Police violence
999 Seattle police announce crackdown on "vandalism"
25 January 2021
Ferdinand von Schirach’s Enemies: German public television puts police torture up for consideration
By Justus Leicht, 22 January 2021
The German public television network ARD began the new year with a controversial programme examining the value of police using torture to compel suspects to confess.
New York City workers demand action to defend Hunts Point strikers
By Daniel de Vries, 21 January 2021
Teachers, transit and other workers in New York City denounced Tuesday’s police attack on striking warehouse workers and are calling for unified action to fight the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and poverty wages.
New York City police attack striking Hunts Point warehouse workers
By Daniel de Vries, 20 January 2021
The NYPD arrested five workers as the warehouse workers' strike extended to day 3.
Free COVID-19 whistleblower Rebekah Jones!
By Bryan Dyne, 18 January 2021
Jones is being prosecuted by the state of Florida for exposing its effort to cover up cases of COVID-19 and opposing the state’s policy of prematurely reopening schools.
Killeen, Texas police officer shot and killed unarmed man during mental health call
By Chase Lawrence, 16 January 2021
Patrick Warren, Sr. was shot multiple times in the front yard of his home as his family watched in horror.
Lightfoot administration blocked release of video showing Chicago police crushing woman’s leg with SUV
By George Gallanis, 16 January 2021
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and her Democratic administration, aware of the growing social tensions in Chicago’s working class, are concerned that the quick release of incriminating police violence videos can lead to massive social upheavals.
999 Chicago mayor lied about suppressing yet another police violence video
15 January 2021
Video shows Modesto, California police officer gunned down unarmed man with hands up
By Shawn Velia and John Andrews, 13 January 2021
A body camera recording released by the Modesto Police Department in California shows an unarmed man gunned down, and then shot a second time while trying to surrender with his hands raised.
Chicago police crushed woman’s leg with SUV in 2019
By George Gallanis, 9 January 2021
The footage of Martina Standley’s terrifying ordeal exposes yet another drop in the bucket of the bloody record of the Chicago Police Department, overseen by the Democratic Party for nearly a hundred years.
999 Chicago police crushed womans leg with car
8 January 2021
999 Chicago police crushed womans leg with car
7 January 2021
No charges filed against officer who shot Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin
By Chase Lawrence, 6 January 2021
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, announced Monday the mobilization of 500 National Guard soldiers ahead of the decision to aid the police in the suppression of expected protests.
Sri Lanka prison massacre autopsy confirms victims were shot
By W. A .Sunil, 5 January 2021
After the bloodbath, the Rajapakse government is taking further measures to tighten the repressive conditions in prisons.
Protest over appalling conditions in New Zealand prison
By Tom Peters, 5 January 2021
Twenty-one prisoners were involved in a six-day standoff to oppose rundown and unsanitary conditions at Waikeria Prison, exposing the false promises by the Labour Party-led government to make prisons more humane.
Minneapolis police terrorize family after murdering their son
By Jacob Crosse, 4 January 2021
In the first documented killing by Minneapolis police since the murder of George Floyd, 23-year-old Somali-American immigrant Dolal Idd was killed in a barrage of gunfire under murky circumstances.
Democratic mayor prepares police crackdown on “violent antifa and anarchists” in Portland, Oregon
By Julio Patron, 4 January 2021
Mayor Ted Wheeler is using small downtown protests on New Year’s Eve as a pretext to further build up the powers of the police and to suppress growing social opposition.
No federal charges in Cleveland police shooting of Tamir Rice
By Kevin Reed, 31 December 2020
The US Department of Justice announced on Tuesday that no federal charges would be brought against the Cleveland police officers who fatally shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice in November 2014.
Washington state judge blocks release of public records in the police killing of Michael Reinoehl
By Kevin Reed, 30 December 2020
Thurston County Superior Court Judge Carol Murphy ruled in favor of a motion by the sheriff’s office to stop the release of police records about the execution of Portland protester Michael Reinoehl on September 3.
