Expert: ‘LA Riots with Rodney King is What Should Be Expected to Happen in Ferguson’

[lostinblue 1,989]

Expert: ‘LA Riots with Rodney King is What Should Be Expected to Happen in Ferguson’

Regina F. Graham November 3, 2014 11:31 AM

FERGUSON, Mo. (CBS St. Louis) – Since the Aug. 9 police shooting death of Michael Brown, protests have taken over the small city of Ferguson, causing tensions to run high in the community. Nearly four months after his death, protests still continue to happen with many activists calling for Ferguson officer Darren Wilson to face charges.

A decision is expected by a grand jury sometime in November. Many expect that if Wilson is not indicted, the worst situation that could unfold in Ferguson could be similar to the 1992 Los Angeles riots that happened after Los Angeles police officers were acquitted in a trial regarding a videotaped police beating of Rodney King.

“The LA riots with Rodney King is what should be expected to happen in Ferguson,” said Jeannine Bell, a professor of law at Indiana University Maurer School of Law. “Brown’s death was very detrimental to the community. The individuals who are protesting now have suggested in speaking to the press given the ongoing protests in Ferguson that that could happen.”

Bell, who is a criminal procedure expert and has written about police crimes and hate crimes, explained that the situation in Ferguson between the community and law enforcement suggests a number of things about problematic inequalities.

“This situation has brought to light the differences between police and residents which suggest that there were preexisting inequalities in Ferguson,” Bell said. “This situation is a marker for what is happening in other local cities across the country.

Clarissa Hayward, an associate professor in the political science department at Washington University in St. Louis, explained that it’s hard to predict what to expect in Ferguson if Wilson isn’t indicted.

“I think he’s unlikely to be indicted, based on the leaks in recent weeks,” Hayward said. “There’s been much apprehension about that. The local police have purchased more riot gear and some of the local school districts have requested that the annoucement not come on a school day. What I have observed about the protesters is that they are peaceful day in and day out. I think we need to be very careful about using the word “riot”, which suggests that’s not the case. But could see violence following the announcement of the grand jury decision? Yes, that’s a real possibility.”

In the days following Brown’s death, a number of local business were looted, Ferguson police officers approached protesters in military-style gear and equipment creating what some called a threatening presence in the city, and a few members of the media were pepper-sprayed and arrested by officers. Bell stated that all of those incidents and others that have occurred in Ferguson suggest something bigger.

“Now there have been a wide variety of situations in which troubling events have happened since Brown’s death,” Bell explained. “And they suggest a perfect storm could happen if the system in Ferguson, meaning the prosecutor’s office, does what it needs to do to run interference in preventing a huger situation. There is not much to suggest that behind the scenes, the system is doing that.”

Bell, who is a Neizer Faculty Fellow at IU, suggested that the police department in Ferguson is not doing all that it can do to alleviate the tensions in the community.

“When the Justice Department had to tell the police department to not wear arm bands saying ‘I Am Darren Wilson,’ that suggested a lot,” Bell said. “Officers wearing that band could have made the situation in that city worse. It’s not surprising that that would make things worse. You’re announcing to the crowd that you’re like someone who shot and killed someone who was not armed. In the ability of the department to handle something like that doesn’t suggest they are doing all they can to alleviate tensions locally.”

Tim Zoll, the Ferguson Police Departments’ Media Relations Officer, told CBS St. Louis in an email that the department is prepared to handle any situation following the long awaited grand jury announcement.

“I cannot get into the operational plans of the department for safety reasons, but I can tell you that the officers of the Ferguson Police Department will handle any act of civil disobedience or unrest with the same level of professionalism and dedication that has been shown throughout this unfortunate crisis,” Zoll stated. “Our primary goal is now, and has always been, to uphold the law and protect the lives and property of the citizens of Ferguson and the many visitors to our town.”

Zoll also addressed the rumors circulating that Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson plans to resign.

“Chief Jackson has not resigned his position nor has he been asked or instructed to resign by any person or entity. If and when the Chief decides to leave his service to the City of Ferguson, it will be his decision and his decision alone.”

