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comment by ButterflyEffect
ButterflyEffect  ·  3758 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Statement from the President of Al Jazeera America

Hey all:

I'm currently working about 12-13 hour days and I have not had the time to read up on this at all. Can somebody start from the top and explain this situation to me from beginning to now? I realize it's probably a lot to ask for.





rob05c  ·  3758 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  

Protester's side:

Unarmed black man is assassinated by 94% white police department. Protesters start protesting. Unaffiliated bad people take advantage to loot. Police use military-grade violence to disperse peaceful protests. Police arrest journalists and destroy or dismantle their equipment. Governor declares he's about to remove the county police. FBI opens investigation into initial death. Protests ongoing.

Police side:

Suspect assaults officer and is shot resisting arrest. Protesters make it a race issue and began rioting and looting. Police use reasonable force to disperse rioters. National media makes it a race issue. Internet portrays rioters as heroes and police as villains. Police help journalists stay safe and transport their equipment. Police chief graciously hopes it won't be necessary to tear-gas the state senator again. Rioting ongoing.

Disclaimer: I'm biased in support of the protesters.

EDIT:

Missouri Highway Patrol announced to take over Ferguson security.

user-inactivated  ·  3758 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Technically she's a Missouri State Senator, not a United States Senator. She's a member of the Missouri General Assembly, not the United States Congress. Small correction.

rob05c  ·  3758 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Ah, thanks. Fixed.