Touching Photo: Ferguson Protest (I love this!)

[Luddly Neddite]

Yes, we are better people than what happened in Ferguson and those images prove it. Beneath our skins we share our common humanity. A little empathy and compassion go a long way.

99.9% of America did not riot over due process of law.

I didn't riot either but that doesn't mean that I am not appalled about the travesty of "justice" that was perpetrated by the Ferguson prosecutor. I am not alone either.

It was very heartening to see how many whites protested alongside the blacks in Ferguson.

 

[Luddly Neddite]

99.9% of America did not riot over due process of law.

I didn't riot either but that doesn't mean that I am not appalled about the travesty of "justice" that was perpetrated by the Ferguson prosecutor. I am not alone either.

Well, write Obama and Holder and demand a show trial.

In the meantime, I respect the jury system, about the only part of the system I do trust.

Except that it wasn't a genuine jury trial. There was no judge, no opposing counsel, no presentation of an alternative explanation of the evidence, no cross examination.

So what you "trust" was the farcical "show trial"!

It was a grand jury, part of due process of law.

If you do not understand the purpose of the grand jury, and do not think a grand jury is a "genuine" jury, you should take Civics I, and STFU in the meantime.

The Ferguson prosecutor corrupted the GJ for his own nefarious political purposes. This is what a GJ is supposed to do according the Justice Scalia.

Justice Antonin Scalia, in the 1992 Supreme Court case of United States v. Williams, explained what the role of a grand jury has been for hundreds of years.

It is the grand jury’s function not ‘to enquire … upon what foundation [the charge may be] denied,’ or otherwise to try the suspect’s defenses, but only to examine ‘upon what foundation [the charge] is made’ by the prosecutor. Respublica v. Shaffer, 1 Dall. 236 (O. T. Phila. 1788); see also F. Wharton, Criminal Pleading and Practice § 360, pp. 248-249 (8th ed. 1880). As a consequence, neither in this country nor in England has the suspect under investigation by the grand jury ever been thought to have a right to testify or to have exculpatory evidence presented.​

The Ferguson prosecutor violated 200+ years of jurisprudence.

Oh, and tell Scalia to STFU if you don't believe him.

It was a white wash, a travesty of justice.

Police have a hard job. What they do is something I couldn't ever do. But you know what they rarely have? Accountability. In this case, the prosecutor, Robert McCulloch, always gets indictments — unless it's a cop. He's had five cop-involved killing cases and zero indictments. Again, five cases against police haven't made it to trial at all. He could get an indictment if he wanted one.

Don't believe me? Ask a public defender.

 

[Luddly Neddite]

And then there's this -

 

[Statistikhengst]

Encounter at protest leads to hug for boy officer - Houston Chronicle


Photo By Johnny Nguyen/AP
In this Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014 photo provided by Johnny Nguyen, Portland police Sgt. Bret Barnum, left, and Devonte Hart, 12, hug at a rally in Portland, Ore., where people had gathered in support of the protests in Ferguson, Mo.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An African-American boy holding a "Free Hugs" sign stood crying in front of a police barricade at a Ferguson rally in Portland. A white police officer motioned for him to come closer. The officer then asked the boy for a hug — and they embraced, the boy's anguished face streaming with tears.

A photographer captured the encounter earlier this week, and the photo has become popular on social media. It's an unusual image as people around the country protest a grand jury's decision to not indict a white police officer in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri.

In Portland, both the boy and the officer — 12-year-old Devonte Hart and Portland Police Sgt. Bret Barnum — took unusual steps when they met on Tuesday.

The boy's mother Jennifer Hart, who is white, wrote on social media that her son had been struggling with issues of police brutality and racism.

Devonte is one of six children adopted by Hart and her wife, Sarah Hart of West Linn, a suburb of Portland.

A day after the decision on officer Darren Wilson in the shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown, the Harts went downtown "with the intention of spreading love and kindness" by holding signs such as "You Matter" and "Free Hugs," Jennifer Hart said. The family then joined the nearby Ferguson rally.

Barnum, who works for the traffic division, had been dispatched to a downtown intersection to help with traffic and crowd control. In the middle of the block, hundreds of protesters listened to speeches about the relationship between police and black residents.

Earlier that week, when an officer posted on Facebook a badge of the Portland Police Bureau with an "I am Darren Wilson" banner, Barnum had "liked" the post. The officers were later ordered to remove the images and the matter is under an internal investigation.

Barnum said he "liked" the image out of solidarity for the police profession, not because he supports Wilson.

