Anarchy is not the solution

Marching in the streets and protesting police brutality and racism is a natural and expected response whenever someone dies at the hands of police officers – especially when that person is a black, unarmed man!

However, demonizing all police officers, demanding that police departments be defunded, and actually taking over a precinct building is another matter altogether!

Yes, it is certainly disturbing to watch the video of George Floyd, handcuffed, face down, pleading with the officers that he could not breathe. No one ought to be treated like that by the police. But all policemen are not the same. There have always been corrupt policemen, and there always will be. Just like there are unscrupulous and despicable doctors, lawyers, engineers, entrepreneurs, etc. It is silly then to view all officers as bad. In fact, if we were honest, we would have to admit that the vast majority of policemen are good, work hard and selflessly to protect us all.

Presently, in the United States, there is this very dangerous sentiment against law enforcement. Some cities are actually discussing the need to defund or disband the police.

Obviously, when emotions boil over and people lose the capacity to think lucidly, crazy ideas can become seemingly wise solutions. But it certainly is an unwise precedent that is being set in Seattle right now; and it ought to be halted before it becomes a pattern in other cities throughout the country.

Newsweek reports: “In Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, police officers abandoned their posts and allowed protesters to take over part of the city, in what became known as the ‘Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone.’” (Article by Matthew Impelli, June 11, 2020, www.newsweek.com).

After weeks of violent clashes between them and protestors, the police decided to appease the protestors by removing barricades and allowing unrestricted marches in the city. Now, the crowds seem to equate the “police-free zone” with community peace and wellness. The signage on the precinct “Seattle Police Department East Precinct” has now been modified to “Seattle People Department East Precinct.” Protestors have also set up tents in the six block area and blocked streets, in what they now refer to as the people’s community.

However, in the midst of these fanciful ideals, there are already signs that all is not well. Reports have reached Seattle Police Chief that armed people are patrolling the area. These groups are said to be extorting business owners and demanding that local residents show identification before entry.

This is the obvious result of the abandonment of law and order. And human beings function best where there is a fusion of civility and authority.

It is not by chance that such passages as Romans 13:2-4 are recorded in the Bible. “… Anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished… if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.” (NLT)

Reacting to the crisis in Seattle, one law enforcement expert stated: “Some action is going to have to be taken. Are there federal laws broken? Does the FBI need to come in? But at some point… these people are going to have to be removed, if they don’t move.” (Article by Tammy Mutasa, June 11, 2020 www.komonews.com).

It is imperative that the mayor and city officials do everything within their power to take charge again of Seattle’s East Precinct building.

For while it is a human right to protest injustice of any kind, it should never be at the expense of law and order. To do that would certainly ensure anarchy!