B Y OZ SKINNER
Do you know what a police state looks like? You may find out very soon. The US military released a statement December 1 indicating that they would deploy 20,000 troops within the country’s border by 2011. The Department of Defense contends that the deployed military forces will be used for emergency response to a potential terrorist attack in the US, and that fewer than eight percent will be responsible for security. It is nothing new to engage military presence amidst civil disputes, as was the case in the LA riots of 1992, but critics of the plan warn that expansions in presidential and military authority are a “creeping militarization” of Homeland Security.
For the first time in over 100 years, army brigades will be stationed in locations around the country. Forget the stain this will place on our already overwhelmed military, or the fact that it potentially violates the Posse Comitatus Act. The reality is that over the past eight years, law enforcement has become increasing militarized. At political protests across this country, we have seen the use of not only tear gas and concussion grenades, but Black Hawk helicopters and tanks as well. Additionally, we have seen corporate media embedded in police squads, further reinforcing a militaristic attitude towards domestic disturbances.
In Great Britain, the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Britain’s police force uses to monitor civilian activity was upgraded to include “prediction” software. By observing body language and movement, CCTV computers actually predict whether a civilian is about to commit a crime or is “acting suspicious”. CCTV computers notify law enforcement officials to investigate. Citizens are forced to explain their movements to police even if they have done nothing illegal!
The Department of Defense’s announcement is both shocking and frightening. After the hyper-militarization and hostility shown to protesters during the summer’s political conventions, it may not be long before the act of protest itself becomes illegal. Don’t be fooled by a president filled with hope. Our democracy still needs to be guarded with a watchful eye. It is as important now, as it has ever been, to practice the vigilance that will keep our democracy strong.
