What Really Caused Riots to Erupt in Baltimore

Mark Daniels

According to James MacArthur, a Baltimore based activist and blogger, police action caused the Baltimore riots to erupt Monday afternoon as area schools were dismissed for the day.  A Baltimore school teacher's account of the event posted on twitter appears to corroborate MacArthur's report.

Listen below as Pete Santilli speaks to James MacArthur via phone yesterday evening (interview begins at the 3:04:12 mark or -50:00:00 mark depending on video version) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdcx47ZU3_0&feature=share



Here is the twitter report from the Baltimore school teacher.

Here is what happened this afternoon according to a #Baltimore public teacher. pic.twitter.com/gAHZWGjMLo
— TC (@tchopstl) April 28, 2015

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The News Covers For Florida Trooper That Nearly Crushed This Motorcyclist

Amanda Warren

Thanks to a citizen dashcam - a Florida Highway Patrol officer doesn't get to claim any rationale for nearly killing a motorcyclist recently. However, at least one news report has eagerly swept up the bad publicity FHP received following the visual upload.

Even though highway patrol is supposedly investigating their employee, WTSP 10 News reports, "Based on preliminary review, there appeared to be no attempt to ram or to make contact with the motorcycle." Um, really?? Really?

Watch the reckless unmarked officer vehicle for yourself and read more below:

 

'A US domestic black site': inside one protester's secretive police detention

The Guardian

Brian Jacob Church spent the better part of a day shackled inside Chicago's Homan Square, denied access to an attorney, before police finally sent him to be booked and charged. 



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Los Angeles Residents Respond to LAPD’s Execution of “Africa”

Alissa Kokkins

(ANTIMEDIA) Los Angeles, CA — As rain poured in Los Angeles on Sunday night, outraged community members packed the steps of Pershing Square. General Jeff, from Los Angeles Community Action Network (LA CAN) declared to those gathered:

If you notice, the heavens are crying right now. Another senseless murder at the hands of Los Angeles Police Department.

Joined by Black Lives Matter, Los Angeles, LA CAN addressed the somber crowd gathered in response to LAPD’s execution of an unarmed man from the Skid Row community earlier that afternoon. A killing that went viral after a video of the incident was posted to Facebook by eyewitness, Anthony Blackburn. Although the execution caught the attention of the masses and media, locals were outraged that LAPD had been speaking to the press while simultaneously refusing to talk to Skid Row residents about the execution; the very people LAPD’s actions impact the most.

Watch This Cop Try to Destroy Video Evidence of Police Brutality

Joshua Krause

Last year, students from the University of Massachusetts were celebrating their annual pre-St. Patrick’s Day holiday known as “Blarney Blowout.” As you might expect, when thousands of kids gather to get drunk before spring break and St. Patrick's Day, they can get pretty rowdy. What most people didn’t expect at the time, was that the police would respond with a cadre of riot cops to disperse the crowd.

A total of 73 people were arrested for disorderly conduct, violating liquor laws, and inciting a riot. However, there was one student among them who didn’t appear to be doing any of those things. His “crime” was merely filming the police arrest one of the revelers. For this, he was knocked down, pepper sprayed, and arrested, which led to his suspension from the university.

What’s most chilling, is the fact that one of police officers attempted to destroy the evidence of the encounter, by stomping on his cell phone. Fortunately, the cell phone was protected by a shock resistant case, and the video managed to survive.

Nearly 80-Year-Old Grandma With Cupcakes Brutalized by School Cop

ABC30 Action News Facebook

Amanda Warren

A Clovis Unified school cop nearly succeeded in killing Mary Poole last April in Clovis, California, near Fresno. If people didn't know any better, they would be compelled to conclude that death for Mary was the officer's goal. She is now filing a suit for the gratuitous manhandling that resulted from her attempt to bring treats for her grandchildren to have after school. She had been their legal guardian for a number of years.

