People in the Queen City rally to show support for those upset about a police shooting of an unarmed black teen in Missouri. That shooting led to demonstrations, looting, riots, creating a climate where people don’t want to listen to the law. Let’s bring you up to speed…
There are vigils being held around the country after days of violence in Ferguson, Missouri. That’s where police shot the unarmed Michael Brown. Police had said Brown was aggressive and tried to grab an officer’s gun, but a friend of Brown says it was the officer who instigated things, and that they shot Brown while he had his hands in the air.
The police presence in Ferguson is now making headlines on its own. In fact, one Washington Post reporter says officers are going overboard. Wesley Lowrey started recording when police approached him. “Police” that looked more like military troops. During the course of the clip, you can hear the officer tell Lowrey to stop recording several times, even though it’s perfectly legal. Lowrey was arrested, but released without any explanation.
There are actually YouTube channels dedicated to making sure police don’t give people illegal or unconstitutional orders. The guys running them can come off as real jerks sometimes, but they make a point. Just because an officer gives you an order, doesn’t always mean you have to follow it. If it breaks the law, or compromises your rights, you can legally refuse.
Of course, police are the good guys, protecting people, doing a difficult job. Most are polite, but they’re not all constitutional experts. We even have local cases where officers have arrested their comrades for flat-out criminal activities. It’s that kind of thing that reminds you: every officer isn’t perfect.
Our Man on the Edge, Robert Wilder, always obeys an officer, but when would you not?
