EVERYDAY PEOPLE POWERING A MOVEMENT IN SUPPORT OF KELLY THOMAS
By Janis Populi
The Downtown Fullerton Plaza was bustling with life Saturday, a heart-wrenching contrast to the man—Kelly Thomas—who had brought all these people to this place, but an encouraging development, too.
The last time I was in Fullerton—in mid-July, when I participated in one of the first demonstrations over Thomas’s death after a beating by six Fullerton police officers—the ambiance was much different. As barely a dozen of us stood in front of the Fullerton Police Station carrying signs that read “Murder,” “Justice for Kelly Thomas” and “Contempt of Cop =Police State,” I felt lonely and more than a little uncomfortable.
But I arrived Saturday to find a real cross-section of locals milling about—young hipsters, the homeless, disabled people in wheelchairs, a rotund USC football fan in full garb, “Oath Keepers,” libertarians, bikers, businessmen, a council/mayor recall group and two local television news vans. There were also a couple of Fullerton police officers—a captain and a sergeant—talking to anyone who approached them.
As a long-haired rocker wailing on his Stratocaster on the stage at the far end of the plaza filled the air with music, charitable donations rapidly filled a U-Haul truck. Vendors in a row of booths were doing a brisk business in funnel cakes, lemonade, raffle tickets and Kelly Thomas memorial T-Shirts.
This was NOT an angry crowd—rather it was a crowd of people united by their desire that justice be done in the murder of Kelly Thomas and that things get better for the homeless.
Later, walking through the bus terminal where Kelly Thomas was beaten on July 5, I paused at a makeshift shrine to take in the heart-shaped balloons, signs and other items arranged around photos of Kelly.
One sign said “HONK!! For the criminal prosecution of the Fullerton police officer’s that Killed Kelly THomas.-R.I.P.” A car filled with donations for the memorial stopped. The driver, your stereotypical solid-citizen kind of guy, wanted directions from the bus station to the meet-up a few blocks away.
As I was walking away, he began to honk his horn. HONK… HONK HONK… HONK HON HONK HONK … and then just one long loud wail.
24 Comments
Does anyone care anymore about what happened to Douglas Zerby?
My prediction: Six months from now, the killing of Kelly Thomas will also be forgotten and the six Fullerton cops will return to their murderous ways.
City Hall, the DA and the cops all know the public’s backbone is pitiful. They know if they delay, don’t provide any evidence and keep their mouths shut long enouth, the public will eventually go away and they will be able to return as always to their illegal and murderous ways.
There is a very fine gray line between the cops and the crooks that is frequently crossed over.
Ruehle said: “There is a very fine gray line between the cops and the crooks that is frequently crossed over.”
I think his opinion is inaccurate. I think the number of incidents in which police officers commit misconduct is extremely small in comparison to the amount of good and proper police activity that occurs every single day and night throughout any given jurisdiction.
The number of incidents of misconduct which rise to the level of criminality is, I think, smaller still.
All police misconduct is wrong and, when proven, should be corrected appropriately. Any crime that a police officer commits should be prosecuted and, upon a guilty verdict, punished to the fullest extent the law allows.
Part of what makes instances of criminal police misconduct so very newsworthy, however -aside from the clear violation of public trust- is the comparative rarity in which such violations actually occur.
Cops unfortunately sometimes do cross over Ruehle’s line, but I think that line is far broader and bolder than he believes and crossing it happens with comparative rarity.
Whenever such crossings do occur, punishment should be swift and sure.
when cops band together to protect one of their own, regardless of his or her obvious guilt, they all become criminals. end of story.
INCLUDING recently retired Long Beach Cop John B. Greet.
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.” — Joseph Goebbels
“If police tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the police can withhold from the people the description of events, officer’s names and evidence of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the Police to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the Police.” — Mike Ruehle
Two Fullerton police officers charged with murder, manslaughter:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/09/da-announces-kelly-thomas-murder-charges.html
glad to be wrong about that.
I am really glad this case is moving forward. So many have been so frustrated over the length of the various investigations. It is horrible to learn that there exists probable cause to believe that two sworn Fullerton peace officers have unlawfully caused Kelly Thomas’ death.
If Ramos and Cicinelli are convicted, I hope they each pay the maximum criminal and civil penalties allowed by law.
Police officer misconduct is never acceptable. Misconduct that rises to the level of criminality is particularly despicable. Criminal misconduct that results in the wrongful death of another is the most despicable of all and, once proven, must be punished swiftly and severely, both as a penalty to those who committed the act, and as a discouragement to others who would ever consider such behavior.
Recently retired Long Beach Police Officer John B. Greet is the same guy who questioned what Ron Thomas would be protesting after his child had just been murdered by Fullerton Police Officers.
This invoked the following response from Dave Wielenga:
“Oh, John Greet, every time I think your heart cannot get colder … Why don’t you go to the demonstration and ask Ron Thomas what he is protesting? I’ll go with you. I’d like to watch. (I know, you’ve got to work.)”
