Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
By Center for a Stateless Society
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

Three Cheers for the Cop Watchers at the Starbucks in Philadelphia

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


Though stories of every day police brutality and racist policing permeate the news, let’s take a minute to cheer on cop-watching and all forms of direct action to resist this ugly element of US civil society.

In particular, witness the nearly perfect Cop Watch technique on display in the recent Starbucks racially-motivated arrest that sparked a nationwide media storm in response. Cop watching, a form of direct action and movement popularized by libertarians and other community activists, consists in monitoring and videotaping police activity in the interest of holding the police accountable. The released video reflects cultural permeation of the concepts Cop Watch and other groups promote.

From the first image, we see a white colleague loudly asking, “What did they do? This is ridiculous.” Bystanders, especially those with social privilege, should intervene in a situation to encourage the police to de-escalate or move away. The cellphone video itself is well positioned, showing the relatively empty shop, the arrest, and the interaction with the bystander while maintaining a close distance. We would also note that this video was released in a timely manner to news outlets and advocacy groups to provide maximum effect.

Contrary to Reason and Robby Soave’s verbal shrug of ‘well, this won’t change anything, Starbucks’, this event further reveals the assumed criminality of the black body in commercialized, ‘public’ space. A quote from the Washington Post notes,

‘It raises all kinds of questions. How long can you be on a property? Can you not browse at these stores now? Who gets to determine whether you’re acting as a patron or as a trespasser?” said Jason D. Williamson, senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Criminal Law Reform Project, referring to the disproportionate targeting of African Americans. “It goes to the judgments that are made not only by the police but by store owners who ratchet up the level of suspicion depending on what you look like.”

“For many African Americans, particularly young black men, the pervasive scrutiny means never letting down their guards while shopping, dining or gathering with friends”, Williamson said.

Indeed, the small actions of two individuals can be said to have caused Starbucks across America to forgo profits for an entire day. Doubtless this action will also inspire more Cop Watch teach-ins, self-defense classes, and community push-back against regressive policing and commercial space policies.

Our networked society, as big business should know, can and does rapidly force boycott action on perceived violations of held values. Stated differently, when someone pulls out a cellphone to document, racism can become bad for business.

The Center for a Stateless Society (www.c4ss.org) is a media center working to build awareness of the market anarchist alternative


Source: https://c4ss.org/content/50717


Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!


Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST

Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST


Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!

HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.

Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.

MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)

Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser!  Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!

Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.

Smart Meter Cover -  Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).

Report abuse

    Comments

    Your Comments
    Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

    Total 1 comment
    • Rockledge

      Businesses, back when america was a civilized country, were allowed to require loiterers to leave. They are private property, and not there to provide heat and seating to those not there to have business transactions.

      Somehow the dregs of society have gotten the notion that restaurants , stores, and all other private businesses
      are there for their sole abuse.

      Seating in restaurants is for customers, not squatting places out of the cold for the local drunks, drug abusers, and hobos. They are not there to be meeting places for non-customers.

      We at one time lived in a society in which people were polite and domesticated enough to, when asked to leave someone elses property, complied.

      The uncivilized tools of social discord are ruining this country for everyone. Cities have turned into huge welfare zoos.

    MOST RECENT
    Load more ...

    SignUp

    Login

    Newsletter

    Email this story
    Email this story

    If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

    If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.