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.
Friday, June 5, 2020
Balochistan Erupts in Protests Over a Murdered Mother and Her Injured 4-Year-Old
Having witnessed years of war and violence, Balochs hardly need a reminder that no one is safe in the province – not even inside one’s home.
A viral video shows a 4-year old girl crying and repeating the same word again and again, “Amma” [mother]. She is fresh out of surgery and is still in her hospital bed, barely having any idea her “amma” can now never return.
This is little Bramsh, who was seen happily dancing in another of her viral videos. In the time between the two videos, she had seen her mother be taken from her forever. Bramsh and her mother are victims of sheer brutality.
In Makran, the southwestern division of Balochistan, political appraisals and systematic violence have been the norm for decades, but it was rare to witness assaults on women and children. This changed in the night of May 26 in Dannuk, Turbat. Three armed men jumped into a house where a family was sleeping under the open sky to stay cool – a normal practice in a place like Turbat, where temperature can go as high as 50 degrees Centigrade (122 degrees Farenheit).
The armed men asked for cash and whatever they could possibly benefit themselves with. When the woman, Malik Naz, resisted, she was shot on the spot, along with her 4-year-old daughter. The other family members managed to catch one of the robbers and handed him over to the local police. Two other suspects have also been detained but the alleged head of the gang is still “nowhere to be found” almost a week after the incident.
Like the meaning of her name, Bramsh has sparked a fire into people to resist and rebel against abusers of power and years of injustices and silence. She has reminded the people of Balochistan that they are in peril no matter where and who they are: women, men or even infants.
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, a large number of protesters gathered at Turbat city’s “Shaheed Fida Chowk” on June 1. On June 2, citizens of Washok and Bulaida rallied to question the provincial government’s safety measures and demanded the arrest of all the culprits.
A similar protest overtook the port city of Gwadar on May 30, where protesters rallied to Gwadar Press Club in support of the justice campaign for little Bramsh. Civil society members in the provincial capital, Quetta, have also announced they will gather at Quetta Press Club on June 4; a similar protest has been announced for Karachi in front of Karachi Press Club and citizens in Panjgur city also announced a demonstration at Shaheed Javeed Chowk on June 3 to protest the assault.
Protesters in all these cities warned that if all the culprits are not held accountable under the law, the protests will continue and spread to different cities of Balochistan.
For many the case of Bramsh is “very personal” as it is a “direct attack” on “Baloch honor.” In Baloch society, it is considered an attack on one’s “honor” when women are assaulted — that too in the premises of one’s own home.
However, many question this patriarchal, barbaric, and primitive idea of “honor” and reject any connection between this slogan and the case. They consider the recent attack the result of an absence of law enforcement, prolonged unauthorized support for such armed gangs in the region, and continuous silence by citizens against aggressive authorities that have been abusing their powers.
In the last few years, there has been a rise in crime rates in Makran region: robberies, murders, and an increase in abusive authorities. As a result citizens have lost trust in the law and law enforcement authorities but have still remained silent.
Bramsh’s tragedy, however, has now fired a shot for justice, law enforcement, and safety measures. An evolution is on display as demonstrators streaming into these protests take a stand against injustice and question the tension between residents of these cities and the higher authorities abusing their power to support armed gangs in the region.
People are no longer willing to accept a trade-off between justice for Bramsh and the law and order situation in the region. Both are interlinked parts of a whole, and now people are daring to demand it all.
#Pakistan - Covid-19: Murad says ‘mixed messages’ muddying the waters
The opposition Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has time and again accused the federal government in general and Prime Minister Imran Khan in particular of employing “confused strategy” and sending “mixed signals” in the fight against the pandemic that has so far affected over 83,000 nationals, leaving some 1,729 dead.
Addressing newsmen in Karachi, Murad said that he does not blame the public for violation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) as “mixed messages” have created confusion regarding the seriousness of the crisis.
The chief minister demanded that a “unified message” be given to people so that they can obey SOPs set by governments.
He said that he has never criticised the federal government in any of his press conferences, even if he disagreed with the steps taken by Centre. The pressers he held were to clarify the “mixed messages” being conveyed to people.
Murad said that “nothing was more important than the lives of people”.
