Silent No More: Police Brutality Unveiled | Black/Current |Black Current

Kelly Thomas, a homeless schizophrenic man, was brutally beaten by six police officers in Fullerton, California, in 2011, to the point where he died. After the officers were exonerated and had their charges against them dropped three years later and demonstrations broke out in Hollywood.
Dylan Avery, a well-known filmmaker, attended the demonstration. Before he knew it, he was drawn into a world of grieving family members, former police officers who now critique the system they once served, and people who had been brutalised by those who were supposed to be protecting them. Avery tracked other incidents and developments over the course of the following two years, which coincided with significant demonstrations against institutionalised police racism and brutality that took place in Ferguson and Baltimore.
Black/Current is a space to provide both educational and entertaining content primarily by or about Black people. That’s Black Brits, Black Americans, Black Africans, Black Canadians, Black Australians and so forth. There is a really loud desire for diverse voices and stories and we want to be a part of that conversation.
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From: Black And Blue (2020)
Content licensed by Journeyman to Little Dot Studios
Black/Current is part of the Little Dot Studios Network. To get in touch please email [e-mail].
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[@TupacNation]

This doco needs to be seen by millions

[@way75mit9]

I was a cop in the southern US for many years, and the one thing I learned is that If you can trust the police, then why do they have locks on their lockers inside the police station ???

[@robertdipaola3447]

There are others who could have Access, perps, cleaning staff, among others , were you the victim of your peers?-- you sound very disgruntled anti- cop

[@kyleanderson1941]

​@@robertdipaola3447 that makes them even more questionable, how are they letting Potential "Perps" in Police Station "Officer Only No-Public-Access Zones?" And your answer is Heartless and Ignorant. Also not very Smart. You think a Minimum Wage Janitor is Cleaning Extremely Sensitive Law Enforcement Areas? Not even Trusted 911 Call Centre Staff can enter Sensitive Areas, no Janitor is getting near Police Equipment or Files, Call Centre Staff can't even Access CPIC Criminal Records let alone a hired Cleaner, They got Rookies who Pxss Off their Superiors for that Stuff. Get Right....

[@justindejean2864]

When you have a camera, police still shoot you

[@shawntaylor8631]

That’s because they know that even with their dirt on camera they’ll still get away with it.

[@ariawilliams7422]

It's extremely hard not to get very angry watching this! There's no justice no matter what.

[@justindejean2864]

I’m so sorry for all the families who lost a loved one to the police. My heart goes out to y’all.

[@sosapablo100]

Was only able to watch the first 5 minutes, can’t really watch stuff like this anymore specially because there’s so many people out there that think police dont need reform

[@mikeveis6393]

They're not police, they're SS soldiers of the American Gestapo

[@gabrielramirez-bb9xe]

COMPLY OR DIE. ....THERE TRAINING.

[@AhmatazaBenIsrael-kr4kq]

A few times,I had to restrain myself from taking my own life,that was the easy way out,but I'm, here dealing with this 1 day at a time,this is the first time I have written about this,the part that hurted me the most is when my own family started treating me like an outcast,people that were not my family did the same,but it wasn't bad as my family taking on abandonment.I really liked the job I was doing before the police officer job called,I loved the responsibility of being an Armed guard,it builds character.Yhis feeling I have about this matter will go with me to my grave.

[@gabrielramirez-bb9xe]

Right out of training. HES BOSS. .... ITS IMPROPER NAZZI TRAINING.

[@mujahudin]

There's DEFINITELY alot of bad cops that give the few good ones a bad name! There's good ones out there, I've met them. The problem is: for every good cop there's X amount of bad ones, crooked ones, racist ones, ones that have no business having the authority they do. Without doing the math, it wouldn't surprise me if they have committed as many if not more muders than criminals have. The problem is: there's plenty of their murders that are on record as "justified" or not on record at all 💯

[@tyroneashford1195]

I agree...For every good/decent cop. There's X many bad/evil ones...But, what's just as wicked is: The good cops, DON'T speak up & out. Against, the bad cops wicked behavior! 😰 Not all (good cops) our course; but most of them. 😠 -Min. Obie Amos.

[@tolubamidele1508]

Thanks for the documentary. I’ve caught bits and pieces of the events as a lack person living outside America. So this documentary puts everything into context and explains why people are now finally getting justice and settlement. Kudos to all the people who have protested and forced change

[@humachine5226]

They forced change alright and we got it! They defunded the police wich resulted just as the skeptics said it would end up. It is 10x more dangerous to live in my neighborhood and if you call 911 they put you on hold and take forever to arrive at the crime scene, that's "the change" we deserve?