Hayward, who is an award winning author, suggested that a lot of depends on how Ferguson police will respond to the protests.

“Surely people will be angry if Wilson is not indicted, but people are already angry,” Hayward said. “And with a large group of people who are angry, especially if the police don’t handle the situation well, there likely will be conflict. In St. Louis there are protests every single day. If he is indicted those are not likely to stop. Still, I think that would be a positive thing for the city, because a public trial would introduce much-needed transparency. The reason that Ferguson has captured the nation’s attention is that it stands for a larger problem that exists all over the United States.”

-Regina F. Graham

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2014/11/03/expert-la-riots-with-rodney-king-is-what-should-be-expected-to-happen-in-ferguson/

[LibCampFireClub 635]

Expert: ‘LA Riots with Rodney King is What Should Be Expected to Happen in Ferguson’

FERGUSON, Mo. (CBS St. Louis) – Since the Aug. 9 police shooting death of Michael Brown, protests have taken over the small city of Ferguson, causing tensions to run high in the community. Nearly four months after his death, protests still continue to happen with many activists calling for Ferguson officer Darren Wilson to face charges.

A decision is expected by a grand jury sometime in November. Many expect that if Wilson is not indicted, the worst situation that could unfold in Ferguson could be similar to the 1992 Los Angeles riots that happened after Los Angeles police officers were acquitted in a trial regarding a videotaped police beating of Rodney King.

Everyone knew this was likely to happen within a day or two after the thug was shot and killed. No justice, only two matching sports shoes, because they don't want no stinking pieces parts.

Edited November 6, 2014 by ExExpat

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Everyone knew this was likely to happen within a day or two after the thug was shot and killed. No justice, only two matching sports shoes, because they don't want no stinking pieces parts.

They just need to lynch him and get it over with.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

Everyone knew this was likely to happen within a day or two after the thug was shot and killed. No justice, only two matching sports shoes, because they don't want no stinking pieces parts.

When is VJ adding the thumbs down button?

Expert: ‘LA Riots with Rodney King is What Should Be Expected to Happen in Ferguson’

Regina F. Graham November 3, 2014 11:31 AM

FERGUSON, Mo. (CBS St. Louis) – Since the Aug. 9 police shooting death of Michael Brown, protests have taken over the small city of Ferguson, causing tensions to run high in the community. Nearly four months after his death, protests still continue to happen with many activists calling for Ferguson officer Darren Wilson to face charges.

A decision is expected by a grand jury sometime in November. Many expect that if Wilson is not indicted, the worst situation that could unfold in Ferguson could be similar to the 1992 Los Angeles riots that happened after Los Angeles police officers were acquitted in a trial regarding a videotaped police beating of Rodney King.

“The LA riots with Rodney King is what should be expected to happen in Ferguson,” said Jeannine Bell, a professor of law at Indiana University Maurer School of Law. “Brown’s death was very detrimental to the community. The individuals who are protesting now have suggested in speaking to the press given the ongoing protests in Ferguson that that could happen.”

Bell, who is a criminal procedure expert and has written about police crimes and hate crimes, explained that the situation in Ferguson between the community and law enforcement suggests a number of things about problematic inequalities.

“This situation has brought to light the differences between police and residents which suggest that there were preexisting inequalities in Ferguson,” Bell said. “This situation is a marker for what is happening in other local cities across the country.

Clarissa Hayward, an associate professor in the political science department at Washington University in St. Louis, explained that it’s hard to predict what to expect in Ferguson if Wilson isn’t indicted.

“I think he’s unlikely to be indicted, based on the leaks in recent weeks,” Hayward said. “There’s been much apprehension about that. The local police have purchased more riot gear and some of the local school districts have requested that the annoucement not come on a school day. What I have observed about the protesters is that they are peaceful day in and day out. I think we need to be very careful about using the word “riot”, which suggests that’s not the case. But could see violence following the announcement of the grand jury decision? Yes, that’s a real possibility.”

