[CONTENT NOTE: white supremacy, racist police violence.]
Full disclosure: I have no idea who Michael Bennett is. I loathe men’s sportsball with the burning intensity of ten thousand suns. This campaign is the only reason I know that Bennett is a black man—but of course that is the only thing that matters to far too many police officers in this country. Please consider signing this petition, and signal boosting. Thank you.
via Color of Change:
Campaign created by
Patrisse Cullors-Brignac, Black Lives Matter Global NetworkWhy is this important?
Police brutalizing Black people is endemic in the United States. Last Saturday police terrorized 6’4 ft, 274 lbs NFL star Michael Bennett “for walking while Black”. This latest incident stands as a testament to the police violence targeting Black people in the United States.
Last Saturday, I received an urgent call from Michael Bennett immediately after he was assaulted by police officers in Las Vegas. Michael was leaving the Mayweather-McGregor fight and walking back to his hotel when reported shots fired. He ran for cover and continued walking once he believed he was safe. Unexpectedly, Michael was ordered to lay on the ground by an officer who then held a gun to his head yelling, “Don’t move or I will blow your fucking head off!” Officers then tossed Michael into a squad car, only to later release him once he was identified as a famous NFL star. Immediately fearing retaliation for their use of excessive force, the officers lied and told Michael they assaulted him for his own protection.
As a co-founder of the Black Lives Matter Network, I receive countless calls from victims and families of police violence. We’ve worked relentlessly to provide folks with emotional support and connect them to policy advocates and lawyers. Yet, often our efforts to hold police accountable are prevented by the state’s lack of transparency. But for Michael’s case, transparency is the first step in the fight for justice.
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Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Help keep our movement strong.
There is talk this white man isn’t safe for women to be around.
“INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY!”
This black man was thrown to the ground by cops who threatened to “blow his head off”.
“WELL, HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN GUILTY! BLUE LIVES MATTER!”
It really is terrifying that so many people are fine with this kind of treatment of citizens by cops and the lengths that they’ll go to justify it. As long as the right people get to feel safe, they’re happy to live in an authoritarian police state. Even the “small government” types.
Signed. Agree with Tabby Lavalamp @1: I am outraged that people are NOT outraged about American citizens being treated like this. American citizens are being gunned down by cops for no reason other than their skin color. That is absolutely outrageous and no one should be unmoved.
BTW “American” in this case means “USAian”. I do realize the Americas are two vast continents with many diverse countries and cultures. I just thought it was easier to read this way.
Sorry, derailing but it was brought up…
kestrel @2
As a Canadian, I have no problem with “Americans” referring to people from the USA. Most Americans call themselves Americans. Most North & South Americans call people from the USA Americans (when speaking English, I don’t know what the word is in Spanish or Portuguese). Most people worldwide use that descriptor.
When someone says “American” everyone knows what is meant. I honestly have no idea who is complaining that it should refer to everyone in the Americas. I know they are though, because “USian” and “USAian” are actual things.
Personally, I’d rather not be referred to as an American. Ever.
@#3: yeah, I’ve been raked over the coals for saying “American”, LOL, and I don’t blame you one bit for not wanting to be associated with the US!!! Here is hoping that at least my comment was *understood* as you seem to have gotten it fine.