Top Story – Page 7 – Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)

America’s Police Must Not Declare War on Americans

As a good friend to law enforcement, who has worked for many years to support law and order and criminal justice, I am reaching out to the police community. We have seen terrible travesties of justice over the past several months in Ferguson, Missouri, New York City (NYC), and Cleveland, Ohio. People have been understandably disturbed and distressed by the events, and the view in the minds that some in police that they are “above” the very law that they are paid to enforce.

To those outside the law enforcement community, you cannot imagine how grim and dark their world can sometimes be. They see the worst of the worst every day. Their lives are not just dotted with reports and deadlines, they are strewn with human body parts, murdered children, and every disgusting travesty you can imagine. Even a desk job in law enforcement requires a strong stomach, and often the patience of Job.

But recently, we have also seen too many embarrassing police individuals using excessive force on minor issues or crimes, as well as on protesters. We have seen police individuals pulling guns on protesting individuals, and gassing children. We have seen individuals who should, at most, have been given a ticket for a minor crime, treated with excessive police force resulting in their deaths. To anyone who loves the police, and who loves law enforcement, we must all know that this is wrong. Last Saturday, I joined my brothers and sisters in a march on Washington DC to call for improved police training, and a rigorous defense of the civil and Constitutional rights for black Americans and all Americans.

Oakland-01-Michael-Short — Police Threat Against Reporter - Oakland, California (Source: Michael Short)

Today, in New York City, there was a tragic murder of two police officers, Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, from a disturbed individual, who was a career criminal, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, with a long history of criminal offenses. Mr. Brinsley’s criminal actions were heinous, despicable, cowardly, and any such criminal would deserve the fullest punishment of the law, had he not killed himself.

As we do for all Americans, our hearts and prayers must go out to the families of these slain police officers, and God only knows, how tragic to be murdered especially during this holiday season. We pray for them, we pray for peace for them, and we pray for justice to ensure their loved one’s murder is fully prosecuted according to the law. This is the point – our call for actions must be according to the law. That is what patriotic Americans do in defense of their Constitution.

This is also a vow that all NYC police officers make in their oath of duties – to support the Constitution of the United States. This is not a choice when it is convenient; it is a mandate. So we must also find the actions to promote conflict morally and ethically repugnant by those individuals within police organizations calling for actions in defiance of law enforcement, in defiance of our Constitution, and seeking to promote conflict with the American people. We find such actions to be a slur against law enforcement and everything it represents.

Too often, we have seen firebrands within police unions, and we have seen police faced with masses of protesters using extreme force or calling for extreme actions. In Ferguson, Missouri, the nation and the world was shocked and dismayed to see military-style over-reaction by police officers against protesters, including shooting a Christian pastor trying to keep the peace in the stomach with rubber bullets causing serious physical damage. In Oakland, California, we have seen photographs of an undercover police officer pulling a gun on a reporter and on a protester on a bicycle.

Oakland-02-Michael-Short — Police Threat Against Protester - Oakland, California (Source: Michael Short)

Today, after the tragic murder of the two New York City Police Department (NYPD) police officers, the Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) of the NYPD have used this tragic murders of these police officers to attack the Mayor of NYC, Bill de Blasio. On Twitter, the NYPD SBA states that “The blood of 2 executed police officers is on the hands of Mayor de Blasio.” The NYPD needs to understand that Mayor de Blasio is not a career criminal. The NYPD needs to understand Mayor de Blasio is not a murderer, who must be prosecuted.

SBA-Notice — NYPD SBA Notice Blaming Mayor for Criminal's Actions (Source: NYPD SBA Twitter)

Furthermore, the NYPD and police departments across this great nation must understand that their mission of law enforcement is respected by the people of this nation, as well as their sacrifices. This mission and respect does not give the right of extremists and firebrands within police departments the power to believe they can declare “war” on the American people, and act with impunity to do as they will, rather than as the law demands. The New York Times, various news media, and Twitter, are reporting that a NYPD Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) has been issuing troubling statements likely to incite more trouble.

Americans have seen too many troubling firebrand comments from the NYPD PBA’s president Patrick Lynch, including vulgar comments about the Mayor on Thursday, and veiled threats in directing police to be less responsive. Patrick Lynch has a penchant for holding confrontational press conferences, where instead of calling for law enforcement, he is focused on bitter anger against Mayor de Blasio and states the mayor has been “throwing New York City police officers under the bus.”

We don’t need more out of control anger; we need deliberate respect for the law and public safety. I have seen Patrick Lynch repeatedly on television, and his cringe-worthy comments should embarrass and shame anyone who loves law enforcement. He needs to understand the message he is sending that law enforcement needs to have a different standard of “law” than the rest of us. That is troubling and it is wrong.

