It is good news. We do not need racist cops in this day and age. Bad for tourism and gives bad name to Fredericton and NB. I hope they put him behind bars because that is where he belongs.
Are some of the people who went on and on about the investigation would go nowhere, implying the fix was in and all cops are crooked, going to eat their words?
I saw Asaf do that, but he wasn't the only one tarring all cops with one's bad actions...
No racism charge at all Charles. This is a charge of assault...period. As I've long maintained there seemed to be evidence that the cop might have overreacted, but no evidence that racism was a factor despite Rashid's allegations. The charge is appropriate.
Despite all charges being dropped on the protesters (asaf, and 2 of the other 3 photographers) mine were not dropped yet. This is surprising since I was furthest from the scene, across from city hall on a park bench taking pictures. What's ironic is that asaf was the only one who was treated with physical and vocal disregard and cruelty, the rest of us were treated as white-skinned community members. What's more is that the 3 other people who were arrested all had cameras and were taking pictures of the incident -- oddly enough that was my only crime. And since the event my camera hasn't worked properly – most of the pictures from the event turned out bad, as you can see if you look at them.
While the other tickets have been discarded my charges still stick, I went to court the other day and I will have a trial in a year. All this for sitting on a park bench taking pictures from across the street -- and yet my ticket says that I failed to disperse. Something is fishy in this city and it isn't coming from the river cause all the fish are dead.
Moreover this isn't a time to regain faith in our police force -- remember it took another police force, lots of media attention, and counter protests to make this misconduct public. This is a time to recognize the weakness in our police force and the potential for it to always happen so long as we are reluctant to scrutinize their actions regularly.
The police in this city are installed to maintain poverty, and create criminality -- the real crooks are those whose decisions go unnoticed in this city, and one of these days they will be held accountable both for their actions and their lack of action.
If some of us doubt the extent that our police force would become accountable for their actions its because the police in this city are on the side of those who pay their salary; definitely not the poor, and definitely not in a critical analysis of their own behavior.
"Some inquiry into the racism (allegation) has happened already," he said. "I suspect there had been a continuation of that in the criminal investigation and that will be a factor that we will continue to probe under the Police Act." -------- The above statement by police chief was in Gleaner. Does that clarify Spinks that racism issue is not going away and it is part of the whole incident?
Your contention that there was no racism is not valid. It is unfortunate but racism does exist.
Sure it exists, but if Rashid had been named John Smith and pulled the same stuff, the same thing probably would have happened and the police officer would have still been charged with assault.
The three other white folks were arrested but not thrown to the ground because they weren't being antagonists. However, even being an antagonist doesn't mean you deserve to get thrown to the ground, thus the charge.
Rashid could have taken a high road on this one and right away said he thought the police overreacted when he was taken down. Instead he played his all too familiar cry of racism and inflicted fear of ALL police among minorities in Fredericton. That's not a man on a mission to stop racism. That's a man who looks to exploit it for reasons only he knows. Rashid is a smart guy and knows what he's doing. He could make a difference. So far he's only bred fear. The media haven't called him on it and neither has the Multi-cultural association. They should. The man has a lot of potential. Hopefully he can see how he can make a positive change without the fear tactic.
Spinks, your last comment is incredible. The proof lies in the three other white skinned individuals who were not handcuffed, asked what country they were from, taken violently to the ground, etc.
Until there is justice, there will always be dissent.
11 comments:
It is good news. We do not need racist cops in this day and age. Bad for tourism and gives bad name to Fredericton and NB. I hope they put him behind bars because that is where he belongs.
He should have a trial,shouldn't he?
Want to be a police for a month?
Police are people,arn't they.?
Are some of the people who went on and on about the investigation would go nowhere, implying the fix was in and all cops are crooked, going to eat their words?
I saw Asaf do that, but he wasn't the only one tarring all cops with one's bad actions...
I just wish to make myself clear on one issue.
Not all Police officers are racists. I'm not even saying that the cop charges is a racist. Lets wait till the trial in October.
Anti- Fredericton Police comments will not be printed.
If you wish to debate the issue in hand? Feel free to do so.
Lets be nice.
No racism charge at all Charles. This is a charge of assault...period. As I've long maintained there seemed to be evidence that the cop might have overreacted, but no evidence that racism was a factor despite Rashid's allegations. The charge is appropriate.
Despite all charges being dropped on the protesters (asaf, and 2 of the other 3 photographers) mine were not dropped yet. This is surprising since I was furthest from the scene, across from city hall on a park bench taking pictures. What's ironic is that asaf was the only one who was treated with physical and vocal disregard and cruelty, the rest of us were treated as white-skinned community members. What's more is that the 3 other people who were arrested all had cameras and were taking pictures of the incident -- oddly enough that was my only crime. And since the event my camera hasn't worked properly – most of the pictures from the event turned out bad, as you can see if you look at them.
While the other tickets have been discarded my charges still stick, I went to court the other day and I will have a trial in a year. All this for sitting on a park bench taking pictures from across the street -- and yet my ticket says that I failed to disperse. Something is fishy in this city and it isn't coming from the river cause all the fish are dead.
Moreover this isn't a time to regain faith in our police force -- remember it took another police force, lots of media attention, and counter protests to make this misconduct public. This is a time to recognize the weakness in our police force and the potential for it to always happen so long as we are reluctant to scrutinize their actions regularly.
The police in this city are installed to maintain poverty, and create criminality -- the real crooks are those whose decisions go unnoticed in this city, and one of these days they will be held accountable both for their actions and their lack of action.
If some of us doubt the extent that our police force would become accountable for their actions its because the police in this city are on the side of those who pay their salary; definitely not the poor, and definitely not in a critical analysis of their own behavior.
Why cop picks a minority to assault? I see racism. It is clear as daylight.
It is like saying, " I did not kill the person, and I did not mean to, he just died on me when I choked him".
"Some inquiry into the racism (allegation) has happened already," he said. "I suspect there had been a continuation of that in the criminal investigation and that will be a factor that we will continue to probe under the Police Act."
--------
The above statement by police chief was in Gleaner. Does that clarify Spinks that racism issue is not going away and it is part of the whole incident?
Your contention that there was no racism is not valid.
It is unfortunate but racism does exist.
Sure it exists, but if Rashid had been named John Smith and pulled the same stuff, the same thing probably would have happened and the police officer would have still been charged with assault.
The three other white folks were arrested but not thrown to the ground because they weren't being antagonists. However, even being an antagonist doesn't mean you deserve to get thrown to the ground, thus the charge.
Rashid could have taken a high road on this one and right away said he thought the police overreacted when he was taken down. Instead he played his all too familiar cry of racism and inflicted fear of ALL police among minorities in Fredericton. That's not a man on a mission to stop racism. That's a man who looks to exploit it for reasons only he knows. Rashid is a smart guy and knows what he's doing. He could make a difference. So far he's only bred fear. The media haven't called him on it and neither has the Multi-cultural association. They should. The man has a lot of potential. Hopefully he can see how he can make a positive change without the fear tactic.
Did this police trouble start with the latest mayor change,in st.john and fredericton?
Spinks, your last comment is incredible. The proof lies in the three other white skinned individuals who were not handcuffed, asked what country they were from, taken violently to the ground, etc.
Until there is justice, there will always be dissent.
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