“The poor people everyone is supposedly concerned about — and we should be concerned, it’s a good thing — but if a daily wage worker […] dies from the virus, how will his children eat for the rest of their lives,” he questioned.
Murad observed that the relaxations in quarantine that were introduced in April had inflicted huge damage on the economy. He was of that decisions should be made while taking the entire country into consideration, including Sindh.
“Sindh is not an island. It is a part of Pakistan,” the chief minister added.
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2020/06/04/covid-19-murad-says-mixed-messages-muddying-the-waters/
After #Pakistan's lockdown gamble, #COVID-19 cases surge
Four weeks ago, with its most important festival coming up and millions of people facing starvation as economic activity dwindled, Pakistan lifted a two-month-long coronavirus lockdown.Prime Minister Imran Khan has said despite rising infections and deaths, the country would need to learn to “live with” the virus to avert pushing tens of millions living on daily wages into destitution. Now, a Reuters review of government data shows over 20,000 cases of the virus were identified in the three weeks before the lockdown was lifted, and more than double that figure were identified in the three weeks since.To be sure, testing rates have also increased. But of those tested, the daily average of positive results climbed from on average 11.5% in the three weeks before the lockdown was lifted, to 15.4% on average in the subsequent three weeks. The ratio is around 23% this week, according to the data. Pakistan has officially identified over 80,000 cases of COVID-19, with 1,770 confirmed deaths. “Those numbers are concerning, since they do suggest there may still be widespread transmission in certain parts of the country,” said Claire Standley, assistant research professor at the Department of International Health at Georgetown University.Experts say measures that could curb cases – like limits on religious gatherings and crowded shopping areas and emphasising social distancing – should be reinstated and some doctors are raising the alarm. According to a letter seen by Reuters, a committee of experts backed by the local health department in Pakistan’s most populous province, Punjab, told the provincial government the lockdown needed to continue. The letter said random testing suggested more than 670,000 people in the provincial capital Lahore had likely contracted the virus, many of them asymptomatic. The Punjab Health Minister Yasmeen Rashid said the letter had not been disregarded, but set aside in light of a Supreme Court decision that lockdowns should be lifted. Most hospitals in Lahore are now full and are sending cases to Mayo Hospital, a public facility with more than 400 beds dedicated to COVID-19 cases, said Salman Kazmi, general secretary of the Young Doctor’s Association, who is treating coronavirus patients there. Asad Aslam, the CEO of Mayo, however disputed claims that Lahore hospitals were saturated. “We can handle further burden of patients,” he said. “HERD IMMUNITY” Pakistan lifted its lockdown on May 9, about two weeks before the Eid al-Fitr festival that marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and is celebrated with family gatherings and feasting. Transport and most businesses have re-opened but cinemas, theatres and schools remain closed. There has been growing debate among experts globally on whether populous developing nations can afford comprehensive social distancing measures to contain the coronavirus while avoiding economic ruin.Some officials have suggested “herd immunity” could contain the virus, a situation where enough people in a population have developed immunity to an infection to be able to effectively stop that disease from spreading. However, the World Health Organization has warned countries that have “lax measures” in place against counting on herd immunity to halt the spread of COVID-19.“The Pakistan government is setting itself up for a huge gamble but it’s also a test case for herd immunity because South Asia has no other choice,” a senior European Union official who oversees South Asia told Reuters. Yet even those advocating rolling back strict lockdowns in developing nations are alarmed at the teeming crowds in Pakistan’s streets, shopping malls and mosques, the ramping up of domestic flights, and the movement of millions of people for the Eid holiday. “It’s not about this dichotomy between complete lockdown and fully open,” Ahmed Mushfiq Mobarak, a professor of economics at Yale University, told Reuters. He said a smarter strategy would be to allow people out for core economic and public health activities, rather than a total relaxation of rules. “There should still be complete bans on religious gatherings and social gatherings...those are things for which we need to see much better leadership,” he said.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-pakistan-lockdown/after-pakistans-lockdown-gamble-covid-19-cases-surge-idUSKBN23C0NW
#Coronavirus: Rumours, fear and rising Covid deaths in Pakistan
#Pakistan - Sherry Rehman questions lifting the lock down and the role of Tiger Force
In her response to PM Khan’s address, PPP Parliamentary Leader in the Senate, Senator Sherry Rehman said, “According to the PM, Pakistan can not afford another lockdown but when did the Federal government enforce one in the first place? Had there been a proper lockdown, the outbreak would not have escalated out of control. Saying that the lockdown has hurt the poor and our economy, and then also firing 9000 plus steel mill workers is ironic”.