In the days following Brown’s death, a number of local business were looted, Ferguson police officers approached protesters in military-style gear and equipment creating what some called a threatening presence in the city, and a few members of the media were pepper-sprayed and arrested by officers. Bell stated that all of those incidents and others that have occurred in Ferguson suggest something bigger.

“Now there have been a wide variety of situations in which troubling events have happened since Brown’s death,” Bell explained. “And they suggest a perfect storm could happen if the system in Ferguson, meaning the prosecutor’s office, does what it needs to do to run interference in preventing a huger situation. There is not much to suggest that behind the scenes, the system is doing that.”

Bell, who is a Neizer Faculty Fellow at IU, suggested that the police department in Ferguson is not doing all that it can do to alleviate the tensions in the community.

“When the Justice Department had to tell the police department to not wear arm bands saying ‘I Am Darren Wilson,’ that suggested a lot,” Bell said. “Officers wearing that band could have made the situation in that city worse. It’s not surprising that that would make things worse. You’re announcing to the crowd that you’re like someone who shot and killed someone who was not armed. In the ability of the department to handle something like that doesn’t suggest they are doing all they can to alleviate tensions locally.”

Tim Zoll, the Ferguson Police Departments’ Media Relations Officer, told CBS St. Louis in an email that the department is prepared to handle any situation following the long awaited grand jury announcement.

“I cannot get into the operational plans of the department for safety reasons, but I can tell you that the officers of the Ferguson Police Department will handle any act of civil disobedience or unrest with the same level of professionalism and dedication that has been shown throughout this unfortunate crisis,” Zoll stated. “Our primary goal is now, and has always been, to uphold the law and protect the lives and property of the citizens of Ferguson and the many visitors to our town.”

Zoll also addressed the rumors circulating that Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson plans to resign.

“Chief Jackson has not resigned his position nor has he been asked or instructed to resign by any person or entity. If and when the Chief decides to leave his service to the City of Ferguson, it will be his decision and his decision alone.”

Hayward, who is an award winning author, suggested that a lot of depends on how Ferguson police will respond to the protests.

“Surely people will be angry if Wilson is not indicted, but people are already angry,” Hayward said. “And with a large group of people who are angry, especially if the police don’t handle the situation well, there likely will be conflict. In St. Louis there are protests every single day. If he is indicted those are not likely to stop. Still, I think that would be a positive thing for the city, because a public trial would introduce much-needed transparency. The reason that Ferguson has captured the nation’s attention is that it stands for a larger problem that exists all over the United States.”

-Regina F. Graham

http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2014/11/03/expert-la-riots-with-rodney-king-is-what-should-be-expected-to-happen-in-ferguson/

[LibCampFireClub 635]

When is VJ adding the thumbs down button?

I agree with you on the thumbs down button. To get that, you're going to have to lobby government schools who all want to treat our offspring as if everyone wins. There is no second place. Everyone gets a trophy.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

If the criminals resort to looting and burning again drop in the 82nd airborne.

Free fire zone

[Janelle2002 3,865]

I agree with you on the thumbs down button. To get that, you're going to have to lobby government schools who all want to treat our offspring as if everyone wins. There is no second place. Everyone gets a trophy.

Glad you agreed you needed a thumbs down too.

[LibCampFireClub 635]

Glad you agreed you needed a thumbs down too.

Despite that there are so many attacks on American justice, it's by far the best system in the world. No other system on earth comes close. Sharpie and rev-ER-UUUnd Jaskcun would not make another dime on earth if it weren't for their targeted audience being so gullible.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

Despite that there are so many attacks on American justice, it's by far the best system in the world. No other system on earth comes close. Sharpie and rev-ER-UUUnd Jaskcun would not make another dime on earth if it weren't for their targeted audience being so gullible.

It's not being gullible if you have lived through the experience.

[LibCampFireClub 635]

It's not being gullible if you have lived through the experience.

It is even moreso. Why? Because anyone who believes a previous event automatically trumps the evidence is not only gullible, but they are a tool; absent of mind, body, and soul.

[Pooky 3,343]

Glad you agreed you needed a thumbs down too.

I've been lobbying for the return if the -1 button since they took it away.