johnnyis:

sethpalmer3:

johnnyis:

cognitivedissonance:

From @WilbotOsterman:

Cops empty out Occupy Chapel Hill with assault rifles like it’s Baghdad. They really love protecting banks’ property

This is beyond disturbing. Do they think this is Call of Duty or something? The militarization of the police force in the US is ridiculous. It’s almost as if some of these cops want to be military, but not deployed. 

It’s sick.

It’s actually the necessary tactical decision. Armed for protection, loaded with crowd control rounds, these officers are prepared to protect themselves and the public: Themselves, in case someone becomes violent—an act not uncommon to these protests—and the public, by loading non-lethal rounds. The police are perfectly justified in what they are doing here. Deal with real problems, not this garbage.

Previous comment is incredibly misguided. Hardly a “necessary” decision. In 97% of the other cities working against the Occupy movements, they use riot gear: shields, clubs, tasers and pepper spray. The citizens are unarmed and, although they may become violent, the worst they can do is throw things that are easily deflected with riot gear. Assault rifles, even with non-lethal rounds, propel their ammunition at rates that are many times faster than other weapons. This could be dealt with in a much less violent manner. Arrests can be made without this much force or even borderline brutality.

You don’t know that the citizens are unarmed, and you certainly don’t know that the worst they can do is throw things. This isn’t even close to brutality. You’re attempts to elicit an emotional response do nothing in face of the facts. This is a tactically appropriate decision. 

Respect should be given to those who protect our public, not ridiculed. If you are willing to risk your own life for those of others, I ask you to try to do so with nothing but riot gear. You’re shallow minded and naive if you believe that the people will go unresistant  and without weaponry. Fool.