“The PTI government does not understand what the whole point of lockdown is. This was the best time to ramp up our healthcare facilities, increase testing and trace cases but this precious time was also spent criticizing Sindh government who is actually trying its best to control the pandemic,” she added.
Rehman questioned, “How can the PM say that Coronavirus was not spread from Mosques? We may be the only Muslim country which opened the mosques for Taraweeh prayers but anybody who went for Taraweeh anywhere in Pakistan can testify how no SOP was followed anywhere”.
Saying that we have we do have to ‘live with the virus’ does not have to mean killing 1000s daily. Instead of taking the lockdown seriously, restrictions on the tourism sector are being lifted. We have left China behind and our per capita death rate from COVID-19 is now on a different level altogether to the rest of South Asia. This is the time to lead by example but the PM himself is not wearing masks in meetings and nor are the government officials observing the SOPs. Hospitals are being attacked because the Federal government makes people think Corona is not a big deal. All this will only end up in a disaster and the only one who will be responsible for this, will be the Federal government and its mixed messaging,” she said.
Questioning the role of Tiger Force, the Senator said that, “Now the PM says that Corona Tiger Force volunteers will also help fight locusts. Have they helped control the virus that now they will fight against the locust invasion? Are they going to exercise state authority to enforce SOPs? Are they going to become vigilante gangs?
PPP Parliamentary Leader in the Senate, Senator Sherry Rehman concluded by saying that, “The Federal government cannot place the responsibility on people when it is continuously giving them mixed messages”.
Thursday, June 4, 2020
عمران خان کی کرونا پالیسی کیا ہے؟
ادب برائے ادب کی بحث تو سن رکھی تھی، اب حکومت برائے حکومت دیکھ رہے ہیں۔
زمِ ناز سے قاصد دو سندیسے لایا ہے۔ پہلے میں لکھا ہے، عزیز ہم وطنو، حالات بہت سنگین ہیں آپ گھروں میں رہیں اور احتیاط کریں۔ دوسرے میں نوید سنائی گئی ہے کہ عزیز ہم وطنو آپ کے لیے سیاحتی مقامات کھول دیے گئے ہیں۔
عزیز ہم وطن اب بیٹھے سوچ رہے ہیں گھروں میں رہیں یا سیاحتی مقامات کو روانہ ہو جائیں۔ میر نے کہا تھا، ’صد رنگ مری موج ہے، میں طبع رواں ہوں۔ ‘
سوال یہ ہے حکومت کے پاس کرونا (کورونا) سے نبٹنے کے لیے کوئی پالیسی ہے یا یہ محض طبع رواں کا نام ہے۔ موج و آشوب میں تلاطم اٹھا تو قوم سے ایک خطاب فرما دیا؟
حکومت کسی درویش کا تصرف نہیں ہوتی، حکومت انتظامی تحرک کانام ہے۔ اس کا فیصلہ غلط یا درست ہو سکتا ہے لیکن وہ جو بھی فیصلہ کرتی ہے، بڑی یکسوئی کے ساتھ اور کسی ابہام کے بغیر دو جمع دو چار کی طرح کرتی ہے۔ حکومت اپنے اہداف اور اپنی پالیسی میں بہت واضح ہوتی ہے۔ اسے معلوم ہوتا ہے اس نے کیا کرنا ہے اور کیسے کرنا ہے۔ کورونا نے اس سماج اور ہماری معیشت کی کمر دہری کر دی ہے لیکن افتادگان خاک کو کچھ خبر نہیں حکومت کی پالیسی کیا ہے۔ سیموئل بیکٹ کے ڈرامے Waiting for Godot میں بھی لوگ انتظار میں تھے، عمران خان کے نئے پاکستان میں بھی لفافہ خط غبار سے لکھا جاتا ہے۔
