Disputably, because the world is a global village, what happens in one country always attracts the attention of others in other countries, especially so with the advancement in technology. Initially, for this week, I had planned to do a piece on the BUDGET PROCESS from the Executive Mansion to the Legislature in the wake of NOISE regarding the passage of the RECAST BUDGET. When I speak of the Executive Mansion, this is not a reference to the structure, but the Presidency, the highest office of the land.
Even though, I had planned something else, for now, I am constrained to deviate because of what is obtaining in the part of the United States, a country I hold in high esteem in the enforcement of the laws of the land.
Recently it was widely reported of a protest action in that part of the United States after it was learned that a white police officer caused the death of a black man. Some viewed the police officer’s action as an act of racism. But for this piece, I would not pursue it from that angle of RACISM, but from the issue of the laws regarding the laws.
Interestingly, in the wake of this protest, it was reported that the officers allegedly involved in the act have been “sacked” for their misconduct. But the million dollar is whether or not sacking these officers is sufficient? For today, this is my focus.
According to the story, the victim, 
George Floyd, 46, died last Monday and video showed him gasping for breath as a white policeman knelt on his neck. There have also been protests in Chicago, Illinois, Los Angeles, California, and Memphis, Tennessee.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz activated the state’s National Guard troops on Thursday, declaring the situation a “peacetime emergency”. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called on Wednesday for criminal charges against the policeman who was filmed pinning down Mr. Floyd. Four police officers involved in the arrest have already been fired.
A white officer was seen using his knee to pin Mr. Floyd to the ground by the neck as Mr. Floyd groaned “please, I can’t breathe” and “don’t kill me”. The city has identified the four officers involved as Derek Chauvin, Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J Alexander Kueng. Local media have named Mr. Chauvin as the officer seen with his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck.
Furthermore, it was reported that police and protesters clashed for a second night in the US City of Minneapolis after an unarmed black man died in police custody. As a result of the protest, tear gas was fired by police, while protesters threw rocks and sprayed graffiti. Businesses were also looted.
The incident echoed the case of Eric Garner, who was placed in a police chokehold in New York in 2014. His death became a rallying cry against police brutality and a catalyst in the Black Lives Matter movement.
This latest protest began in the afternoon on Tuesday, when hundreds of people came to the intersection where the incident had taken place. Organizers tried to keep the protest peaceful and maintain coronavirus social distancing, with demonstrators chanting “I can’t breathe” and “it could’ve been me”.
During the second night of demonstrations on Wednesday, the crowd grew into the thousands, with protesters pelting rocks and some throwing tear-gas canisters back at police. There was a standoff outside the police station where officers formed a human barricade to prevent protesters gaining entry.
The reports said banks, cheques-cashing, shops and liquor stores were hit, but the windows of a public library branch were also smashed in, the bookshelves and reading desks scattered with glittering fragments. The classrooms of a charter school in the same strip mall complex as the Target were under several inches of water, as a security alarm droned on from somewhere.
Anger in the streets was palpable. Periodically there were shouts and wails. It seems a foregone conclusion that demonstrations will continue for days if not weeks, and further violence could follow. As one protester told me: “It’s sad. But this is how they’re going to listen.”
Also, Mr. Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, told CNN on Thursday he hoped the officers involved got the death penalty. “I’m never gonna get my brother back,” he said. “We need justice.” He said the officers who “executed my brother in broad daylight” must be arrested and that he was “tired of seeing black men die”. He added that he understood why protesters were lashing out. “I can’t stop people right now because they have pain; they have the same pain that I feel.”
The incident has been widely condemned. Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo apologized for the “pain, devastation and trauma” caused by Mr. Floyd’s death and said his department had contributed to “a deficit of hope” in the city, While, United Nations Human Rights Chief, Michelle Bachelet has also condemned Mr. Floyd’s death, saying the role of “entrenched and pervasive racial discrimination” must be recognized and dealt with. She called for protesters to act peacefully, and for police to “take utmost care not to inflame the current situation even more”.
President Donald Trump “was very upset” when he saw the footage of Mr. Floyd’s death, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters on Thursday. “He wants justice to be served.” Equally, a number of celebrities and athletes, including John Boyega, LeBron James, Beyonce, and Justin Bieber, have also expressed outrage over the incident.
The Minneapolis Police Officers Federation said the officers were co-operating with the investigation. In a statement to local media, the union said “now is not the time to rush to judgment,” adding, “We must review all videos. We must wait for the medical examiner’s report.”
Once again, this is not to review this incident on the basis of racism, but from the issue regarding MURDER. In a simplest sense, “is the killing of another human being, “which carries with it certain elements. Additionally, it is the ”killing of a human being.” Such act can be categorized in various groups based on the facts and circumstances.
While it is a welcoming news about the sacking of those officers allegedly involved, I still feel that this should not be the end to this. Those accused should face the full weight of the law in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Frankly, dismissal or sacking should only be seen, perhaps, to mitigate the anger and outrage of the people or protesters. That, this should be seen as the first step, to be followed by prosecution by the state since this is a criminal matter.
Particularly, I take note of the statement of the Minneapolis Police Officers Federation which said the accused officers were co-operating with the investigation, but was quick to point out that “now is not the time to rush to judgment,” adding, “We must review all videos. We must wait for the medical examiner’s report.”
Yes, indeed, whatever the situation, the best way is to prosecute those allegedly involved. By watching the portion of the available view, which I did too, no amount of explanation from whatever source, would put this matter to rest or conciliate the people without justice.
For the deceased’s brother, Philonise Floyd, he told CNN last Thursday that he wants the officers involved get the death penalty. “I’m never gonna get my brother back,” he said. “We need justice.”
This is all about justice and nothing else but justice and that the best way is through prosecution. “Justice,” as we are told in the Black’s Law Dictionary, is “the fair and proper administration of the law.”
And fairly so, the only way in this issue at bar is to take this matter to a court of competent jurisdiction; nothing less, nothing more.
Even with the demand of the deceased’s brother for death penalty, it is only in a court of competent jurisdiction in such justifiable matter. This is why I am happy lately it was said that the accused would face prosecution. This matter or incident cannot be classified as “self-defense” of a man who was handcuffed.
As I close, let me regrettably say that the ongoing widespread protests was ignited by the first response which spoke only of “sacking” the accused. Indeed, the first response was not conciliatory.
I Rest My Case