Saturday, June 6, 2020
Opinion: #GeorgeFloydProtest - In #America, Protest Is Patriotic
The police are supposed to protect free speech, not suppress it.
Yet as they turned out to exercise their most basic rights as citizens, these Americans have often encountered only more contempt for those rights from the people who are supposed to protect them.
Some protesters crossed the line into violence. Some people took advantage of the chaos to loot. But all too often, facing peaceful demonstrations against police violence, the police responded with more violence — against protesters, journalists and bystanders. In a handful of cities, local leaders recognized what was at stake, and their response can point the way forward for the country. In Houston, the police chief, Art Acevedo, told protesters: “We will march as a department with everybody in this community. I will march until I can’t stand no more. But I will not allow anyone to tear down this city.”
He had the sense to recognize that a vast majority of demonstrators wanted what he wanted, a better city. And he clearly saw that the responsibility of the police was not to abridge but to safeguard the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech, assembly, the press and religion.
In many places, the country is experiencing a communal breakdown so complete that mayors have thrown up their hands and ordered curfews or called in the National Guard. Unable to maintain urban life, they have tried to suspend it, just as they had done in response to the spread of the coronavirus. Healing the wounds ripped open in recent days and months will not be easy. The pandemic has made Americans fearful of their neighbors, cut them off from their communities of faith, shut their outlets for exercise and recreation and culture and learning. Worst of all, it has separated Americans from their own livelihoods.
Fear of the police has further separated communities from those sworn to protect their rights.
President Trump, who tends to see only political opportunity in public fear and anger, is in his customary manner contributing heat rather than light to the confrontations between protesters and authority. In the absence of national leadership, it is all the more vital that mayors and governors affirm the rules that ought to govern American society. The nation is founded on the freedom of speech — and particularly the right to gather in protest against the government. Politicians must hold the police accountable for protecting the rights of everyone they are sworn to protect and serve.
In the same vein, city and state leaders should pursue the reopening of houses of worship in consultation with public health authorities. Particularly in this agonizing time, many Americans want to turn to their communities of faith for support. And religious leaders have often been at the forefront of nonviolent social change.
The chaos unleashed by the death of Mr. Floyd defies simple prescriptions; it is a result of too many underlying conditions. Authorities are facing a stern test: It can be all but impossible to police the boundaries of legitimate protest, particularly on the ground. And it must be painful for many police officers who put their lives on the line to hear themselves criticized by their fellow citizens.
Yet the testimony of local journalism, eyewitnesses and videos posted online make clear that too many police officers have little interest in protecting legitimate protest. While some officers have joined protests or knelt in solidarity, others, often in the same cities, have acted savagely, inciting or exacerbating violence.
Just a few weeks ago, the police demonstrated remarkable forbearance as heavily armed groups turned out in several state capitals to oppose coronavirus-related public heath measures. Now the police are demonstrating an equally remarkable intolerance to protests against their own behavior.
The police have imposed arbitrary limits on protests, creating excuses for confrontation. They have fired countless rounds of tear gas and rubber bullets into unarmed crowds, sometimes without warning. They have attacked with fists, truncheons, shields — and cars.
They have behaved as if determined to prevent peaceful protest by introducing violence.
In some of the most troubling attacks, police officers have singled out those who spoke up, wading into crowds of protesters and silencing the loudest voices.
In Charleston, S.C., a black man dropped to one knee and told the police, “All of you are my family.” The police arrested him.
In Kansas City, Mo., a black man shouted from a crowd of protesters, “If you ain’t got the balls to protect the streets and protect and serve like you were paid to do, turn in your damned badge.” The police arrested him.
In scores of incidents across the country, police officers also have deliberately attacked journalists reporting on the protests. Minneapolis police arrested a CNN crew on live television. Video captured Louisville police firing pepper bullets at a local TV crew. The Manhattan district attorney’s office is investigating the alleged assault of a Wall Street Journal reporter by the police. Protesters, for their part, have also targeted reporters, including a Fox News crew outside the White House.
In a brazen display of this administration’s disregard for the First Amendment, the nation’s chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General William Barr, ordered federal officers to clear a peaceful protest in front of the White House. The police used tear gas, rubber bullets and riot shields to drive away protesters, journalists and priests standing on the private porch of St. John’s Church, all so Mr. Trump could pose for photos. The photo op managed to take aim at the freedom of assembly, speech and religion all at the same time.
On Tuesday, the Trump administration sent more troops into the streets of Washington. Armored vehicles patrolled downtown. Helicopters buzzed overhead. Soldiers trained for war in foreign countries stood on the corners of American streets, hands on guns.