[@gabrielramirez-bb9xe]

AWESOME DOCUMENTARY

[@daveyboy_]

Simple- cops need better training. And hiring practices. And when or if they are fired or resigned. They should not be able to find a job with another department

[@Janellabelle]

we MUST provide more money to the police departments for training, require at least an associate's degree in criminal justice for every cadet, revolutionize the criminal justice degree training from what has previously been taught, and when evidence is "lost" fine ALL of the employees and take it out of THEIR check-not the taxpayers check. I bet they'd start watching crucial evidence a whole lot more closely when the entire police force gets fined because of one cop's corruption or just plain irresponsibility with a possible murder trial's evidence. no more paid leave for cops suspended for allegations of brutality, unlawful murder, stalking citizens, or dept corruption. tht way when they decide to lie for their fellow "brother in blue" it will cost them. paid leave until a decision is reached by an independent jury with no LE connections of that community's citizens. new jurors for every case making it far more difficult to corrupt them and buy them off, and if the decision is guilty then they should return that paid leave money to the PD. no more taxpayers paying for one cop's decision to murder a suspect play cop judge and jury etc. they should all be required to purchase and maintain their own employment insurance for when they fuck up and murder a 13 year old with a nerf gun they mistook for an AK 47. And no more of this, police departments getting to investigate themselves and judge themselves innocent every single time. who would judge themselves guilty? no one! they should be judged by a jury of 12 of the community and a new jury every single time. we have a long way to go ethically in how we allow our PDs to conduct themselves. stop voting for DAs that simply want a guilty verdict and not a guilty suspect. stop serving on juries and voting guilty when a defender takes their case to court for a matter you don't think should be a law. the criminalization of marijuana use has never ever been a popular law, yet that doesn't stop the juries from voting defendants guilty. if you don't agree with the law they broke, then vote NOT GUILTY! they will stop bringing those cases to trial and prosecuting those people. hang the jury or acquit if you can. make them take it to trial until their money for a case like that runs out. of course, don't tell the attorney that you will vote not guilty no matter what or they won't pick you they'll pick some granny who doesn't know what's going on has never smoked in her life besides a pack a cigs a day, and doesn't care, but was told by her parents back in 1920 to "vote guilty no matter what or the jury failed". the police need at least an associate's and we need to be paying them fir that education and the oftentimes horrific job they do. requiring a 21 year old minimum age in ALL states should be made a federal law. as for metal health calls, police should not be sent as the main entity to act in the case of a mental health issue unless a gun or violence others cannot escape from is being used. in which case they should take orders from a psychologist at the scene or on the phone, watching the camera on their uniforms, on how to handle the situation after they have safely secured the premises by deescalating as much as they possibly can, then let EMTs take charge with a sedative if needed to safely transport them into a psychiatric hold. IF they are a danger to themselves or others if they are a danger to themselves it's very important that police do not become the danger to them like I've seen happen so many times. I have so many suggestions to improve the PDs. we must be one of the only first world countries that allow teenagers to become police, are handed a firearm, and cut loose on their own. as for the mental health of their officers, the therapy most police departments currently offer their officers for free should no longer be optional but mandatory and the psychiatrist (not psychologist, a psychiatrist as in a doctor that can prescribe medication as they see fit.) this psychiatrist should be constantly evaluating the officers mental health and making absolutely sure they're mentally fit for active duty, and when they know they aren't currently doing okay they should be on desk duty and working with a psychologist on the departments dime to become fit for service once again. this may seem expensive but just think of how much money we would save in brutality lawsuits, wrongful death lawsuits, corruption lawsuits, etc. millions possibly billions. plus all the lost lives. soldiers should never be considered peace officers considering their job is to kill and ask questions later and they suffer from PTSD and anger issues. they go from seeing everyone as the enemy to be killed, to having to suddenly see people as citizens assumed innocent until proven guilty that you can't just murder. its two entirely different occupations with far different goals. anyway. anyone else have any suggestions besides arguments?

[@Iammarkessex]

Female opinions don't count

[@Janellabelle]

@@Iammarkessex lol

[@jamisonatanasoff3890]

FTP

[@ZoomersAreTheCauseOfPain]

The most rational response by far

[@teresawicks-kq3bq]

Cops need training in how to see black ppl as humans and have empathy. They also need to learn to see Black ppl like they c white ppl

[@sharonboston9087]

REMEMBER MIKE BELL??? A 19 year old Caucasian teenager who was shot in the back if head ehile hands cuffed BEHIDE his back by the police, in his driveway & in the presence of his parents for an ALLEDGED TRAFFIC VIOLATION. The cops got off, although one of the officers committed suicide.

[@mikeveis6393]

He was Jewish. SS soldiers are also anti-semitic.

[@mikeveis6393]

That cop that committed suicide will have that young man's blood on his hands when he stands, condemned before The Lord.

[@JeromeWade-lm8jh]

Was Mike Bell shot by white cops because of HIS skin color,Sharon?

[@stephfonshavers9468]

One day these police officers will have blood on their hands, when they stand before God on judgment day.