Second fatal policing shooting in Columbus, Ohio in less than a month sparks outrage
By Alex Findijs, 24 December 2020
Andre Hill was reportedly visiting a friend to deliver money for Christmas presents when the police arrived in response to a reported disturbance. Hill had barely stepped out of the garage when he was shot multiple times by an officer.
Crisis mounts in Chicago as Lightfoot admits lying and an official resigns following brutal police raid
By Alexander Fangmann, 22 December 2020
The resignation of Corporation Counsel Mark Flessner is part of a campaign to deflect attention away from the deeply entrenched lawlessness and violence that has been cultivated in the police through nearly a century of Democratic Party rule.
Video of police killing sparks mass outrage in the Philippines
By John Malvar, 22 December 2020
The outpouring of anger over the murders, and the widespread calls for the end to police killings, put paid to the pernicious lie spread in the media that Duterte’s “war on drugs” is “wildly popular.”
Chicago mayor Lightfoot sought to block release of video of wrongful police raid
By Alexander Fangmann, 16 December 2020
City lawyers tried to suppress a CBS newscast depicting the brutal and illegal 2019 night-time raid on the home of social worker Anjanette Young and are seeking to sanction the victim.
New York Times smears COVID-19 whistleblower Rebekah Jones
By Genevieve Leigh, 14 December 2020
The Times is attempting to dig up completely irrelevant episodes from Jones’ past in order to discredit her work in exposing the state cover-up of COVID-19 cases.
Hundreds protest in Columbus, Ohio to demand justice for Casey Goodson, victim of police shooting
By Isaac Finn, 14 December 2020
More than 200 protesters gathered in front of the state capitol on Saturday to demand justice for the 23-year-old African-American man gunned down by a sheriff’s deputy on December 4.
Democratic mayor green lights police assault on protesters opposing family’s eviction in Portland, Oregon
By Kayla Costa, 10 December 2020
The police are preparing a brutal crackdown on hundreds of protesters who have occupied the area in front of the home of the Kinney family in opposition to their eviction.
Stop government attack on COVID-19 whistleblower Rebekah Jones!
By Statement of the Socialist Equality Party, 10 December 2020
The SEP condemns the fascistic police raid on Jones’ home, meant to suppress her work exposing the spread of COVID-19 in Florida and in schools across the US.
Family demands investigation after 23-year-old shot three times by police in Columbus, Ohio
By Katy Kinner, 9 December 2020
Casey Goodson, Jr. was killed by a sheriff’s deputy as he was returning home from a dentist appointment. His grandmother and two young children were standing near the door and witnessed the killing.
UK’s “spycops” inquiry continues coverup of Stephen Lawrence murder
By Paul Mitchell, 8 December 2020
Undercover officers were told to undermine the campaign for “a better investigation” into the murder of Stephen Lawrence by digging up “dirt” and “disinformation”.
Florida COVID-19 data scientist whistleblower raided by state police at gunpoint
By Benjamin Mateus, 8 December 2020
Rebekah Jones’ home was stormed Monday by police who terrorized her and her family and confiscated her phone, computers and other equipment.
Sri Lankan government activates lie machine to cover up prison killings
By Pradeep Ramanayake, 5 December 2020
Colombo has reacted to opposition to the shooting of unarmed protesting prisoners with increased repression.
999 Sri Lanka govt propaganda campaign over Mahara prison shootings
4 December 2020
Barbaric murder by Brazilian security guards sparks protests, repression
By Miguel Andrade, 30 November 2020
João Alberto Freitas was beaten to death by two guards at a Carrefour supermarket in the city of Porto Alegre, sparking protests across Brazil.
Hundreds of thousands protest across France against police violence and Macron’s police immunity law
By Will Morrow, 30 November 2020
Opposition is growing to a law that would criminalize the filming of police officers, amid a series of incidents of police brutality over the past week.