A couple days later, Devonte Hart stood on the outskirts of the Portland rally, about 10 feet away from Barnum. He was trembling, his mom said. Tears were rolling down his cheeks.

"Devonte was struggling. He wouldn't speak. He was inconsolable," his mother wrote. "My son has a heart of gold, compassion beyond anything I've ever experienced, yet struggles with living fearlessly when it comes to the police... He wonders if someday when he no longer wears a 'Free Hugs' sign around his neck, when he's a full-grown black male, if his life will be in danger for simply being."

Barnum told The AP he noticed the boy and wondered what was wrong. So he motioned for him to come up to his motorcycle.

The officer asked for his name and shook his hand. He also asked Devonte where he went to school (he is homeschooled), what he did this summer (he traveled around the U.S. with his family), and what he likes to do (art). The tears stopped.

Barnum has two teenage sons and has worked for Portland's police force for 21 years. While continuing to talk to Devonte, he looked at the "Free Hugs" sign on the ground and asked if he might get a hug as well.

Devonte put his arms around the officer.

"Knowing how he struggled with police, his bravery and courage to catch my eye and approach me were impressive," Barnum said. "And it's a blessing for me that I didn't miss an opportunity to impact this child."

Hart said the moment was about "listening to each other, facing fears with an open heart."

Nice. Really nice. Thanks for making the thread.

 

[Roadrunner]

Yes, we are better people than what happened in Ferguson and those images prove it. Beneath our skins we share our common humanity. A little empathy and compassion go a long way.

99.9% of America did not riot over due process of law.

I didn't riot either but that doesn't mean that I am not appalled about the travesty of "justice" that was perpetrated by the Ferguson prosecutor. I am not alone either.

It was very heartening to see how many whites protested alongside the blacks in Ferguson.

Was it heartening to see white looters and arsonists too?

 

[Godboy]

I didn't read your entire post but yes, that is a great photo. Thanks for posting it.

Reading this board, its hard to remember that most people are for equality and fairness, not to mention constitutionally guaranteed rights for all Americans.

I just read an article that what has happened in Ferguson will lead to a renewal of the Civil Rights Movement.

Let's hope that's true.

Thanks Luddly Neddite
This board reminds me there is an anger/venting phase, and denial and projection,
that has to be navigated through to get to the other side. There are no shortcuts around it.
I'm just thankful we have free speech to take out this phase using words as weapons and not real
physical violence or threats as is happening in Ferguson with people going through that phase.

This too shall pass.

I foresaw part two of the Civil Disobedience coming out as Civil Obedience
where people agree with govt how to enforce laws peacefully together, starting locally with police.
this is already happening, where groups are meeting and agreeing on procedures to follow.

We need civics education and proper law enforcement training
for everyone, especially citizens who want licenses for guns.
why not require the same screening oath and training for citizens
as we would for police and military officers? that way, we can screen out mentally unstable
people, like the Ft. Hood shooter and others who could have been diagnosed in advance as dangerous.

Police and citizens are finding we need to work together.
Just have to go through their own process of coming to peace with all the past injustices
that have prevented that level of trust and rebuilding good working relations!

Thank you Luddly
Take care and peace out.

I would like to believe it will pass and that all we need is to educate people but if that were true, we would not still have the horrendous racism and ignorance we do.

Yes, you and your buddies are full of horrendous racism and ignorance. If only you could take some lessons from white America, then you wouldn't have so much trouble with EVERYTHING!

 

[Vikrant]

That is a very touching picture indeed. God bless all of us!

I really love this quote from Rev. Martin Luther King:

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

 

[MaryL]

That is all nice and all But what about the fact that Brown was THE aggressor here, and attacked the officer for NO reason. Brown wasn't defending himself, he was the aggressor. Wilson was lawfully defending himself, plain pure and simple. No agenda here, just being human and honest.

 

[Luddly Neddite]

That is all nice and all But what about the fact that Brown was THE aggressor here, and attacked the officer for NO reason. Brown wasn't defending himself, he was the aggressor. Wilson was lawfully defending himself, plain pure and simple. No agenda here, just being human and honest.

No, actually, you're not.

Your posts are always so full of hatred for people with brown or black skin.

Not everyone is like you. Not everyone hates people based on skin color.

Most people are good and decent and we need to build on that reality.

You can learn and you can change. You can leave the world a better place for having been in it.

 

[Mertex]

That kid in the photo with the cop is actually a 40 year old black midget............

Dwarfed only by the intelligent comments you add to this forum. Thanks!

Haters gotta hate....good response, Emily.

