Thoughtful and so very on-point commentary on a deadly practice that will only become more abused if police are allowed to continue in their unchecked (and usually unwarranted - no pun intended) and often reckless use of this practice that is turning into something more akin to a license to murder just because they can.
I always thought Gil Scot-Heron was a genius. I am not sure if he was clairvoyant. Rather he understood the nature of white America and no knock warrants were just another feature of maintaining white supremacy. He was willing to say it loud and proud; no knock warrants do not serve the citizens white or black. I don’t understand why we as a society won’t end an arcane institution for oppression. Great conversation Ari as always. Maybe a worthwhile candidate will make this a campaign promise
Wow!!! I listened to "No Knock", and it's so disturbing that after 50 years it still resonates with what is happening today. If our lawmakers are not making an effort to change the laws, what can we as American citizens do at this point. After the 2020 protests, I sincerely had hope for change. My family has been very blessed that this type of racism hasn't affected us. But the tragic stories of so many innocent people getting killed by police is heartbreaking. Thanks Ari for another great essay!!!🙏🎤🎹🎼
As MLK is noted as saying, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." We're all in this mess of injustice against Black bodies (esp) together. Nevertheless, we #persist. 💙
Hi Sandra, your comment reminded me about a comment Rev. Al Sharpton made on his show a few weeks ago. Now I'm paraphrasing, "We mourn the loss of policemen and we mourn the loss of innocent lives, we need to find the balance that will protect both".
Hi there Ari! In my opinion, the "no knock warrant" is dangerous for citizens and police, and should be banned; especially since it's only being used on us, blacks. It is just wrong the way my race is treated because of the color of our skin. Hate me if you must, but don't mistreat me because i;m different. God said we are to love one another, as HE has loved us."
Thanks for keeping this issue on the front burner. It’s discouraging that so little progress is made and that the majority of the country seems so indifferent. Like gun violence in general, what has to happen for the majority to say “enough.” Your journalism helps, every effort helps. Maybe highlighting a community which has made some progress with addressing the no knock policy would be helpful to your audience and would get picked up by other media.
Thank you for saying, in last Friday’s newsletter, that you find the dialogue with us constructive. It was nice to hear. And, my recommendation for a comedian and rapper match would be Kenan Thompson and Baby Keem. Finally, the full interview with Floyd Abrams was so enlightening and uplifting, I loved it. Keep on fighting the good fight, Ari, you are making a difference.
'Where police create the danger' and 80% no-knock warrants are for blacks are two of the many good aspects of your article that resonated with me the most. What saddens and angers me is how many people have been killed and/or injured from this asinine practice and will be killed before this changes. Hopefully your and others spotlight on this needless and horrific practice will shorten the timeline when this practice is abolished. Thank you Ari.
Peter: Does the practice need to be abolished, or do the definitions and rules just need to be revised? Is there any circumstance under which a no-knock warrant is the best course of action?
Tell me why you say "it will be abused no matter what." What are the alternatives to "getting someone then barreling in guns ablazed (sic)." If you don't think no-knock warrants are a viable law enforcement practice, specifically, what are the alternatives?
Lori, reading all comments..I'm not saying too much since, (where I come from) there's not any Police acting in this manner...so I'll keep reading o.k? :)
"...communities are asking police the same question: Who is going to protect me from you?" I think of the way 14-year old Z'Kye Husain was manhandled and detained by the police, and I wonder when/if things will ever change. #blacklivesmatter #blackboysmatter
Was this the incident at the mall where two boys were fighting? When police got there they sat the white boy down, and threw the black boy to the ground and two officers held him down and handcuffed him.
Robert, that's a nice thought but, Ari is an attorney/author/journalist/has his own t.v. show called "The Beat"....Do you think he'd give all that up.... to become president?
The self-perceived absolute authority is so ingrained in some police departments and policymakers that only a honest reckoning with accountability, punishment, applied research studies could bring needed and overdue changes.
What crime could anyone commit that deserves that response? Osama bin Laden got his doors blown in and major assault weapons, helicopters, etc, aimed against him and I believe it was warranted. "No knock" should be illegal. There is so many ways that you can arrest a suspect without murdering him or her first.