PBA-Website — NYPD BPA Press Conference Attacking Mayor (Source: NYPD PBA Web Site)

Double-standards are the very cancer which undermines the equality and liberty, which are the basis for both of our American and our universal rights. I have also seen, directly on the NYPD PBA web site, the circulated comments by this same NYPD PBA calling for the New York City Mayor to be denied to have a right to present at the funerals of these police officers. Under the circumstances, with too frequent excessive actions and threats by police figures and by even armed police in crowds, Americans are becoming increasingly troubled by the idea that some extremists within the police believe they have the right to declare a “war” on Americans.

As one who has dedicated many years of my professional life and who respects law enforcement, I can only urge all those in law enforcement to remember their mission, their duty, and responsibility. I can also remind those extremists who shame the mission of the police – to remember that if there ever was a war between the police and the American people, we all know who will win that war.

Such frequent firebrand and threatening language by police figures is not in the interest of law enforcement, public safety, and common sense. I would urge all those in police organizations to get those inciting such violence to be removed from office as quickly as possible; they are not looking out for the interests of either the police or the American people. We need police organizations and police leaders to make positive, constructive statement regarding law enforcement, law and order, and maintaining public safety. In this sad and combustible environment, we have seen the New York Times report tonight that someone has obtained a copy of a NYPD PBA memorandum with even more extreme comments.

I can only believe and pray that this is a hoax and is in no way representative of the actual views of the NYPD BPA. However, numerous New York City media organizations are reporting on this alleged memo.

Whether it is true or not, the idea that so many will readily BELIEVE it is true – demonstrates the real issue for too many police organization in regaining the trust and confidence of the American people.

This is unfair to hard-working police officers who sacrifice their careers, and as we saw tonight even their lives, to enforce the law. Responsible police leaders must challenge firebrands and extremists within police organizations. They cannot stay silent[ while such incitement is done. Tonight’s New York Times reports that a NYPD BPA memorandum is calling for two units for every call, based on an expectation of police being “executed on a regular basis.” The alleged memorandum concludes that “[the] mayors hands are literally dripping with our blood because of his words actions and polices and we have, for the first time in a number of years, become a ‘wartime’ police department. We will act accordingly.”

NYPD-BPA-Report — Twitter from NYC Journalist: Reporting that NYPD BPA Seeks "Wartime" Practices Against Americans (Source: Twitter)

Again, I believe and pray that this alleged NYPD PBA memo repeatedly reported by NYC media will turn out to be a hoax, although this was published by a journalist who claims he has police sources to prove this is genuine. Police officers around the nation must be concerned about such counterproductive messages with the perception that our police are planning a “war” against the American people, and do not care about Constitutional and civil rights. Police should also denounce the extremist comments by other police and political organizations which seek to attack political views and protests which call for equal protection under the law. In fact, such equal protection under the law is very goal of law enforcement individuals everywhere and in every capacity. We all share the responsibility for public safety, for respect for the law, and to work to ensure the law in our nation and our world is enforced through proper and responsible means.

This responsibility begins first with a consistent respect for all of our human rights, including the equality and liberty of our citizens, in the United States of America and around the world.

Update: The NYPD PBA has told the press that “P.B.A. spokesman Al O’Leary said in an email his union did not send the memo,” and that is thus far the extent of their denial of such extremist remarks, which are minimal and deeply troubling. Sadly, we have also seen former NY Governor Pataki blame the NYC Mayor for the murders by this criminal, with Mr. Pataki ignoring his vow to support the U.S. Constitution, which is the real basis behind such objections in abusive behavior against American citizens.

nypd-pataki — Shameful public message by former Governor Pataki blaming NYC's Mayor for the murder of police officers (Source: Twitter)

R.E.A.L. Rejects Taliban’s Crimes Against Humanity, Calls for ICC to Act

The Taliban’s barbarous mass murder of children in Peshawar today should be condemned by all people of all faiths, nationalities, and political views. The Taliban’s continued practice of mass murder of children and targeted killings of children is nothing less than crimes against humanity. There is no rationale, no justification, and no defense for such crimes against humanity by the Taliban.

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) continues to stand by our position in unequivocal support for our universal human rights for all people, including the right to life and safety. The actions of the Taliban in this mass murder of children demonstrates their rejection of all human rights, and their choice to be enemies of humanity itself. For many years, R.E.A.L. has protested the Taliban’s actions, their ideology, and those misguided state leaders who believe that they can “negotiate” with those criminals who deliberately and consciously murder children, women, and other innocent people.

