When residents took to the streets to protest the recent killing of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown by local police in the small town of Ferguson, Missouri, we get a clear look at today’s law enforcement – not exactly persons you would feel comfortable calling should you need to be protected or served.
Instead of showing up to help serve citizens exercising their rights to protest against an injustice, these law enforcement officers show up in full military gear, flaunting an ‘us vs them’ mentality.
This is the new USA.
“Why do these cops need MARPAT camo pants again,” I asked on Twitter this morning. One of the most interesting responses came from a follower who says he served in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division: “We rolled lighter than that in an actual warzone,” writes Paul Szoldra from Business Insider, who wrote an penned an article questioning the recent change in our law enforcement.
There can be no doubt that American citizens are the new ‘insurgents’. The state is obviously preparing for a coming event. Are you aware of this? Are you prepared?
We looked intimidating, but all of our vehicles and equipment had a clear purpose for combat against enemy forces. So why is this same gear being used on our city streets?
On Saturday, a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown, an unarmed black man. In the days that have followed, the town with a population of about 21,000 has seen massive protests in response to the shooting, as some witnesses said Brown had his hands up when he was killed.
Putting aside what started the protests for a moment, it’s worth discussing the police response to the outrage. In photos taken Monday, we are shown a heavily armed SWAT team.
They have short-barreled 5.56-mm rifles based on the military M4 carbine, with scopes that can accurately hit a target out to 500 meters. On their side they carry pistols. On their front, over their body armor, they carry at least four to six extra magazines, loaded with 30 rounds each.
AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
Police officers try to disperse a crowd Monday in Ferguson, Missouri.
Their uniform would be mistaken for a soldier’s if it weren’t for their “Police” patches. They wear green tops, and pants fashioned after the U.S. Marine Corps MARPAT camouflage pattern. And they stand in front of a massive uparmored truck called a Bearcat, similar in look to a mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle, or as the troops who rode in them call it, the MRAP.
When did this become OK? When did “protect and serve” turn into “us versus them”?
“Why do these cops need MARPAT camo pants again,” I asked on Twitter this morning. One of the most interesting responses came from a follower who says he served in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division: “We rolled lighter than that in an actual warzone.”
AP/Jeff Roberson
The police point their weapons at a car as it pulls away after tear gas was used by authorities Monday in Ferguson, Missouri.
Let’s be clear: This is not a war zone — even if the FAA banned flights under 3,000 feet. This is a city outside of St. Louis where people on both sides are angry. Protesters have looted and torched a gas station, and shots were fired at police, according to The Washington Post.
The scene is tense, but the presence of what looks like a military force doesn’t seem to be helping.
“Bring it. You fucking animals, bring it,” one police officer was caught on video telling protesters. In Ferguson and beyond, it seems that some police officers have shed the blue uniform and have put on the uniform and gear of the military, bringing the attitude along with it.
Matt Ford, the social-media editor at The Atlantic, summed it up well:
And here’s journalist Radley Balko, author of “Rise of the Warrior Cop“:
In Afghanistan, we patrolled in big, armored trucks. We wore uniforms that conveyed the message, “We are a military force, and we are in control right now.” Many Afghans saw us as occupiers.
And now we see some of our police officers in this same way. “The militarization of law enforcement is counter-productive to domestic policing and needs to stop,” tweeted Andrew Exum, a former Army infantry officer.
If there’s one thing I learned in Afghanistan, it’s this: You can’t win a person’s heart and mind when you are pointing a rifle at his or her chest.
I usually like Truth and Action articles for the most part, and like previous commenter, believe Obama has a government agenda against patriotic constitutionalists, but why are you using this case to make your point? You have animals rioting and looting and victimizing completely innocent people and wonder why the police are dressing in comfortable soldiers clothing that is more functional, and doesn’t have to stand inspection with some Kiss A** brass hat telling you to buy new uniform pants that cost $100. Truth and Action sounds more like the liberal “stir up the people” media here. These weren’t peaceful people out to protest the killing of an unarmed black person either. And while there, reportedly the fatal shot was fired from inside the squad. I’d like to wait for ALL the facts to come out before I start slanting stories to fit an agenda
There has to be a better solution for all!
They were Rioting and Looting !
this is the new America thanks to that $#%&!@* in the white house.
this is why they dont want us to have guns
People can talk a bunch of c**p but your not out there everyday dealing with these thugs. As a cop you never know when one of these punks is gonna pull a piece and cap ya! Don’t jump to conclusion until you’ve been out there in their shoes!
Depends on the situation, if some one is after me and my family, or comes on my property, or burst into my house, you better believe I will call them while I have my gun out shooting them. I will protect my family and property when I have to. Penny
This is a damn shame no one has said anything about the officer that was severally injured yes they do have a right to protect their self up to the use of deadly force if it comes to that !! WHY MUST PEOPLE ALWAYS PULL THE RACE CARD WHEN IT WAS THEIR ACTIONS THAT LEAD UP TO THIS ! SICK PEOPLE USING THEIR SKIN COLOR TO JUSTIFY THEIR ACTIONS ! I DONT GIVE A DAMN WHAT COLOR YOUR SKIN IS IF YOU ACT LIKE A FOOL YOU WILL BE DEALT WITH ACCORDINGLY PERIOD!
Actually, it was the cold – blooded murder of an 18 year old that started all of this. When citizens are murdered by police, we unite and stand together… are we to stand by idly as our liberties are stripped from us if it means protecting the safety of police officers? Sounds ass backwards to me. Shame on police, not the people, don’t be a moron.
Not good and I don’t wonder Ferguson is up in arms ….this is not America …or is it ????
while i dont condone the actions of the police in this instance,thugs rioting,looting, and destroying other peoples property cannot be tolerated..