Listeners this week heard a lot of buzz. Buzzers buzzed about a big reveal about the killing of the young unarmed American in Ferguson. Buzzing broke about what the leaked autopsy report would show. The breaking news, breathlessly reported by CNN and MSNBC: In a scuffle at the officer's door, the youth sustained an injury to his thumb!
That there was a scuffle supposedly lent credence to the officer's version of what happened. Which officer's version, you ask? The version concocted after all the eyewitnesses reported what they saw. A version, mind you, that he was duty-bound to provide directly after the discharge of his weapon in the line of duty.
I wasn't shocked by what the leaked report showed. I wasn't shocked that the murderer claimed he feared for his life. I wasn't shocked that the murderer claimed Michael Brown went for his gun. C'mon! What else was he going to say?
No, what shocked me was how quickly the media (with the lone exception of Lawrence O'Donnell) accepted the crock of excreta spooned to them by Darren Wilson's operatives, and how quickly they discounted all the eyewitnesses. The New York Time's mouthpiece for Darren Wilson used the phrase, "witnesses with ax to grind" (CNN 10/21/2014).
The truth is that Darren Wilson should have been arrested on the day of the murder, August 9, 2014. At this point, he should be awaiting trial on bail or in jail. That he wasn't arrested reflects the quality of office-holders in Ferguson. It tells us everything we need know about whom they owe their loyalties to. That Darren Wilson was not arrested shows that everyone, from the police chief 'to the governor, knew that there would be no consequences to their actions. They had no fear of losing their jobs, because the people of Ferguson have not been voting and thus have not had any say in the choosing of their representatives.
However, the murder of Michael Brown may have changed the dynamics. Perhaps no one's job is as safe as they thought it was before August 9, the day of Michael's death.
According to the St. Louis County elections director, Rita Days, the last two months have seen over 3,000 people register to vote in Ferguson, Missouri.
What will those voter registrations mean?
"It could completely change the political landscape, the power structure, the decision making," Anthony Gray, an attorney for Michael Brown's family, said. "The service to the African American community would almost quadruple because they would be viewed as a credible and legitimate voting block" (USA Today).
While the residents of Ferguson steer their course with newfound power, we at Daily Kos will continue to plan legal changes. Follow us below the orange legal scrolls to see how you can support our quest to police the thug-police.
Justice for Michael Brown: Three Acts
Act I. The Michael Brown Over-Policed Rights Act of 2015, our Daily Kos Law.
Purpose: (1) Obtain appropriate information from police regarding their use of force, and (2) Provide individuals with the right to file suit against the police if their jurisdiction is being "over-policed." We want to pass this law.
Act II. The Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act of 2002.
Purpose: Encourage greater community accountability of law enforcement agencies, and for other purposes.
Act III. The End Racial Profiling Act.
The End Racial Profiling Act comprehensively addresses the insidious practice of racial profiling by law enforcement on five levels:
1. It clearly defines the racially discriminatory practice of racial profiling by law enforcement at all levels.
2. It creates a federal prohibition against racial profiling.
3. It mandates data collection so we can fully assess the true extent of the problem.
4. It provides funding for the retraining of law enforcement officials on how to discontinue and prevent the use of racial profiling.
5. It holds law enforcement agencies that continue to use racial profiling accountable.
We need to urge Members of both the House and Senate to co-sponsor and help move the bill through to passage as soon as possible.
Action Steps
1. Get Out The Vote! Electing Democrats will move us toward justice.
2. Contact your federal representative and two senators using information at this Action Page (pdf) of the NAACP.
Archives
The federal and state versions of the Michael Brown Over-Policed Rights Act.
All previous drafts of the Michael Brown Over-Policed Rights Act. This is a good link to send to other people, because our most recent diary is always at the top of that list.
A Thankful Community
The large Daily Kos community has thanked members of Support the Dream Defenders many times in these community diaries. Members of Support the Dream Defenders thank the 330 members of the Daily Kos community who have supported this project, including the following, who made specific suggestions: annominous, Denise Oliver Velez, dfsly, duhban, FarWestGirl, FogCityJohn, Gooserock, inhibitedagitator, JamesGG, jeeugena, JekyllnHyde, JoanMar, joedemocrat, Joffan, Mannie, nextstep, Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse, shanikka, SoCalSal, terrypinder, thanatokephaloides, Tim DeLaney, tmservo433, Tortmaster, Yasuragi, 2thanks. Lastly, 2thanks and JoanMar thank the core members of this team who steadfastly support each other.
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