We call upon ALL people, all human rights leaders, and all world leaders to condemn their actions and the Taliban’s anti-human rights ideology without qualification.

We also call upon the International Criminal Court (ICC) to act upon Article 7 to bring international criminal charges against these Taliban leaders and these Taliban murderers, based on their systemic crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, extermination, and other inhumane acts.

These crimes against humanity, as defined by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Explanatory Memorandum, “are particularly odious offences in that they constitute a serious attack on human dignity or grave humiliation or a degradation of human beings.” This mass murder in Peshawar is another in a series of systemic crimes against humanity by this Taliban terrorist organization, which has too frequently received state protection with the unwillingness of nations of the world to take criminal action against the Taliban.

Therefore, we call upon the ICC to bring charges of crimes against humanity against the Taliban, their leaders, and their members.

Pakistan states that it has supported the aims of the International Court and voted for the Rome Statute in 1998. Afghanistan acceded the Rome Statute on February 10, 2003. R.E.A.L. calls upon the ICC to act upon the criminal Taliban organization to protect humanity from their continuing crimes against humanity.

Americans Protest for Black American Lives and Justice – Black Lives Matter

#‎NotInOurAmerica‬, ‪#‎BlackLivesMatter‬ – Protests in Washington DC Because ALL LIVES MATTER – Protesters: Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, Every Religion, Every Political View, Young, Old, Men, Women, Healthy, Disabled. Blind Woman Marching with her cane. Elderly woman in a wheelchair. American Law Enforcement and American Government – TIME TO LISTEN TO YOUR PEOPLE!

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) Calls for Justice for Black Americans – and We Reject Criminal Police Abuse – that is NOT Law Enforcement, and Must NOT be in OUR AMERICA

December 10: Human Rights Protest Outside DC Pakistan Embassy

On December 10, Human Rights Day, members of human rights groups, Hindu groups, Christian groups, joined together outside the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, DC calling for an end to the abuse of human rights of religious minorities.

pakistan-embassy-protest-01 — Pakistan Embassy – Washington DC; R.E.A.L.’s Imm Prepares for Protest

Human rights campaigners included: Pakistan Human Rights Collective, Hindu American Foundation (HAF), and Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.), among others. The protest took place on the 66th anniversary of the United Nations’ signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on December 10, 1948.

The protesters called for the release of 12 year old Pakistan Hindu girl Kajal Bheel, whose forced abduction and forced religious conversion has drawn world-wide outrage. The protesters called for Pakistan courts to allow the release of Kajal Bheel from her forced abduction, and urged support for the legal efforts to defend Kajal Bheel by the Global Human Rights Defence organization (GHRD).

GHRD is planning for the next court case to defend her on December 19 in Pakistan, and they are calling for people to support her human rights by signing their petition at:
http://ghrd.org/get-involved/petitions/save-kajal/savekajal/
and on Twitter at #savekajal

Protesters also pointed out the recent of abduction and forced conversaion of other Pakistan Hindu girls, including Neelam Kohli (11 years old), Anjali Menghwar (12 years old), Kiran Kumari (14 years old), Parsa Kolhi, and Wali Kolhi. Protesters displayed signs condemning the practice of such child abduction and forced religious conversion to Islam.

The oppression and attack on Pakistan Hindu religious minorities was also demonstrated by protesters who pointed out that Hindus went from a 24 percent minority in 1948 to about 1.6 percent of the Pakistan population in 1998.

R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm also pointed out how such human rights abuse of Hindu girls was a violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including articles 3, 16, and 18. Jeffrey Imm also denounced a pattern of attacks in Pakistan against Hindu temples.

JI-1 — R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm Calls for End to Pakistan Religious Minority Oppression

The protesters also decried the abuse of Pakistan Christians and other minorities, noting the recent mob attack on a Pakistan Christian couple (burning them to death), and called for an end to oppressive Pakistan blasphemy law used to give a death sentence to Christian Asia Bibi, which was used in the arrest of Christian Zafar Bhatti (who was shot to death), and oppression of other religious minorities. Protesters held signs condemning the Pakistan blasphemy law and calling for its change. Protesters called for the release of such Pakistan political prisoners as Christian Asia Bibi, who have been imprisoned on spurious “blasphemy” charges.

R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm called for the Pakistan government and the Pakistan people to end their oppression of all religious minorities (Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Ahmadiyaa, and Shiites) and called for Pakistan to show human reason and conscience to extend such basic human rights and human dignity to Pakistan religious minorities and all Pakistan citizens. Imm stated such oppression needed to end in all parts of Pakistan.

The protesters sought to inform the public of these conditions, while challenging the failure of the Pakistan government to protect the human rights of such citizens. Protesters also sought to demonstrate solidarity with other religious minorities in Pakistan who have protested their oppression.