Americans aren’t holding their breath for the president to change his incendiary behavior. But city leaders and governors have plenty of room to act in the meantime.There are signs some leaders recognize the damage that has been done. In Richmond, Va., where the police gassed peaceful demonstrators on Monday evening, the mayor, Levar Stoney, apologized Tuesday and promised to join a march. The chief of police, William Smith, took a knee in a show of contrition and solidarity.The governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, apologized to the CNN reporters arrested in Minneapolis, and then took a moment to dilate on the importance of a free press.“The protection and security and safety of the journalists covering this is a top priority, not because it is a nice thing to do, because it is a key component of how we fix this,” Mr. Walz said. “Sunshine, disinfectant and seeing what’s happening has to be done.”
On Tuesday, Mr. Walz ordered a civil rights investigation into the “systemic racism” of the Minneapolis Police Department. It is not enough, right now, for officials to focus on protecting private property. It is not enough even for them to think only of protecting life, though that is critical. They need to also protect the freedoms of assembly and expression, and then, like Mr. Walz, to hear what’s being said. That’s where the healing may begin.
بلاول بھٹو کی پریس کانفرنس: ‘ملک میں کرونا وائرس پھیلایا گیا’
بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے کہا کہ وزیرِ اعظم کہتے ہیں کہ ملک میں کرونا وائرس پھیل چکا ہے اور اب ہم اسے روکنے کے لیے کچھ نہیں کر سکتے۔ انھوں نے کہا کہ وائرس نہ صرف پھیلا ہے بلکہ زبردستی پھیلایا گیا۔ انھوں نے کہا کہ سپریم کورٹ کے کرونا وائرس لاک ڈاؤن پر فیصلے کے بعد سندھ حکومت اتنی خود مختار نہیں رہی ہے۔ انھوں نے سوال کیا کہ پاکستان میں فی کس اموات کی شرح کے انڈیا سمیت دیگر ہمسایہ ممالک سے زیادہ ہونے پر وہ کس کو ذمہ دار ٹھہرائیں؟
انھوں نے کہا کہ ڈاکٹر اور نرسیں ابھی تک سراپا احتجاج ہیں کسی کو تو ان سے بات کرنے کی یہ ذمہ داری اٹھانی پڑے گی۔ پنجاب اور سندھ کی ڈاکٹر تنظیموں نے ابھی چند دن قبل پریس کانفرنس کی تھی۔ انھوں نے وفاقی حکومت کو کہا کہ فرنٹ لائن پر لڑنے والوں کی بات سنیں وہ کیا کہہ رہے ہیں۔ ‘اگر آپ ایک وبا کے بارے میں ماہرینِ معیشت، کاروباری طبقے اور تاجروں سے رائے لیں گے تو اس کا کیا علاج ہوگا؟‘ بلاول بھٹو نے وفاقی حکومت سے کہا کہ آپ کی پہلی ذمہ داری ہے کہ آپ اپنی اورخاندانوں کی زندگیوں کو خطرے سے نکالنے والوں کی بات سنیں، اور پھر ان کے مطالبات پورے کریں۔
بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے شکایت کی کہ پہلے دن سے میڈیا اور اپوزیشن کا نشانہ صوبہ سندھ ہے حالانکہ سب سے زیادہ صحتیابی کی شرح سندھ میں ہے۔ ‘لیکن کیا کسی نے پی ٹی آئی سے پوچھا کہ باقی صوبے جہاں آپ کی حکومت ہے وہاں شرحِ اموات کیوں زیادہ ہے؟’
انھوں نے وفاقی حکومت سے اپنا رویہ درست کرنے کا مطالبہ کرتے ہوئے کہا کہ وفاقی حکومت نے پاکستان کے غریب عوام کی صحت و زندگی کو نہ صرف خطرے میں ڈالا ہے بلکہ انھیں معاشی طور پر بھی نقصان پہنچایا۔
انھوں نے کہا کہ سندھ حکومت اور دیگر صوبوں نے وفاقی حکومت سے کرپشن کے لیے نہیں بلکہ اپنی صحت کی سہولیات میں اضافے کے لیے فنڈز کی درخواست کی تھی جو پوری نہیں کی گئی۔
وفاقی حکومت نے سندھ حکومت کی کوششوں کو سبوتاژ کیا، بلاول بھٹو - #BBZexposingIncompetence