Today’s newsletter is definitely on point about no knock which leads to the police killings of African Americans. It’s like a vicious and perpetual cycle of the same issue over and over again. Gil Scott-Heron’s lyrics spoke about this issue then and still holds true to today’s events - very sad.
BTW, I enjoyed today’s Fallback Fri-YAY (Bobbito and David Corn).
Sandra, I thought that show was great! Just a bit tired, had an (Infusion) this past Wed...for Paget's of the bone.! Need (Reclast) annually to arrest the (bloody) disease! U stay well :)
Who’s going to protect me from you? The likes of you/the nerve of you? I had to gasp at this line for it’s poignancy. Gil Scott Heron was truly a poet, songwriter and artist. The new Mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu will be forming an independent, civilian review board with subpoena power to investigate police misconduct. Maybe, now the artist’s original message has a chance to be heard.
I have been trying to contact you without subscribing but when I saw you reference Gil Scot-Heron yet again today, I just had to subscribe to comment!! Gil is my fav from way, way back in the day- from my college rathskeller days- where I first heard him perform with Brian Jackson. I have all their albums! When I saw you first reference Gil on one of your previous shows- 'the revolution will not be televised' I sad,' What?? Ari knows about Gil?!' You are an old soul Ari! Thank you for always keeping it real and holding those who need to be held, accountable. You are truly the best!
Sunlight is probably the best weapon we have. Smart journalists like Ari Melber are a rarity. We must fight the forces that intend to shut down the First Amendment at the local, state, and federal levels. And the Supreme Court is a huge enemy of the First Amendment, except when it applies to corporate personhood and unlimited money in elections.
Thoughtful and so very on-point commentary on a deadly practice that will only become more abused if police are allowed to continue in their unchecked (and usually unwarranted - no pun intended) and often reckless use of this practice that is turning into something more akin to a license to murder just because they can.
It is sanctioned murder; most grand juries won't indict cops and their union is very powerful.
Thank you Ari for fostering another compelling conversation!
I always thought Gil Scot-Heron was a genius. I am not sure if he was clairvoyant. Rather he understood the nature of white America and no knock warrants were just another feature of maintaining white supremacy. He was willing to say it loud and proud; no knock warrants do not serve the citizens white or black. I don’t understand why we as a society won’t end an arcane institution for oppression. Great conversation Ari as always. Maybe a worthwhile candidate will make this a campaign promise
Wow!!! I listened to "No Knock", and it's so disturbing that after 50 years it still resonates with what is happening today. If our lawmakers are not making an effort to change the laws, what can we as American citizens do at this point. After the 2020 protests, I sincerely had hope for change. My family has been very blessed that this type of racism hasn't affected us. But the tragic stories of so many innocent people getting killed by police is heartbreaking. Thanks Ari for another great essay!!!🙏🎤🎹🎼
Glad you checked the song. Prescient.
Thank you
As MLK is noted as saying, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." We're all in this mess of injustice against Black bodies (esp) together. Nevertheless, we #persist. 💙
Hi Sandra, your comment reminded me about a comment Rev. Al Sharpton made on his show a few weeks ago. Now I'm paraphrasing, "We mourn the loss of policemen and we mourn the loss of innocent lives, we need to find the balance that will protect both".
Yes!yes! So on point
Hi there Ari! In my opinion, the "no knock warrant" is dangerous for citizens and police, and should be banned; especially since it's only being used on us, blacks. It is just wrong the way my race is treated because of the color of our skin. Hate me if you must, but don't mistreat me because i;m different. God said we are to love one another, as HE has loved us."
Amen!!!🙏
You are the best Ari! I’m a Gil Scott-Heron fan from way back
Thanks for keeping this issue on the front burner. It’s discouraging that so little progress is made and that the majority of the country seems so indifferent. Like gun violence in general, what has to happen for the majority to say “enough.” Your journalism helps, every effort helps. Maybe highlighting a community which has made some progress with addressing the no knock policy would be helpful to your audience and would get picked up by other media.
Thank you for saying, in last Friday’s newsletter, that you find the dialogue with us constructive. It was nice to hear. And, my recommendation for a comedian and rapper match would be Kenan Thompson and Baby Keem. Finally, the full interview with Floyd Abrams was so enlightening and uplifting, I loved it. Keep on fighting the good fight, Ari, you are making a difference.
