Looking at the Future of Widespread Protests, Police Brutality, and the Law

You simply can’t turn on the news today without mention of the non-stop protests that have been occurring throughout the U.S. for the past week. Slogans such as, ‘All 50,’ have been making the rounds on the internet to signify the fact that this is the first time in history that all 50 states have simultaneously protested for the same reason. Although progress has been made in the case of prosecutors in Minneapolis and the federal government is looking to introduce a federal anti-lynching bill, it seems that a fiery movement has emerged. All points indicate that the protesting won’t be stopping anytime soon.

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The Real Reason Behind Widespread Protests in the U.S.

People can call out the single, most recent case of apparent police brutality against minorities as the catalyst for these protests, but the truth is that tensions have been brewing for a very long time in the U.S. Additionally, the perfect storm has just been waiting to develop due to present conditions, leading to protesting, rioting, and civil unrest. There is a global pandemic that has left hundreds of millions of people stuck at home, cooped up with nothing to do. Unemployment levels are higher than they’ve been in nearly 100 years. People are scared, they are financially suffering, frustrated, worried, and stressed out. Seeing the injustice that claimed Mr. Floyd’s life play out on computer and television screens all over the world created the scenario that is playing out today.

Why the Response of the Government and Police Force Matters

The protests might have just gone on for a day or two if law enforcement and government officials in Minneapolis has responded differently. The usual cycle plausible deniability and defense of the actions of the officers involved followed, until citizens got angry and started to protest. This is when it first began apparent that the people of the United States were not going to take this lying down. Some non-profit organizations and law firms began using professional legal doc software to write up manifestos, cite case law, and draft petitions. Local grassroots organizations began to communicate, meet up, and come up with plans to voice their indignance on a much larger scale.

What’s Going to Happen When the Protests End?

Although is seems as if protestors could go on forever, there will eventually come a day when they will all pack up and go home. People will at least attempt to go back to life as usual, but the protests and results of their peaceful demonstrations will loom on their mind. For some participants, there will be lawsuits, criminal charges, and other legal actions awaiting. There will also be changes in law as well as police policies that will charge as a direct result of the protests that have been shaking up the world at large. Some police officers have already been fired as a result of their actions during the protests, while looters and vandals will also be identified and brought to justice.

There is no reason to think that citizens are going to stop protesting in memory of Mr. Floyd and the unfairness of his death any time soon. People are hurt, frustrated, angry, and still in mourning. What’s more is the fact that real progress seems to be being made as a result of these united acts of civil disobedience.