https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/14/us/st-louis-prosecutor-kim-gardner-lawsuit/index.html
Kim Gardner, the first black circuit attorney in St. Louis, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit that accuses the city, the city's police union and others of a coordinated and racist conspiracy aimed at forcing her out of office, according to a complaint. Gardner, the city's elected prosecutor, accuses "entrenched interests in St. Louis" of attempting to block her efforts at redressing the city's historical inequality "through a broad campaign of collusive conduct," the complaint alleges. The lawsuit, filed Monday in a district court in Missouri, claims the defendants' actions violate the Ku Klux Klan Act as well as the Fourth and 14th Amendments.
Questions:
1. What is your opinion on her alleged conspiracy do you believe she has a valid point, why or why not?
2. Do you believe there are people in any part of the judicial system in St. Louis that follow KKK beliefs or their family members/ close friends, and don't like this change for the prosecuting positions in Missouri?
I think that there could definitely be people part of the judicial system who have a relationship with people in St. Louis that follow KKK beliefs or they themselves do. Although it may seem clear to us that such beliefs are destructive, people are entitled to what they feel as long as actions aren't taken up upon such ideas. There are always going to be groups of citizens who don't like change, and as the change Kim Gardener has the right to feel threatened. However, I think it is too early for her to accuse people for attempting to block her efforts. If she feels her position in office is at risk she should do something to try and secure her spot rather than suspecting others.
ReplyDeleteI definitely believe that Gardner's claims could be possible, although I feel that there should be a bit more hard evidence to persuade a court. Despite the lack of evidence, Gardner has a valid point, considering the racist ideology deeply ingrained in the history and culture of Missouri. The police in St. Louis County are notorious for misconduct and racial bias. A prime example of such horrors at the hands of the police is the shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed Black teenager, who was shot and killed by a white cop. I myself have even witnessed police harassing my Black step-dad when visiting family in St.Louis. Because of the overwhelming amount of injustice in Missouri, I firmly believe that there are people in the judicial system the follow KKK beliefs, or have relatives that do. These people who either believe in white superiority, or don't see a problem with that belief, are the type of people who are scared of losing their dominance in a system that has always placed them in positions of power over people of color, so Gardner's title as the first black circuit attorney in St.Louis likely makes those people feel threatened.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that Gardner's claims are completely valid and need to be addressed immediately. I agree with Leila when she mentions the discrimination and race driven police brutality that is documented in St. Louis County. The history Missouri has with poor race relations with minorities, particularly African Americans, helps support Gardner's claim. If she is able to provide documentable evidence specific to her claims, I hope the justice system will prevail in ending the conspiracy and that she can make change within the system.
ReplyDeleteTo quote Rage Against the Machine, "some of those that work forces are the same that burn crosses". Without knowing the specific facts of the case, it is hard to make an assumption about the veracity of Gardner's claim. But I certainly do not find her claims to be unlikely. The Ku Klux Klan, though no longer a major organization, has throughout the 20th century had many members in positions of power such as law enforcement, which is how they were able to have so much influence. I do not doubt for a second that the police force, so close to those in Ferguson, has many racist and possibly even white supremacist members.
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