Another black person suspected of non-violent crime choked to death on arrest in the US

[WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll]

In the news today:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52806572

How can this possibly happen - again? The second time in 6 years (that it's hit the international news, at least) that somebody suspected of a completely non-violent crime has been arrested and restrained (fair enough) but then has actually choked to death following the actions of a police officer at the point of arrest? Surprise, surprise: both suspects happened to be black.

The recent tragedy has only just happened, so nobody has been charged yet. Eric Garner's death was ruled to have been 'at least partially' caused by being choked by the police officer who wasn't even fired until five years later. The crime that directly led to his death? Suspected of selling loose cigarettes. The latest (as yet unnamed) victim's suspected crime was forgery.

Have they never heard of handcuffs? Let alone due legal process and proportionate sentencing if found guilty? Does the US police not have any procedures for properly training their officers and measures for eliminating those able and willing to use grossly disproportionate violence and exhibiting possible psychopathic personalities?

If somebody put me in a room with a restrained, proven serial killer and told me to choke him to death, using any body parts or necessary apparatus, there is absolutely no way I could possibly do it - and I'm not a trained and vetted member of the police force. How can a highly-trained supposed professional, who has passed all of the entrance checks and safeguards, be directly involved in something as appalling as this - and not even be punished for it?

Is the modern-day US police really no better than that of apartheid-era South Africa? Were no lessons at all learned from the Rodney King case that being black isn't actually illegal in the US?

I can’t read this as I get completely depressed. I have lived in the US and the racial tensions are unreal.

It's just disgusting. And there's a good chance the officer will get a slap on the wrist. That poor man. His poor family. Thank goodness someone filmed it.

I saw it on TV. They said it contained distressing images and I had to turn it off. I couldnt watch. It is awful. That poor man

It's such a base, brutal way to kill somebody.

Even if, in spite of all your training, you genuinely think that people who might have been committing relatively minor crimes deserve to die - and that you somehow have a right to deal that out yourself without any proof or judiciary process, what would enter your mind to torture them to death rather than whipping out your gun and committing the illegal and wholly unjustifiable act at least quickly and relatively painlessly?

What's the point in having convicted murderers on death row for years, allowed to go through numerous appeals before they die, if somebody who may or may not have been doing a bit of dodgy dealing can be tortured to death on the spot, at the whim of a police officer?

I don't understand the motives behind racism - maybe it stems from some kind of fear of differences; but surely most racists would just want nothing to do with those they perceive to be 'from another group', and refuse to associate with them wouldn't they - not actually desire to torture them to death?

The 4 officers involved have been sacked and the footage has been passed to the FBI it’s terrible and made me feel sick within the first 5 seconds I had to switch it off but as with Eric Garners case, I could put my years wages on it that there will be no federal charges brought forward it’s absolutely disgusting!

These officers must be charged with murder.

It’s just horrendous and I can’t understand it. Sickening.

In America, you aren't innocent until proven guilty. You are assumed to be guilty and the onus is on you to prove your innocence.

Have they never heard of handcuffs?

They had handcuffs on Mr Floyd. He was on the ground, restrained. Didn't stop the bastard from kneeling on his neck until he was dead.

Oh god....

How can they not know what what are doing. How is ensuring airways are not compromised not part of training. If he was on the ground they could have held him down some other way surely.

Restraint does not equal choke to death ffs.

It is absolutely horrific.
Totally devoid of any human empathy. And the paramedics ? They treated him like a piece of meat.
I am stunned by that footage. Surely they’ll be charged with murder?

Truly horrific.
RIP Mr Floyd and my thoughts go to his family and friends.
It’s abhorrent this has happened again.

It’s appalling. White America should be ashamed.

The policing system in the US needs a complete overhaul with an independent organisation to oversee it/complaints. These officers are made to feel that they can get away with anything!

Sure, those involved have been fired, but there’s nothing to stop them moving to another state and becoming an officer there. It’s sickening.

There is no excuse for treating a person like this. I’m so sad.

NotTerf I think you need to go to sleep, wake up, wash your face with water and rewatch the video again. You are either incredibly naive or just plain uneducated.