“Wesley is one of the finest young reporters I’ve come across. He has solid reporting skills, a dogged determination, good instincts, and a strong ethical compass,” – Gregory Lee, President of the National Association of Black Journalists
First, shooting an unarmed black teen and leaving him bleeding in the street for hours. Second, summoning military occupation-style stormtrooper tanks and weapons. Third, keeping the names of all the police involved secret from the public, and now finally arresting a journalist from the Washington Post.
The militarization of police. Once “civil servants” in blue, now an occupying force in black or military camo.
In a late-night article to the Washington Post, the journalist recounts the story of his arrest. He was thrown into a soda machine and handcuffed for not following orders fast enough. Documenting the occupation of a militarized police state can be risky. More cameras on and ready, please!
Solution?
Be the change you wish to see in the world. Carry a camera with you everywhere you go, and be ready to use it on police. If arrested, follow Wesley’s example: remain calm, and be polite. Everything will be alright.