حکومت کہاں ہے؟ کیا چاہتی ہے؟ اس کی پالیسی کیا ہے؟ لائحۂ عمل کیا ہے؟ ترجیحات کیا ہیں؟ سوالات کا دفتر کھلا ہے لیکن جواب معلوم نہیں۔ حکومت نے خود ہی لاک ڈاؤن کیا اور پھر جناب وزیر اعظم نے خود ہی بتا دیا کہ وہ تو لاک ڈاؤن نہیں چاہتے تھے، یہ تو حکمران اشرافیہ نے لاک ڈاؤن کا فیصلہ کر لیا۔ سوال یہ ہے یہ حکمران اشرافیہ کون ہے جس نے جناب وزیر اعظم سے بالا ہی بالا لاک ڈاؤن کا فیصلہ کر لیا؟
اگر اشارہ 18ویں ترمیم کے بعد صوبائی حکومتوں کی داخلی معاملات میں خود مختاری کی جانب تھا تو پنجاب اور کے پی کے میں تو تحریک انصاف کی اپنی حکومت ہے اور دستیاب اطلاعات کے مطابق، عمران خان وزارت عظمی کے ساتھ ساتھ تحریک انصاف کی سربراہی کے منصب پر بھی فائز ہیں وزیر اعظم لاک ڈاؤن کے حامی نہیں تھے تو ’حکمران اشرافیہ‘ نے کے پی کے اور پنجاب میں کیسے لاک ڈاؤن کر دیا؟ حکومت فیصلے کرتی ہے اور پھر ان کی ذمہ داری لیتی ہے۔ یہاں حکومت ہاتھوں کا کام مژگاں سے لے رہی ہے۔ یعنی ’ذوق کے ہے سامنے، لافِ غزل خوانی دروغ۔‘
ہم نے دو ماہ لاک ڈاؤن کیے رکھا۔ اس کی ایک معاشی قیمت تھی جو قوم نے ادا کی۔ لیکن حیران کن طور پر عید سے چند دن پہلے سارے بازار کھول کر دو ماہ کی یہ ساری مشقت اپنے ہاتھوں سے گویا چولہے میں ڈال دی گئی۔ اس بوڑھی عورت کی طرح جس نے ساری عمر سوت کاٹا اور آخر میں اسے کاٹ کاٹ کر پھینک دیا۔ نتیجہ ہمارے سامنے ہے۔ کرونا کے کیسز اب بہت تیزی سے بڑھ رہے ہیں۔
بعد از خرابی بسیار اب ایک نئی ایس او پی متعارف کرائی جا رہی ہے اور وہ بھی غلطی ہائے مضامین کے سوا کچھ نہیں۔ مارکیٹیں، کاروباری مراکز اور دکانیں اب ہفتے میں پانچ دن کھلا کریں گی۔ سوال یہ ہے انہیں کھولنا ہی ہے تو پانچ دنوں میں کیا حکمت ہے۔ کیا کرونا کے ساتھ کوئی این آر او ہو گیا ہے کہ پانچ دن وہ کسی کو کچھ نہیں کہے گا اور چھٹے اور ساتویں دن اگر کسی نے دکان کھول لی تو کرونا کا استحقاق مجروح ہو جائے گا؟
جس احتیاط کے ساتھ پانچ دن لوگ ان مارکیٹوں میں آ سکتے ہیں اسی احتیاط کے ساتھ سات دن کیوں نہیں آ سکتے؟ کیا احتیاط نے بھی کوئی سندیسہ بھیجا ہے کہ میں صرف پانچ دن دستیاب رہوں گی اور ویک اینڈ پر میں رخصت پر چلی جاؤں گی؟کیا دنیا میں کہیں کوئی ایسی تحقیق سامنے آئی ہے کہ کرونا ’ویک اینڈ‘ پر زیادہ خطرناک ہو جاتا ہے؟
سماجی رویوں کے اعتبار سے بھی یہ فیصلہ غیر منطقی ہے۔ دکانیں اور مارکیٹیں اگر سارا ہفتہ کھلیں گی تو سوشل ڈسٹنسنگ کے اصولوں پر عمل کرنا آسان ہو گا اور جسے جب موقع ملے گا جا کر خریداری کر لے گا۔ یہ دو دن بند رہیں گی تو ہفتے کے پہلے اور آخری دن ہجوم بڑھ جانے کا خطرہ رہے گا۔ سچ تو یہ ہے اس فیصلے کے حق میں کوئی طبی، انتظامی، عقلی، سماجی اورمعاشرتی دلیل موجود نہیں ہے۔ ان فیصلوں کی شان نزول اس کے سوا اور کچھ نہیں کہ حکمرانی کا دعویٰ سند رہے۔ جس طرح متحرک اور فعال سیاسی زندگی گزارنے والے عارف علوی ایوان صدر کے ماحول کی یکسانیت سے اکتا جاتے ہیں تو گاہے باہر نکلتے ہیں اور ’رعایا میں گھل مل جاتے ہیں‘ ایسے ہی جب حکومت کو کچھ سجھائی نہیں دیتا وہ ایک اور فیصلہ فرما دیتی ہے۔ ادب برائے ادب تو سن رکھا تھا، حکومت برائے حکومت پہلی بار دیکھ رہے ہیں۔