French police filmed violently assaulting music producer in Paris
By Will Morrow, 28 November 2020
The release of the video footage comes as the Macron government is pushing through a new law criminalizing the filming of police officers.
999 French National Assembly passes ban on photos of police
26 November 2020
French police launch violent crackdown on Paris refugee camp
By Will Morrow, 25 November 2020
Hundreds of homeless refugees were forced to march north until they reached the outer suburbs of Paris, pursued by police throwing teargas canisters as they went.
Greek government bans protests, imposes authoritarian measures utilising pretext of pandemic
By John Vassilopoulos, 25 November 2020
The escalation of state repression in Greece must be seen in the context of increased militancy in the working class and among youth over the authorties’ criminal handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Florida Sheriff’s Office intelligence-gathering program labels student youth as future criminals
By Alex Johnson, 24 November 2020
The police agency’s strategies for tracking youth shed light on the extraordinary lengths the department has gone to carry out repressive measures against underaged Pasco residents.
North Carolina pastor who led peaceful march to polls charged with felony assault
By Jacob Crosse, 24 November 2020
Three weeks after police assaulted peaceful marchers on their way to register to vote, the county sheriff’s office announced felony and misdemeanor charges against organizer Reverend Greg Drumwright.
Trial 4: A shameless police frame-up in Boston
By Joanne Laurier, 24 November 2020
Trial 4 is an eight-episode documentary television series, currently streaming on Netflix that examines the case of Sean Ellis, a black teenager wrongly convicted of the 1993 murder of police officer John Mulligan.
Dozens killed in Uganda as police and military carry out brutal crackdown on protests
By Eddie Haywood, 23 November 2020
The largest unrest in the East African country in a decade was sparked by the arrest of presidential candidate Bobi Wine during a campaign rally Wednesday.
Nigerian government goes on offensive against youth protesting police brutality
By Jean Shaoul, 23 November 2020
The repression is aimed at criminalising peaceful protests in the interest of Nigeria’s kleptocrats and the transnational energy corporations that have looted the country.
Brevard County sheriff’s deputy kills two Florida teenagers
By Matthew Taylor, 20 November 2020
The deputy’s claim of self-defense in the shooting is refuted by dash camera footage which was released Wednesday.
Former Sheriff David Clarke calls for Proud Boys chapter in Wisconsin
By Chase Lawrence, 19 November 2020
Clarke spoke at a Milwaukee County Republican event on Saturday, along with Republican State Senator Chris Kapenga.
Thai protests for democratic reforms continue despite violent police attack
By Peter Symonds, 19 November 2020
Thousands of protesters gathered on Tuesday outside the national assembly building in a bid to influence legislators who were discussing motions on constitutional change.
Louisville Metro Police Department and city officials implicated in cover-up of child sexual abuse ring
By Dominic Gustavo, 19 November 2020
The department concealed and then destroyed at least 738,000 records documenting the sexual abuse of minors in a youth program designed for children and teens who aspire to be police officers.
Macron prepares “global security” law banning the filming of French police
By Anthony Torres and Alex Lantier, 19 November 2020
The law, denounced by the UN, is a desperate attempt to silence rising public anger at social inequality and the official handling of the pandemic with all-out police terror.
999 Louisville police hid 750k records on sexual abuse
18 November 2020
After pledging to “defund the police,” Minneapolis City Council votes to increase police funding
By Anthony Bertolt, 16 November 2020
The Democratic Party-dominated Minneapolis City Council voted 7-6 Friday to approve a $500,000 funding increase to hire outside officers to augment the city’s police force.
Overwhelming police presence used to intimidate Northwestern University protest
By Andy Thompson, 14 November 2020
Police in riot gear outnumbered protesters by almost two to one.
Wisconsin man charged with providing assault rifle to Kenosha shooter Rittenhouse
By Kevin Reed, 11 November 2020
Nineteen-year-old Dominick Black has been arrested and charged with intentionally providing a dangerous weapon to Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, who shot and killed two protesters with the rifle during protests against police violence in Kenosha on August 25.
