Reclaiming Our Way promoting the well-being of African American children & families

Ten Illegal Police Actions to Watch for in Ferguson (Bill Quigley)

It's been 104 days since the killing of unarmed Mike Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, by a white Ferguson police officer. All who watched the ensuing demonstrations during that August and September period (and since then) likely saw a disproportionate and militarized police response to the rightfully angry members of both the local and national community.

As we all await the grand jury's recommendation about whether Officer Darren Wilson should be indicted, increased attention is being paid to the tone and tenor of government and law enforcement messages. It seems clear to me that the government is expecting to announce a non-indictment recommendation, and is also anticipating a sharp reaction from the community. This is more recently reinforced by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon's pronouncement of a State of Emergency in anticipation of the grand jury's recommendation, and the reports of huge amounts of money spent on equipment and training for numerous area law enforcement agencies.

At least one writer has outlined the kinds of policing tactics the community should anticipate, and be on the lookout for. The list follows, as outlined by Bill Quigley, a law professor at the University of New Orleans.

1. Try to stop people from protesting
2. Provocateurs
3. Snatch Squads
4. False Arrests
5. Intimidation
6. Kettling or Encircling
7. Raids on supportive churches, organizations or homes
8. Pain Noise Trucks
9. Arrest reporters
10. Chemical and other weapons

You can visit Bill Quigley's article at Huffington Post for a fuller description.