By Pastor Hal Mayer on Aug 31, 2014 03:01 pm
Militarized
police are become more common in the United States. The most recent
example is the “overwhelming militarized response of the local police
forces to the protests over the shooting of an unarmed black teenager”
in Ferguson, Missouri. On August 17, Police vehicles, including armored
SWAT carriers and armored tactical vehicles blocked some of the main
streets in Ferguson. The officers had assault rifles, riot gear, and
wore full camouflage uniforms (as if this would be needed in a suburban
setting). Meanwhile about 150 protestors held their hands up to
symbolize non-violent compliance. They had been peacefully marching,
singing hymns and handing out flyers with Bible verses on justice and
mercy. Adults, children and even people in wheelchairs observed the
peaceful protests and the police over-reaction.
First
the police ordered the crowd to leave the area then fired teargas
canisters and flash-bang grenades into the crowd as the line of police
vehicles began to move toward the retreating crowd. Chaos erupted as
many in the terrified crowd panicked.
But
Ferguson is not the only place where this is seen. Since September 11,
2001, the Federal Government has spent billions of dollars to arm local
police forces with military grade equipment, weapons and ammunition.
Counties in many places across the nation now have tanks with 360-degree
gun turrets, with .50 caliber bullets that can knock a hole in a
building several blocks away. Some are getting drones, Humvees,
ambush-protected vehicles (MRAPs) and other equipment that is best
suited for a battlefield, not America’s communities. Even police
departments of small, out-of-the-way places and university campuses have
benefited from the government largess. And the federal handouts have
brought the local police departments increasingly under federal control.
The
disturbing trend has been at the expense of key American principles of
law and human rights, if not the U.S. Constitution itself, and is making
America’s streets look like a war zone at times of stress. The
separation of military and police powers has been a key principle of
American freedom. Merging them has served to intimidate rather than to
protect and service its citizens.
President
Obama ordered a review of the military equipment supplied to the
police. But it is easy for law enforcement officials to mistake their
calling to protect their communities and treat them as battlefields. It
was the military that was violent on August 17, not the protestors. Yes,
there had been protestor violence, but using the weapons of occupation
and oppression only served to make matters worse.
The
militarization of the police is one of many developments that will
probably be used eventually to oppress with God’s faithful people who
keep all of His commandments when religious laws are enacted to enforce
compliance with laws that conflict with the law of God. Their trust in
God must be complete and invincible.
“It
is a perilous time now. If this land of boasted liberty is preparing to
sacrifice every principle which enters into her Constitution, making
decrees to suppress religious freedom, and for the enforcing of papal
falsehood and delusion, then the people of God need to present their
petitions in faith to the Most High. There is every encouragement, in
the promises of God, for those who put their trust in Him. The prospect
of being brought into personal danger and distress, need not cause
despondency, but should quicken the vigor and hopes of God’s people; for
the time of their peril is the season for God to grant them clearer
manifestations of His power.” Selected Messages, Vol. 2, page 370
Source References
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I was on the front lines of the violence in Ferguson. Militarized police caused the chaos.
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Stop Treating America Like a War Zone
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Obama orders review of military equipment supplied to police
