Here Are 13 Killings by Police Captured on Video in the Past Year (mother Jones title)
It is a never ending list of murder by police. In most cases, murder for nothing less than being black in America. While there is a great deal of talk, committees, lawsuits, nothing changes.
It is a great first step that President Obama has limited what equipment can be sold to, given to, or used by, local police departments. However, it is a small step with many caveats that allow for their use. A step nonetheless
Time and time again, the DoJ investigates, finds blatant racism in practice, unwritten policy and contact between the cops and/or officials linked to the police departments. Yet nothing is done. Nothing more than a cop or two losing their job.
It's been over six months since the child, Tamir Rice, was murdered by the Cleveland Police Department. A department that was found by the DoJ to have violated the rights of minorities. This finding was prior to the Cleveland cop gunning down the 12 year old, just playing in the park, in cold blood. Prior to the Cleveland cops watching Tamir die, giving no aid as they tackled his 14 year old sister when she ran to her dying little brother. And still, nothing has been done. The two cops not even questioned, while they take over a half of a year paid vacation.
Screenshot from police video of the shooting of Jason Harrison in Dallas on June 14, 2014. Harrison's family obtained the footage in a civil rights lawsuit and chose to publicize it.
FROM FERGUSON LAST summer to Baltimore this spring, police killings of unarmed black men under questionable circumstances have sparked outrage, civil unrest, and a heated national debate about policing in the United States. As Mother Jones and others have reported, there isn't sufficient data available for determining how many people are shot to death or otherwise killed by police each year, or how the issue might be trending. But more such incidents appear to be getting captured on video than ever before, due in part to the ubiquity of cellphone cameras. The footage—not only from cellphones, but also surveillance cameras, dashboard cameras in police cars, and police-worn body cameras—has caused a tectonic shift in public awareness.
Mother Jones has contacted law enforcement officials about the status of these 13 cases: Investigations are ongoing in eight of them. In one case, now six months old, the two officers involved still haven't been questioned by investigators. Officers in the five other cases have been absolved of wrongdoing via local or state proceedings. (One of those five cases is currently under review by the US Department of Justice.) Three of the 24 officers total who were involved in the 13 cases are currently facing criminal charges.
Mother Jones
Videos at link capture the murders of; James Boyd, Richard Ramirez, Jason Harrison, Eric Garner, John Crawford III, Dillon Taylor, Kajieme Powell, Tamir Rice, Jerame Reid, Antonio Zambrano-Montes, Charly Keunang, Phillip White and Walter Scott.
We know there are more caught on video. Some because a bystander risked their freedom, or even lives, and some caught on surveillance video. But even with the videos, most of the cops have gotten away with murder. And this is just the murders. Countless videos of beatings and other forms of police brutality are out there. We know very well that the fact these are caught on video means the number of incidents is astronomical.
The most recent I have seen is the murder of Sgt. James Brown. An Army Veteran who was to spend the weekend in jail for a DUI. A brave, strong, beautiful young husband and father. Another young, black man begging for air. Another victim repeatedly stating, "I can't breathe" while being ignored by the murderous cops.
KFOX-TV
The videos are difficult to watch. I can't watch them again. And while I hope that these murderers are continued to be caught on video, I just want it to stop.
We need to support the police officers who would come forward. These brave men and women often lose their jobs and are subjected to horrors themselves, including being put in mental health facilities.
Maybe there is something we can do to encourage those that might come forward. Something that will allow them to take that step.
Edited to add:
If anyone has any ideas about how we can encourage cops to come forward, please, put it in a reply. I truly don't know what can be done in this area.
= new reply since forum marked as read