R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm stated that while this protest was in Washington DC at this event, that protesters will seek to provide solidarity in human rights campaigns in Pakistan. He stated: “the day will come when we and others will have such calls for universal human rights and dignity in Islamabad, and throughout every part of Pakistan, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and every territorial area. To those protesting there for human rights now, please know that we stand with you, and know that the day will come when we are standing side by side with you in Pakistan to call for human rights for all.”

R.E.A.L. Calls for Pakistan to Support Universal Human Rights and Dignity for All

This past year has been a sobering and troubling year in terms of the state of human rights in Pakistan. In Pakistan, we are seeing a continuing trend of oppression of religious minorities, with continuing attacks against Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Ahmadiyaa, and Shiites.

On this day, Human Rights Day, December 10, we call upon the Pakistan government and calling upon the Pakistan people to respect the human rights and human dignity of Pakistan religious minorities, their families, their houses of worship, and especially their children in Pakistan.

The oppressive Pakistan blasphemy law has been used by those to target, attack, and even kill religious minorities. This law must end, so that Pakistan people are no longer oppressed by those who use this to deny their basic human rights.

We remind the world that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights calls for equality in freedom, liberty, safety, and freedom of conscience for all people around the world. We remember the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on December 10, 1948, over 60 years ago today. These are not new ideas or new suggestions. These universal human rights are what the assembled United Nations agreed to for all nations of the world. Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) condemns and rejects all violations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Some of the major passages of the universal declaration of human rights include:
— Article 18 of the UDHR states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
— Article 3 of the UDHR states: “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.”
— Article 16 of the UDHR calls for men and women of “FULL AGE” to marriage and a family, and specifically points out that “[m]arriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.”

Yet throughout the past year, we have seen attacks on Hindu temples and we have seen the abduction of Hindu girls who have been forcibly converted from their religion. This has included 12 year old Hindu girl Kajal Bheel, as well as similar abductions of other Pakistan Hindu girls: Neelam Kohli (11 years old), Anjali Menghwar (12 years old), Kiran Kumari (14 years old), Parsa Kolhi, and Wali Kolhi. They have been denied their human rights to freedom of conscience, freedom of security, and even freedom of marriage.

We have seen barbarous attacks on religious minorities in Pakistan. We have seen a mob of 1200 attack and burn to death a Pakistan Christian couple. We have seen a Sikh physician Sardar Bagwan Singh gunned down in broad daylight. We have seen a Christian women and her crippled husband sentenced to death on blasphemy. We have seen a Pakistani court confirm a sentence of blasphemy for Christian Asia Bibi. We have seen Christian Zafar Bhatti arrested for blasphemy, and gunned down by an employee of the police force, while he was in jail.

Article 15 of the UDHR states “Everyone has the right to a nationality. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.” Yet the disgraceful oppression of the people of Balochistan continues daily. This oppression and violence in Balochistan is a rejection of our universal human rights.

We were also sad to see this year, that this has included the murder of Balochistan Assembly member Hendery Masih, who had called for security measures for Christians but was killed.

But perhaps the most important clause of the UDHR is:

Article 1 of the UDHR which states: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

When we use our reason and conscience, and act in a spirit of brotherhood, we really don’t have to discuss any of the other articles of the declaration of human rights.

We wouldn’t have to ask Pakistanis to stop kidnapping little Hindu girls and forcing them to deny their religion.

We wouldn’t have to ask the Pakistan government to stop oppressing religious minorities and using a “blasphemy law” to trump up charges to silence any religious minority someone wants to target or get rid of, let alone shooting them in jail.

We wouldn’t have to call for the end to broad daylight murder of religious minorities in Pakistan.

We wouldn’t have to demand that Pakistan stop such mob violence, as the mob of 1,200 who attacked a Christian coupled and burned them to death.

We wouldn’t have to call for an end to the oppression of the people in Balochistan who seek to have their rightful identity.

Let us be clear.

We are not here with the arrogant belief that we need to need to educate the Pakistan government and the Pakistan people on human rights laws. Nor do we need to educate them on the difference between right and wrong.

The Pakistan government and the Pakistan people already KNOW the difference between right and wrong. They already understand the basic human dignity that we all deserve to have respect as human beings.

We are not here to educate. We are here to call for action and change. We are here to call for the Pakistan government and the Pakistan people, not only to abide by universal human rights, but also to use their reason and conscience to extend compassion, human rights, dignity, and justice to others, because it is the right thing, the human thing, to do.

As always, R.E.A.L. offers an outstretched hand, not an upraised fist, even in these darkest of days. We have faith and confidence that we can reach the hearts and decency of our brothers and sisters in humanity.