The damage she incurred on her frail, 5 foot, 110 pound body is repulsively unspeakable. The two pepper sprayings, throw down, and beating did more than just dislocate her shoulder and has cost her $180,000 in medical bills. No one in their right mind would expect the victim of a violent attack to pay for it in modern day America - why in this case?

Apparently, the newest trend in police state brutality involves school cops...

Deputy Tases Handcuffed Man Repeatedly: "You Wanna Do This The Hard Way???"

Dees Illustration

Brandon Turbeville

In yet another example of brazen police brutality, a Richland County Sherriff’s Deputy has been videotaped repeatedly tasing a handcuffed man. The video also shows the deputy verbally rubbing it in to his victim that he was being tased for not obeying the commands that were barked at him.

The scene is disturbing not only because of the fact that the Deputy uses such physical and dangerous force on an unarmed and clearly subdued man but also because of the officer’s crazed demeanor after the tasing took place.

The video, which lasts a little over seven minutes long, shows the entire tasing incident, beginning with the officer, who has not surprisingly remained unidentified, barking orders at Charles James Lang Jr., the victim. 

5 Reasons to Expect Police Brutality to Get Worse Before it Gets Better

Isaac Davis

Few things are more disturbing than looking at the news each day to find yet another shocking case of American police officers using excessive brutality and belligerence against the public. There is no justification for this, and as the list of egregious rights violations by the police grows, more Americans may finally be waking up to what many of us have known for years: our nation is becoming a police state. 

With the proliferation of portable handheld and dashboard video cameras, and with the ability to upload and share videos on the Web, people can see for themselves what police brutality really looks and feels like, and tension between police and American citizens is visible. A simple Google or YouTube search quickly reveals hundreds of unique cases of cops brutalizing people, often with insane cruelty and hubris, and the list of abuses grows daily. 

Many of the most shocking incidents are against women, children, the elderly, the handicapped or the mentally ill. In addition to excessive violence, police are also abusing their powers and illegally stealing money and property from everyday people, while admittedly using traffic and drug laws as revenue generating schemes for government coffers. Most shockingly, though, the police are up-arming themselves with military weapons and equipment, seemingly preparing themselves for something apocalyptic, and are increasingly assuming confrontational and threatening postures when dealing with the public.

Is police brutality and misconduct actually getting worse, or are portable video recorders allowing us to just now see what’s been happening all along? More importantly, is this situation going to improve any time soon? 

Peace with Poetry: Ferguson Poet Asks Police to Think

Twenty-two year old Marcellus Buckley uses the spoken word to counter the mainstream narrative about the Ferguson uprising.  

The People vs The Police - by Marcellus Buckley

We the people of the United States holds congress to their word,

They should do the same to their officers who are supposed to protect and serve,

How can we put our trust in someone who pushes us down when we are hurt?

Instead of lending a hand they call us monkeys like caged animals only treating us worst,

Singing oh we got what we deserved,

A trainee want to be with poison from the devil himself is only doing his work,

  A racist.....

In a disguised uniform you can see the hatred in their eyes,

As they shout racial slurs only when they think they're not heard,

Or when the actions aren't seen,

But when they are caught they try to cover up everything,

Why do you think he fled the scene?

After he tried to silence your voice making sure you can't say a thing,

But now the world is your voice & together we sing,

For you Michael Brown "Hands up! Don't shoot!"

"No justice! No peace!"

For a fair trial and proper burial for your soul to rest in peace,

So we stand hand and hand hoping to overcome in these streets,

That justice will prevail For the People vs The Police.

~ Marcellus Buckley  

Since first attending protests on August 14th, Marcellus has become known as Ferguson’s poet, distributing his poetry about social justice and inequality far and wide.