چیئرمین پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے ایک بار پھر ملک میں کورونا پھیلنے کی ذمہ داری وفاقی حکومت پر ڈالتے ہوئے کہا ہے کہ کورونا کے معاملے پر عوام کی جانیں بچانے کےبجائے اپنی معیشت بچانے کا ماڈل اپنایا گیا۔ وفاق نے کورونا کی روک تھام کے لیے سندھ حکومت کی کوششو ں کو سبوتاژ کیا۔
کراچی میں میڈیا سے گفتگو کرتے ہوئے بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے کہا کہ ہماری کورونا سے اموات کی شرح بھارت اور چین سے زیادہ ہے، کسی کو تو ذمہ داری اٹھانا ہوگی۔
انہوں نے کہا کہ ہمارے صوبائی وزیر مرتضیٰ بلوچ بھی کورونا وائرس سے جاں بحق ہوئے، ہماری کوشش تھی کہ کورونا جتنی تیزی سے پھیلا ہے اس طرح نہ پھیلے، وفاقی حکومت نے سندھ حکومت کی کوششوں کو سبو تاژ کیا اگر وفاق کو کام نہیں کرنا تھا تو ہماری کوششوں کو متاثر نہیں کرنا چاہیے تھا۔
بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے کہا کہ ہماری بات نہ مانیں مگر ان کی تو مانیں جو اس بیماری سے فرنٹ لائن پر لڑ رہے ہیں، وفاقی حکومت اعداد و شمار کے ساتھ کھیل کر عوام کو بے وقوف بنارہی ہے، وفاقی حکومت نے عوام، ڈاکٹرز اور پیرامیڈکس کو لاوارث چھوڑ دیا ہے۔
انہوں نے کہا کہ وزیراعظم مزدوروں کا نام لیتے ہیں، کسی ایک لیبر یونین کے وفد سے بھی ملے ہیں؟ وبا میں کس قانون کے تحت پاکستان اسٹیل ملز کے دس ہزار مزدوروں کو بیروزگار کیا جارہا ہے؟۔
بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے کہا کہ سندھ میں لوگوں کو ملازمت سے نکالنے پر پابندی ہے، پاکستان اسٹیل کے لوگوں کو کیوں نکالاجارہا ہے؟ پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی پاکستان اسٹیل ملز کے ملازمین کو نکالنے کی سخت الفاظ میں مذمت کرتی ہے۔
انہوں نے کہا کہ خان صاحب آپ کے جو وزیروں، مشیروں اور معاون خصوصی کی فوج ہے انہیں فارغ کر کے اخراجات کم کریں، اسٹیل ملزکے ملازمین کو کیوں فارغ کر رہے ہیں۔
بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے کہا کہ اسٹیل ملز کا کیا کرنا ہے، اس پر ہم بعد میں لڑ لیں گے، لیکن اس وباء میں تو لوگوں کو بے روزگار نہ کریں۔
پی پی چیئرمین نے کہا کہ ٹڈی دل سے بچاؤ کا اسپرے اب تک شروع نہیں کیا گیا ہے، ٹڈیوں سے ہماری معیشت اور فوڈ سیکیورٹی کو سنگین خطرات لاحق ہیں۔
بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے کہا کہ این ایف سی ایوارڈ کی تشکیل نو غیر قانونی ہے، این ایف سی پر اے پی سی بلائیں گے۔
انہوں نے کہا کہ جیسے خان صاحب نے کورونا پر پاکستانیوں پر لاوارث چھوڑا ہے ایسے ہی انہوں نے پی آئی اے طیارہ حادثے کے لواحقین کو بھی چھوڑ دیا ہے، اگر ہم نے کورونا کے معاملے پر یکجہتی سے فیصلے کئے ہوتے تو آج ہمارے اسپتالوں پر اتنا بوجھ نہ ہوتا، کورونا کے معاملے پر ہم نے اپنے عوام کی جانیں بچانے کا ماڈل نہیں اپنایا بلکہ اپنی معیشت بچانے کا ماڈل اپنایا۔
بلاول بھٹو زرداری نے کہا کہ صحافیوں کے معاشی مسائل پر سندھ حکومت کام کر رہی ہے، عزیز میمن کے قتل پر ہماری جماعت پر الزام لگانے کی کوشش کی گئی، جب تک جے آئی ٹی تمام ملزمان کو کیفر کردار تک پہنچاتی چین سے نہیں بیٹھیں گے اور صحافیوں کیخلاف دہشت گردی کی ایف آئی آرز پر نظرثانی ہونی چاہیے۔
پی پی چیئرمین نے کہا کہ لاک ڈاؤن کورونا کیخلاف ایک ہتھیار ہے، اکلوتا ہتھیار نہیں ہے۔
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari points out saboteur role of Federal government against Sindh government’s dedicated efforts versus #COVID-19 pandemic with the pledge to continue fighting virus #BBZexposingIncompetence
Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has pledged continuity of efforts by Sindh
government to protect people from COVID-19 despite facing saboteur role of Federal government, which unleashed surge in virus infection.