Today, we give this message in Washington D.C. The day will come when we and others will have such calls for universal human rights and dignity in Islamabad, and throughout every part of Pakistan, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and every territorial area. To those protesting there for human rights now, please know that we stand with you, and know that the day will come when we are standing side by side with you in Pakistan to call for human rights for all.

We urge them all to remember: every day is a good day – to be Responsible for Equality and Liberty.

Pakistan: Young Hindu Girl Abducted, Denied Freedom of Conscience

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) identifies freedom of conscience as one of our most valued human rights, as specifically outlined in Article 18 of the UDHR.

We have been contacted on the case of Kajal Bheel. Kajal is a 12 year old Hindu girl, who was abducted, forcefully married and religiously converted. We have been contacted by a human rights campaign working for her freedom. On October 24, Kajal Bheel, daughter of Mohan Laal Bheel was abducted from her home at Udero Laal town in the district of Halla in Sindh, Pakistan

The Global Human Rights Defence organization is a human rights organization based in The Hague, Netherlands. Their work mainly focuses on the rights of religious minorities and marginalized groups in South Asia.

The Global Human Rights Defence has eight lawyers working on the case in Pakistan. Her oppressors are now claiming she is an adult and that there is no case. Her next court hearing has been postponed until December 19th. On December 19th, the court will also bring up two similar cases on forced conversions of minor girls.

By then, the human rights group is hoping to have collected 5000 signatures in order to put pressure on the national government.

They asking human rights activists to sign the following petition
http://ghrd.org/get-involved/petitions/save-kajal/savekajal/

The Global Human Rights Defence report provides the following background:
“On October 21 Kajal Bheel, a 12-year old Hindu girl from Sindh, Pakistan, was abducted, forcefully converted and married to one of her abductors. With the police refusing to start an investigation, insisting that there is no case to solve, and the court neglecting the birth certificate as proof of age, Kajal was subjected to a humiliating medical examination to prove she is a child. Despite the medical results proving she is indeed a minor, 17 years old , the court has chosen to apply Sharia Law, according to which a girl becomes a women upon reaching puberty. Kajal’s family is now required to prove that Kajal is a minor according to Hindu Family Law during the next hearing on December 4th. For the time being, Kajal has not been allowed to stay with her family. She has been taken by her abductor, and consequently suffers constant psychological abuse. Kajal Bheel is a prisoner of the system, which is supposed to protect little girls like her, but is instead robbing her of her childhood. Help us save Kajal and bring her back to her parents!”

Global Human Rights Defence also has an Internet campaign on Twitter at: #SaveKajal – show your support.

The constitution and laws in Pakistan do not allow child marriage before the age of 18. We are advised that Anjali’s school leaving and birth certificates confirms that she was born in 2002 and therefore her marriage is illegal.

This sad case of Hindu child abduction and denial of human rights of freedom of conscience has been too common. In November, reports have been provided of similar child abductions of Hindu girls: Neelam Kohli (11 years old), Anjali Menghwar (12 years old), Kiran Kumari (14 years old), Parsa Kolhi, and Wali Kolhi.

Our Vow to Defend the Law for All

The paper I was given read “Rape of White Woman.” I just couldn’t believe my eyes and I reached for the telephone. I was furious as I dialed to call… the police who wrote this down. From that day on, I knew we as a nation had to ensure that our law enforcement never got turned against us as a force to oppress identity groups and to promote racism.

This all started when I came to Washington, DC; my first career was with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Around the nation and the world, the FBI’s headquarters had a hub for law enforcement in different states and different nations to communicate. It stated as the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). The idea was that if someone committed a serious crime in one state, they could not avoid arrest by simply driving across the border into another state. This would ensure we had a true national law enforcement to protect our citizens. I also coordinated such information with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) regarding wanted international criminals. Most of these criminals were those who were the worst abusers of our daily human rights to safety and life, certainly vital human rights for all of us. For the most part, while this was hectic, most of states and nations readily worked together, and were grateful for the FBI’s coordinating role.

That was me, Jeffrey Imm, Federal Bureau of Investigation.

In the course of coordinating records on such criminal histories, we at the FBI were developing an interstate index of criminal histories of violent and dangerous criminals abusing the safety and human rights of our citizen. I was pulling records together for this index, when one day, I received a criminal record on a piece of paper from the Georgia State Police.

The Georgia criminal record read “Rape of White Woman.” The point of the criminal record was that there was a different criminal charge for raping a woman who was white than there was in raping a woman of another race.