NYPD runs amok during post-Election Day protests
By Josh Varlin, 11 November 2020
The NYPD harbors fascistic elements which have brutalized workers in New York City in the days before and after November 3.
Police crack down on Thai protesters demanding democratic rights
By Peter Symonds, 11 November 2020
The ongoing protests are calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and his military-backed government, a new constitution and reforms to the monarchy.
Breonna Taylor’s mother demands an independent investigation into police killing after exposure of grand jury whitewash
By Steve Filips, 5 November 2020
Tamika Palmer is demanding a new investigation after three jurors revealed that Republican Kentucky attorney general Daniel Cameron did not follow procedure and present the possibility of six homicide charges against the officers who killed Taylor.
French police assault students demanding school shutdowns to stop coronavirus spread
By Will Morrow, 4 November 2020
Yesterday, French riot police tear gassed and broke up protests by high school students calling for the closure of their schools to halt the spread of the pandemic.
Protests erupt in Vancouver, Washington after police murder of 21-year-old Kevin Peterson, Jr.
By David Fitzgerald, 4 November 2020
The anti-police violence protests just north of Portland, Oregon became the target of far-right forces, including Patriot Prayer.
999 Vancouver, Washington police shooting/protests
3 November 2020
999 Breonna Taylor's family demands independent investigation after exposure of grand jury whitewash
3 November 2020
999 Vancouver, Washington police shooting/protests
2 November 2020
National Guard deployed in Philadelphia following protests against police murder
By Nick Barrickman, 31 October 2020
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, a Democrat, has announced plans to keep the National Guard in the city until after Election Day.
“You are going to have students, employees and the community getting sick and possibly dying.”
Philadelphia educators speak out against the deadly reopening of schools
By Samuel Davidson, 30 October 2020
Educators in the Philadelphia region are speaking out against plans to resume in-person teaching early next month.
Demonstrations against police violence continue in Washington D.C., federal agents target Philadelphia teacher for protesting
By Jacob Crosse, 30 October 2020
Protesters in D.C. were doused with pepper spray and fired upon with “less-lethal” ammunition, while a Philadelphia social studies teacher was arrested by federal agents for his alleged role in George Floyd protests over the summer.
Nigeria: Live ammunition fired at anti-police brutality protesters
By Jean Shaoul, 30 October 2020
A Lagos-based soldier, speaking anonymously to Reuters, said soldiers from the army 81st Division’s 65th Battalion, based at Bonny Camp, had fired on unarmed civilians at the toll gate.
Trump defends killer cops and police attacks on protesters in Philadelphia
By Jacob Crosse, 29 October 2020
Trump is using protests against the police murder of Walter Wallace, Jr. in Philadelphia to justify repression by federal, state and local forces against the eruption of mass opposition to his planned election coup.
National Guard sent to suppress protests over police murder in Philadelphia
By Jacob Crosse, 28 October 2020
The horrific shooting of 27-year-old William Wallace Jr. in front of his mother and brother ignited protests in his West Philadelphia neighborhood.
Protests erupt in Waukegan, Illinois after fatal police shooting of teenager
By Brian Green, 24 October 2020
Protesters in the city north of Chicago are calling for justice and answers after police killed 19-year-old Marcellis Stinette and wounded his girlfriend Tafarra Williams.
Nigerian government clamps down on protests
By Jean Shaoul, 23 October 2020
The deployment of Nigeria’s army followed its announcement last week that it was ready to maintain law and order and deal decisively with “subversive elements and troublemakers.”
Israel’s growing anti-Netanyahu protests face increasing right-wing and police attacks
By Jean Shaoul, 23 October 2020
The increasing violence in confrontations between anti- and pro-Netanyahu demonstrators have caused several commentators to warn of the descent into civil war.
