Chief Should Go
As the Detroit Police have accelerated their brutal attacks on demonstrators, calls for the resignation of Chief Craig are gaining momentum. This week, these calls were given greater legitimacy by U.S. District Court Judge Laurie Michelson. Judge Michelson granted the request of Detroit Will Breath to restrain the Detroit Police from using excessive force. This decision was part of a lawsuit against the Detroit Police, Chief Craig, Mayor Duggan and the city, indicting the use of force against people in the streets.
Earlier in the week a coalition of 40 community groups gathered to denounce the level of police violence that is commonplace in our city. The recent killing of Hakim Littleton, followed by 3 other high- profile police shootings, two of which resulted in deaths, is deepening concern among citizens.
Chief Craig continues to respond to challenges to his authority by claiming all uses of force are justified. He lately pointed to a Facebook post where a speaker was calling upon people to be “less nice to police” as an example of how violent demonstrators are. The use of this tactic by Craig shows how much his position is eroding.
This sort of argument is exactly why the Federal judge took the step of granting a restraining order against the police. Judge Michelson says, “[T]he First Amendment safeguards an individual’s right to participate in the public debate through political expression and political association.” Further, the Judge explained, “Organized political protest is a form of ‘classically political speech.’ … And this protection includes criticism of public officials even when it is “vehement, caustic, and sometimes unpleasantly sharp.”
While Craig is using Facebook posts and words to justify his actions, it is important to consider just what kinds of violent, brutal behaviors his officers are doing to people who are exercising their right to be critical of the police and their tactics. Saying that the court finds “that a constitutional right is being threatened or impaired, “ the Judge ordered the Police department to stop:
Using striking weapons (including, but not limited to, batons and shields), chemical agents (including, but not limited to, tear gas and pepper spray), or rubber bullets against any individual peacefully engaging in protest or demonstrations who does not pose a physical threat to the safety of the public or police;
Deploying chemical agents or a sound cannon against persons peacefully engaging in protest or demonstrations without an audible warning and a reasonable amount of time to disperse;
Placing in a chokehold or ramming with a vehicle any individual attending a demonstration;
Tightening the zip ties or handcuffs placed on any individual to the point that the restraints cause physical injury, including loss of circulation or change in color;
Arresting any demonstrators en masse without probable cause.
The Judge based this order on video tapes, sworn testimony, and eye witness accounts of actual actions taken by police at demonstrations and when taking people into custody.
This list of government sanctioned violence should be an embarrassment in a city that has long understood that justice only comes when people are willing to struggle for it.
We are at a moment of historic change in our country. People heading to the streets on a daily basis are creating real opportunities for change that will move us beyond meaningless reform to the possibilities of new, safe communities based on care and respect. Chief Craig is in the way.