In a message dated 1/19/01 9:39:32 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< There was a lot of discussion and congratulation about the fact that crime
is down. OK, I totally agree that crime is a bad thing, crime is a very
bad thing. But there seemed to be an unspoken assumption that a certain
amount of government-sponsored terror is necessary to keep the crime away,
that a few Ken Whites have to get messed with in order to keep all those
other scarey Franklin Avenue guys at bay. A very disturbing concept any
way you look at it. >>
This is the key. Apparently many well-meaning public officials and community
activists have lowered their expectations to the point where they believe
it's necessary and acceptable to sacrifice civil rights in order to improve
public safety.
Fear is the most effective way to divide a community against itself, and a
divided community is a disempowered community. We all want and deserve to
live in a safe neighborhood. But we also need to look beyond our own back
yards. The struggle against police brutality can't just be waged by its
victims.
If there is no will for a just, accountable police force at the top, it sure
isn't going to evolve from the bottom.
I missed an opportunity to comment about the Olson reappointment hearing,
which I attended, during the server crash. I don't know if it will do any
good at this point but here's my belated contribution anyway.
-- Holle Brian
Bancroft
(612) 822-6593
------------------------------
I attended the hearing on Police Chief Olson's reappointment yesterday for 1
1/2 hours. The Strib article didn't mention that there were over 100 people
there, and that most of them reported incidents of physical and verbal abuse,
confiscation of property, poor response or follow-up to police calls, false
charges, and unwarranted arrests. I really dislike incendiary rhetoric but
the phrase "corporate police state" kept forcing itself into my mind as I
listened to the testimony, both from opponents and supporters of the
reappointment.
Observing the stratification of police service between the haves and
have-nots in this city was excruciating. Representatives of the Downtown
Business Council and the Building Owners Association were delighted with
Olson's performance. The owner of the Fine Line Music Cafe was also pleased
with Olson's policing although he had some concerns about rough treatment of
the mentally ill. Representatives from the Urban League and some neighborhood
organizations reported positive experiences working with their local police,
and were happy to credit the Police Chief with improving their personal
safety. Some white working-class homeowners complained of harrassment and
poor police service in their neighborhoods. Many non-violent political
protestors reported being physically assaulted and abused by police while
exercising their rights to peaceful assembly, and experiencing police
harrassment in their homes and businesses. And many black people testified
they were routinely victims of police harrassment and brutality, and were
afraid to work with police on crime prevention and solutions in their
communities.
Minneapolis, I have never been so ashamed.
Most critics of the police administration were quick to point out that
racism, violence and injustice are not solely the fault of the Police Chief,
but are systemic problems that have been around for decades and will not be
solved by a new appointment. However, at some point in the systemic hierarchy
there has to be a *will* for justice, and that will needs to be expressed by
our elected and appointed city leaders. Without it, action will not follow.
-- Holle Brian
Minneapolis/5th District Green Party
(612) 822-6593
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