کرونا ٹائیگر فورس کا قصہ ہی دیکھ لیجیے۔ دو ماہ جب کاروبار بند تھے اور بھوک غریب کی دہلیز پر جا بیٹھی تھی اس فورس کا کہیں نام و نشاں نہ تھا اور اب معمولات زندگی بحال ہو رہے ہیں اور کاروبار، دکانیں اور مارکیٹیں کھلنے لگی ہیں تو کورونا ٹائیگر فورس بھی داد شجاعت دینے آ پہنچی ہے۔ تقاریب برپا ہو رہی ہیں، حلف لیے جا رہے ہیں اور سماجی دوری اور ماسک کی ہدایات کو بالائے طاق رکھتے ہوئے فوٹو سیشن ہو رہے ہیں۔ یہ ساری سرگرمی بہت اچھی اور یہ جذبے بہت نیک سہی مگر یہ کرونا ریلیف ٹائیگر فورس اب کرے گی کیا؟ قوم کو ا گر غیر اعلانیہ طور پر ’اجتماعی مدافعت (ہرڈ امیونٹی) ہی کی طرف لے جایا جا رہا ہے تو اس میں کرونا ٹائیگر فورس کی کیا افادیت ہو گی؟ جب سواری نے اپنے سامان کی حفاظت خود ہی کرنا ہے تو یہ اہتمام کس لیے؟
سوال وہی ہے: حکومت کے پاس کرونا سے نبٹنے کے لیے کوئی پالیسی ہے یا یہ محض طبع رواں کا نام ہے۔ موج و آشوب میں تلاطم اٹھا تو قوم سے ایک خطاب فرما دیا؟
Pakistan surpasses China in COVID-19 cases
Aamir Latif
Over 4,600 new coronavirus cases reported in last 24 hours with 82 deaths, says Health Ministry Pakistan's tally of coronavirus cases has surpassed China reaching 85,189 on Thursday, according to the Health Ministry. China has reported 82,933 cases and 4,638 deaths since the start of the outbreak last December, according to the data of Johns Hopkins University. In Pakistan, a total of 4,688 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day rise ever, landing the country at the 17th spot in terms of coronavirus cases, the data shows. Another 82 patients lost their lives due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, across the country, raising the death toll from the pandemic to 1,770. Some 30,128 patients have recovered. According to the official statistics, authorities have so far conducted 615,511 tests across the country.
Over 4,600 new coronavirus cases reported in last 24 hours with 82 deaths, says Health Ministry Pakistan's tally of coronavirus cases has surpassed China reaching 85,189 on Thursday, according to the Health Ministry. China has reported 82,933 cases and 4,638 deaths since the start of the outbreak last December, according to the data of Johns Hopkins University. In Pakistan, a total of 4,688 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day rise ever, landing the country at the 17th spot in terms of coronavirus cases, the data shows. Another 82 patients lost their lives due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, across the country, raising the death toll from the pandemic to 1,770. Some 30,128 patients have recovered. According to the official statistics, authorities have so far conducted 615,511 tests across the country.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/pakistan-surpasses-china-in-covid-19-cases/1864755
#Pakistan - #PPP to resist layoff of workers of govt enterprises: Bilawal
Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has warned the PTI government to stop conspiring against the workers and laborers employed by state-owned enterprises, adding that any lay-off of government, semi-government or state corporation employees would be vehemently resisted, Dunya News reported on Wednesday.
