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BLM 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEthalZ9o-U

From watching the video, understandably, the police officers shot Walter Wallace Jr. because he was running after them with a knife, after telling Walter to drop his weapon several times. However, his mom was chasing after him and stated that he was going through a mental crisis. With this information, it gave the officer no right to shoot him fourteen times in front of his mother who was trying to stop him in the first place. On top of that when has a knife in a gunfight ever been fair? They could have tased him or shot him in the leg. Whatever course of action they decided to take shouldn't have resulted in his death. Just like the George Floyd incident, the actions of the police were acted on against an African American making it a racial conflict. There has been an increase in the number of  Black Lives Matter protests for the justice of Walter Wallace and black lives.

This incident is sadly just one of many examples of the unfair treatment African Americans receive by police officers. This has been an issue as long as there has been more than one race on this planet. The government is not doing their job in keeping everybody EQUALLY safe. They constantly look over the issues African Americans are dealing with, and won't listen when there are protests constantly taking place about the issue. For years they have fought for equality, and yes by law they are equal, but the actions portrayed by the police say otherwise. 

How many times does the police department have to kill, and harass until a change is made? How many African Americans have to be treated unequally until their screams are heard? Thousands of protests have already taken place, but yet the screams sound like whispers in the government's ears. I'm tired of seeing people die because of the color of their skin, and I'm tired of there not being appropriate actions taking place for change. This is America, the land of the free, the place for opportunity. This is not just a black and white world, it's more than that and needs to be seen that way. Everyone is raised differently, as well as looks different. African Americans shouldn't have to be scared by police as they should be seen as a form of protection.

Walter Wallace's mom was crying for help, and her son was shot right in front of him. The police officers as protectors should have tried to get Walter's cooperation, as they would have most likely done if he was another color. It is time for police brutality to come to end and the unfair treatment that African Americans receive by police. It's been time that African Americans who were victims of racism and discrimination receive justice for their hardships. 

Seeing the way African Americans are treated by police, and the police officer's actions to protest make me sick. It makes me scared that I'm going to be treated differently by the police because I don't have the typical traits of a typical white American citizen. If I feel this way, not even being African American meaning something that needs to be done to ensure the safety of African Americans.

[teamapplesauce]

Black Lives Matter

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJma8X6j/

As American citizens, we rely on the government for our safety and protection not just sometimes, but all the time in any situation. After the George Floyd incident, there have been many black lives matter protests on his behalf. Thousands of people gather up and protest with signs for hopes of racial equality. Understandably, some of these protests get out of hand, and destruction can occur no longer making it a safe protest, which makes it okay when police intervene in that situation. However, when there are people in the streets shouting, with signs trying to spread the word of equality, and the police intervene in an excessively violent way, it makes the situation inexcusable.

 In the video, it shows how the police did not handle the protests well and handled it unnecessarily by running people over with their cars, pushing people on the street, and one police officer even sprayed a protester down with tear gas when she was trying to help someone up. The people rely on the police for safety, but how can they when they are facing police brutality while peacefully using their freedom of speech, and right to protest. The video shows how unfairly protesters are treated by police even though their job is to protect the people, not make them scared to make a difference. If I were a police officer, yeah I would be annoyed by the amount of protest, but I would never violently react especially if it's a protest for equality, even if my boss demanded me to. 

There are not just police officers violently harassing protesters, this all started with a racial conflict, and how police treat African Americans unequal. Now that people want to stand up to the issue the police see it as a threat and try to quiet them down with violence, and uncalled for ways. This brought an awakening to the country on how African Americans are being treated unfairly by the police, and how they take enraged actions towards the issues. It's amazing to me that so many people are gathering together to make an important difference. I do not support the violent protests that have taken place, because peacefully protesting should be enough to make a difference. Police enforcements definitely should have orders to distance themselves from interfering with protests that are taken peacefully, unless they get out of hand, making the environment dangerous to other people. 

