A threat for exercising one’s Constitutional right to protest?Seriously, does Barr know the law?
William Barr says ‘communities’ that protest cops could lose ‘the police protection they need’
By Tim Elfrink
Dec. 4, 2019 at 4:38 a.m. EST
Speaking to a roomful of police officers and prosecutors on Tuesday, Attorney General William P. Barr drew a parallel between protests against soldiers during the Vietnam War and demonstrations against law enforcement today.
But this time, he suggested, those who don’t show “respect” to authority could lose access to police services.
“Today, the Americans people have to focus on something else, which is the sacrifice and the service that is given by our law enforcement officers. And they have to start showing, more than they do, the respect and support that law enforcement deserves,” Barr said in pointed remarks delivered at a Justice Department ceremony to honor police officers.
Barr added that “if communities don’t give that support and respect, they might find themselves without the police protection they need.”
While Barr didn’t specify what “communities” he was referencing, activists decried his speech as a clear attack on minorities who have protested against police brutality and other racially skewed law enforcement abuses.
“Barr’s words are as revealing as they are disturbing ― flagrantly dismissive of the rights of Americans of color, disrespectful to countless law enforcement officers who work hard to serve their communities, and full of a continuing disregard for the rule of law,” Jeb Fain, a spokesperson for liberal super PAC American Bridge, told HuffPost, which first reported on the comments.
As attorney general, Barr has attacked liberal district attorneys who have pushed for police accountability in cities like Philadelphia and St. Louis and suggested that there should be “zero tolerance for resisting police.”
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Critics questioned Barr’s suggestion in the speech that police could stop protecting those who protest them.
“US Attorney General fails to understand police are not a protection racket,” tweeted Andrew Stroehlein, the European media director for Human Rights Watch. “(And no points for guessing which ‘communities’ he means).”
more:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/12/04/william-barr-police-protests-communities-race/
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