People around the world have been chanting “No Justice, No Peace” after Michael Brown was killed by Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri. I myself have been chanting “No Justice, No Peace” throughout the streets of Ferguson.
We want justice, but how do we get it? The evident incompetence of the local police, mayor and governor has made it impossible to keep the peace. Protesters continue to march, and the media continue to make revisions to their stories of what actually took place.
The media, police and government officials have tried to make Michael Brown look like a criminal and thug, as well as make the protesters look uneducated, and uncivilized people. Meanwhile, the police are treating us like animals. Instead of Isis, which is chopping off heads, the police use military tanks, tear gas and dogs on unarmed civilians, including babies and the handicapped. They don’t discriminate!
To get justice in Ferguson, we need to accomplish several very important tasks. We need to put a stop to the Federal 1033 Program which allows the Department of Defense to transfer used military equipment to local police agencies like Ferguson. This led to the disturbing level of militarization of local police forces. It is up to President Obama to stop immediately all transfers of military equipment to local police forces with a bad record of racial profiling and police brutality.
Ferguson police arrested two journalists in McDonalds. America has been so quick to criticize nations like Turkey, Syria and Egypt for suffocating the press. President Obama needs to send a signal that abuse of the press will not be tolerated in the United States.
Lastly, we need to start a bi-partisan voter registration program. In a sign of bi-partisan support for the citizens of Ferguson, RNC Chair Reince Priebus and DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Shultz should send representatives to conduct a massive voter registration drive immediately. In the last mayoral election, voter turnout in Ferguson was less than 12 percent.
What a misfortune to have to lose a life to be heard. This is our opportunity for Washington leaders to confront a problem that is bigger than Ferguson. America watched Ferguson burn to the ground while the federal government did nothing other than investigate. We need Washington leadership to help us move forward and start to heal.
