Police murder mentally ill homeless man and are found not guilty

Latest

Protesters march to protest the not guilty verdict given to two Fullerton police after their acquittal in the Kelly Thomas trials. PHOTO/ETHAN HAWKES, DAILY TITAN
Protesters march to protest the not guilty verdict given to two Fullerton police after their acquittal in the Kelly Thomas trials.
PHOTO/ETHAN HAWKES, DAILY TITAN

FULLERTON, CA—Below are voices of Fullerton, CA protesters after the acquittal of the police officers in the murder of Kelly Thomas, a mentally ill homeless man. Their stories illustrate the spreading police state in America.
A video shows “police suddenly entering the park and detaining people indiscriminately. The vans would roll up, and militarized police jumped out and snatched people — like the Gestapo.” (From http://theantimedia.org)
Adam Walder said when he was in the paddy wagon, a policeman leaned over and said, “There is a pack of 12 cops waiting to smash your fucking faces in.”
“Patti Beers, a committed citizen journalist, was arrested by Fullerton police in riot gear, in the dark of night, out of the blue, for, as far as anyone can see, being at a protest, nothing more. Her live stream caught the footage up until they knocked the camera out of her hands. Part of it feels like a scary movie; dark figures roaming around in the night, snatching people. It felt creepy even by Southern California Police Department standards: no bullhorns warning about the imminent arrest of those who don’t clear the area, no lights—just stealth, quiet movements as they cuff people and take them away.” (a Facebook post from Occupy Santa Barbara)
“We were in our car driving away & had been respectfully demonstrating all day, we were not acting like punks, but were arrested anyways under erroneous charges. They were simply trying to make an example of us & anyone they could catch. I am a US Army Veteran & was zip tied while my child watched in horror. All while trying to leave. My daughter was taught today that freedom of speech does not exist in this country & that standing up for what is right is a crime!” (From J.A., a woman at the protest who posted her story on Facebook)
It is estimated that over 5,000 people have been killed at the hands of the police in the past twelve years. This is more than the number of Americans killed by insurgents in Afghanistan or Iraq alone. However, actual statistics on those killed by police are difficult to get since the FBI is not required to keep records of people killed by the police in the line of duty.

Ron Thomas, father of Kelly Thomas, outside the Orange County Court House after two Fullerton police officers were found not guilty on all charges. Family, friends and supporters of Kelly Thomas, walk with Ron to support him and his family. PHOTO/MARIAH CARRILLO, FOR THE DAILY TITAN
Ron Thomas, father of Kelly Thomas, outside the Orange County Court House after two Fullerton police officers were found not guilty on all charges. Family, friends and supporters of Kelly Thomas, walk with Ron to support him and his family.
PHOTO/MARIAH CARRILLO, FOR THE DAILY TITAN
PT Logo collage
+ 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

Watch BORDERLAND | The Line Within for FREE

View the new film that indicts the U.S. Immigration system, "Borderland: The Line Within" for free until March 31 at 7pm Eastern. A National Immigrant Solidarity Rally will be held online on that date.

Stopping the Coup is Just the Start of a Bigger Fight

People want a society that takes care of everyone. The billionaires and corporations who run the U.S. need a dictatorship to control people while they loot the public treasury, slash and privatize public programs and cut jobs.

Trump Order Is Message to Workers to ‘Fall in Line or Else’

Trump's latest executive order seeks to strip the collective bargaining rights from federal government workers, threatening workers, unions, freedom of speech.

A Love Letter to Altadena

Our elected officials seem unable or unwilling to keep the financial vultures out of Altadena. We can only win if we fight together to ensure our future.

The Urgency of Unity to Tackle Climate Destroyers

As thousands remain homeless and vulnerable to the negative effects of global warming, Trump is doubling down on opening new leases to fossil fuel corporations.

More from the People's Tribune