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Police attacks against journalists across the U.S. since May 28

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Re: Police attacks against journalists across the U.S. since May 28

#31
post #16
post #6

I think it would show more nuanced sentiment to say, that on 110 occasions journalists ended up caught in aggressive police action since May 28. Current wording would have an implication for many people, that journalists were deliberately chosen as targets.

Well, some videos I've seen wouldn't exactly disagree.

Just like experience accounts of individual members of riots, most videos I saw are very out of context. Specifically in regards to media representatives following lawful police orders before getting caught in the push.

Re: Police attacks against journalists across the U.S. since May 28

#32
Who's the bully?

This attitude is symptomatic of the real problem.

The war on cops is nothing more than class warfare; the elite scapegoating people asked to do the hard work.

This is college educated, wealthier folks picking on middle class working folks.

Our byzantine legal system, that conveniently maximizes revenue for the legal industry, sows a lower class persecuted for mostly victimless crimes then asks the police to bring in the harvest.

If you really want to get mad at the malfeasance in civil serice, take a look at your local school system. Unless, of course, you can afford the Catholic schools or a prep school.

Frankly, if I were a cop, after watching the wink,wink "it's a peaceful protest" news reports, with clowns screaming and throwing bricks in the background, I might shoot a rubber bullet at the "reporters".

Sorry for the anger , folks, but .... look in the mirror ... and at who you voted into local offices.

Re: Police attacks against journalists across the U.S. since May 28

#33
post #6

I think it would show more nuanced sentiment to say, that on 110 occasions journalists ended up caught in aggressive police action since May 28. Current wording would have an implication for many people, that journalists were deliberately chosen as targets.

They were though. The videos out of twitter are completely horrifying. An endless wave of cops hearing "Reporter! Here's my badge! I am a reporter!" and just ... not caring. Bash their face, mace them, just follow orders. I saw a video where an officer smashed their video camera. A big one, the style a professional reporter uses. It's our democracy. And we want to hope for the best. But damn if this isn't worrisome.…

> just ... not caring. Bash their face, mace them, just follow orders.

That's how law generally works. It does not matter who violates it. If you see a problem with the law - change the law. Do not bash police officers for enforcing it.

Re: Police attacks against journalists across the U.S. since May 28

#34
post #8
post #6

I think it would show more nuanced sentiment to say, that on 110 occasions journalists ended up caught in aggressive police action since May 28. Current wording would have an implication for many people, that journalists were deliberately chosen as targets.

The current wording is correct. The journalists are in fact being deliberately chosen as targets.

Journalists are often targeted by rogue states

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/marie-colv...

Re: Police attacks against journalists across the U.S. since May 28

#35

I can imagine animosity from the leadership, for example classifying most journalists as "fake news", contributing to violence from the front line against them.

You're assuming most cops support Trump?

Yes. It's anecdotal at best, but all of the 6 cops I know have either "Trump 2020" or "Trump No More Bullshit" or (my personal favorite) "Trump Making Liberals Cry Since 2016" flags flying above the US flag at their homes.

My baseline assumption is a vast majority of police/sheriffs/troopers support Trump. Is this incorrect?

Re: Police attacks against journalists across the U.S. since May 28

#36
Here's another article uncovering the brutality of the police [1]. Some of the scenes are really inhuman [2] and I feel sorry for the poor people trying to make their voices heard.

I hope, that both sides, the protesters and police force will find a way, to exit that spiral of violence. But right now it looks like this won't happen. It's a shame.

If the state acts harder against protesters, journalists and civilian bystanders it will only fuel their anger. Leading to more violence, used by the state to issue a even worse crackdown than now. And so on and so on.

The only hope that I have is, that other politicians from all parties will stand up against that.

[1] https://www.bellingcat.com/news/americas/2020/05/31/us-law-e...

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Byk2axDVNHE

Re: Police attacks against journalists across the U.S. since May 28

#37

I can imagine animosity from the leadership, for example classifying most journalists as "fake news", contributing to violence from the front line against them.

And I can't imagine, after months of wall-to-wall COVID-19 coverage, how you can still believe that the US press is anything other than outlets of biased and profit-driven crisis porn.

That doesn't justify attacks on reporters, but today's journalists aren't just part of the problem, arguably they are the problem.

Re: Police attacks against journalists across the U.S. since May 28

#38

I can imagine animosity from the leadership, for example classifying most journalists as "fake news", contributing to violence from the front line against them.

You're assuming most cops support Trump?

Given how certain kinds of rhetoric from the political left demonizes police offers, it seems likely that many of them have found a home on the right.

Re: Police attacks against journalists across the U.S. since May 28

#39
post #22

Since this is happening simultaneously in many different cities around the country, I have to wonder if there are private Facebook or WhatsApp or Signal groups where police members are talking about this trend. I'd very much like to see those conversations.

Someone took screenshots of Amber Guyger's Instagram pages before she cleaned up her social media, and it was disgusting. Private cop groups absolutely exist. It would be interesting to subpoena Facebook when the Minneapolis Four go to trial and investigate how deep the rot goes.

Re: Police attacks against journalists across the U.S. since May 28

#40

I can imagine animosity from the leadership, for example classifying most journalists as "fake news", contributing to violence from the front line against them.

You're assuming most cops support Trump?

For this to happen, all you need is one cop to "support Trump", and most cops to support cops before anyone else.
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