I recently spoke to Marcellus and his grandmother about his poetry, the murder of Michael Brown and the Ferguson protests.  Marcellus is an amazingly wise young man who cares deeply about life.  Marcellus rode his bike 4 miles to Ferguson from Spanish Lake each day to show his support for the protesters in Ferguson.  The most impressive characteristic about Marcellus is how he has overcome what he calls a "negative" background and used his talent to bring a positive message to the world.  He is a perfect example of the human spirit's ability to rise above life's circumstances to accomplish great things.  Marcellus credits his mother and grandmother with providing him the type of upbringing which has helped him to view the world with faith and love; creating peace with poetry.

Please watch his recent interview with The Real News network's Jihan Hafiz to gain a better understanding of Marcellus and his mission in life.

Mike Brown Protesters: Willing to Die for Justice

by Mark Daniels

"The most iconic photo of the Ferguson Protests"
Photo Credit:  Post-Dispatch photographer Robert Cohen

On August 9, 2014 Michael Brown of Ferguson Missouri was shot numerous times and killed by Ferguson Police Officer, Darren Wilson, followed by days and weeks of mostly peaceful protests with some rioting and looting and a militarized police response including Governor Jay Nixon's State of Emergency declaration and deployment of the Missouri National Guard on the streets of Ferguson. As a result, Ferguson residents were subject to martial law measures which included city-wide checkpoints, impeding travel and limiting access to friends, family and basic supplies needed for subsistence. Militarized police positioned snipers atop buildings and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles pointing their military grade weapons at peaceful protesters and journalists. Residents and journalists were rounded up and caged in local jails and fired upon with tear gas and bullets causing serious injuries.

To date, Darren Wilson remains on paid administrative leave as local, state, and federal investigations are underway. On Thursday, Attorney General Eric Holder announced a Civil Rights Investigation into the Ferguson Police Department.

Meanwhile, the corporate owned media, with the exception of local news outlets have essentially disappeared from the scene in Ferguson while local residents and activists are organizing and taking action to stand up against police brutality, the militarization of police, racial profiling, and systemic corruption within local, state, and federal government agencies.

On Friday, August 5, 2014, almost one month since Michael Brown was gunned down by Darren Wilson, Center Stage radio host, Kheri Hines has invited several protesters who have been on the ground in Ferguson since the beginning to join us on Center Stage for our sixth consecutive episode about Michael Brown's murder, to discuss recent events in Ferguson and future plans to address their concerns. We will also be joined by Zaki Baruti, a local leader of the Justice for Michael Brown Leadership Coalition who will provide important information about the coalition's 'demands' for justice for Michael Brown.

We will speak with some of the protesters who have been on the front line of the "Justice for Michael Brown" movement since day one (including Edward Crawford, the young man captured in what many have referred to as "the most iconic photograph" of the protests). They will tell us why they have chosen to stay the course despite encountering militarized police presence and tactics that included being tear gassed, shot at with real and rubber bullets, having their movements restricted, constant checkpoints, facing attack dogs and being arrested. They will also explain why neither heat nor rain has hampered their need to seek justice for Michael Brown.

Please join us for what is expected to be one of our most interesting and informative episodes thus far as local residents and activists tell us why they are willing to die for Justice. The call in number is (347) 850-8390.

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MULTIPLE LIVE FEEDS FROM FERGUSON – AUGUST 30, 2014

Updated Daily:  National March on Ferguson Rally.  After a week of relative quiet, the streets of Ferguson are full of demonstrators again Saturday for the “National March on Ferguson”, demanding justice in the shooting death of Michael Brown. West Florissant Avenue has been shut down for the duration of the protest and rally. Read more

Residents have previously reported the presence of Clergy Response Teams and Agent Provocateurs during protests in Ferguson.

January Ansa Speaking the Truth in Ferguson:

Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

Watch Live Streams:

Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

Stay Tuned for further updates!!