If I went to a protest to support black lives, knowing what the police reactions have been, I would be scared for me, and anyone that was to go even if I knew they were going to protest safely. As an American citizen, I nor anybody else in that matter should be scared to leave their home to support something that has nothing but good intentions. No African American should be scared to walk by a police officer with fear just because of their color. America is supposed to be our home, yet the one thing we rely on for protection is corrupt, and it's not making us safe as they should. Protesting for someone to be comfortable in their skin is something that shouldn't be solved chaotically, but rather acknowledged for the possibility of change. 

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https://www.thecourierdaily.com/elijah-mcclain-last-words-police-video/21546/

                    “I don't have a gun...I don't even kill flies,” were some of Elijah McClain's last words before he was murdered by the police. Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old massage therapist was walking home from the gas station when Aurora police attempted to arrest him because he looked “suspicious.” Elijah McClain often wore a ski mask to keep warm due to his underlying diseases and happened to be wearing one that tragic day. One neighbor called the cops on Elijah McClain because the ski mask made him look “suspicious”.

        Elijah McClain had not committed any crime so when the police stopped him he was surprised. An altercation broke out and the police put him in a chokehold which resulted in him getting sick and was one of the causes of his death. Elijah McClain has yet to receive justice. There are many cases like Elijah McClains. There are many names we are too familiar with. George Floyd, Breoona Taylor, Trayvon Martin, and many more who were victims of police brutality. 

      Yet some people have the audacity to say “Blue lives matter” blue is not skin color, while you can take off the uniform, you can't take off skin color. Don't forget that police are the ones who hold the power and while police officers' lives do matter. There's no need for a “blue lives matter” movement since their lives are not put in danger because of their skin color, they are not killed because of their skin color. Black lives matter is a movement made to bring awareness to injustice made to people because of their skin color.  Elijah McClain is the story of many others, he was a pure soul who would play the violin for stray cats, a soul who deserved better; Elijah McClain say his name. George Floyd, Breoona Taylor, Trayvon Martin say their names, their lives mattered. Above are Elijah McClain's last words.

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https://www.thedailybeast.com/75-year-old-man-attacked-by-buffalo-police-is-longtime-peace-activist-martin-gugino

            There have been countless deaths due to police officers, there are statistics, and factual evidence yet some won't take the time to educate themselves on the Black Lives Matter movement. However, following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota, More people started opening their eyes to the truth about systemic racism, police brutality, and injustices that black people face. 

      Millions of people gathered and protested to advocate for Black Lives Matter. These protests sparked something in police officers who showed their true color. Above there's a graphic video that shows Buffalo police officers pushing to the ground and cracking a 75-year-old man's skull during a George Floyd protest. Buffalo officers abused their power and pushed an elder to the ground, cracking his skull and it's absolutely unjustifiable. It is unclear why the elder approached the cops, what is clear, however, is that the force that was used was unnecessary; a prime example of police brutality. Although the video clearly shows the cops abusing their power, it is not a surprise the cops were not punished under the law. 

     During most of the protest, a variety of videos aired catching police officers abusing their power and blue lives matter protesters getting violent. Videos show police officers starting riots in peaceful protest, throwing tear gas at innocent civilians, pushing elders with force. These are the same police officers defended by blue lives matter advocates, defending police officers as if it's not their job to put their lives in danger literally being what they get paid for. As if police aren't the ones who have the power as if police officers are killed because of their skin color. Black Lives Matter protests should not cause anger in police officers, people should not be angry because others are advocating for Black Lives Matter. Sadly the above video clearly shows angry police officers, leading me to question who is protecting the people from police officers?

[teamapplesauce]

Daisies and Democracy

The above photo set depicts a woman handing out flowers at a Black Lives Matter protest in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Zoe Sturges, a 26 year old kindergarten teacher, was arrested on June 6, 2020 after she elegantly handed daisies to police officers and other nearby law enforcement. After climbing over the road barricade, Zoe calmly and peacefully approached the local police officers and gave them flowers as a gesture of peace and love. After being arrested, she was released and cited for “failure to disperse.” It is understandable that she was given a citation because she did cross the barricade and she did not disperse when directed, however the initial arrest was completely unnecessary. 

Zoe Sturges’ arrest would have been justified if she had been antagonizing, chaotic, or violent. Instead, she was incredibly loving and graceful; just sharing a small glimpse of happiness and light during such a dark and emotional time. Zoe later said that she was trying to show her kindergarten students what their rights are and that they can fight for what they believe in. 

