(image via Facebook)
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA – Regarding police treatment of Philando Castile demonstrators, this week the ACLU of Minnesota sent a letter to Mayor Chris Coleman as well as Chief Todd Axtell of the St. Paul Police Department to address what the organization calls the numerous reports of excessive force used against peaceful protesters at the Governor’s Mansion.
According to the ACLU:
It seems ironic that those seeking justice for Philando Castile have become subject to police misconduct as well. The right to join with fellow citizens in protest or peaceful assembly is critical to a functioning democracy. But it is also unfortunately true that governments and police can violate this right – through the use of mass arrests, illegal use of force, criminalization of protest, and other means intended to thwart free public expression.
There were reports of police using pepper spray and rubber bullets and perhaps most disturbingly witnesses report police injuring a disabled man as well as dragging and invasively searching a sexual assault survivor. This kind of conduct by the people hired to protect and serve us is unacceptable and needs to be addressed by those with power in the police department as well as our elected officials.
Law enforcement agencies seem to be better versed in maintaining authority and control rather than focusing on the de-escalation of situations as they arise. In this instance St. Paul police failed to modify their practices for an individual with a disability further exemplifying failures in their training and execution of that training.
Throughout the nearly twenty day long occupation and protest police failed to be clear and consistent about what rights protestors had and what would lead them to be subject to arrest. This is not the way to build trust and understanding between the police and community members.
ALCU-MN has requested that police restrict use of pepper spray and physical force as well as provide de-escalation training for officers to use when dealing with people exercising their First Amendment rights.
http://northiowatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/418.pdf
I agree these people are violating the law and must be dealt with. If you want to protest that’s fine just do it peacefully and obey the damn laws.
Bull Crap. They had plenty of warning that they were breaking the law and if they didn’t move they would be dispersed. Break the law and pay the penalty.