You are correct, Ruehle. I am a recently retired police officer, just as you have a documented history of criminal behavior. What do either of those facts have to do with this discussion?
You are also correct that I asked if Ron Thomas had said what the topic of the protest at the OC DA’s office would be. I also explained to Dave why I asked. In keeping with your typically dishonest tactics, however, you conveniently didn’t bother to include *that* response, but only Dave’s.
As is usually the case, you choose to deflect the discussion from the topic at hand and turn it into an offering of insult toward me and for not other reason than because I had the temerity to ask a very simple and reasonable question. All it required was a simple and reasonable answer.
But you and some others here seem to need to personalize every discussion. You seem to take persnoal offense that anyone should dare to hold na opinion that diverges from your own, or dare to ask questions in a sincere attempt to acquire knowledge.
Get over yourself, already!
“But you and some others here seem to need to personalize every discussion. You seem to take persnoal offense that anyone should dare to hold na opinion that diverges from your own, or dare to ask questions in a sincere attempt to acquire knowledge.”
(3) They scapegoat; they are incapable of either having the insight or willingness to accept responsibility for anything they do. Whatever the problem, it is always someone else’s fault.
“Get over yourself, already!”
(2) They are egotistical to the point of narcissism. They really believe they are set apart from the rest of humanity by some special grace.
“You are correct, Ruehle. I am a recently retired police officer, just as you have a documented history of criminal behavior.”
(4) They are remorselessly vindictive when thwarted or exposed
“As is usually the case, you choose to deflect the discussion from the topic at hand and turn it into an offering of insult toward me and for not other reason than because I had the temerity to ask a very simple and reasonable question. All it required was a simple and reasonable answer.”
1) They are habitual liars. They seem incapable of either knowing or telling the truth about anything.
know the signs of a malignant personality! forewarned is forearmed!
howardx
September 21, 2011
“glad to be wrong about that.”
The list of things you are wrong about, howardx, would easily circle the globe a couple of times.
“The list of things you are wrong about, howardx, would easily circle the globe a couple of times”
4) They are remorselessly vindictive when thwarted or exposed
Hmm…remorselessly vindictive, when thwarted or exposed…sounds far more like you and a few others here. You might consider looking in the mirror, howardx. janis and her “gronics”, Ruehle and his incessant “so says recently retired police officer Greet”, and your own goofy lists.
Come on, howardx, drop the petty and intellectually dishonest tactics and simply deal with and debate the relevant issues.
(3) They scapegoat; they are incapable of either having the insight or willingness to accept responsibility for anything they do. Whatever the problem, it is always someone else’s fault.
Sort of like you have been doing with this entire thread, right howardx? Again, take a good, long, candid look in your mirror.
Judge Erick Larsh ruled that police officer Manuel Ramos is to post $1.0 million bail like any other murderer and not receive special treatment because he is a cop.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/09/kelly-thomas-officer-arraigned.html
Ernest Raymond Rodriguez’s law suit against Long Beach Police begins tomorrow for being shot 3 times by police while on 2nd street.
http://www.cacd.uscourts.gov/cacd/MasterCal.nsf/f5070bd3154c602b8825724500737fa6/bdc048a2a5fae705882578f1007664f2/$FILE/0822DOC%20Amended.pdf
According to court documents, Officer Jonathan A Steinhauser “then began to shoot Rodriguez several times and Rodriguez immediately fell down into a gutter. (D. Irizarry Dep., 2). At no point did Steinhauser warn Rodriguez of his intent to shoot.”
http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/california/cacdce/8:2010cv00271/466721/60
Expect us taxpayers to pay an enormous amount of money to settle this one out of court.
In case you are wondering, Officer Steinhauser has two other pending law suits against him since this incident, one of which resulted in another persons death.
How come when a comment is moderated it always seems to chop off portions of the comment?
Just know Mike that you have the greet fuming and stuttering with your postings of the irrefutable facts.
John B. Greet
September 22, 2011
I am a recently retired police officer, just as you have a documented history of criminal behavior.
Interesting how the greet would follow “police officer” with “criminal behavior”; however it was “criminal” that LB residents were stuck with such a low calibre Sergeant/substitute Lietenant as the greet. Thank goodness he’s not exposing us to any liability anymore.
“Sort of like you have been doing with this entire thread, right howardx? Again, take a good, long, candid look in your mirror.”
1) They are habitual liars. They seem incapable of either knowing or telling the truth about anything.
Why is the LA County DA waiting for the Long Beach Police to finish investigating the Long Beach Police murder of Douglas Zerby? Previously, the DA claimed to be conducting their very own INDEPENDENT investigation. Apparently that is not true. Time to bring in the FBI like in the Kelly Thomas case.
http://mobile.latimes.com/p.p?a=rp&m=b&postId=919119&curAbsIndex=0&resultsUrl=DID%3D6%26DFCL%3D1000%26DSB%3Drank%2523desc%26DBFQ%3DuserId%253A7%26DL.w%3D%26DL.d%3D10%26DQ%3DsectionId%253A5224%26DPS%3D0%26DPL%3D3