In a statement, the PPP chairman said that Prime Minister Imran Khan and some of his cabinet members were involved in a plot to unleash a wave of unemployment and chaos and create a situation to sell off state-owned enterprises for peanuts to their invisible partners.He said that PIA and Pakistan Steel, two of Pakistan’s biggest assets, have been targeted by the PTI government from day one of its induction and that slowly it had set into motion its plan to deprive thousands of workers and millions of their family members of their livelihoods.
PPP chairman said the federal government imposed the Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1952, on the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and banned the employees union, a blatantly unconstitutional move that lays bare their conspiracy to deprive the rights of the workers and unveils their nefarious plans for privatization.
He also pointed out that it was Imran Khan who had stood at the gates of Pakistan Steel Mill and promised that he had experts who would restore Pakistan Steel to its former glory and bring its operations to full capacity, but now he had gone back on his word and was advancing the agenda of those who planned to sell it to their friends and benefactors.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari pointed out that PTI’s slogan to provide 10 million jobs was eyewash to dupe the poor and unemployed and its government’s legacy would be one of the economic devastation of the poor.
The PPP chairman said that his party would not allow any lay-off, right-sizing or down-sizing in any sector and warned that PPP would resist these steps at any cost and lead the entire nation against the government’s abdication of its responsibilities to the workers of state-owned enterprises as it continues to display heartlessness by firing people during a pandemic.
https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/548130-PPP-to-resist-layoff-of-workers-of-govt-enterprises:-Bilawal
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
#blacklifematters - James Mattis Denounces President Trump, Describes Him as a Threat to the Constitution
JEFFREY GOLDBERG
In an extraordinary condemnation, the former defense secretary backs protesters and says the president is trying to turn Americans against one another.
James Mattis, the esteemed Marine general who resigned as secretary of defense in December 2018 to protest Donald Trump’s Syria policy, has, ever since, kept studiously silent about Trump’s performance as president. But he has now broken his silence, writing an extraordinary broadside in which he denounces the president for dividing the nation, and accuses him of ordering the U.S. military to violate the constitutional rights of American citizens.“I have watched this week’s unfolding events, angry and appalled,” Mattis writes. “The words ‘Equal Justice Under Law’ are carved in the pediment of the United States Supreme Court. This is precisely what protesters are rightly demanding. It is a wholesome and unifying demand—one that all of us should be able to get behind. We must not be distracted by a small number of lawbreakers. The protests are defined by tens of thousands of people of conscience who are insisting that we live up to our values—our values as people and our values as a nation.” He goes on, “We must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution.”
Mike Mullen: I cannot remain silent
In his j’accuse, Mattis excoriates the president for setting Americans against one another.
“Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people—does not even pretend to try. Instead, he tries to divide us,” Mattis writes. “We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership. We can unite without him, drawing on the strengths inherent in our civil society. This will not be easy, as the past few days have shown, but we owe it to our fellow citizens; to past generations that bled to defend our promise; and to our children.”
He goes on to contrast the American ethos of unity with Nazi ideology. “Instructions given by the military departments to our troops before the Normandy invasion reminded soldiers that ‘The Nazi slogan for destroying us … was “Divide and Conquer.” Our American answer is “In Union there is Strength.”’ We must summon that unity to surmount this crisis—confident that we are better than our politics.”
Mattis’s dissatisfaction with Trump was no secret inside the Pentagon. But after his resignation, he argued publicly—and to great criticism—that it would be inappropriate and counterproductive for a former general, and a former Cabinet official, to criticize a sitting president. Doing so, he said, would threaten the apolitical nature of the military. When I interviewed him last year on this subject, he said, “When you leave an administration over clear policy differences, you need to give the people who are still there as much opportunity as possible to defend the country. They still have the responsibility of protecting this great big experiment of ours.” He did add, however: “There is a period in which I owe my silence. It’s not eternal. It’s not going to be forever.”
