SEDE II Donald Trump
- as the President of the US and one of the most influential people in the world- has a very big impact on the police environment. In July 2017 he gave a speech to law enforcement officials and encourage them not to be ‘too nice’ for suspects. Comments of Trump met with police officers’ approval and applause, while public opinion was just the opposite. Nevertheless, the President’s approach to the issue probably will endorse police brutality.
Michael Brown
- an 18-year-old African-American- was deadly shot by a police officer during a pursuit. Brown was suspected of a “strong-arm” robbery. The incident happened in 2014, in Ferguson, Missouri. The death of Michael Brown resulted in countrywide protests and international discussions about police brutality and racial discrimination. In the aftermath of the shooting, President Barack Obama created the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing which was supposed to change police violence. Brown became a worldwide symbol of police violence.
Wuilly Artaega
- a Venezuelian citizen and musician. In 2017 this young man took part in anti-government protests, interestingly, changing the fight method from throwing stones to playing violin. At first, the police, which favours president Nicolás Maduro, broke Arteaga’s instrument, simply not having the right to do so. When Arteaga hit the street to protest for the second time, not only his violin got hurt, but also himself. The National Guard shot him in the face. This incident increased awareness of police brutality in Venezuela and encouraged others to take a more proactive approach to liberate the country.