While the country is dealing with the aftermath of the Dallas Police shooting the video above could have easily ended with similar results; senseless death.
Mike “BlueHair” Smith is a well known activist in the Portland area. His tireless work with “Film the Police Portland” has made him well known at protest or police events in Portland.
Though I refer to BlueHair and his filming partner “Uncle Bob” as “CopBlockers” they have been active for as long as CopBlock has been around. The term “CopBlocker” is simply one I use for someone who films the police and these guys do that and then some.
Their experience came into play yesterday when BlueHair helped to de-escalate a situation where a man pulled a gun on protesters. BlueHair did an interview with Grant Stern, of Photography’s Not A Crime, stating:
“I know everybody that played a major role in calming this down,” Bluehair told PINAC News this morning, “This is a clear example of people calming things down and disarming a potential gunman without violence. We were lucky to have a hand full of guys in the right place and time to calm this down before shots were fired!”
“I played a small part.”
I believe BlueHair played a key role and not only in de-escalating the situation but ensuring that the police got the right guy.
On top of that, BlueHair wasn’t interested in pressing charges or getting the gun toter in further trouble with the law. Though he was arrested and charged for displaying his firearm.
This is a perfect example of what COULD happen in a world without, or with less, government police. Clearly the Portland police weren’t on hand to keep this crowd safe, as they always claim to be. No, the police were too busy stalking the perimeter and probably gathering information on peaceful protestors to be bothered with involving themselves with this until after the fact.
And with all the senseless killings at the hands of police this week, it was probably best that CopBlockers and peaceful protestors (other than the ones harassing people) took control of this situation and not the police.
Source Article from http://www.copblock.org/162733/copblocker-mike-bluehair-de-escalates-man-with-gun-situation/
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