 

[Mertex]

That is all nice and all But what about the fact that Brown was THE aggressor here, and attacked the officer for NO reason. Brown wasn't defending himself, he was the aggressor. Wilson was lawfully defending himself, plain pure and simple. No agenda here, just being human and honest.

And you know this because you were there, right?

 

[Vikrant]

Peace and justice for all human beings.

 

[Gracie]

Encounter at protest leads to hug for boy officer - Houston Chronicle


Photo By Johnny Nguyen/AP
In this Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014 photo provided by Johnny Nguyen, Portland police Sgt. Bret Barnum, left, and Devonte Hart, 12, hug at a rally in Portland, Ore., where people had gathered in support of the protests in Ferguson, Mo.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An African-American boy holding a "Free Hugs" sign stood crying in front of a police barricade at a Ferguson rally in Portland. A white police officer motioned for him to come closer. The officer then asked the boy for a hug — and they embraced, the boy's anguished face streaming with tears.

A photographer captured the encounter earlier this week, and the photo has become popular on social media. It's an unusual image as people around the country protest a grand jury's decision to not indict a white police officer in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri.

In Portland, both the boy and the officer — 12-year-old Devonte Hart and Portland Police Sgt. Bret Barnum — took unusual steps when they met on Tuesday.

The boy's mother Jennifer Hart, who is white, wrote on social media that her son had been struggling with issues of police brutality and racism.

Devonte is one of six children adopted by Hart and her wife, Sarah Hart of West Linn, a suburb of Portland.

A day after the decision on officer Darren Wilson in the shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown, the Harts went downtown "with the intention of spreading love and kindness" by holding signs such as "You Matter" and "Free Hugs," Jennifer Hart said. The family then joined the nearby Ferguson rally.

Barnum, who works for the traffic division, had been dispatched to a downtown intersection to help with traffic and crowd control. In the middle of the block, hundreds of protesters listened to speeches about the relationship between police and black residents.

Earlier that week, when an officer posted on Facebook a badge of the Portland Police Bureau with an "I am Darren Wilson" banner, Barnum had "liked" the post. The officers were later ordered to remove the images and the matter is under an internal investigation.

Barnum said he "liked" the image out of solidarity for the police profession, not because he supports Wilson.

A couple days later, Devonte Hart stood on the outskirts of the Portland rally, about 10 feet away from Barnum. He was trembling, his mom said. Tears were rolling down his cheeks.

"Devonte was struggling. He wouldn't speak. He was inconsolable," his mother wrote. "My son has a heart of gold, compassion beyond anything I've ever experienced, yet struggles with living fearlessly when it comes to the police... He wonders if someday when he no longer wears a 'Free Hugs' sign around his neck, when he's a full-grown black male, if his life will be in danger for simply being."

Barnum told The AP he noticed the boy and wondered what was wrong. So he motioned for him to come up to his motorcycle.

The officer asked for his name and shook his hand. He also asked Devonte where he went to school (he is homeschooled), what he did this summer (he traveled around the U.S. with his family), and what he likes to do (art). The tears stopped.

Barnum has two teenage sons and has worked for Portland's police force for 21 years. While continuing to talk to Devonte, he looked at the "Free Hugs" sign on the ground and asked if he might get a hug as well.

Devonte put his arms around the officer.

"Knowing how he struggled with police, his bravery and courage to catch my eye and approach me were impressive," Barnum said. "And it's a blessing for me that I didn't miss an opportunity to impact this child."

Hart said the moment was about "listening to each other, facing fears with an open heart."

Beautiful pic. Maybe I will be celebrating black history month next year after all. With this kid as my hero.

 

[emilynghiem]

Yes, we are better people than what happened in Ferguson and those images prove it. Beneath our skins we share our common humanity. A little empathy and compassion go a long way.

99.9% of America did not riot over due process of law.

I didn't riot either but that doesn't mean that I am not appalled about the travesty of "justice" that was perpetrated by the Ferguson prosecutor. I am not alone either.

It was very heartening to see how many whites protested alongside the blacks in Ferguson.

Thanks, Luddly Neddite, I believe the compassion and support of more citizens like this lends much needed stability, and helped to reduce the anger and violence that could have been so much worse. We saw a lot of destructive anger misdirected, but it would have been worse had it not been for the efforts of the community to pull together and respond with compassion. Even the people most insulted and outraged at the riots and looting were sympathizing and sending support to the Ferguson community and getting involved in positive ways. Wow.

 

[emilynghiem]

That is a very touching picture indeed. God bless all of us!

