In an incident eerily reminiscent of the murder of Eric Garner six years ago, four officers brutally shut off the air supply to George Floyd, an UNARMED African American man in Minneapolis. Then the police LIED and said that the victim had been resisting arrest. Now a second security video from a nearby store proves that to be a lie. At all times, Floyd was completely compliant.
Fortunately, someone had a video-capable smartphone so the crime is obvious and the four rogue officers have been fired.
They should also now be arrested and prosecuted for falsifying a police report and for murder. The Attorney General of Minnesota is Keith Ellison, an African American Muslim former congressman. If he determines that there is a conflict of interest within Minneapolis law enforcement, he could take jurisdiction and handle prosecution.
Why are people protesting?
If your protest is against the kind of police brutality that, literally, “took the breath away” from George Floyd and Eric Garner and has murdered so many other UNARMED African Americans is to TAKE A KNEE (on a football field, not a cop’s knee on your neck)? You get fired and blacklisted.
If your protest against (boo hoo) being asked to wear a mask while in Costco for twenty minutes to promote public health and safety during a pandemic and you brandish weapons of war at state legislators in the capitol building, if you’re white and in open violation of a quarantine order? You’re defending second Amendment “rights” so, “have a nice day.”
In Minneapolis the most dangerous gang gets to carry a city badge. Remember how they shot the Sheila who had called them about a prowler - in cold blood…. without warning?
Watched the tape, spent a decade in law enforcement, this was first degree MURDER. That cop should be locked up tomorrow and never see the outside again.
I saw two pictures of the cop, maybe from his Facebook. One he wears a red hat with white lettering. The other he is at a Maga rally and Trump is standing nearby.
Thank you to Mike Luckovich for this powerful drawing of what we saw recorded, and for getting the details, like the hand in the pocket and the deadly placement of the knee. Thank you DD Wiz for your excellent commentary. Police are so rarely charged and almost never convicted. This has to change.
They will be let off, always have been, and it goes on because the (insert ugly name) know this. America is the slow-cooked frog. It’s beyond shame, there are no words. There will be protests. To what end? Remember the four dead in Ohio? Learn from the past, seems too difficult anyway anymore.
As the rest have so eloquently said, this has always been America. Which means America has never been great — at least not in the way I would love it be great, where each person is treated with dignity, where no one has to fear the cops, where each job is provided sufficient remuneration and safe working conditions, where the poor are as cared for as the rich and health care and education are not only rights but assumed to be essential for the general welfare.
Unfortunately, like the mass shootings this incident will soon go on the back burner until another like murder takes place. And so it goes in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
While I am extremely bothered by the needless deaths of black folks at the hands (and knees) of white policemen, there is something else that bothers me almost as much. As has been pointed out, many of us carry smartphones and therefore have video recording devices. Many of these incidents are recorded and posted on the internet. But, one thing is missing. With all the recording, there in no action taken by any onlookers. Sure, there are some who voiced their disapproval at the actions of the police but no one moved to intercede on the black guys behalf. By interceding I don’t mean violence, but a word-to-the-wise in the ear of one of the onlooking cops, reminding them that cameras are recording away and should they wish to keep their jobs they might want to go easy on this guy. My friends, our inaction makes us culpable of the crime. We record the bloody deed and because of this cops are fired and may be prosecuted. But, that does not erase our lack of action.
As an old axiom goes.. power corrupts.. Sadly, a lot of those entrusted to protect us probably should not have been hired, given a badge and gun. That lot is better sent to the military where they can take out their frustrations on the heathens that don’t count as human anyway.
Couldn’t be a more appropriate time for an “eye for and eye”…but it would be a “knee for all four cop’s necks.” Long ago, I was a dispatcher in a small police department, and like all of us, there were very good and very bad people who were cops. Avoid the bad ones and being black…if you can help it…
They murdered that Man for non-compliance a punishment administered on the spot. We as a Nation are teetering on the brink. Hang on to your butts folks it’s going to be a long hot Summer. In my opinion that was the worse case of Police Brutality I have ever seen, worse than Rodney King worse than Bull Conner and his Dogs & Hoses. Clear sharp focus with audio of a slow cruel murder in broad daylight on the streets of Minnesota. Many of you Sheeple wonder why I believe in the 2nd Amendment, it is coming, sad but true.
