After following the Henry Louis Gates arrest, I believe the racial component isn’t the issue, but perhaps the distraction.

Undoubtedly, people-of-color are unfairly targeted everyday by police.  Since a 911 call was placed with no clear mention of race, I believe the arresting officer was abusing his power to ‘discipline’ Gates for his verbal taunting of the cop.   Because Gates put up a VERBAL fight, it sounds like the cop went for the “let’s teach this guy a lesson” move that I’ve seen too many cops take.

By focusing on the more obvious issue of race, I’m afraid we’ll miss the opportunity to ask some important questions about how police have so much unchecked power, and how they can be better trained and held accountable to respecting civil rights.

I’ve seem too many folks arrested for saying things like “Why are you arresting him?”  I’m afraid Henry Gates is another victim of saying too much.  The big problem is, there’s absolutely nothing illegal about what he or thousands of Americans do every year when they ‘talk back’ to police.  Even though charges may be dropped later in court, often times the damage is already done.  This type of reactionary justice on the part of our police has to end.

If you want to end the silence about the occupations,
The series you’ve been waiting for is here!

This is Where We Take Our Stand starts this week.
Click here to watch the trailer, and on Saturday, July 11, watch Episode One:
For Those Who Would Judge Me.

Join the network and spread the word!

I was hassled for months by these two companies when they refused to fulfill an order for a replacement screen for my laptop.  It took 4 months to actually understand why they weren’t delivering my screen (the customer service doesn’t seem to have any connection with the actual company – I think it’s completely outsourced).

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From Bill Perry:

Absolutely OUTSTANDING interview !
‘Specially his aside to IRR troops, and the Constitutions’ Article 6, Section 2, not to mention the 5 or 6 locales where Matthis has “occupied countries all over the Planet”. I really liked how he nailed the FOX Talking Head on 9/11 being a CRIME, certainly not an act of war. Then, the “Unmovable object in the face of overwhelming opposition” was HOT.

“Where is the bill of rights?” one man asks as his comrades are taken away for peacefully protesting severe budget cuts that will severely impact the working poor and people-of-color in Philadelphia.