We have the following Live Streams: 

OccupyIT, Soulsearchu, Rebelutionary_Z#Ferguson, Fox2Now, Jusstreaming, Joe Freedom, PANDA's Dan Johnson, Global Revolution,  Anonymous, James from The Internet, Activist World News Now, Infowars, Vice News, Fox2News, Liberty News Media, Film The Police Portland, Vice News' Tim Pool, Revolution News, DC Solidarity and STL County Police Scanner. (you can view all live streams below).  

Reddit also has a live stream gathering all the information coming out as it happens here. 

If you lose the connection, refresh screen.

You can visit our Ferguson article archive here.

We have also assembled a Youtube playlist to capture many of the events surrounding the shooting death of Michael Brown by Ferguson Missouri Police Officer, Darren Wilson.

Papers Please? St. Paul Cop Harassed Black Man Waiting For His Kids for ID, Caught on Tape

by Ed Krayewski

While voter identification laws are a hot button issue in national politics, those laws aren't usually discussed in the broader context of identification requirements in various aspects of everyday life.  For starters, border patrol agents dozens of miles away from an international border ask for identification purportedly to root out illegal immigrants. Identification is required at the doctor's office, for increasing amount of medication, at the airport, on trains and now even for some interstate bus trips, for renting a car, getting into most government buildings, and so on in that manner. A mere fifteen years ago much of this may have seemed unthinkable.

So while the debate over whether voter ID laws are effective or whether they infringe on the right to vote (which ought to be universal given citizenship, which should be based on residency and necessary and proper paperwork) continues, it misses the point that citizens and non-citizens alike who don't have identification have a harder time accessing all kinds of goods and services, government and otherwise, often due to government regulations and edicts.

This is not just an issue of taking a bus instead of flying, as former homeland security secretary Janet Napolitano once suggested for those tired of the security theater at the airport. And a bus is increasingly not an option either. In Houston Representative Barbara Jackson Lee (D) lauded the Department of Homeland Security sending TSA agents onto local buses!

Eventually it becomes about the freedom of movement at the most basic level. Witness this interaction between an officer and a man who told them he was waiting to pick up his kids from the local charter school. Note how quickly it escalates despite the man's calm demeanor, all over a demand to produce identification:

Minnesota City Pages identified the man, who spoke to them, as Chris Lollie. He was arrested for "disorderly conduct" and "obstructing the legal process," and was charged with those crimes as well as trespassing. They were, unsurprisingly, all dropped. Police insist they were dealing with an "uncooperative male refusing to leave" and said there were no complaints filed after the incident (many incidents of police brutality can go unreported), which happened in January but video of which only emerged online this month. The YouTube user who posted claims the cellphone was seized for six months (likely the length of time before charges were dropped and the "investigation" ended).

If it's a war zone out there for cops, it's the "civilians" that often seem most at risk.

Sensible rules of engagement for cops, as well as effective disciplinary processes, are needed to attempt to root out behaviors and attitudes like those of the officer's in the video.

Ed Krayewski is an associate editor of Reason 24/7 at Reason.com where this article first appeared.

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"You Can't Talk About Race and Class and Privilege in a Soundbite"

"Mainstream Media Is Increasingly Becoming Obsolete"

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Rally at the Justice Department for Mike Brown and Against Police Brutality and Militarization

Green Shadow Cabinet

Washington, DC – On Wednesday, August 27 at 4pm, activists will rally outside the Justice Department to call on the Attorney General to help secure justice for Michael Brown and the people of Ferguson, Missouri, as well as an overhaul of US law enforcement tactics in order to stop police brutality and the militarization of our police forces.

Speakers include legal experts and organizers:

• Green Shadow Cabinet Director of Government Transparency and Accountability, Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo
• Institute of the Black World President Ron Daniels
• US Marshall Matthew Fogg
• Attorney Nkechi Taifa
• Kevin Berends of the No FEAR Institute

The Flagrantly Fabricated Ferguson Phenomenon

by Zen Gardner

I’ve avoided getting into this because it’s so goddamn obvious, but I’ve had some requests regarding how I see this “news”. There’s nothing new about it – a convenient ignition point sparked by a lone incident, resulting in expected protest and deliberately inflamed chaos and media mind-pumping. Same old, same old. When will humanity wake up, I don’t know.

