Tuesday, July 21, 2015

The Arrest Of Sandra Bland

[Note: This post replaces a previous one on the subject which I have removed.]

Please watch the short video showing the arrest of Sandra Bland which is embedded in this report:


http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/sandra-bland-video-shows-arrest-of-young-black-woman-found-dead-in-police-cell-three-days-later-10393554.html


What did this woman do to deserve having two big police "men" slam her into the ground? According to the report:


Ms Bland was pulled over Friday for allegedly improper signalling a lane change, according to Waller County Sheriff’s Department officials. They say she was charged with assaulting public servant and taken into custody.


What the video appears to show is Ms. Bland being assaulted by two "public servants" (sic).


But here is the dash cam video of the Sandra Bland traffic stop and arrest, which shows what happened before the other video:


https://youtu.be/yf8GR3OO9mU

Beginning at 8:45 of this video, Ms. Bland is heard to be acting disrespectfully towards the officer, and her disrespect escalates into a confrontation between the two. So I guess we have to blame her for what happens next, right?

Allow me to point out that this apparently is what led to Michael Brown's death - he was disrespectful toward the police and a confrontation ensued.

Many police departments have a policy of "response to resistance", meaning they will escalate their use of force until the resister stops escalating his (or her) resistance. Considering the fact that this policy often leads to someone's death, I think it ought to be abandoned in the case of an unarmed resister.

Here are two people (Sandra and Michael) who died following minor infractions (not signalling a lane change, walking in the middle of the street) because they had an uppity attitude toward a police officer. Are we now killing people for being uppity?

The whole thing makes no sense to me.

Update: Why was the DPS video doctored?


http://www.mintpressnews.com/new-evidence-shows-police-video-of-violent-arrest-of-black-lives-matter-activist-was-edited/207821/


It certainly makes it look like the police have something to hide, doesn't it?


And how did Ms. Bland get the plastic bag she allegedly used to smother herself?


Second Update: This report confirms that the DPS video was indeed altered:

http://www.mintpressnews.com/confirmed-dashcam-video-of-sandra-blands-violent-arrest-was-indeed-edited/207932/

I'm not a Texan, but I do live in Texas. This whole episode makes me ashamed of this state.

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