RE: 12-Year-Old Rapper Facing Felony Charges for Selling His Mixtape at the Mall
It seems that the policeman was in uniform and on duty. Secondly, what's the commotion all about? It really seems that the aunt got really agitated and it really seems that she laid her hands on the officer. That's a very stupid move.
Why didn't the kid and her aunt simply obey when he was told to stop selling his CD's at the mall? The mall only wants rent-paying vendors inside the mall and it seems reasonable to assume they have every right to deny any vendors they have no agreement with entry. The mall is private property after all.
Trying the kid as an adult for felony sounds stupid, however. But why the hell did the kid and her aunt continue to resist the cop when he grabbed the kids arm and proceed to escort him out of the premises? It seems to me that the cop was very calm, patient and professional. Why not do what the mall security and the cop tell you to do, video it and make a complaint if they're not happy? Or is this some kind of a publicity stunt? Or just a case of the aunt showing poor judgement? She should've told the kid to comply and leave the premises.
All that said, trying a 12-year-old as an adult is total stupidity.
That's an interesting use of words "obey" Is that what we should do "obey" regardless of the circumstances. Dont we have any recourse when dealing with a police officer? Are they beyond human imperfections? do they never make mistakes?
Didn't you read any of the part where it said he wasn't selling CD's ?
Order following without questioning and using one's own moral judgement is the cause and facilitator of all wrong doing by any police force
To never question there actions is a cowardly stance to take
Who knows what happend on this occasion but the evidence presented would seem to suggest it requires investigation with an open mind not a stance of blind obedience to an authority figure
What I'm saying is that physically resisting a police officer is a bloody stupid move regardless of the circumstances.
That's not what I've been saying. And the correct course of action in a case where you think a police officer is doing the wrong thing, is to record the whole incident, if possible, follow their instructions and leave the premises while calmly stating why you think they are wrong. When the acute situation is over you can contact the police department or the press or whatever and make it a scandal if the situation warrants it. Physically resisting the police is just a pretty fucking stupid move that will expose one to a lot of potential danger including being countered forcefully as well as being sued.
Yes fair point resisting is not a wise move.
Its really your use of words and the tone of what you are saying I was objecting to. I would call complying the "correct" course of action only in the sense that it is the course of action least likely to result in you having your rights further abused when faced with an unjust action by a police officer
Anyway from the very outset detaining a child forcibly when there parent or guardian is present should never in anyway be unchallenged. That should never be shrugged of in a civilised society and I dont blame the aunt for encouraging the kid not to just back down. At least she is teaching him the value of questioning an authority figure
Im not saying the aunt behaviour was wise. I am saying it was understandable. Im also saying I might behave in the same way, not because I would have weighed up the options and decided on the wisest course of action in that moment but because I would find it difficult to roll over and have my belly tickled when faced with an injustice carried out by a police officer or anybody ells. I think we should have a bit of sympathy and even respect for anybody ells who finds themselves in that position and has the courage to stand there ground
Resisting a police officer physically is a very bad example show a kid. Pure and simple. The police officer was removing the boy despite him not selling his CDs at the time? In that case you don't resist but record the whole thing while asking the officer calmly why he is doing what he is doing and who called him. Then you go home and raise huge stink about it in the press. When the cops have nothing in you and the press breathing in their neck, it's an ordeal for them. You don't give them any reason to haul your ass in jail and have you charged for anything.
Man we are not robots!
How we behave and act (especially when being betrayed by the uniform we are supposed to trust to protects us) is based entirely on our emotions and thoughts at the time.
To say that we should just calmly ask why he is doing what he is doing is not realistic and it is extremely naive to think that anyone could just go to the press, raise a huge stink then watch the police cower away with there tail between there legs. Thats a fantasy. it just doesn't work like that
The only option you have got is to resist tyranny as much as your courage will allow and teach your kids to resists it as much as they dare.
Fair enough. I speak English as a second language and I may not be as sensitive to the tone of my words when I write in English as you.