UPDATED: 5 Dallas Officers Killed by Snipers at Protest Against Police Shootings
Now that more is known I’ve reclassified this as terrorism because that’s what it is. If you attack civilian authorities or civilians at a peaceful demonstration then you are trying to make political points through murder, the very definition of terrorism. The word of the day seems to be “divisiveness” if you listen to the news casters, but in the face of terror for whatever motive, for whatever reasons, we all have to stand united in our revulsion against it, against the taking of innocent lives.
It’s both horrible and evil that this has occurred. However this event will not diminish my support for black lives matter, nor our civilian authorities, because we must do better in this country at community policing, we must work together to put aside our fears of each other.
During events like this the worst amongst us seem to speak the loudest, there will be voices advocating more division. and racists who use this racist terror attack to further their evil causes. Do not let that discourage you, nor let it make you waver from the path of what is right.
So I will state where I stand: I stand with our police and public safety institutions, and I stand with Black Lives Matter. That support is not a contradiction. It’s a must in some communities that some police and some police departments put aside fear to achieve higher standards in community policing and relations. It’s a must that police stop escalating use of force sooner with black suspects than with all other suspects. It’s a must that Black Lives Matters continue speaking to help them achieve those standards, and it’s a must that we unify in support of high standards for public institutions and that we not let hate divide us.
Officers at Parkland pay their respects to the officers killed in the line of duty: https://t.co/V1iZB0dqq8 pic.twitter.com/rJyJDBrQZ3
— NBC DFW (@NBCDFW) July 8, 2016
“There has been a vicious, calculated and despicable attack on law enforcement,” President Obama told reporters Friday morning after a meeting with European leaders in Warsaw, after speaking by phone with Mayor Mike Rawlings of Dallas.
Mr. Obama went on: “Police in Dallas were on duty doing their jobs, keeping people safe, during peaceful protests. These law enforcement officers were targeted, and nearly a dozen officers were shot. Five were killed. Other officers, and at least one civilian, were wounded. Some are in serious condition and we are praying for their recovery.”
The Dallas police chief, David O. Brown, said that four suspects armed with rifles were believed to have carried out the attacks. They positioned themselves in triangulated locations near the end of the route the protesters planned to take.
More: 5 Dallas Officers Killed by Snipers at Protest Against Police Shootings
Also See:
How the attacks unfolded
Large Swath of Downtown Dallas Will Remain Closed Friday
Dallas Shooting Victim Speaks Out”
No Explosives Found in Dallas Sweep”
President Obama says America is horrified over Dallas attack
Drudge, Former Rep. Joe Walsh React To Dallas Shooting With Racism And Hate
Dallas Chief: Suspect Wanted to kill white people
NPR: What we Know Friday
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Meanwhile the usual suspects are doing their best to make things worse:
This headline. Wow. pic.twitter.com/0ALYFLdC9T
— Michelle Fields (@MichelleFields) July 8, 2016
After the news conference we now know this:
Dallas sniper suspect said he wanted to kill white people, especially police officers: Dallas police chief
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) July 8, 2016