An article on BBC.com reports on the recent rioting and the police
conflict in Albuquerque, New Mexico. These riots and protests have occurred as
a result of the recent deaths of two men at the hand of policemen. One shooting
was filmed by policemen using cameras and posted online shortly after causing
the unrest. The police department in is said to be too violent, overaggressive,
and, even, racist/prejudice towards their victims. This claim has been
substantiated by the fact that the APD has shot and killed 23 people since
2010; this number stirs protests due to the small population of Albuquerque
compared to much larger U.S. metropolises. The resulting riots and
demonstrations have provoked the use of tear gas as well as several arrests due
to conflicts escalating to physical violence (the throwing of rocks at the
police). The APD is currently under the investigation of the U.S. Justice
Department.
It is a hugely
beneficial privilege that United States citizens are able to protest, march,
speak their mind, etc. about things they see as unjust. This is the aspect of
the U.S. government that not only causes there to be a constant, and
consistent, demand for fairness and justice especially on the part of the
government, but also ensures that the U.S. does not turn into one of the
totalitarian dystopian societies so often written about in literature (i.e. Brave
New World, The Giver, Hunger
Games, etc.) However, as with anything,
there is a point where modulation of this right is sometimes necessary. The
Salem Witch Trials is a perfect example of this right being taken to the
extreme. This situation in Albuquerque seems to have evidence that puts it in a
similar category (though, the video of the homeless man being shot by the
police was very disconcerting). Policemen, as with anyone, tend to get panicked
and this panic can have too much influence over their actions. However, it was
right for people to question the large amount of fatalities that have been the
result of police shooting. It causes more vigilance and care with how the
police carry out their jobs and helps to extract any corrupt officers that
might be present.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2014/03/31/what-is-going-on-in-albuquerque-your-guide-to-the-police-shooting-protest/
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-26814976
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