Apparently they were relieved of their jobs, but that is not enough! Anyone else would have been charged with murder!!!! They need to be charged with murder too!!
What kind of human beings are wearing the blue these days? And when is either Trump or Barr going to speak out on this. Oh I forgot. There are “some very good people” in our law enforcement agencies. Many are good, but too many are rotten to the core.
I realized that the one word that stuck in my head as I looked at that cop kneeling on his neck was sadistic. I understood the point that Colin Kaepernick was making, it’s sickening that so many people still don’t get it.
In my opinion, all four of those cops should be found guilty and executed. They are not contributors to the betterment of our community, they are detractors from our community and we don’t need them among us. If we don’t get rid of them there’s a chance they will harm someone else again at some time in the future.
DD Wiz Premium Member almost 4 years ago
In an incident eerily reminiscent of the murder of Eric Garner six years ago, four officers brutally shut off the air supply to George Floyd, an UNARMED African American man in Minneapolis. Then the police LIED and said that the victim had been resisting arrest. Now a second security video from a nearby store proves that to be a lie. At all times, Floyd was completely compliant.
Fortunately, someone had a video-capable smartphone so the crime is obvious and the four rogue officers have been fired.
They should also now be arrested and prosecuted for falsifying a police report and for murder. The Attorney General of Minnesota is Keith Ellison, an African American Muslim former congressman. If he determines that there is a conflict of interest within Minneapolis law enforcement, he could take jurisdiction and handle prosecution.
Why are people protesting?
If your protest is against the kind of police brutality that, literally, “took the breath away” from George Floyd and Eric Garner and has murdered so many other UNARMED African Americans is to TAKE A KNEE (on a football field, not a cop’s knee on your neck)? You get fired and blacklisted.
If your protest against (boo hoo) being asked to wear a mask while in Costco for twenty minutes to promote public health and safety during a pandemic and you brandish weapons of war at state legislators in the capitol building, if you’re white and in open violation of a quarantine order? You’re defending second Amendment “rights” so, “have a nice day.”
billiegoatgruff almost 4 years ago
In Minneapolis the most dangerous gang gets to carry a city badge. Remember how they shot the Sheila who had called them about a prowler - in cold blood…. without warning?
The Love of Money is . . . almost 4 years ago
Now Trump will approve those taking a knee at his rallies?
Dtroutma almost 4 years ago
Watched the tape, spent a decade in law enforcement, this was first degree MURDER. That cop should be locked up tomorrow and never see the outside again.
Radish the wordsmith almost 4 years ago
I saw two pictures of the cop, maybe from his Facebook. One he wears a red hat with white lettering. The other he is at a Maga rally and Trump is standing nearby.
DIF20 almost 4 years ago
killing a man for no reason is MURDER! Arrest this and the other officers and put them in prison!
Mominexile Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Thank you to Mike Luckovich for this powerful drawing of what we saw recorded, and for getting the details, like the hand in the pocket and the deadly placement of the knee. Thank you DD Wiz for your excellent commentary. Police are so rarely charged and almost never convicted. This has to change.
Cpeckbourlioux almost 4 years ago
They will be let off, always have been, and it goes on because the (insert ugly name) know this. America is the slow-cooked frog. It’s beyond shame, there are no words. There will be protests. To what end? Remember the four dead in Ohio? Learn from the past, seems too difficult anyway anymore.
KenseidenXL almost 4 years ago
That pig should be facing voluntary manslaughter charges, maybe even 2nd degree murder. I think he knew EXACTLY what he was doing.
cdward almost 4 years ago
As the rest have so eloquently said, this has always been America. Which means America has never been great — at least not in the way I would love it be great, where each person is treated with dignity, where no one has to fear the cops, where each job is provided sufficient remuneration and safe working conditions, where the poor are as cared for as the rich and health care and education are not only rights but assumed to be essential for the general welfare.
FrankErnesto almost 4 years ago
Please, please, if there is any justice in America, prosecute all four officers to the full extent of the law. A 10 day suspension will not cut it.
