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The Inside Story on Police Militarization

The Inside Story on Police Militarization
Mon, 7/30/2012 - by Al Jazeera

Extreme police tactics are not a new phenomenon in the U.S. But in the age of social media, police violence, such as the shooting of unarmed people and the use of pepper spray and taser guns, are being documented for the world to see. Occupy protesters throughout the country felt the full force of police tactics - many are subject to violent arrest.

It is more than 20 years since the beating of Rodney King was caught on video and the footage shocked the world. But two decades later, how much has changed? Police in Anaheim shot and killed Manuel Diaz, an unarmed man who they said was running from them; local residents say the Latino men were victims of racial profiling and an overly aggressive police force. Anaheim's mayor says federal officials have agreed to investigate the shootings. But the city, where there have been six fatal police shootings this year, is now being compared to a powder keg.

So is policing in the U.S. becoming increasingly militarized? To discuss this, Inside Story Americas, with presenter Shihab Rattansi, is joined by guests: Jumana Musa, a human rights lawyer who is deputy director of the Rights Working Group; Gustavo Arellano, the editor of the OC Weekly, a newspaper that has been covering the shootings; and Raymond Lewis, a retired Philadelphia police captain who was arrested by New York police while taking part in the Occupy Wall Street protests last year.

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“Storytelling teaches not through instruction, but through imagination and example,” says the Sami artist Máret Ánne Sara. “These stories don’t provide direct answers, but rather the ethical tools to navigate and sustain the world.”

Republicans’ fate in the 2026 midterms is likely sealed. But they could be out of power for multiple subsequent election cycles if Democrats are smart.

In November, Indigenous protests in London included the launch of “Bringing It All Back Home,” confronting corporate power head-on.

Republicans’ fate in the 2026 midterms is likely sealed. But they could be out of power for multiple subsequent election cycles if Democrats are smart.

Posted 1 month 6 days ago

Whether Republicans want to be the party of Christianity or the party of worshipping false idols is a question they’ll have to seriously reckon with very soon, unless they want the American electorate to speak for them.

Posted 1 month 6 days ago

Their tactics to force construction of data centers even against significant opposition from local communities have become increasingly forceful and hostile.

Posted 6 days 11 hours ago

“Storytelling teaches not through instruction, but through imagination and example,” says the Sami artist Máret Ánne Sara. “These stories don’t provide direct answers, but rather the ethical tools to navigate and sustain the world.”

Posted 1 month 6 days ago