There is something very, very wrong with the Albuquerque, New Mexico police department, and the citizens have just about had enough. Before I get into the heart of this story, I need to provide you with a little background. The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) is well known for its outrageous and inappropriate use of violence. So much so that it has been under investigation by the Department of Justice, which wrote a letter to the Mayor of Albuquerque on April 10, 2014 condemning the police force. Here’s an excerpt from the letter:
Based on our investigation, we have reasonable cause to believe that APD engages in a pattern or practice of use of excessive force, including deadly force, in violation of the Fourth Amendment and Section 14141. Our investigation included a comprehensive review of APD’s operations and the City’s oversight systems. We have determined that structural and systemic deficiencies—including insufficient oversight, inadequate training, and ineffective policies— contribute to the use of unreasonable force. At the conclusion of this letter, we outline the remedial measures that we believe are necessary to ensure that force is used in accordance with the Constitution. In some instances, these recommendations build on measures and initiatives that are already underway within the department.
Just prior to the release of the letter, APD officers shot in the back and killed a homeless man named James M. Boyd, who was camping in the Albuquerque foothills. More recently (and after the DOJ’s letter was sent), 50-year-old Air Force veteran Armand Martin was killed outside of his home by a SWAT team in a standoff with police. It seems the APD is incapable of solving any sort of dispute without a citizen ending up dead.
It makes you wonder what is up with law enforcement in New Mexico in general. If you recall, earlier this year I highlighted a horrific incident in Deming, New Mexico in my post: How a Routine Traffic Stop in New Mexico Turned into a Nightmare of Torture for David Eckert.
So back to Albuquerque. The people are rightfully very upset, which led to a city council meeting being taken over on May 5th by protesters. This display of civil disobedience even led to an attempt to serve Police Chief Gorden Eden with an citizen’s arrest warrant. As a result of the protest, the city council moved to prevent protests at their latest meeting, which may lead to free speech related lawsuits. You have to watch the following video:
People have just about had enough, and civil disobedience will only grow greater in the months and years ahead. This is what happens when a nation morphs into a deranged, oligarchic police state. This is also why the Bundy Ranch standoff was such a huge deal, as I noted in one of my most popular posts of 2014: Why the Standoff at the Bundy Ranch is a Very Big Deal.
In Liberty,
Michael Krieger
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Never surrender. Know your rights under the Constitution. Defend the Constitution. Never surrender. Not to the professional bureaucrats, nor police, President, Governors or Senators (or what I call them, so-called pension suckers looking only after their own welfare at frightening costs to decent citizens). You must not surrender.
All these gun owners, big bullshit artists who talk big but when it comes time to use your gun for good purposes, where are these fat, fucking red necked assholes? They’ve got all sorts of guns and ammunition and ….nada….just blablabla. Fuck you.
what’s with the effing this – foul-mouthed rhetoric?…can you talk civil or have you lost your mind?…
Gun owners?…I would suspect they are trying to show they are peaceful gun owners – trying to bring about change in a civil manner – the gun being used for defense, not as a way to push people around.
Maybe you don’t understand that premise.
What do you want?…are you doing anything – or are you just an armchair critic?…L.
I did not checkmark on responses – this is purely rhetorical…so, no point in responding to me directly.
Just think about what I have said here.
Thank you William, well said, observed.
Wow. Crazy video. If a DOJ led by Eric Holder tells you to follow the constitution it’s either April Fools day or you are way out of line.
Well said. Unfortunately our so-called representatives at all levels are generally unemployed lawyers. They can and will not serve the Constitution nor the people. They continuously corrupt the original for personal gain but expect servitude from us. Who are those people that think they are ‘called’ to lead? Are they qualified? No! Do we have recall? No! So, there is their protection.
They only expect a well paid bureaucratic function with a huge for life pension. Please check out what is bankrupting Detroit.
I am pleased to see this…high time and a decent response to it, by the council, except the Police Chief needs to step up and face the music.
If the have proof of crimes by this Chief, he should pay the piper.
This is setting a precedence today, and started with Bundy Ranch last month…I expect to now see this spread like wildfire across the country…and, so, it should…this is Constitutional Justice being served.
Council members and Police need to be reminded – they are servants of the people, not overlords.
L.
Name names. Bring those that are responsible into public view. These things happen because the officers, judges, doctors, nurses, et all are never made known. Their involvement is never known to their families, fellow church members, teachers, or friends. Let them be accountable.
Exactly. However, they’ll plead the fifth or seemingly forget. No public servant ought to be able to hide behind this. That will stop all this nonsense.
“…the citizens have just about had enough.”
Yes, and that’s as far as it ever goes. Pfffft!