Police State Update

September 20, 2010 by mike.

There’s a lot of tension between the police in the Northwest and the Native American community these days over the police killing of Native American Carver, John T. Williams. The Stranger in Seattle has some of the coverage. There have been several attacks on police in Seattle and Tacoma in the past couple of years. I think it’s easy to see a connection between a pattern of excessive force, deadly force against activists, street people, suspects (we are all suspects when a policeman get tuned up by something) and the assaults on police.

Meanwhile, in far away Dallas, the police chief gets it right when his officers get it wrong. Justice is very difficult to obtain when the perp has a badge. It gets even harder if the victim is a native american carver and street person.

clipped from slog.thestranger.com Crime Human Rights Commission Says It Has “Serious Concern Regarding the Fatal Shooting of John T. Williams” The Seattle Human Rights Commission expressed grave concern about a police officer fatally shooting John T. Williams on Monday, saying in a letter this morning to Police Chief John Diaz, “Regardless of his economic, physical, or emotional condition, it is a tragedy that John Williams’ life ended in such a violent manner.” (The full letter is after the jump.) The human rights commission—A 14-member panel appointed by the mayor and city council—is typically soft spoken in controversial matters, always informing discussion instead of stoking debate. But that they are weighing in right now adds to the sense that large movement is brewing to oppose the shooting by officer Ian Birk. Last night, the mayor and city attorney attended a large vigil in Pioneer Square. And rumors are floating that city leaders and city employees are planning a major protest in the coming week.

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