Addressing a Press conference at Sindh Assembly auditorium along with Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah and Ministers Dr Azra Pechuho, Nasir Shah, Saeed Ghani, and Murtaza Wahab, the PPP Chairman announced that his Party has planned all part conferences (APC) at the provincial level on the prevailing #COVID-19 situation across Pakistan, and the issue of the National Finance Commission (NFC).
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari noted that #COVID-19 outbreak and spread in the country was not accidental but it’s spread was allowed deliberately through inaction and creating confusion. However, he pledged that “we will do our utmost to save the people from this pandemic.”
He said that Prime Minister speaks lied that the coronavirus has spread at its own naturally and displayed in inability to stop it’s spread adding that it was now common opinion among the people that the coronavirus outbreak-spread has not just been a natural calamity but PTI and its leaders were involved in its spread in Pakistan.
PPP Chairman further stated that Sindh government’s efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus were forcibly sabotaged while Federal government didn’t prepare itself to fight against the viral spread and protect the population.
He said that pressure is mounting on hospitals in Karachi and there will be no space for more patients and asked who should be held responsible for this dire situation?
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that doctors and nurses are still ringing the alarm bells but to no avail. “Don’t listen to me, listen to the front-line soldiers, what will happen if we seek opinions from the traders about the pandemic?”, adding that it was ironical that Prime Minister Imran Khan didn’t to see doctors, nurses or medical professionals to seek their opinion on the virus.
He said that health workers have the right to get security risk allowances because their lives are at serious risk.
PPP Chairman pointed out that the people were being deceived by the representatives of the Federal government and there should also be an FIR against those who spread propaganda.
He condemned attacks on doctors adding that despite the non-cooperation of the Federal government, the Sindh government will try to reduce the damage caused by the pandemic and it will continue to increase the capacity of corona testing though the testing facility in Sindh is comparatively greater than other provinces.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the Federal government was fooling the people by playing with statistics. The number of patients in HDU is increasing. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has the lowest testing rate and the highest mortality rate and asked how long the people will endure the incompetence of PTI government.
PPP Chairman asked the federal government to correct its attitude as it has left the people, doctors and nurses on mercy of the nature and has proved to be working for the rich in the name of the poor.
He said that the position of PPP on Pakistan Steel is clear. What is the justification for making ten thousand people unemployed during such raging pandemic?
He said that the PPP had been warning the government about locusts for posing grave threats to our agriculture crops endangering population with food insecurity. Federal government had promised aerial spraying on locusts in May-June which was not done so far, he added.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that PPP’s position on NFC was clear adding that Party’s Provincial Chapters were planning APCs in which the issue of Coronavirus and NFC will be discussed.
He said that Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are under the administration of the Federation but federal government wants to absolve these parts of the country from the financial obligation list which shows that the allegation against government of selling Kashmir to be true. What message it wants to send to the world by giving Azad Jammu & Kashmir the status of a province,” he questioned.
He said that if Gilgit-Baltistan is to be given the status of a province, then amend the constitution. The message of the federal government about AJK is very dangerous.
PPP Chairman said that Federal government should cut the money of the hordes of Ministers, Advisors, Special Assistants, both imported and imposed but not make the poor unemployed. He said that PIA was also not being handled under a planned scheme. Tragedy of PIA’s crashed plane was very unfortunate but even on a plane crash, the Federal government will say it’s not their responsibility making attempts to malign the brave pilot.
He said we will do our utmost to save the people from the pandemic. “Vietnam and our resources can be compared. Vietnam took immediate measure to save its economy and people from Coronavirus,” he added. However, with people at the helm of affairs in the Federal government continuing we could neither be able to save the population from Coronavirus now nor we may save the economy from devastation, he stated.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that serious politics was needed during the coronavirus pandemic. An attempt was made to blame the PPP for the murder of journalist Aziz Memon. He said that journalists of Sindh are very brave and we always and welcomed and tolerated criticism.
Replying to a question, he said that the Sindh government has other options including lockdown. “Sindh government has taken steps from day one to protect its people but the Federal government has not helped us and misinformation has been given to the citizens,” he added.
