I absolutely am astonished that this speaker is not being charged with inciting violence at a public event.
This is not the United States of America that I know.
I seriously am frightened by OUR standing by and doing nothing to stop this.
Why is it so crystal clear to me that this is so wrong and no one, no one, is holding him accountable for this by arresting him.
The police can disavow any knowledge of the speaker’s prior inciting remarks, and we can certainly understand how they would not want to condemn a man, or his audience, about whom they really know nothing.
Well, the particular speaker was asked tonight about his more enthusiastic supporters, and said “There’s some anger. There’s also great love for the country. It’s a beautiful thing in many respects.” In other words, it’s fine with him.
From what I’ve read, there’s an investigation as to why the police acted as the victim, rather than the perpetrator, had done something wrong.
What’s worse, almost, is the recent incident where a group of students at a speech taking place at their own university, sitting quietly in the audience and not protesting in any way, was removed for one reason, and one reason only: the color of their skin.
Have political rallies ever been safe spaces for protestors opposed to the speaker?
What is alarming different and in my opinion criminal is that the SPEAKER is yelling “Get them!” as they are removed from the area.
What is even more alarming, is that the man who punched the young man was interviewed last night, he said, “Im not sorry, next time we may have to kill him”
smdh
I’ve never heard of other political candidates saying protesters should be “roughed up” or offered to pay the legal bills for people assaulting the protesters, or cheered as protesters were escorted out.
I believe another candidate actually allowed Black Lives Matter protesters to speak at his rally. That’s maybe taking things to the opposite extreme, but serves to answer your question directly.
Indeed, it was not that long ago when a politician who called an opposing person who was present an insulting term was otherwise welcoming him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r90z0PMnKwI
But, getting back on topic, the behavior of the Cumberland County sheriffs in this incident is perhaps more disturbing. If you cannot trust the police to properly do their jobs, whom can you trust when a gathering threatens to become a violent mob?
Yes.
I’ve been to many political rallies where there were protesters against the candidate or issue. Never, EVER did I see anything violent.
Can’t agree with this enough. I’m glad the assaulter was finally arrested and the officers on-scene are being investigated. But their behavior at the time of the incident is very disturbing. I’ve been bothered for a while about all the violent incidents at previous rallies where the people doing the pushing, shoving, hitting, and kicking weren’t arrested. Law enforcement coming down harder on these things immediately on the spot would likely discourage future incidents.
I wish the questioner last night asked why this happening at other candidates’ rallies.
I was at a Reagan rally in 1984 that had roughly the same demographic and amount of political fervor. A protester had gotten into the fenced off area right in front of the stage (needed a special ticket) and had signs about Nicaragua and El Salvador. The Young Republicans stood in front of him with bigger signs - he was never harassed or threatened, just blocked from view.
It’s telling that a Jewish man at a Klan rally is treated better than an AA man at this event. I have plenty of (caucasian) friends who believe the punchee deserved it.
I was thinking maybe said police officers actually support the politician who was speaking at the rally. The alternative - that they chose to arrest the black man although he was the victim - would indeed be doubly disturbing. More dangerously, though, it sends the message that the police is only willing to protect certain people. This may lead others into taking matters into their own hands if they believe the police is not willing to “protect and serve” them.
Its telling that this is how the BLM movement started, disparate treatment of blacks at the hands of the police. They just proved why many feel the movement is necessary. Again, most officers treat everyone equally, but something needs to be done about the bad apples.
Yes, when people chant “all lives matter” don’t they realize that that is the point? That black lives had not been mattering for so long?
Thank you. What BLM implies, and actually signifies, is simply that black lives matter TOO. Which so often they haven’t.
Its funny, I have a very different take on this video. I happened to watch it without sound, with a click link of "protestor punched at Trump rally’
I saw cowboy hat punch the protester from several different angles. Then saw the protester on the ground. Then saw protester get up, without cuffs. And finally saw photo cowboy hat with a caption that he had been charged.
So what happened? Cops saw a physical altercation ending and put one of those involved on the ground. Looks like they realized the mistake of who punched who, got the guy up, arrested cowboy hat and said to protestor - how about we walk you out before someone else does something stupid and we don’t have to break up a riot?
@DecideSomeHow Except the guy ended up on the ground not from the punch, but from the cops pushing him to the ground (he took a couple of steps up the stairs after being punched, so he was still more or less upright at the top of the stairs).
And, the old guy that punched him didn’t get arrested until hours later.
I don’t think the police realized he was punched until they saw the videos themselves… because they never asked (or believed) the punchee… they were too intent on kicking him out.
An altercation requires at least two active participants. This was an assault, a crime.
Police officers are supposed to be observant for crimes that occur in their presence. If the above is the case, then it seems that they were not doing their job well.