The more things change

2000’s – Protest ‘areas’
Protest ‘control squads’
Rendition
Wire Taps
1990’s – Wire Taps
Public scorn
1980’s – Apathy
1970’s – Four dead in Ohio
1960’s – Twelve dead in Greensboro N.C.
Water cannon used on protesters.
Police dogs attack protesters.
Violent arrests.
Wire taps
1950’s – Water cannon used on protesters.
Police dogs attack Freedom Marchers
Violent arrests.
Lynchings.
School children beaten.
Churches burned.

The common thread in these, and yes I’ve surely missed quite a few examples and the dates are pulled right out of thin air, but the link is the cold hard fact that the people that are supposed to protect us were the people doing most of the joys cited above. Now ask yourself, why do poor people, specifically people of color, not trust the police?

And I keep asking myself why our ‘Public Defenders’ do this to us. I know that every policeman, FBI agent, CIA agent, DEA agent or National Guardsman is not a conservative Republicant but Sweet Jesus, I wish more of them would step up and say ‘Enough, I won’t do this to my brothers and sisters’. We ARE brothers and sisters.