John Sandford Quotes
Most people in protest mobs are pretty sincere and don't want to fight cops or break things.
In 1968 John Carlos and Tommie Smith had won an Olympic track medal, and while standing on the ceremonial medal stand they each raised a black-gloved fist in a Black power salute as the Star Spangled Banner was played and the American flag was raised. The scene was televised around the world. See {619664} for Carlos’ statement.
Half a century later some in the Muslim world were justifying terrorism, violence and intimidation on the grounds of desperation of the unique circumstances Islam as in and the attack Islam was under. However, many scholars use this quotation to illustrate that extra legal means and violence has been a Muslim tactic. It actually goes back to the beginning of Islam. It was ironic that Ali Kahn, after supporting extra-legal and violent means of achieving political objectives was himself the victim when he was assassinated in 1951.
Earlier, a virtually all white police force in nearby 67% Black Ferguson, had shot an unarmed black young man who was 20 feet away with his hands up, 7 times killing him and then leaving the body uncovered on the street for over 4 hours. Many people of all races began to peacefully demonstrate in Ferguson and were met with military assault weapons pointed at them and military armored vehicles, with the police illegally (as later determined by the courts) were interfering with the right to protest. The demonstrations turned to riots and there was looting and arson of business establishments. The demonstrations started to spread to nearby St. Louis and other cities as the news spread. While the Ferguson officials had behaved so badly and stupidly, the St. Louis mayor exhibited democratic leadership that was an example for others. Slay was then a 4 term mayor, being reelected more than any other mayor in St. Louis history, and was one of the outstanding politicians in America.
John Sandford, real name John Roswell Camp, is an American New York Times best-selling author, novelist, a former journalist and recipient of the Pulitzer Prize.