That period is now definitively over. Mattis reached the conclusion this past weekend that the American experiment is directly threatened by the actions of the president he once served. In his statement, Mattis makes it clear that the president’s response to the police killing of George Floyd, and the ensuing protests, triggered this public condemnation.
“When I joined the military, some 50 years ago,” he writes, “I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution. Never did I dream that troops taking that same oath would be ordered under any circumstance to violate the Constitutional rights of their fellow citizens—much less to provide a bizarre photo op for the elected commander-in-chief, with military leadership standing alongside.”
He goes on to implicitly criticize the current secretary of defense, Mark Esper, and other senior officials as well. “We must reject any thinking of our cities as a ‘battlespace’ that our uniformed military is called upon to ‘dominate.’ At home, we should use our military only when requested to do so, on very rare occasions, by state governors. Militarizing our response, as we witnessed in Washington, D.C., sets up a conflict—a false conflict—between the military and civilian society. It erodes the moral ground that ensures a trusted bond between men and women in uniform and the society they are sworn to protect, and of which they themselves are a part. Keeping public order rests with civilian state and local leaders who best understand their communities and are answerable to them.
Here is the text of the complete statement.
IN UNION THERE IS STRENGTH
I have watched this week’s unfolding events, angry and appalled. The words “Equal Justice Under Law” are carved in the pediment of the United States Supreme Court. This is precisely what protesters are rightly demanding. It is a wholesome and unifying demand—one that all of us should be able to get behind. We must not be distracted by a small number of lawbreakers. The protests are defined by tens of thousands of people of conscience who are insisting that we live up to our values—our values as people and our values as a nation.
When I joined the military, some 50 years ago, I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution. Never did I dream that troops taking that same oath would be ordered under any circumstance to violate the Constitutional rights of their fellow citizens—much less to provide a bizarre photo op for the elected commander-in-chief, with military leadership standing alongside.
From the July/August 2020 issue: History will judge the complicit.
We must reject any thinking of our cities as a “battlespace” that our uniformed military is called upon to “dominate.” At home, we should use our military only when requested to do so, on very rare occasions, by state governors. Militarizing our response, as we witnessed in Washington, D.C., sets up a conflict—a false conflict—between the military and civilian society. It erodes the moral ground that ensures a trusted bond between men and women in uniform and the society they are sworn to protect, and of which they themselves are a part. Keeping public order rests with civilian state and local leaders who best understand their communities and are answerable to them.
James Madison wrote in Federalist 14 that “America united with a handful of troops, or without a single soldier, exhibits a more forbidding posture to foreign ambition than America disunited, with a hundred thousand veterans ready for combat.” We do not need to militarize our response to protests. We need to unite around a common purpose. And it starts by guaranteeing that all of us are equal before the law.
Instructions given by the military departments to our troops before the Normandy invasion reminded soldiers that “The Nazi slogan for destroying us…was ‘Divide and Conquer.’ Our American answer is ‘In Union there is Strength.’” We must summon that unity to surmount this crisis—confident that we are better than our politics.
Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people—does not even pretend to try. Instead he tries to divide us. We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership. We can unite without him, drawing on the strengths inherent in our civil society. This will not be easy, as the past few days have shown, but we owe it to our fellow citizens; to past generations that bled to defend our promise; and to our children.
We can come through this trying time stronger, and with a renewed sense of purpose and respect for one another. The pandemic has shown us that it is not only our troops who are willing to offer the ultimate sacrifice for the safety of the community. Americans in hospitals, grocery stores, post offices, and elsewhere have put their lives on the line in order to serve their fellow citizens and their country. We know that we are better than the abuse of executive authority that we witnessed in Lafayette Square. We must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution. At the same time, we must remember Lincoln’s “better angels,” and listen to them, as we work to unite.
Only by adopting a new path—which means, in truth, returning to the original path of our founding ideals—will we again be a country admired and respected at home and abroad.
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/06/james-mattis-denounces-trump-protests-militarization/612640/
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