Before you think that was someone else’s problem, change the words out with your own identity group. Imagine somewhere in the world where your identity group is a minority, and imagine there was a different charge (meaning lesser) charge when someone of your identity group was violently attacked by a criminal. This type of thinking isn’t just wrong in America. This type of thinking is wrong everywhere and for everyone.

I picked up the telephone and I called the Georgia police. They were indignant over that matter, and tried to rationalize the charge on this criminal record. This is problem when we allow law enforcement to become law corruption. The corrupt always have an argument, an explanation, a rationale for even the most unacceptable and shameful behavior. They get used to having their authority accepted without question; the idea that someone telling them they are wrong is impossible to accept. They lose the idea that they are enforcing the law for the public, and start to believe that their own beliefs are the law.

In addition to our Universal Human Rights, in the United States of America, we have the Constitution of the United States, which was the first “law” and remains the primary LAW of this nation. Our Constitution does not allow this type of disgraceful and discriminatory practices by law enforcement, not in Georgia, not in New York City, not in Ferguson, not in Cleveland. Not anywhere in this nation.

Such discriminatory practices against the American people are not just an injustice, not just an embarrassment, no they are a lot more than that. They are AGAINST THE LAW – of the Constitution of the United States of America.

When I first came to Washington DC and I reported to work on Pennsylvania Avenue, the first thing I had to do was swear a vow. I had to hold my right hand in the air and swear to “defend the Constitution of the United States…. so help me God.” It was the proudest day of my young life. I remember it like it was yesterday.

So when I received this discriminatory criminal record from Georgia, there was not question what I had to do on this. I didn’t have to ask my supervisor. I didn’t have to worry about creating a confrontation. I didn’t have to worry about the Georgia police’s reaction. I had a job to do, and that was to make sure the Georgia police understood what THE LAW was. I did just that. They didn’t like it. I didn’t care. The criminal record got changed. I swore a vow to defend the Constitution of the United States – so help me God.

As we face the difficult times with law enforcement across the nation today, we need less defensiveness, less denial, and we don’t need any type of a blue wall. We are one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Anyone who doesn’t understand that has no place in law enforcement.

Now I am not only one who has made this vow. There about 6 million federal government employees and members of the U.S. armed services who have made this VOW. Furthermore, a lot of the state and local government employees have to have a similar statement vowing to support the Constitution, including the New York Police Department. We didn’t make a vow to defend the Constitution just for some people of one race, one ethnic group, one religion, one gender, or just people we like. We didn’t make a vow to defend the Constitution once in a while, or when it happened to be convenient, or if we had nothing else to do. We did not. We vowed to DEFEND the Constitution of the United States – against ALL enemies.

Those who think they can oppress, harass, beat, and even kill without consequences, and make a mockery of the Constitution of the United States, you picked the wrong battle.

These people who have swore a VOW to defend this nation’s Constitution, are watching as young people across the nation are protesting about the killings of black Americans by police officers in the United States. They are watching as these young people are standing without fear to make their voices heard and to call for change in police departments, where too much racial attitudes still prevail, and where intimidation, bullying, and violence is too often the first answer to every problem.

Let me tell you, those who of you who have stood and swore this vow. If you think this is the fight just for these young kids, you are wrong. You swore to defend the Constitution. This is your fight, this if your obligation. To any of you who swore to defend the Constitution, YOU are in law enforcement. This is YOUR responsibility.

We shouldn’t have hundreds or thousands of protesters regarding these police abuses. We should have millions and millions. Remember your vow, before God almighty. Every member of the New York Police Department, this is your fight too. You swore to support the Constitution. It is time to DO your job. You may think your job is only the details of your specific job responsibility. But if you can’t defend the Constitution of the United States, you have no business in law enforcement: New York, Ferguson, Cleveland, Albuquerque, etc., etc.

America has had enough talking heads from “police unions” defending the indefensible. With great power comes great responsibility, and with great authority comes great accountability.

We need people from LAW ENFORCEMENT who have a passion about actually enforcing the law. That law begins with the Constitution of the United States and the Constitutional and civil rights of ALL AMERICANS. To those of you who believe in the international code of human rights, this is your fight too. The struggle for all human rights is preserving the equality, the liberty, the dignity, and the safety of our fellow human beings. This is the law we try to enforce to protect all people around the world.

The law is the law – for everyone, especially those in law enforcement. We the people need to make it clear that those breaking the law, oppressing our fellow human beings, and denying their Constitutional and human rights will have to face accountability for their actions.

Myanmar State Security Involved in Human Trafficking of Rohingya Muslims

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) has become aware of a new human rights report on the ongoing human rights crisis of Rohingya Muslims, which indicates that the Myanmar state security forces are “complicit in and profiting from” human trafficking of Rohingya Muslims refugees, seeking to flee from violence and persecution.

