Cop Caught On Video Pepper Spraying Attendees Of Black Lives Matter Conference

[villager]

A conference protesting police violence against African Americans ended in police violence against African Americans on Sunday, when at least one officer deployed pepper spray against men and women protesting the arrest of a 14 year-old teenager.

The arrest occurred in Cleveland, across the street from Cleveland State University, which was hosting a conference sponsored by The Movement for Black Lives. Currently, there are conflicting reports regarding why the teenager was arrested. Cleveland’s ABC affiliate reports that the teen “was accused of having an open container at the bus stop when he was approached by officers,” while numerous sources on Twitter claim that he was arrested because he did not have a bus ticket.

Police reportedly “slammed the teen to the ground while making an arrest and pepper spray was used.”
After this arrest, protesters rallied near the scene, and one video of the protest shows them linking arms in an apparent effort to prevent police from breaking up the protest. According to reporting by Jonathan Walsh, a reporter with the ABC affiliate, that’s when a white officer began to pepper spray the crowd.

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http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/07/26/3684590/breaking-cop-caught-video-using-pepper-spray-attendees-blacklivesmatter-conference/

[PatrickforO]

1. Police need to be retrained NOT to escalate situations.

A little common sense and everyone could have gone home peacefully.

But no, the cops have to stomp 'em 'til they totally submit. They've forgotten about serving and protecting, seemingly.

[msongs]

2. seems to me pepper spray is only good for one on one, not gassing crowds nt

[MurrayDelph]

3. He was walking around, squirting directly into peoples faces

One of the biggest problems with allegedly non-lethal weapons, is that the bullies with a badge think it gives them permission to use them as tools of punishment and coercion.

We need to raise the penalties for misuse of ALL weapons.

[merrily]

4. Demonstrators need protective gear, including goggles.

http://www.newssafety.org/safety/advice/protecting-yourself-from-tear-gas

http://www.ifj.org/nc/news-single-view/backpid/142/article/ifj-safety-guidelines-for-covering-demonstrations-and-civil-unrest/

It's not perfect, but it's better than nothing.

[udbcrzy2]

5. Surprised cop didn't spray himself

He's spraying that stuff like it's air freshener. Surprised he didn't get some himself.

I don't believe everything I hear on twitter.
This is the video the local news ran and the 14-year-old is seen getting into his parent's SUV.
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/local-news/cleveland-metro/protesters-rally-against-cleveland-police

[Comrade Grumpy]

6. The cops are being put on notice. People are tired of their shit.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

7. They need to be reminded who's in charge.

[IDemo]

8. I don't think the majority of them feel that way

Unless there can be shown a marked decline in such incidents, I believe they simply enjoy openly displaying their abusive behavior, with the high-fives from co-workers and authoritarian minded citizens sure to follow.