Is Police Violence and Brutality State-Sponsored Terrorism?

The police have been called the largest and one of the most dangerous street gangs in America. The actions of their most violent members might arguably be construed as domestic terrorism. The FBI defines terrorism as: "The unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a Government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives." The social and political objective of unlawful police violence against civilians is to coerce compliance with the state and ensure obedience to the arbitrary whims of the police themselves. Some low-lights from just the last few weeks:

• California: Transit police officer Johannes Mehserle has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter for the murder of Oscar Grant.

• Florida: Miami police officer murders an unarmed man during a routine traffic stop.

• Nevada: Police murder an unarmed 21 year old father-to-be for making a "furtive movement" during a minor drug raid.

• Illinois: Police commander found guilty of obstruction and perjury for covering up routine torture of detainees to obtain coerced confessions over thirty year period.

• Texas: Four police deputies viciously assault elderly man and his son over alleged trespassing incident.

• Indiana: Police officer slaps ten year old boy, partner then assaults the child with stun gun.

• New Jersey: Detective kills man in drunk driving incident, no charges filed.

• Washington: Mistrial declared in case of officer accused of assaulting woman in jail cell following traffic incident.

• Virginia: No charges filed against police officer who shot and killed an unarmed alleged flower thief.

• Maryland: Iraq war veteran murdered by police officer outside nightclub.

• New York: Police officer to sue family of man murdered by police for injuries sustained during the killing.

• Oklahoma: Ten police officers assault and taze grandmother for taking "aggressive posture" in hospital bed.

• Oregon: Police officer cops to abusing authority, coercing prostitute for sex while on duty.

• California: Police gun down mother in her own home following incident with census worker.

Such incidents are often simply shrugged off by the apologists of the police state as the work of "a few bad apples," which therefore shouldn't reflect on the fine work done by "99.9%" of our "peace" officers. But those who prefer to think in cliches might consider thinking this one through to its conclusion. As the saying goes: a few bad apples spoil the whole barrel.