When Black Lives Matter protests began in June, the saturated social media posts, television lives and speeches made the issue nearly impossible to ignore. Yet, despite the decreased presence on Instagram feeds today, the protests are still in the streets, months later. Most infamously, the violent Oregon protests are continuing, despite the state's inability to control and maintain peace and order on the streets.
Sparked by the public condemnation from Oregan residents, Gov. Kate Brown signed Executive Order 20-54, declaring a state of emergency on May 13, 2020. Following the order, Gov. Brown has requested aid from police departments in order to review “any alleged incidents” of police brutality. In hopes of building strong community trust, Brown is working with local police sheriffs and chiefs in order to properly assess and appropriately reprimand any cases deemed inexcusable.
“Journalists and law enforcement officers have difficult jobs to do during these demonstrations, but I do still believe that we can protect free speech and keep the peace,” said Gov. Brown.
With numerous videos displaying the harsh treatment of innocent protesters, fotographers and journalists, many are still hoping to hold everyone accountable and aren’t compromising for justice. Many are also asking Gov. Brown to hire an independent prosecutor on the case, in order to ensure fair treatment and eliminate any bias or lesser punishment.
“Police abuse of protesters, journalists, legal observers, medics, and bystanders must be stopped," said Kelly Simon, the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union.
In order to end such civil unrest, Gov. Brown has requested all the police enforcement possible, but many neighboring countries are refusing to send in more forces to Oregon.
“Due to the lack of support for public safety operations, the associated liability to agencies who would be assisting in Portland and the lack of accountability for those arrested committing criminal acts,” said the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police.
Moreover, noticeable rifts have grown between left-wing protest opposers and Proud Boys, a far-right and neo-fascist organization, engaging in political violence. With Proud Boys instigating arguments and riling up peaceful bystanders, necessary legal action is required to put an end to this ongoing violence.
“When free expression is fueled by hate and coupled with an intent to incite violence, then I need to do everything I can to ensure the safety of Oregonians,” Gov. Brown said.
Citizens are still calling for justice, fueled by the mistreatment by police officers and hate filled attacks on peaceful protestors. While any reevaluation of police actions will not undo the years of racism and discrimination against minorities in America, such a change will hopefully spark a greater acceptance for much needed police reform and funding reallocation towards addressing the roots of these protests.
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1 comment:
It is interesting how the governor himself acknowledges the rights that these protestors have to using their freedom of speech, however also realizes that the protests must be stopped? It is true that the protests have grown more violent, as groups such as the Proud Boys have started participating (for not the right reasons at all, and simply because they are interesting in violence, as it appears), but encouraging more police to stop the protests will only cause them to happen more often. Stopping the protestors from practicing their rights to earn more rights for minorities and the Black Lives Matter movement will only cause more protests because change isn't occurring. Involving the police will only cause more protests for more reasons, to "defund the police" and such.
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