PPP Chairman said that when the government kept changing its decisions, there was confusion in Pakistan and asked why the PM criticises Sindh questioning that does he not know the state of public health services in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and termed this criticism as unfair and based on political point-scoring.
Addressing a Press conference at Sindh Assembly auditorium along with Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah and Ministers Dr Azra Pechuho, Nasir Shah, Saeed Ghani, and Murtaza Wahab, the PPP Chairman announced that his Party has planned all part conferences (APC) at the provincial level on the prevailing #COVID-19 situation across Pakistan, and the issue of the National Finance Commission (NFC).
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari noted that #COVID-19 outbreak and spread in the country was not accidental but it’s spread was allowed deliberately through inaction and creating confusion. However, he pledged that “we will do our utmost to save the people from this pandemic.”
He said that Prime Minister speaks lied that the coronavirus has spread at its own naturally and displayed in inability to stop it’s spread adding that it was now common opinion among the people that the coronavirus outbreak-spread has not just been a natural calamity but PTI and its leaders were involved in its spread in Pakistan.
PPP Chairman further stated that Sindh government’s efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus were forcibly sabotaged while Federal government didn’t prepare itself to fight against the viral spread and protect the population.
He said that pressure is mounting on hospitals in Karachi and there will be no space for more patients and asked who should be held responsible for this dire situation?
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that doctors and nurses are still ringing the alarm bells but to no avail. “Don’t listen to me, listen to the front-line soldiers, what will happen if we seek opinions from the traders about the pandemic?”, adding that it was ironical that Prime Minister Imran Khan didn’t to see doctors, nurses or medical professionals to seek their opinion on the virus.
He said that health workers have the right to get security risk allowances because their lives are at serious risk.
PPP Chairman pointed out that the people were being deceived by the representatives of the Federal government and there should also be an FIR against those who spread propaganda.
He condemned attacks on doctors adding that despite the non-cooperation of the Federal government, the Sindh government will try to reduce the damage caused by the pandemic and it will continue to increase the capacity of corona testing though the testing facility in Sindh is comparatively greater than other provinces.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the Federal government was fooling the people by playing with statistics. The number of patients in HDU is increasing. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has the lowest testing rate and the highest mortality rate and asked how long the people will endure the incompetence of PTI government.
PPP Chairman asked the federal government to correct its attitude as it has left the people, doctors and nurses on mercy of the nature and has proved to be working for the rich in the name of the poor.
He said that the position of PPP on Pakistan Steel is clear. What is the justification for making ten thousand people unemployed during such raging pandemic?
He said that the PPP had been warning the government about locusts for posing grave threats to our agriculture crops endangering population with food insecurity. Federal government had promised aerial spraying on locusts in May-June which was not done so far, he added.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that PPP’s position on NFC was clear adding that Party’s Provincial Chapters were planning APCs in which the issue of Coronavirus and NFC will be discussed.
He said that Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are under the administration of the Federation but federal government wants to absolve these parts of the country from the financial obligation list which shows that the allegation against government of selling Kashmir to be true. What message it wants to send to the world by giving Azad Jammu & Kashmir the status of a province,” he questioned.
He said that if Gilgit-Baltistan is to be given the status of a province, then amend the constitution. The message of the federal government about AJK is very dangerous.
PPP Chairman said that Federal government should cut the money of the hordes of Ministers, Advisors, Special Assistants, both imported and imposed but not make the poor unemployed. He said that PIA was also not being handled under a planned scheme. Tragedy of PIA’s crashed plane was very unfortunate but even on a plane crash, the Federal government will say it’s not their responsibility making attempts to malign the brave pilot.
He said we will do our utmost to save the people from the pandemic. “Vietnam and our resources can be compared. Vietnam took immediate measure to save its economy and people from Coronavirus,” he added. However, with people at the helm of affairs in the Federal government continuing we could neither be able to save the population from Coronavirus now nor we may save the economy from devastation, he stated.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that serious politics was needed during the coronavirus pandemic. An attempt was made to blame the PPP for the murder of journalist Aziz Memon. He said that journalists of Sindh are very brave and we always and welcomed and tolerated criticism.
Replying to a question, he said that the Sindh government has other options including lockdown. “Sindh government has taken steps from day one to protect its people but the Federal government has not helped us and misinformation has been given to the citizens,” he added.
PPP Chairman said that when the government kept changing its decisions, there was confusion in Pakistan and asked why the PM criticises Sindh questioning that does he not know the state of public health services in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and termed this criticism as unfair and based on political point-scoring.