zlacker

>>MDWoli+(OP)
It's a tough situation for police too. On one hand, how to you stop those taking advantage of the situation by looting/burning? On the other hand, how do they show tolerance for non-aggressive civil disobedience?

Should anyone breaking curfew be subject to rough treatment? Should the police stand idle while people burn and loot? How can peaceful protesters be protected while looters/abusers are using them as shields for their activities?

PS: If replying, please be civil!

>>novale+b5
In general, I think the problem that we have in the US is that the militarization of the police forces have upped the conflict when these situations arise.

What generally happens is that protests begin and the police departments move in to shut it down, instead of trying to contain it and let the protesters get their message and frustrations out.

When you see the videos of aggressive action against people who are peacefully protesting, then it causes more frustration and anger with the police which escalates and creates more conflict.

I think the French generally handle protests in a way that allow the protests to proceed until they reach a certain point. Yes, private property is damaged/destroyed (ie cars burning etc), but generally the protests are allowed to proceed.

If the police in our country recognized that people need to protest, to vent their frustrations and contain it to a mostly orderly affair, we might be better off for it.