Here we are, 14 years after the beating of Rodney King was caught on tape, and the LAPD is at it again. On August 11, 2006, two officers of the Los Angeles Police Department beat William Cardenas. They say he is a suspected drug dealer, which apparently gave the officers the right to beat him senseless, and totally ignore his civil rights.
Cardenas is being held without bail, facing two charges of resisting arrest. Resisting arrest? Can someone resist arrest while being punched in the face, pepper sprayed, held down and choked to the point where all he could manage was to repeatedly cry out, “I can’t breathe!� According to the LAPD you can.
A neighbor in the area who later put it on youTUBE for everyone to view videotaped it. It came to the FBI’s attention last Thursday, prompting Federal investigators to open a civil rights inquiry into the August 11th incident.
And of course, the LAPD has now begun its own criminal investigation into the officers’ use of force. Why now, and not back in August when the incident took place? Because they’re so concerned about the welfare of the victim? Or could it be because thanks to a citizen of these lovely United States of ours, he took it upon himself to record this disturbing video and make it accessible for all to bear witness. OR, maybe it’s because it’s been brought into the light, and now the LAPD has to save face and at least attempt to appear as if they actually care about those they get paid to serve and protect.
It’s a shame that we have to rely on videos and youTUBE to keep us safe. The laws should do that. But our government and the courts keep rolling back oversight and accountability in California. Not only is this kind of violence not rare, we’re afraid it’s going to become more common, and God help those without a video camera around to capture the abuse.
