Amnesty International traditionally sends observers to war zones and countries with authoritarian regimes. Now, in a first for the human rights organisation, it has deployed staff to cover an event within the US itself.

A team of 15 has gone to Ferguson, Missouri, to monitor claims of police violations during the protests which erupted following the 9 August shooting of an unarmed black teenager.

[But] Steven Hawkins, executive director of Amnesty International USA, told the BBC that he was disturbed by the military-style tactics. And even though tensions in the town seem to have calmed, he said he would be urging local police forces to undertake more training in how to handle protests.
(Source: BBC News)

Watch the embedded video from Ferguson, Missouri.

Choice quotes from Amnesty International USA Executive Director, Steven Hawkins:

“We are seeing excessive use of police force in peaceful protest activities.”

“The police clearly not engaging in policing but more in a militarised response to peaceful protest.”

“There is no medical presence, no ambulances on the scene.”

“There is clearly a lack of training of local police within the United States, in terms of their understanding of human rights standards.”

“Here we are, asking to have a meeting with the Chief of Police and our letter hasn’t even been acknowledged, let alone addressed.”

“Even though the curfew has been lifted by the state governor, the police are still acting as if there is a curfew.”

So, bear all that in mind when you see reports about the poor, dear police in Ferguson and how they’re bravely and respectfully trying to handle a violent crowd of enraged troublemakers.

That whole narrative is brought to you by the US government and its police stooges.

It is bullshit. See for yourself.

No reports about the police harassment, about officers who have removed their identifiers, about police pointing weapons at peaceful protestors.