The year is turning out to be nightmare you can’t wake up from, and this past week gave us quite a scene.
The conflict between African Americans and the US police force is one that spans several decades.
Although, police brutality isn’t new to us, this past weeks events took it to a level which the public would not stand for.
On Memorial Day, a shocking video surfaced of George Floyd dying from asphyxia due to the use of excessive force when making an arrest.
Police officer, Derek Chauvin, kept his knee on Mr Floyds neck for more than 5 mins amid hearing his cries and gasps for air.
The Minneapolis Police Department fired the officer after protests broke out throughout the city. As of late, Chauvin’s charge was amended to murder in the second degree, and the three other officers have also been charged. Let it be noted that Chauvin’s initial charge was third degree. Over the course of several days protests have risen in almost every state.
Abuse of Power
A clear depiction of white privilege was exposed in Central Park, New York.
Christian Cooper, an African American had the police called on him falsely accusing him of attacking a woman and her dog.
Oh, when Karens take a walk with their dogs off leash in the famous Bramble in NY’s Central Park, where it is clearly posted on signs that dogs MUST be leashed at all times, and someone like my brother (an avid birder) politely asks her to put her dog on the leash. pic.twitter.com/3YnzuATsDm
— Melody Cooper (@melodyMcooper) May 25, 2020
She then threatened to call the police and tell them a black man was threatening her life. The woman repeatedly identified the man by his race in her 911 call, in which she demands they “send the cops immediately.“
Her company Franklin Templeton has since terminated her contract of employment. (Take tweet)
In an interview with NBC New York, the woman apologized for her behaviour. “I sincerely and humbly apologize to everyone, especially to that man, his family,” Ms Cooper, told the station.
“When I think about the police, I’m such a blessed person. I’ve come to realize especially today that I think of [the police] as a protection agency, and unfortunately, this has caused me to realize that there are so many people in this country that don’t have that luxury.”
These events followed after the incident of Ahmaud Arbrey, who while on a morning jog, two white men fatally shot him. The shooting occurred on February 23, but the arrest of Gregory and Travis McMichael took place on May 5. Why did it take so long to bring this case to court, let alone arrest the individuals involved? The public have had enough.
President Trump before retracting his statement had initiated the mobilisation of the US military. Ironically, this escalated the situation and intensified the protesting. People made their own comments on how the president is handling the situation. Even Carrie Lam of Hong Kong had words to say about the protests.
The protests have begun internationally as well in Ireland and Japan in particular. In France, however, the protests have escalated to police using tear gas on the members. Here in the UK, citizens marched on Westminster in their support for the Black Lives Matter movement. It is said these demonstrations will be extended to Hyde Park.
The question now is how will the government respond to all of this? In America’s case, the deep rooted racism is so systematically intertwined in the police force, that it would take a complete reformation in my opinion. As for other nations protesting maybe the same? Only time will tell.
This Nightcap is brought to you by a glass of cold water, because Lord knows you need to cool off after hearing news like this. Just the thought of it can can make you shudder, and it in this heat you’ll need to stay hydrated anyway.
Read: The Nightcap: This pandemic is “a pack of lies”
