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What Next For Ferguson?
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Groups across the country are considering options. No murder indictment, so what to do about it? I just read the NY Times article (11/24/14) that said Michael Brown had been shot six times. Earlier reports reported by CNN said that Darren Wilson, the officer, was pursuing him as a suspect in felony robbery where a male clerk had been attacked by Michael Brown (thrown against the counter after stealing cigarellos.) The officer called in for back-up.
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How does it feel to be shot in the face? Michael’s mother, who learned the verdict from the newscast on tv, wept in public, Michael’s (step)father shouted, “Burn it down!” Following the shooting, one report stated that Michael's Mother went by invitation to the United Nations and was heard there. Two days before the verdict, 11/23/14, National Guard was dispatched to the area. Police reported over 150 gun shots fired. Arrests of protesters were made. The world is watching. Forensics back up the officer's flawless testimony, incontestably. Animals and savages is what a CNN spokesman just called the rioters. Is that the same thing as in not human and uncivilized? I keep forgetting, this is the South. I'm trying to be cool. It's hard work.
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Nationally, protests were mostly peaceful and non-violent. In California people lay down and blocked two highways tying up traffic for hours. NY protesters also lay down and blocked traffic. 121 cities staged protests. Transcripts of the two day hearing are going to be released. Forensic experts were called in to testify before the Grand Jury. Per CNN, the gun was a 13 shooter. By the morning, two police cars were set on fire, and approximately a dozen businesses were torched. Looting escalated and tear gas and flash-bangs were used for crowd control. Shots were heard.
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So, this is how it has come out so far. The officer yelled "Hey, you guys get on the side walk, will ya?" (paraphrased) and Michael, cursing, pushed closed the door of the squad car as officer tried to get out. There was a tussle for the gun and officer said Michael had his finger on the trigger and envisioned a bullet going into his leg. The officer was hit in the face and neck before he shot two times. Michael's blood was found inside the squad car. Michael ran, the officer pursued, called for him to stop (and get on the ground twice) and Michael tuned and charged twenty five feed. From eight to ten feet away, Michael was shot two more times, once to the face. The forensic evidence was found to be supportive of Officer Wilson's testimony. He discharged his 13 shooter 12 times.
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Michael's father and mother have recalled their anger and called once more for peace (avoiding incitement to riot charges most likely). The police chief says he will stay on a little while longer, but was not at community meetings and was no where in sight while his city burned. He says he is being forced out. (A commentator on CNN just said the officer said he did not have his tazer because the batteries were dead, That officer should be fired.) Wonders never cease.
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That is as emotionlessly as I can recall what I'm getting from CNN. What is troubling is that in the testimony from the officer, there is no expression of regret for taking a life. He is thanking his supporters. The three black witnesses were discredited for inconsistencies in their relating of the events. The streets of Ferguson are still burning. Jessie Jackson said injustice leads to anarchy, justice leads to peace. Perhaps. After all is said and done, a black man was killed by a white one. It is not rational, and black people will never accept the verdict. What we have is emotional bleeding of old wounds that will never heal. Only testimony from the shooter was believed in a one question cross examination from the Grand Jury. Black lawyers are watching thinking, "Huh?" I'm just sayin'.
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Lady A
11-25-14
9:41a

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