McCaskill in Ferguson: Time to ‘de-militarize this situation’

[alp227]

Source: Office of Sen. Claire McCaskill

WASHINGTON – Following the shooting of teenager Michael Brown by a Ferguson, Mo. police officer, and subsequent clashes between local police and protestors, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill is in Ferguson today, talking directly with constituents. She released the following statement:

“We need to de-militarize this situation—this kind of response by the police has become the problem instead of the solution. I obviously respect law enforcement’s work to provide public safety, but my constituents are allowed to have peaceful protests, and the police need to respect that right and protect that right. Today is going to be a new start, we can and need to do better.”

McCaskill is also scheduled to speak directly today with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. While the U.S. Attorney General has no jurisdiction over local police actions, McCaskill plans to discuss with Holder what she described as the “totally unacceptable” situation on the ground in Ferguson as local police and protestors continue to clash, as well as the status of the federal civil rights investigation.

Early Wednesday, McCaskill spoke directly with Molly Moran, Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the Department of Justice on the status of a federal civil rights investigation. McCaskill has also spoken directly over the past two days with dozens of local officials, law enforcement, and religious leaders, in an ongoing attempt to deescalate the situation.

Read more: http://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-in-ferguson-time-to-de-militarize-this-situation

[JDPriestly]

1. Another Democrat for justice. The militarization of our police was evident in the response

to Occupy in places like Portland, Or. and Oakland, Ca.

It is unnecessary and unacceptable.

[old guy]

6. The police actions in Mo. are doing what they are being trained to do

under the guise of "terror attacks". This is how they are trained and they are only following the training. Sad but true.

[another_liberal]

10. Too true . . .

That's the way brass hats in the Pentagon want policing to be handled all over our country:

http://rt.com/usa/180376-ferguson-militarization-police-weapons/

[brer cat]

2. Sounds like she is trying to bring some sane leadership

to this situation. I think getting the local police out of the picture will go a long way to calming this down. McCaskill made it clear that people have the right to peaceful protest and that the officers' responsibility to protect that right.

K&R

[Uncle Joe]

3. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, alp.

[WestSeattle2]

4. Police will always overstep their authority regardless of region/location, it's in their

DNA. Really - it's only a matter of when, not if they will. There always needs to be strong oversight of police departments by elected officials and the general public. The police are there to protect and serve; some cops just don't buy into that. They believe they're empowered to coerce and intimidate, to flaunt their authority, to act as judge and jury. Well, they're not. The worst thing the feds could have done, is to allow these local yokels to arm up with military garb and equipment. Talk about feeding the monster.

[Dems to Win]

5. Wish Obama would have made such a strong, straightforward statement

against the militarization of the police. His statement was very weak, and ignored the well-armed elephant in Ferguson. Not even a mention of the armored personnel carriers and police in body armor on the streets of America!

[msongs]

12. obama signed the law giving this stuff to cops. why would u expect a stronger response?

[Dems to Win]

13. Expect a Miracle!

I always hope for the best.

[BumRushDaShow]

14. Cut and paste much?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=870713

Here's my response that applies here too -

And the minute he does what you fantasize about, the entire media machine will lurch around to take its focus off the volatile situation of poorly trained hyperactive police who need to be exposed for what they are, and they WILL make it all about "Obama" instead.

[tblue37]

7. WAY past time! It should never have been militarized in the first place! nt

[another_liberal]

8. Right on!

"Demilitarize" the whole goddamned country while you're at it! This Rambo law enforcement nonsense has gotten way out of hand.

Since when have we and our local police gone to war with each other? Do they think they're still in Iraq or something?

[oldandhappy]

9. Time to demilitarize all police/sheriff squads.

I have moved on from anger to sad, and I am on the look out for any activist things that I can do. Have sent emails. If anyone has ideas, please post.

[msongs]

11. so how did she vote on the recent law turning over surplus war machinery over to local police? nt

[tishaLA]

15. "local police and protesters continue to clash"?

No. One group is doing the clashing and it isn't the protesters. They are being clashed, if that's what you want to call riot police using excessive force and doing just about everything short of martial law.