Slaying of unarmed people by police

Latest

Capitol police slay unarmed dental hygienist. PHOTO/PAN AFRICAN NEWS WIRE
Capitol police slay unarmed dental hygienist.
PHOTO/PAN AFRICAN NEWS WIRE

CLEVELAND, OH — Congress should take a lesson from the Cleveland City Council, where they opt for silence instead of endorsing the slaying of unarmed people.
The House of Representatives, on the other hand, applauded with a unanimous vote of thanks after a mishmash of federal police agencies riddled a dental hygienist with bullets in front of her 17-month old daughter in Washington, DC in October. No one asked why the weaponless woman was gunned down, and there was no expression of concern for the long-term psychological needs of her traumatized child. There was just a thanks for executing someone who may have been a confused tourist who fled when weapons were pointed at her toddler, or at worst, a mentally disturbed person in need of medical help.
After a similar bungled chase, in which more than 100 Cleveland police participated last November, officers fired at least 137 shots to kill two unarmed people. One policeman even stood on the hood of their car and shot through the windshield as he reloaded and discharged 47 bullets at them.
In fairness to City Council, there were some confused questions at first, followed by a sudden and long-lasting hush. None of the13 police who were identified as shooters has been disciplined. At least 12 returned to regular duty. The Cuyahoga County prosecutor is supposedly investigating, but there is no evidence that anything has been presented to a grand jury. A call to the prosecutor’s office just gets a “no comment,” as if it is none of the public’s business. (Update: Some supervisors who were on duty have been disciplined and one was fired for the way the chase was handled. A number of patrolmen are facing administrative action, but not the shooters because of the criminal investigation by the prosecutor.)
The apparent indifference of City Council looked incredibly insensitive until Congress showed how callous such bodies can be.
Here’s how the DC police killing and the House’s standing ovation looks in another part of the world: http://iranian.com/posts/view/post/21969

+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Trump’s Takeover of D.C. is Ominous Sign for the Future

Trump's claims about crime in the capital city are misleading. Protesters want millions to stand up, saying he's going to go to other cities and do the same if not stopped.

80 Years After Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Are We on the Verge of Another Nuclear War?

Gerry Condon, former president of Veterans for Peace, makes the case that we are now closer to nuclear war than ever, and that the U.S. is primarily responsible.

Labor Unions Join Resistance To Attacks on Immigrant Community

Local unions are taking leadership by negotiating language into their agreements prohibiting ICE from entering workplaces.

Nebraska Farmers Describe Trump’s Impact

Farmers from Neligh, Nebraska speak on Trump’s policy to round up farmworkers, the effect of the tariffs on farmers, and the resistance.

Gazans Demand ‘Agency, Memory and Hope’

The true number of dead and missing in Gaza may be around 500,000. Another 500,000 face starvation. Palestinians say if there is to be peace, it must begin with respect for their voices, their rights and their humanity.

More from the People's Tribune