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Sep 15, 17

IGD STL: People Hit the Streets In Wake of Jason Stockley Verdict

People have hit the streets of St. Louis today, after a judge found ex-police officer Jason Stockley not guilty of first-degree murder. Stockley was responsible for the murder of an African-American Anthony Lamar Smith in 2011, which took place after a car chase. Many contend that Stockley planted a gun found in Smith’s car; he was seen on video rummaging around in a bag and his DNA was later found on the weapon. A video of Stockley recorded inside his police car showed him yelling, “We’re killing this motherfucker. Don’t you know it.” Stockley was also reported to have been carrying his personal AK-47 at the start of the car chase that led to Smith’s murder, which he of course was not authorized to carry.

The judge also waived charging the former officer with manslaughter, stating that the defense did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the police were at fault for Smith’s death. The judge also based much of it’s decision on the fact that Smith was found with a bag of heroin in his vehicle. The judge wrote, “Finally, the Court observes, based on its nearly thirty years on the bench, that an urban heroin dealer not in possession of a firearm would be an anomaly.”

Such a statement flies in the face of ‘fairness’ or ‘justice’ but shows the degree in which being black and poor in the US can easily be a death sentence. Also not an anomaly, is the reality that police in the US kill an average of 3.5 people per day. Since the start of 2017, 853 people have been killed by American law enforcement, according to Killed by Police. Courts and judges protect the police and want them to continue to serve the interests of power, capital, and white supremacy, and thus, give them free range to attack and kill. As we speak, people are now taking to the streets of St. Louis in response.

Protests were attacked by police off and on with various arrests. Some people are open carrying in the demonstration. Marchers at one point went to the Mayor’s house and threw paint and broke windows. Also, at one point someone with an SUV attempted to drive over protesters.

Check out our roundup below for updates.

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In search of new forms of life. It's Going Down is a digital community center and media platform featuring news, opinion, podcasts, and reporting on autonomous social movements and revolt across so-called North America from an anarchist perspective.

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