No to police-state rule after the terrorist killing of French teacher Samuel Paty!
By Alex Lantier, 22 October 2020
The bankruptcy of communal terrorism is once more exposed. The state uses such atrocities as opportunities to whip up support for authoritarianism and nationalism.
999 Nigeria crisis
22 October 2020
Breonna Taylor grand jury was never given option to indict killer cops
By Jacob Crosse, 21 October 2020
Jurors have begun to come forward to dispute Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s characterization of the grand jury deliberations.
Nigerian government unleashes massacre against police brutality protesters
By Bill Van Auken, 20 October 2020
Nigeria’s protests against police brutality are also fueled by popular anger over conditions of mass unemployment, endemic poverty and unprecedented social inequality in Africa’s largest country.
Nigerian anti-police protests continue and garner international support
By Jean Shaoul, 20 October 2020
The dire social conditions are the product of colonial and neocolonial oppression by the imperialist powers on behalf of their banks and corporations, exacerbated by the venal and corrupt rule of the national bourgeoisie.
Two US Park Police officers charged in 2017 killing of Virginia motorist Bijan Ghaisar
Nick Barrickman
19 October 2020
Virginia Commonwealth attorneys charged United States Park Police officers Lucas Vinyard and Alejandro Amaya in the fatal shooting.
Chilean government mobilizes police and military on anniversary of social revolt
By Mauricio Saavedra, 19 October 2020
In response to planned demonstrations, Chile’s ultra-right government is placing tens of thousands of militarized Carabineros police, Special Forces and military troops on alert.
Protests against police brutality in Nigeria amid economic catastrophe
By Stephan McCoy, 16 October 2020
The protests were sparked by the killing of a young man in Delta State, in southern Nigeria, during a stop-and-search operation on October 3, although the police denied that Special Anti-Robbery Squad officers were involved.
Large-scale police deployment evicts alternative housing project in Berlin, Germany
By Justus Leicht and Peter Schwarz, 16 October 2020
The mobilization of thousands of police officers to evict an alternative housing project must be understood as a serious warning. In the face of social tensions and the catastrophic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, the ruling class is preparing to violently suppress any opposition from below.
US press reports confirm killing of Portland anti-fascist was targeted police assassination
By Patrick Martin, 15 October 2020
Trump raised the killing of Reinoehl as a great achievement during the first presidential debate with former Vice President Joe Biden. The Democratic candidate made no objection.
As police rampage continues in Oregon and Wisconsin
Trump supporter killed by Pinkerton agent during dueling Denver, Colorado protests
By Jacob Crosse, 12 October 2020
Despite the fact the shooter was employed by one of the most notorious security agencies in US history, far-right media outlets and personalities tried to paint the killing as the latest example of “BLM/Antifa” violence.
Wisconsin police conduct mass arrest of protesters, journalists after announcement of no charges against killer cop
By Jacob Crosse, 10 October 2020
Relatively small protests in Wauwatosa, a suburb of Milwaukee, have been met with the deployment of the National Guard and overwhelming unconstitutional police violence.
Former Minneapolis police officer charged with murder of George Floyd released on bail
By Nick Barrickman, 8 October 2020
Floyd’s killing by Derek Chauvin and three other officers on May 25 set off mass protests around the world against police violence.
Texas police officer charged with murder after shooting and killing unarmed black man
By Alex Findijs, 7 October 2020
Jonathan Price intervened to prevent a fight inside a convenience store. When police officer Shaun Lucas attempted to detain Price, he stunned him with a Taser and shot him three times.
Protests erupt in Chile after police throw 16-year-old off bridge
By Mauricio Saavedra, 6 October 2020
Chile’s murderous police violence proves that all of the tensions that gave rise to the social convulsions one year ago have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trump mobilized Republican-state army to suppress DC protests in June coup attempt
By Nick Barrickman, 5 October 2020
An investigation conducted by the Washington Post details how Trump utilized a legal loophole to deploy National Guard troops from various states on the streets of Washington D.C. to suppress protests on June 1.
