Masked protesters smash windows, injure 2 officers in Berkeley, California: Vivie Behrens (Week 4, Period 6)

     On Sunday morning, protesters in Berkeley, California began a violent demonstration in response to the jury's decision not to indictpolice officer, Daniel Pantaleo, for Eric Garner's death this summer. Approximately 200 protestors were present and a small portion of them became violent by breaking windows, vandalizing, and throwiing rocks and glass throughout their town. Most of the violence was targeted at the local police officers at the scene and two of the officers suffered minor injuries due to the outbreak. Protests like these, both peaceful and violent, are sparking nationwide and are contributing to racial tension which is growing throughout our country.
     These demonstrations relate directly to the tensions which arose at our nation's founding, even before the civil war. The Ku Klux Clan in particular did similar things - pillaging and causing violence - as the outbreaks occurring today; however, their motives are drastically different. The Ku Klux Clan favored the eradication of black people in society, while the fights today are centrally focused on the fight against racism and for true equality in our nation. There continues to be a significant amount of racial violence in our country and it must be stopped, not only to preserve our fundamental democratic principles, but also to preserve humanitarian ideals. These protests are focused on justice; however, peaceful cooperation will be the only way these problems can be effectively addressed.

Source:
http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/07/justice/protests-grand-jury-chokehold/index.html?hpt=hp_t2