I really love this quote from Rev. Martin Luther King:

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

Thank you, Vikrant!
This reminds me of "Perfect Love casts out all Fear"

My favorite quotation from Dr. King King Jr. Martin Luther quote-Men often hate each other because they fear each other they fear each...
Men often hate each other because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don't know each other; they don't know each other because they can not communicate; they can not communicate because they are separated.

True love conquers all, thanks for sharing more words of wisdom from Dr. King. I love it, more hugs!

 

[Vikrant]

That is a very touching picture indeed. God bless all of us!

I really love this quote from Rev. Martin Luther King:

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

Thank you, Vikrant!
This reminds me of "Perfect Love casts out all Fear"

My favorite quotation from Dr. King King Jr. Martin Luther quote-Men often hate each other because they fear each other they fear each...
Men often hate each other because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don't know each other; they don't know each other because they can not communicate; they can not communicate because they are separated.

True love conquers all, thanks for sharing more words of wisdom from Dr. King. I love it, more hugs!

Thank you Emily! That is a beautiful quote and it is so true. Hugs.

 

[Gracie]

What breaks my heart is the two in that pic..the cops face..the kids face...and all the hate and angst going on due to what? A black family that didn't teach their kid human decency..a kid that pushed around guys smaller than him, mom hooks up with an ex con that deals pot and the kid is high on it when he is killed...the following looting and rioting and general thuggery and IDIOTS supporting the thuggery by marching and ignoring the FACTS. Guess who has to pay for that shit and NOT meaning financially? Little black kids like that one, that's who. Kids who are scared and have lowlife pondsucking slime as "parents" like Mike's who ONLY think about themselves and NOT doing something about their own lot in life and just blame everyone else.

If you want to see just one thing that encompasses the devastation that went on and is even NOW going on..look at the cops face. Look at the kids face. There it is...in all its glory.

And that is what should break everyones heart. Or those that have one.

 

[emilynghiem]

What breaks my heart is the two in that pic..the cops face..the kids face...and all the hate and angst going on due to what? A black family that didn't teach their kid human decency..a kid that pushed around guys smaller than him, mom hooks up with an ex con that deals pot and the kid is high on it when he is killed...the following looting and rioting and general thuggery and IDIOTS supporting the thuggery by marching and ignoring the FACTS. Guess who has to pay for that shit and NOT meaning financially? Little black kids like that one, that's who. Kids who are scared and have lowlife pondsucking slime as "parents" like Mike's who ONLY think about themselves and NOT doing something about their own lot in life and just blame everyone else.

If you want to see just one thing that encompasses the devastation that went on and is even NOW going on..look at the cops face. Look at the kids face. There it is...in all its glory.

And that is what should break everyones heart. Or those that have one.

Yes Gracie. That poor sensitive kid was very afraid for his future, and was upset by all the anger he saw. I love how his mom brought the family out there, to carry POSITIVE signs and try to reach out and make a difference. Good for that Mom! instead of teaching her son to be angry, she was actively involved in spreading love and showing that was more powerful and important.

and sure enough, a cop who also wants to show support and solidarity saw this kid crying, asked what was wrong,
and probably did more to break down the barriers of fear for that poor kid. I love that. I love them both. And I love the photographer who got this photo out on social media.

the posts I saw on facebook also made me cry. people were in tears, of grief but greater hope for the nation by looking at this sight. so it really touched a lot more people to see the good coming out of all the chaos.

Good for those parents who adopted that boy, and rescued him from an abusive life.
and brought him around to see what was going on and try to make a difference.
Bless that cop who has a heart and shared it. Beautiful.

And thanks to everyone here for posting whatever is on your heart and mind.
We need to share openly if we are going to grow to a better place. Thanks, everyone!
Love hugs peace and more power to you!

 

[Gracie]

That pic should be on every flag waved. Every tshirt worn. Ever storefront window. Everywhere.
But it won't happen. Looters, rioters, thugs don't give a damn about that. They want STUFF and they will kill their own kids with that mindset, to get it.

 

[Vikrant]

It is very easy to pass judgment. But I guess it is hard to imagine the circumstances an average black person grows in. Just few generations ago, they were bought and sold against theirs wishes. It is not just poverty. They were uprooted from their family. This destroyed their sense of identity. They had no support base that a traditional family provides to its members. Once you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, it takes generations to get out of this. It is a vicious cycle. Yet, majority of blacks have broken that vicious cycle and have managed to create an identity, a culture they call their own. They lead normal life despite being meted the most cruel treatment imaginable. My hat is oft to all black folks. They are my hero. Every single of them.