Breonna Taylor police murder grand jury proceedings released by Kentucky court
By Matthew MacEgan, 3 October 2020
In an extraordinary development, over 20 hours of previously sealed audio recordings have been released after an unidentified juror disputed the explanation given for why no one was charged over Taylor’s killing.
Judge orders release of recordings in Breonna Taylor grand jury proceedings
By Kevin Reed, 30 September 2020
The Kentucky Attorney General's exoneration of the police officers who shot Taylor is being exposed as part of a cover-up that began when she was killed in her apartment on March 13.
Australian police not charged over death of Aboriginal woman
By Karen Maxwell, 30 September 2020
The case demonstrates the increasing impunity with which the forces of the state treat the poorest and most oppressed sections of the working class.
Police respond to demonstrations across the US with vicious assaults on protesters and journalists
By Jacob Crosse, 28 September 2020
Abetted by the police, far-right Trump supporters, Proud Boys and neo-Nazis assaulted and provoked anti-police violence protesters throughout the weekend.
Trump’s Operation Legend prepares local police forces to suppress opposition
By Alex Findijs, 28 September 2020
Tens of millions of dollars have been provided to local police forces to hire more officers, upgrade crowd control equipment and develop surveillance operations.
“State of Emergency” declared in three states as protests continue over cover-up of Breonna Taylor slaying
By Jacob Crosse, 26 September 2020
Courageous multiracial demonstrators continue to defy curfews, police rampages and vehicle assaults in cities across the US to protest the state-sanctioned murder.
Killing by Colombian military escalates protests against state violence
By Andrea Lobo, 26 September 2020
The wave of unrest is merging with opposition to the devastation caused by the state’s counter-insurrectionary war, which has killed more than 200,000 civilians.
After the exoneration of Breonna Taylor’s killers: The way forward in the fight against police violence
By Niles Niemuth, 26 September 2020
The ubiquity of police violence in the US, with approximately 1,000 people killed every year, is bound up with the extreme growth of social inequality and class tensions.
Protests across the US against whitewash of Breonna Taylor murder met with police repression
By Jacob Crosse, 25 September 2020
Four months of largely peaceful protests against police violence have been answered with violent repression and judicial cover-ups.
Protests erupt over whitewash of police murder of Breonna Taylor in Kentucky
By Niles Niemuth, 24 September 2020
Neither of the two officers who fired the fusillade of 22 bullets that killed 26-year-old Breonna Taylor in her Louisville, Kentucky home were charged by the grand jury convened by state authorities.
Video footage exposes police shooting of 13-year-old autistic boy in Salt Lake City
By Niles Niemuth, 23 September 2020
While Linden Cameron somehow survived being shot 11 times, police in the US are still on track to kill nearly 1,000 people, a grim toll they have exacted every year since 2015.
Louisville police chief declares “state of emergency” in advance of state’s decision on charges against policemen who killed Breonna Taylor
By Kevin Reed, 22 September 2020
Federal police agencies have been requested by U.S. Attorney Russell Coleman to provide protection for the courthouse and three other buildings in downtown Louisville in anticipation of protests this week.
Los Angeles sheriff terrorizes residents and attacks critics following shooting of two deputies
By John Andrews, 21 September 2020
Los Angeles Sheriff Alex Villanueva continues to lay blame on demonstrators and critics for the shooting of two deputies one week ago by a still unidentified assailant.
Colorado police conduct militarized arrests of Party for Socialism and Liberation members
By Jacob Crosse, 19 September 2020
The manner of the arrests and the overwhelming charges against the six protesters are a clear act of intimidation against all those determined to put an end to police violence and racism.
Australia: Mentally-ill man in coma after brutal Victorian police assault
By Martin Scott, 18 September 2020
The man was rammed by a police car before he was pepper-sprayed and kicked in the head.
Follow the WSWS