Tuesday, September 11, 2007

A New Low

So, today we have a new low of police brutality. Six police men tried to prevent a Reverend from attending the General Petraeus Hearings on Iraq (for those who don't follow such things, Congress is reviewing a report, and the public is allowed to attend).

After waiting in line, like everyone else, this man of God committed a cardinal sin -- he wore a button saying "I love the people of Iraq". Go figure -- a man of God, loving people.

Apparently, this is against the law, for the man was told he could not enter and that he would be arrested. When he asked why -- and made the mistake of saying he would not be arrested today -- they grabbed him. He flinched, and 6 officers jumped on him, tackling him to the ground and... breaking his leg. Oh, those brave, brave men in blue. What a f*cking joke.

Video of the entire event, with the non-event preceding the attack, can be viewed here (see the first video link on the left): http://www.pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2935

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

UPDATE

An Update to an earlier story:

(Note: the earlier posting can be found here: http://policebrutalitydotcom.blogspot.com/2007/08/drinking-can-kill-you-when-police-beat.html )

In August we reported that a man (arrested for drinking) had died in a Pasadena jail. The police reported that he had died after "tripping". The coroner did not do its own report, having accepted this explanation by the police at face value.

However, after the family suspected foul play, they were able to get a coroner's report that stipulated the man had died from a perforation of his lung due to a bone splinter from a fractured rib, and that his corpse had bruises and cuts on the hands, knees, wrists, back, head, and his jeans and t-shirt were slpattered all over with blood.

Now the coroner has reported that this was a homicide. The prosecutor that is the head of the police integrity unit said they may (sic) refer this to a grand jury for charges. But they may not. Because... "The medical examiner's ruling basically gives the cause and manner of death, but our (internal) investigation determines whether there was justification for a homicide."

How a homicide on a man already handcuffed for drinking could be justified is not clear, but the prosecutor nonetheless feels the need to do further investigation. Or to wait until this blows over. Either way, it's doubtful the family or the community will let this issue die, and Police Brutality.Com will bring you the details as they develop.

What You Get in Yonkers for not Cleaning Up After Your Dog

Today's post isn't so extreme compared to other posts... until you consider what was at stake.

Just one day after the Justice Department announced it was investigating a series of police brutality incidents, Eric and Monique Brown were stopped while walking their dog by police. Apparently, a Yonkers police officer had witnessed their dog taking a poop, and insisted that the couple clean it up. When the man protested that it wasn't his dog that had pooped, he was arrested(!).

Once arrested, six or seven officers decided that they were all needed to subdue the man and put him into the police car. As the couple's 8-year old daughter stood by, the police punched Brown and slammed him onto the car. When the mother started begging the police to leave her husband alone, they grabbed her and puched her in the back of the head.

At this point, a concerned citizen began filming. While they did not get the beating on tape, they did catch the tail end of the arrest during which an entire phalanx of police officers are manhandling and carrying/dragging the dog-walker across the pavement into the police car. No less than nine officers can be seen. Given that this "offence" is supposedly for allowing a dog to poop on the street (if at all), this is a gross overreaction. Watch the video, and marvel at how many police are piled on top of him half-way through the replay. http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=local&id=5626687

Eric Brown suffered bruising on several parts of his body.