old kid playing with an airsoft gun. Michael Brown brought it on himself but Tamir, he didn’t do anything to get shot except be 12 years old.
TomC says
The problem is not skin color; it is behavior.
I/M/O says
I/M/O Washington D.C. needs to get it’s own house in order before it starts criticizing Police Departments around the nation. “Police in Washington D.C. have not reported any details about any homicides involving Washington D.C. Police Officers to the FBI for an entire decade starting in 1998; the same year the Washington Post revealed the city had one of the highest officer-involved killings in the country.” Interesting isn’t it.