I understand the outrage. Not only was there another example of the mindless cop killer meme we see played out daily “subduing” an unarmed suspect by outright killing hIm, but rightfully enraged citizens are treated like mindless savages in a prison ground. The fact that they’ve been caught bussing in looting agent provacateurs to make sure this conflagration gets sufficient fuel should make the hair on people’s necks stand up, but if they haven’t seen the obvious until now they’ll likely be blind to these reports as well.

All while the razor wire fences and military turrets of the totalitarian state get erected around them.  

Special Report: Ferguson Police Profiling of Blacks a Major Funding Source for City Budget

The Real News

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Alleged audio of Michael Brown shooting has surfaced

While it has not been verified, an alleged audio recording of the shooting of Michael Brown, the unarmed teenager shot down by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 9, has surfaced:

A man who lives near the scene of the shooting says he inadvertently recorded the shots that killed Brown, his lawyer, Lopa Blumenthal, told CNN. The man, who wished to remain unidentified, was recording a video chat with a friend when gunfire rang out in the background. Blumenthal said her client has already been interviewed by the FBI about the recording.

On the tape, you can hear six shots being fired, a short pause and than an addition four or five shots. An autopsy report released last week said that Brown was shot at least six times.

For more discussion on this, see justiceputnam's diary.

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Miami Mayor Wants Bodycams On All Cops

Written by Justin King | The Anti-Media

The Mayor of Miami-Dade is calling for cameras to be worn by hundreds of officers while they are on duty. Mayor Carlos Giménez is calling for the cameras in the wake of the massive civil unrest caused by the shooting of an unarmed teen in Ferguson, Missouri.

Giménez included the funds to purchase 500 of the cameras in this year’s proposed budget. That would be enough to issue cameras to roughly half of the department’s patrol officers. It is expected that the program would be expanded next year to include all officers. Giménez sees the cameras as a common sense approach to combat police brutality and provide accountability. 

He said:

Cop Hits Man in the Head 20 Times as Onlookers Plead 'Don't Punch Him No More'

by Robby Soave

Shay Kilgore / Facebook

Once the cops have pinned a non-violent suspect to the ground, how many times are they allowed to punch him in the head? Is it fewer than 20? I would say so, but I'm not a Greenville County, South Carolina, deputy.

Greenville officers approached a man at a Walmart parking lot on Saturday. The man appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and didn't respond to police questions or instructions. Eventually, the officers followed the man inside the store, where they attempted to detain him. The deputies claim the man resisted, though video footage of the incident certainly makes said resistance look passive, rather than violent. But once the two cops had the man on the ground, one of them immediately began punching him in the head. I count at least 20 blows.

Onlookers were horrified, and begged the deputies to stop. Many thought the treatment of the man was cruel, according to WSPA.com. 

Orlando Jones Modifies the Bucket Challenge to Raise Awareness for Another ‘Very Serious Disease’

“It all seems to stem from a militarized police force threatening the rights of people to assemble.”

Actor, NRA member, and special member of the Louisiana sheriff’s reserve force, Orlando Jones, has put a new spin on the Ice Bucket Challenge. Instead of donning a bucket of ice and water, he grabs a bucket of bullets to raise awareness to the rising militarized police state and the lack of concern by citizens in the US.

Jones does not make light of ALS and in fact says he will donate to the cause. However, in this video he speaks of another serious disease, apathy.

"My heart goes out to all those who struggle with ALS but I am, of course, talking about the disease of apathy.  If (and hopefully when) Michael Brown’s killer is brought to justice and convicted of 1st degree murder, it still won’t prevent this from happening again. We cannot accept this as the status quo. We MUST continue the fight at the ballot box, in the media and by working to create systemic change."