Initial personnel from the Missouri National Guard arrive at the Missouri Highway Patrol command center in Ferguson, Mo. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)
Aug 20, 2014
On August 16, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon called National Guard troops into Ferguson to "ensure the safety and welfare of the citizens." This call came amid international debate over the militarized police response to protests that were sparked by the police killing of unarmed teenager Michael Brown. Commentators have questioned why, on top of heavily armed riot teams, the governor needs the National Guard?
Rarely deployed to deal with civilian unrest, in most instances National Guard troops lay sandbags and hand out bottles of water. But as troops turned up in Ferguson on Monday clad in military fatigues and equipped with rifles, they aroused memories of America's past.
In Ferguson these civilian soldiers were clearly not there to just hand out water. As Monday night's images of excessive force showed, the National Guard was called in to protect the police, not the people. Through wafts of tear gas, with guns ready, these troops provided military backup to an already militarized police force. For many, this is like rubbing salt in a community's wounds. And as a closer look at the history of National Guard deployments makes clear -- from Kent State to the Los Angeles riots -- its presence often serves to justify police violence.
Read the full article at Al-Jazeera America.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
© 2023 Al-Jazeera English
Anna Feigenbaum
Anna Feigenbaum is a lecturer in media and politics at Bournemouth University. She is a co-author of "Protest Camps" (Zed 2013) and the author of the forthcoming "Tear Gas: The Making of a Peaceful Poison" (Verso 2015).Follow her on Twitter: @drfigtree.
On August 16, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon called National Guard troops into Ferguson to "ensure the safety and welfare of the citizens." This call came amid international debate over the militarized police response to protests that were sparked by the police killing of unarmed teenager Michael Brown. Commentators have questioned why, on top of heavily armed riot teams, the governor needs the National Guard?
Rarely deployed to deal with civilian unrest, in most instances National Guard troops lay sandbags and hand out bottles of water. But as troops turned up in Ferguson on Monday clad in military fatigues and equipped with rifles, they aroused memories of America's past.
In Ferguson these civilian soldiers were clearly not there to just hand out water. As Monday night's images of excessive force showed, the National Guard was called in to protect the police, not the people. Through wafts of tear gas, with guns ready, these troops provided military backup to an already militarized police force. For many, this is like rubbing salt in a community's wounds. And as a closer look at the history of National Guard deployments makes clear -- from Kent State to the Los Angeles riots -- its presence often serves to justify police violence.
Read the full article at Al-Jazeera America.
Anna Feigenbaum
Anna Feigenbaum is a lecturer in media and politics at Bournemouth University. She is a co-author of "Protest Camps" (Zed 2013) and the author of the forthcoming "Tear Gas: The Making of a Peaceful Poison" (Verso 2015).Follow her on Twitter: @drfigtree.
On August 16, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon called National Guard troops into Ferguson to "ensure the safety and welfare of the citizens." This call came amid international debate over the militarized police response to protests that were sparked by the police killing of unarmed teenager Michael Brown. Commentators have questioned why, on top of heavily armed riot teams, the governor needs the National Guard?
Rarely deployed to deal with civilian unrest, in most instances National Guard troops lay sandbags and hand out bottles of water. But as troops turned up in Ferguson on Monday clad in military fatigues and equipped with rifles, they aroused memories of America's past.
In Ferguson these civilian soldiers were clearly not there to just hand out water. As Monday night's images of excessive force showed, the National Guard was called in to protect the police, not the people. Through wafts of tear gas, with guns ready, these troops provided military backup to an already militarized police force. For many, this is like rubbing salt in a community's wounds. And as a closer look at the history of National Guard deployments makes clear -- from Kent State to the Los Angeles riots -- its presence often serves to justify police violence.
Read the full article at Al-Jazeera America.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.