On November 7, 2014 the Fortify Rights group reported, “Myanmar state security forces are complicit in and profiting from the increasingly lucrative maritime human trafficking and smuggling of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar’s Rakhine State, Fortify Rights revealed in a briefing released today. Since 2012, Myanmar state security forces in Rakhine State have collected payments from Rohingya asylum seekers fleeing Myanmar by ships operated by transnational criminal syndicates, according to information obtained by Fortify Rights. In some cases, the Myanmar Navy escorted boats operated by criminal gangs out to international waters.”

“Local Rohingya brokers mostly deliver payments to members of the Lon Thein riot police, Myanmar Police Department, Navy, and Army in amounts ranging from 500,000 kyat ($500 USD) to 600,000 kyat ($600 USD) per shipload of Rohingya asylum seekers in exchange for passage out to sea. In one case documented by Fortify Rights, the Myanmar Navy demanded 7-million kyat ($7,000 USD) from a criminal gang operating a ship filled with Rohingya fleeing to Malaysia. In other cases, members of the Myanmar Police Department took up to 15,000 kyat ($15 USD) per person directly from individual Rohingya passengers.”

“From September 2013 to October 2014, Fortify Rights interviewed more than 90 Rohingya men and women in Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia, many of whom fled the country between 2012 and 2014. Thousands more have fled in recent weeks.”

“Tens of thousands of Rohingya in Rakhine State are now preparing to board 50-to-100-person occupancy boats on the western coast of Myanmar. These boats transport Rohingya asylum seekers to larger ships in the Bay of Bengal that hold as many as 1,000 people. The vast majority of Rohingya who depart by sea soon find themselves in the custody of abusive human trafficking and smuggling gangs, who detain them in conditions of enslavement and exploitation.”

“Most Rohingya are fleeing persecution in Myanmar. Before boarding ships, they are generally not fully informed and, in many cases, are deceived about the treatment they will endure, additional costs, and other aspects of the journey to Malaysia. Many are sold multiple times and for a myriad of reasons, including for labor and sexual exploitation. Nearly all endure or witness torture, deprivation of food and water, confinement in extremely close quarters, and other abuses throughout their journey.”

“In 2012, civilians and state security forces razed Muslim villages in 13 of 17 townships in Rakhine State. More than 300,000 people — predominantly Rohingya Muslims — are now in need of humanitarian aid in the state, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid. That includes 70,000 ‘food insecure’ people, 50,000 living in isolated villages, 50,000 in ‘host communities,’ and approximately 140,000 Rohingya and non-Rohingya Muslims living in more than 80 internally displaced person (IDP) camps. More than 100,000 Rohingya reportedly fled the country by sea in the last two years. Rakhine Buddhists also endured casualties and displacement in Rakhine State in 2012 on a lesser scale.”

“Scores of Rohingya who were displaced in Rakhine State told Fortify Rights that inadequate food, health care, and livelihood opportunities in the IDP camps as well as restrictions on movement and fear of future persecution contributed to their decision to flee Myanmar.”

“Moreover, more than 1 million Rohingya continue to be directly affected by persecutory state policies restricting their movement, marriage, childbirth, and other aspects of everyday life in Rakhine State. Rohingya who were not displaced by attacks in 2012 but still face persecution told Fortify Rights that they fled the country due to restrictions imposed by the state, including restrictions on freedom of movement, threats of violence, and ongoing pressure to abandon their ethnic identity.”

Fortify Rights’ report calls for action on Myanmar for the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report by the U.S. Department of State.

“Trafficking in persons is prohibited under international law, and states have a duty to take action to combat trafficking. Human trafficking includes elements of deceit, exploitation, and abuse. Human smuggling, on the other hand, involves a ‘client’ consenting and paying to be transported across an international border.”

“In June 2014, Myanmar maintained its place on the United States Department of State’s tier-two watch list in the annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report. Myanmar has remained on the tier-two watch list through a system of waivers. Unless demonstrable changes take place in the next year, the country could be downgraded to tier-three status — the lowest designation reserved for countries failing to adequately combat human trafficking.”

A Rohingya Muslim man who fled Myanmar to Bangladesh to escape religious violence, cries after he and others were intercepted in Taknaf, Bangladesh. (PHOTO AP)

Nigeria: 185 Churches Burned by Boko Haram

In Nigeria, the Nigeria news is reporting that “185 churches have been razed and 190,545 people displaced.” This was after the global terror organization Boko Haram’s attack on Nigerian towns in Borno and Adamawa states.