Ontman almost 4 years ago
Unfortunately, like the mass shootings this incident will soon go on the back burner until another like murder takes place. And so it goes in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
mourdac Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Murder most foul. This can not be swept under the rug.
preacherman almost 4 years ago
While I am extremely bothered by the needless deaths of black folks at the hands (and knees) of white policemen, there is something else that bothers me almost as much. As has been pointed out, many of us carry smartphones and therefore have video recording devices. Many of these incidents are recorded and posted on the internet. But, one thing is missing. With all the recording, there in no action taken by any onlookers. Sure, there are some who voiced their disapproval at the actions of the police but no one moved to intercede on the black guys behalf. By interceding I don’t mean violence, but a word-to-the-wise in the ear of one of the onlooking cops, reminding them that cameras are recording away and should they wish to keep their jobs they might want to go easy on this guy. My friends, our inaction makes us culpable of the crime. We record the bloody deed and because of this cops are fired and may be prosecuted. But, that does not erase our lack of action.
Michael G. almost 4 years ago
I CAN’T BREATHE! “Pipe down!”
Alberta Oil Premium Member almost 4 years ago
As an old axiom goes.. power corrupts.. Sadly, a lot of those entrusted to protect us probably should not have been hired, given a badge and gun. That lot is better sent to the military where they can take out their frustrations on the heathens that don’t count as human anyway.
hoot1 almost 4 years ago
Couldn’t be a more appropriate time for an “eye for and eye”…but it would be a “knee for all four cop’s necks.” Long ago, I was a dispatcher in a small police department, and like all of us, there were very good and very bad people who were cops. Avoid the bad ones and being black…if you can help it…
Librarylady almost 4 years ago
Because he might have passed a fake $20 bill. Probably didn’t even realize it was… if indeed it was fake.
ncorgbl almost 4 years ago
Mike, VERY Well Done!
Ammo is on a break Premium Member almost 4 years ago
They murdered that Man for non-compliance a punishment administered on the spot. We as a Nation are teetering on the brink. Hang on to your butts folks it’s going to be a long hot Summer. In my opinion that was the worse case of Police Brutality I have ever seen, worse than Rodney King worse than Bull Conner and his Dogs & Hoses. Clear sharp focus with audio of a slow cruel murder in broad daylight on the streets of Minnesota. Many of you Sheeple wonder why I believe in the 2nd Amendment, it is coming, sad but true.
tabby almost 4 years ago
Apparently they were relieved of their jobs, but that is not enough! Anyone else would have been charged with murder!!!! They need to be charged with murder too!!
Bookworm almost 4 years ago
The officers’ defense: “Hey, at least we didn’t shoot him.” /TS
Not the Smartest Man On the Planet -- Maybe Close Premium Member almost 4 years ago
Excellent conflation of two different stories.
JimValTen Premium Member almost 4 years ago
What kind of human beings are wearing the blue these days? And when is either Trump or Barr going to speak out on this. Oh I forgot. There are “some very good people” in our law enforcement agencies. Many are good, but too many are rotten to the core.
Andylit Premium Member almost 4 years ago
The difference between this incident and the Eric Garner case is immense. Garner resisted and continued to do so.
All video evidence shows that Floyd did not resist at any point, even before being cuffed.
The real similarity here is to the Arbery case. WHY ARE THESE COPS NOT ARRESTED AND CHARGED?
Mariah Johanna almost 4 years ago
I realized that the one word that stuck in my head as I looked at that cop kneeling on his neck was sadistic. I understood the point that Colin Kaepernick was making, it’s sickening that so many people still don’t get it.
bakana almost 4 years ago
Why is this “Officer” playing Pocket Pool while killing a man?
wiatr almost 4 years ago
All this was over a possibly fake $20 bill.
MITZI almost 4 years ago
Thank you, Mike Luckovich, for this much-needed protest.
Addled Brain almost 4 years ago
In my opinion, all four of those cops should be found guilty and executed. They are not contributors to the betterment of our community, they are detractors from our community and we don’t need them among us. If we don’t get rid of them there’s a chance they will harm someone else again at some time in the future.