Kenan Thompson & Baby Keem - interesting! Keem's one of the hottest new ones out rn
'Where police create the danger' and 80% no-knock warrants are for blacks are two of the many good aspects of your article that resonated with me the most. What saddens and angers me is how many people have been killed and/or injured from this asinine practice and will be killed before this changes. Hopefully your and others spotlight on this needless and horrific practice will shorten the timeline when this practice is abolished. Thank you Ari.
Peter: Does the practice need to be abolished, or do the definitions and rules just need to be revised? Is there any circumstance under which a no-knock warrant is the best course of action?
It will be abused no matter what. There are many alternatives to getting someone then barreling in guns ablazed.
Peter, interesting comment.....What ARE these alternatives that you mention
Peter, there are LOTS of guns in the U.S.....But that's "another-can-of-worms" ....
Tell me why you say "it will be abused no matter what." What are the alternatives to "getting someone then barreling in guns ablazed (sic)." If you don't think no-knock warrants are a viable law enforcement practice, specifically, what are the alternatives?
Lori, reading all comments..I'm not saying too much since, (where I come from) there's not any Police acting in this manner...so I'll keep reading o.k? :)
Hello, Lori...Would you know if the NO-KNOCK policy is in every state?
Not all states have no-knock policies.
Oh! Thanks :)
"...communities are asking police the same question: Who is going to protect me from you?" I think of the way 14-year old Z'Kye Husain was manhandled and detained by the police, and I wonder when/if things will ever change. #blacklivesmatter #blackboysmatter
Was this the incident at the mall where two boys were fighting? When police got there they sat the white boy down, and threw the black boy to the ground and two officers held him down and handcuffed him.
Yep, that's the one. Heartbreaking.
Hi Ari,
When are you going to run for president? Our country needs a leader like you!
Robert, that's a nice thought but, Ari is an attorney/author/journalist/has his own t.v. show called "The Beat"....Do you think he'd give all that up.... to become president?
The self-perceived absolute authority is so ingrained in some police departments and policymakers that only a honest reckoning with accountability, punishment, applied research studies could bring needed and overdue changes.
What crime could anyone commit that deserves that response? Osama bin Laden got his doors blown in and major assault weapons, helicopters, etc, aimed against him and I believe it was warranted. "No knock" should be illegal. There is so many ways that you can arrest a suspect without murdering him or her first.
Love the show Ari > Keep them honest!
Hello Ari and Happy Fri-YAY!
Today’s newsletter is definitely on point about no knock which leads to the police killings of African Americans. It’s like a vicious and perpetual cycle of the same issue over and over again. Gil Scott-Heron’s lyrics spoke about this issue then and still holds true to today’s events - very sad.
BTW, I enjoyed today’s Fallback Fri-YAY (Bobbito and David Corn).
Have a nice weekend, Ari😄
Sandra, I thought that show was great! Just a bit tired, had an (Infusion) this past Wed...for Paget's of the bone.! Need (Reclast) annually to arrest the (bloody) disease! U stay well :)
🙏🏼
Sandra, you just brought back a LOT of thoughts about (my) french.....Nah! I won't go there :)
Who’s going to protect me from you? The likes of you/the nerve of you? I had to gasp at this line for it’s poignancy. Gil Scott Heron was truly a poet, songwriter and artist. The new Mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu will be forming an independent, civilian review board with subpoena power to investigate police misconduct. Maybe, now the artist’s original message has a chance to be heard.
All cities should take her lead and do the same.
I have been trying to contact you without subscribing but when I saw you reference Gil Scot-Heron yet again today, I just had to subscribe to comment!! Gil is my fav from way, way back in the day- from my college rathskeller days- where I first heard him perform with Brian Jackson. I have all their albums! When I saw you first reference Gil on one of your previous shows- 'the revolution will not be televised' I sad,' What?? Ari knows about Gil?!' You are an old soul Ari! Thank you for always keeping it real and holding those who need to be held, accountable. You are truly the best!
Sunlight is probably the best weapon we have. Smart journalists like Ari Melber are a rarity. We must fight the forces that intend to shut down the First Amendment at the local, state, and federal levels. And the Supreme Court is a huge enemy of the First Amendment, except when it applies to corporate personhood and unlimited money in elections.