This was announced by the Director of Communications of the Diocese, Fr. Gideon Obasogie, who stated these crimes against our fellow human beings, against houses of worship, and against our universal human rights were perpetrated by Boko Haram. Fr. Gideon Obasogie indicated that these 185 churches were burned (torched) in the Maiduguri Diocese. The territory of the Maiduguri Diocese includes the states of northern Nigeria: Borno, Yobe, and some areas of Adamawa.

Fr. Gideon Obasogie issued a signed press statement tagged “state of captured towns;” and made available to newsmen in Maiduguri, the state capital.

On October 6, 2014, the Nigerian “The Vanguard” newspaper and other news media reported on this. The Vanguard stated: “185 churches in the diocese were torched and 190, 545 people displaced.” It also reported: “According to the statement, the “ransacking and torching” of churches in the captured towns and villages, have already displaced many priests, and are taking refuge in either Yola or Maiduguri metropolises for the last one or two months.”

“He said the capturing of towns along with the torching of about 185 places of worship is, ‘sad, heart arching and potentially dangerous to the territorial integrity and common good of Nigeria.’

Fr. Gideon Obasogie reportedly stated: “It is over 30 days now that our Church communities in Gulak, Shuwa, Michika, Bazza…. were sacked by the callous attacks of the Boko Haram terrorists. While Gwoza and Magadali had been under the tyrannical and despotic control of the terrorists and this is almost the sixtieth day. Our Priests are displaced, while citizens, who were supposed to celebrate their independence as a free Nation, were rather counting their losses and regrets as they had been reduced to the status of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs. Where is the freedom? Life is really terribly difficult. We are waiting eagerly to go back home, even as it is obvious that we are going to reconstruct our looted and burnt houses and ecclesiastical structures. We have been sacked for months, sleeping in uncompleted buildings, camps and school premises.”

“We have been absorbed into houses of relations and friends in sixties and seventies. Meals time is always difficult and shameful. We have counted weeks rolling into months, must we also count years? We are waiting to go back home! Nigerians are waiting to go back to their ancestral homes!!! Our minds are greatly troubled, do we think about our status, Or about our family members yet to be connected with ever since we fled our homes?”

“Do we worry about our aged parents who were not so strong to run, they always fed us with words of encouragement and wisdom. Do we worry about our sick members, women and infants who had been trapped? Most of whom we heard had been rape and killed. Or worry about the health, education and future of our children? We have got a lot of questions yet to be answered.”

“Talking about resumption, our children have not been fed and well clothed so resumption to schools is practically out of our calculation. In our opinion if thousand of Nigerian children can’t go to school then in the long run boko is really haram.”

“While our people perish inaction, or rather slow action is what we get. Political activities in neighboring communities were on-going as though nothing were a stake.”

Ferguson Protests for Equality

In Ferguson, Missouri, over the past several days, the protests in response to reported police brutality in the death of Michael Brown has swelled. Michael Brown was shot by a police officer on August 9, reportedly due to failure to not walk in the street. His body was left in the street for hours.

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) stands for our consistent universal human rights, dignity, and security, around the world, including in the United States. We reject the use of authoritarian groups and military measures to oppress, harass, and persecute any identity group, including human rights violations against African-Americans in the United States of America. Our universal human rights must apply equally around the world, including in American cities.

By the next day, Sunday, August 10, the area police had assembled 150 officers in riot gear. The show of military type force had the opposite affect on protesters, rather than restoring calm, it instead promoted violence, including police violence, people confronting police, looting and vandalism. This led to more riots on the night of August 10.

Riot police in Ferguson, Missouri August 13, 2014. (Reuters / Mario Anzuoni)

On Monday, August 11, policed fired tear gas and rubber bullets outside a burned convenience store which had been set on fire on August 10. The police also fired gas and rounds on protesters, including state Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal.

Additional protests have taken place this week, with protesters carrying signs and many held their hands in the air while shouting “don’t shoot!”

This included another violent clash on the night of Wednesday, August 13, where police also arrested news journalists. CNN reported one police officer calling protesters “f**king animals” during his “enforcement” of the law. Also arrested on Wednesday August 13, was St. Louis alderman Antonio French, who was protesting with the group.

Ferguson Police During Riots August 13, 2014 (Source: Slate)

The militarization of the police is a troubling issue, and the American people must ask our police what law are they enforcing, if the authority we grant our police violates our Constitution and our universal human rights.

We must all be responsible for equality and liberty.

Our Men and Women Who Fight for Freedom Stand For Freedom of Speech - August 14 (Source: Loaves of Bread) — Our Men and Women Who Fight for Freedom Stand For Freedom of Speech – August 14 (Source: Loaves of Bread)