With coronavirus (COVID-19) running amok all across the world, there’s plenty to worry about. Even so, it’s extremely important we know what the powers that be are plotting. This matters because authorities have potentially dangerous plans.
Newsweek reports that the “U.S. military is preparing forces to assume a larger role in the coronavirus response, including the controversial mission of quelling ‘civil disturbances’ and enforcing the law.” As Black people, this should grab our attention for several reasons.
Black people experience all the worst aspects of policing in the USA and right now the president, who has not been a friend to Black people, has “extreme power” during this state of emergency. That means quiet military preparations should be taken seriously, not dismissed.
Panic and rumors are not helping, but what we do know should concern us since we experience the brunt of lethal and violent force from policing authorities. The military and police could be utilized in a variety of potentially helpful ways, but we should be aware these forces are not a cure-all.
It’s important to stay up-to-date on what’s happening with the military and with police in your area. Law enforcement and criminal justice are undergoing rapid changes in response to the pandemic, but Black people can’t afford to not know what those changes are.