[@ZoomersAreTheCauseOfPain]

Police are here to maintain the peace. Dumbasses act upon free will and there must be fair a just punishment.

[@ThomasHurley-u4h]

One of these days God is going to judge you

[@jamalabdul825]

​@@ThomasHurley-u4hhow buddy

[@mikeveis6393]

Absolutely. They will stand condemned before the Lord

[@humachine5226]

Everyone will stand before God on judgment day not just cops pal. Gang bangers, thieves, killers, rapists, child molesters, homosexuals, macabre butchers, lawyers, drug lords, war lords, cannibals, everyone!

[@shawntaylor8631]

Good documentary and I also tried to find that song/music at the 1:06:53 mark.

[@gabrielramirez-bb9xe]

THERE TRAINING CREATES FACIST NAZZI IN AMERICA. UNBELIEVABLE.

[@mirandawrights3196]

Only a dirty pig would set fire to a memorial.

[@mikeveis6393]

That's desecration.

[@humachine5226]

Yes a "dirty pig" pig would do that and probably worse. If he weren't a cop he'd just be pos criminal running free in society being released over and over with no consequences thanks to "progressive" bail reform.

[@gabrielramirez-bb9xe]

A PIG IS A PSYCHOPATHY. ... NOOO EMPATHY NOOO REMORSE. NOOOO SOUL.

[@nolanconnelly6821]

For Yahweh taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in honour: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of El be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishment upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgement written: this honour have all his saints... Halleluyahweh.....

[@rachaelwilkerson954]

So if we don’t speak Spanish we’re just screwed during those parts?

[@michaelturner7641]

All of you who pulled the trigger you will never be forgiven never. The police need to have the same accountability that every citizen has. I won't tell you my color. I am a human being of the planet Earth that's my color and I am an American citizen my family fought and died for this country their blood runs through this soil. It makes me sad to know that this has been going on long before cameras were invented. Dear God help us all. We desperately need change. I know that I won't live to see the change but I hope that someday.... someday it can happen. I don't understand there are so many countries that don't care what color you are or what kind of clothes you wear or any of that why America.

[@gabrielramirez-bb9xe]

REFORM REFORM REFORM.

[@anwornation3399]

Dam shame

[@nemix5284]

I'm so sorry 😢💔

[@dijahtrump694]

❤

[@Teddy_Graham]

I’m not looking for the same system to vindicate anything. I’m getting my lick back!

[@Phat-khat]

Where’s my comment

[@kainewilson6837]

🎯🐘 ROLL TIDE

[@robertdipaola3447]

This hateful anti- police slanted documentary is disgusting!!!--- mike Brown, like eric Garner caused , by there fighting, there own demise, had they , like thousands of others arrestedand cooperated, the police would have had a normal srrest

[@chesterwright1976]

Playing stupid games will win you stupid prizes. Why is it that while the criminals are get more outrageous we ask our law enforcement to treat everyone like 5 year old children? SMH stupid

[@humachine5226]

It's funny to see documentaries like these but I get it, our current climate is anti-police so let's keep pushing it. What's puzzling to me is that I'm pro-police even after the "St Floyd" incident and I've never had to call the police for petty nonsense I resolved myself. But all my anti-cop "defund the police" friends who were upset at me for taking an objective position have called the cops to come over their house to help mediate situations atleast 8 times since our "heated" arguments in 2020- present. I told them "I thought you said f*ck the police, why are you calling on them?". Boy did they stay quiet for a good second.. 😄 F*ck the police means just that, don't call on them for ANYTHING. Let's just say I WON the "debate" that evening. HAHAHA

[@lisae6725]

The whole point is, we shouldn’t have to even worry that we will become the victim for calling them. They are public servants for God’s sake and to say that there aren’t legitimate and serious problems in the law enforcement community is just not being honest. It appears to be a job that many psychopaths are drawn to and unfortunately, they take away from the good cops who joined to help people and the community.

[@humachine5226]

@@lisae6725 EVERY group whether it be isolated or abroad has corrupt members, the citizens officers police over have corrupt members in society. Human beings are flawed by nature, just because you apply and go through training for a position doesn't guarantee zero negative outcome. The fascination with miniscule events only because there's someone with black skin involved is idiotic and bizarre, the obsession with white cop/black "victim" is ridiculous. If police were completely abolished it would be complete anarchy! Criminals, murderers, gangs, and rapists would have a field day with the vulnerable. Act correct and follow simple instructions and 99 out of 100 times there will be no outcome, but today's generation grew up without discipline hence the lack of respect for authority, hence the "negative" wakeup call.

[@mirandawrights3196]

Come live in New Zealand guys.😊

[@humachine5226]

US population is over 300x that of New Zealand, so obviously we have a much higher criminal element that needs to be balanced out with police presence. You guys probably don't even need police 😑