If you saw police brutality, would you do nothing, out of fear for personal losses?

Question

I was once in an old hotel room in Los Angeles, and witnessed an altercation on the sidewalk below. It escalated as more policemen arrived. The one was being beat by the circle of officers, and I couldn't countenance it any longer, so I yelled at them to stop.

One cop looked up and yelled for me to shut up, or I'd be arrested.

Ashamedly, I closed the window and watched the man pummelled, then taken away in the back of a police car, though he obviously was bleeding profusely.

This incident (1975) has since caused me to fear government, as there is really no one to watch the watchers.

I'm an average guy. I believe the average American will one day discuss, before a hungry death, what should have been done as we watched our rights being erased, one victim at a time.

Is there a way to organize the little courage left in us, without creating a target that will be destroyed, as the powers that be 'save America' from 'homegrown terrorists?'

In other words, are we doomed?

.

Answer 1

So, an incident 32 years ago, that you know very little about what was really going on, has caused you to fear your gov't?

I'm just curious, what rights are being erased? Care to name a few? or ANYONE who has had any rights "erased" ?

I think you need to put down the kool aid and go tell the nurse to give you your medication. You are sounding a wee bit loony, my Friend.

Answer 2

Yea, right....

Answer 3

i dont believe we are doomed. but there are always those who think because they have a badge, they are above the law. tip: always carry a video camera, then turn in the video to the media or the police sgt. video evidence is hard to contradict.

Answer 4

Doing the right thing isn't always easy. Taking a stand sometimes has its perils and price. But to do nothing to protect others takes away some of our protections as well.

I would have filed a complaint or at least made a statement to the police department. If they blew me off, I would have contacted the local press.

The signers of the Declaration of Independence knew that if they failed in their efforts, they most likely would have been hung, all their properties seized by the Crown and families left homeless and penniless.

Many have paid the price for our freedoms and protections with their blood and lives. I could not have sat by while I watched those freedoms or protections trampled on, especially by the government.

Answer 5

You said that happened in 1975. That is over 30 years ago.  Thank goodness times have changed a lot!  Cops are under surveillance with all the PHOTO cameras and video cameras out there... MUCH harder to get away with beating someone up on purpose! At least I think that is true!!! Hey I am an optimist!!!

Answer 6

Sure thing.  Let me guess your hair was down to your butt crack and you held up two fingers alot.  Get a life hippy no one cares and the 60's are over.

Answer 7

d**n right! you have to ask a crazy thing like that, oh lord! you so thick it must hurt.

Answer 8

Americans live in a fascist Police state, your bill of rights, and constitution are being ripped apart by the very people meant to uphold them. The police are 35,000 dollar a year hit men drug addicts  and criminals they are  taking their cues from two sources, the Bush Administration. and Cop shows,  Every other TV series  in America is about cops and the other shows are about robbers, they just happen to call it news.  Americans are force fed "crime and punishment from the day a child can work the remote. Americans are being mind f^*** into believing these people are omnipotent, and rightly so, since a majority of the cops that kill people, usually get away with murder. I mean,  98 bullets into one man, no knock warrents, warrent less wire taps, the Patriot Act,   c'mon if thats not the definition of a police state I dont know what is. You should be Afraid, My best Advice. GET OUT! and forget Canada, they are watching the same cop shows, just look at what happened  a Canadian Airport a week ago.  cops murder a polish Traveller for being unable to speak english!!

Answer 9

Police brutality must be reported to their superiors so that proper actions will be taken against the abusers.

Answer 10

Everyone should carry a video camera.

Answer 11

First - I don't think this one incident means America is going to h**l.  You need to lighten up!  Second, I've never been the do nothing type.  I would have reported the incident.  But I wouldn't have been (forgive me) dumb enough to yell at the officers directly.  I would have called it in to make the report over their heads.

Answer 12

YOU HAVE COURAGE!!

No, we are not doomed and you did all you could do at the time to stop what was happening...YOU YELLED STOP! That took courage to do, it was all you could have physically done at the time short of actually getting involved...which would not have been the smart thing to do.

This link: POLICE STATE PLANNING contains eye opening information.

http://www.policestateplanning.com/id19....

Try to keep a camera at the ready these days...a picture is worth a thousand words.

Think of the impact the video of the Rodney King beating by PEACE OFFICERS had in court.

PS  with true faith in GOD one should never feel doomed.

Answer 13

Doing nothing perpetuates, this kind of stuff.

"We THE PEOPLE" have an obligation to our fellow human beings, to monitor and report illegal activity......