Violence as part of protest is never justified, but at the same time even I, a white man who is fully aware of my privilege that goes with that status, understand that there is only so much that a member of an oppressed minority can stand before the desire to strike back with rage and violence against the symbols of oppression, whether it's cops in riot gear, an empty police car, or a police station building. Same thing back in San Francisco after Dan White murdered Harvey Milk and was acquitted. Gay people smashed windows at city hall. Same with Treyvon Martin's murderer getting a walk. I know that if the shoe was on my foot I would not be able to stay non-violent forever when my oppressors kept getting away scot free with murder.

I hope that cop is charged with murder!

It's awful! But what is going on? I think we made a mistake when we thought slavery became Jim Crowe Laws and then real equality came with MLK. There is no word that I know of that describes the period after Jim Crowe that continued the oppression of black people. But you're the American people. I think you can change the situation because seismic changes have been made throughout history by the power of ordinary people.

This is what I call sin! Callously taking another life like he was trash. I hope they make an all time example of these cops. 99 years in max security prison sounds barely enough to me.

Atrocious