Many people who still disagree with the Black Lives Matter movement will argue that if the protests were peaceful and respectful of our law enforcement, then people wouldn’t be arrested, shot with rubber bullets, tear gassed, etc. However, Zoe was doing exactly that. She was sweet and respectful of the police officers and showed them a piece of kindness they had not seen during the protests. The only thing she did wrong was cross a barricade to give them to the officers and not disperse immediately. That does not justify an arrest. It does justify the citation but she should not have been arrested. The first amendment gives us the right to free speech. How are we supposed to exercise that right properly if people are arrested for sharing their voice? How are we supposed to stand for what we believe in if we are shot, tear gassed, and beaten for speaking out? How are we supposed to respect the people who are meant to protect us and our rights when they try to keep us from fighting for those same rights? 

At all protests, the police should do nothing besides watch and protect the people. If there is an outbreak of violence or extreme hate, then obviously the local law enforcement should intervene. However, at most Black Lives Matter protests, the police actively try to stop and disperse the people. It is our right to come together to speak out about what we believe in. It is unjust that police will force those exercising their first amendment to disperse and make mass arrests when they don’t. 

The police system is incredibly corrupt with systemic racism, improper training, the use of excessive force, and so much more. We should be allowed to fight for that change. We should especially be able to voice our opinions peacefully, like Zoe Sturges did, without being arrested. Even though she did cross a barricade, she was arrested for handing out daisies.

(written and posted by Shannah Roberts on October 29, 2020 at 12:42 p.m)

[teamapplesauce]

Excessive Force is Never Okay

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJa9h25j/

It has been 150 days since George Floyd was killed by police officers in Minneapolis. Since then, there have been hundreds of Black Lives Matter protests across the United States. In the video above, a large group of police officers are shown violently restraining protestors. The video focuses on one protestor in particular, who is in a wheelchair and is obviously paralyzed from the waist down. The man was defending himself from the officers who then pushed over his wheelchair, dragged him out onto the pavement, and used excessive force to restrain him. The man was trying to get back in his wheelchair while his legs still were caught in the seat. As several officers tried to restrain him, he resisted out of fear and tried to push them away. The police then yanked away his wheelchair from him and one officer threw and broke it. Protestors in the background recorded the incident and screamed back at the police for what they were doing to this man.

While there is no background information or context given on the situation, the force displayed by these officers was far too excessive for a protest for equality. Those who are against the Black Lives Matter movement or those who support the Blue Lives Matter movement instead, often argue that the violence used by the police is always justified. Their main argument is that the whole story isn’t shown and that the protestors did something to deserve the brutality, like starting a fire, assaulting an officer, etc. While this can sometimes be the case, there is no situation where a paralyzed man would need to be thrown on the ground, brutally restrained by multiple officers, and his wheelchair destroyed during a protest for equality. Their goal should be to de-escalate the situation, calm the crowd, and PEACEFULLY restrain the person(s). Aren’t people innocent until proven guilty? Even if he had started a fire or hurt someone, the actions displayed by the police officers present is absolutely horrifying.

As children, we are taught to respect and trust our law enforcement and Police. Another common argument against Black Lives Matter protestors is “Well, if they respected our police and complied like you’re supposed to, then nothing bad would’ve happened.” How can we possibly do that when we see innocent people standing up for what they believe in get tear gassed, shot with rubber bullets, thrown on the ground, beaten, and arrested without cause? How can black children trust the people who shot their parents during a “routine” traffic stop? How can they trust the people who shut down protests fighting for their right to live but protected those with MAGA hats and screamed “all/white lives matter”? How can persons of color be expected to perfectly and calmly comply with police when they are in fear for their lives?  How can anyone stay calm when they have a gun pointed at them? Black Lives Matter is not a trend. It is not just a blip in the chaos of 2020. It is not an overreaction to police brutality. It is a continuation of the Civil Rights Movement. It is a fight for equality. It is a fight against racism. It is a fight for what is right. Black lives DO matter.

(written and posted by Shannah Roberts on October 23, 2020 at 9:45 a.m.)