How U.S. Police Took a Hands-Off Approach to Armed Groups in 2020 | NYT - Visual Investigations

Summary

The video explores the relationship between police forces and armed far-right groups during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. It highlights how, in many instances, law enforcement appeared lenient toward or even coordinated with these groups, despite their involvement in violent confrontations. The transcript examines how these far-right groups, often armed, were given leeway by the police, which sometimes led to an emboldened sense of impunity among these groups. The video underscores the growing concern of blurred lines between civilian militias and law enforcement, exacerbating tensions and complicating efforts for police reform.

Takeaways

• 😀 Police allowed armed far-right groups to operate with minimal interference during protests in 2020.
• 😀 Kyle Rittenhouse was able to walk past police, seemingly surrendering after shooting two people, with no action taken by law enforcement.
• 😀 Armed far-right groups have been increasingly showing up at protests, sometimes emboldened by police inaction or leniency.
• 😀 Many of these groups are driven by ideologies like white supremacy and opposition to the federal government.
• 😀 In some instances, police officers posed for photos with armed civilians and even wore symbols of far-right movements like the Three Percenters and Oath Keepers.
• 😀 Some police officers coordinated with armed groups, creating an unclear boundary between law enforcement and militia groups.
• 😀 Police officers in some regions appeared to support or even affiliate with far-right groups, blurring the line between them and the police.
• 😀 Armed groups at protests sometimes escalated violence, with police officers failing to intervene, as seen in incidents in Yucaipa, California, and Portland, Oregon.
• 😀 Police departments often took a permissive attitude towards armed right-wing protesters, particularly when they believed these groups were defending their communities.
• 😀 The close relationship between some police officers and armed far-right groups raised concerns about impartiality and the potential for violence during protests.
• 😀 The growing trend of armed groups at protests, coupled with the leniency from law enforcement, suggests a need for greater clarity and reform regarding police conduct and their relationship with armed civilians.

Q & A

What was Kyle Rittenhouse's behavior after the shooting during the Black Lives Matter protest?

Kyle Rittenhouse appeared to fatally shoot two people at a Black Lives Matter protest and then walked away with his hands in the air, seemingly surrendering to the police. Despite this, the police let him walk by without intervening.

What did the analysis of incidents across the country reveal about police interactions with armed far-right groups?

The analysis found that at times, police officers gave the benefit of the doubt to armed far-right groups and individuals, which could embolden vigilantes and lead to violence.

What role did far-right armed groups play during protests in 2020?

Far-right armed groups were on the rise during 2020, showing up in large numbers at protests. These groups had diverse causes, including white supremacy and opposition to the federal government, and sometimes even threatened police officers.

How did the police typically respond to armed groups at Black Lives Matter protests?

In many cases, the police adopted a permissive attitude towards armed groups, sometimes even failing to intervene in violent situations or actively affiliating with them.

What happened in Yucaipa, California, in June involving armed far-right groups?

In Yucaipa, a crowd of armed individuals, some affiliated with far-right groups, claimed to be guarding the streets against a supposed antifa threat, leading to confrontations with Black Lives Matter protesters. A police officer nearby did not intervene despite witnessing the violence.

What was the significance of police officers posing with armed civilians in Philadelphia?

In Philadelphia, police officers were seen posing for photos with armed civilians, including individuals affiliated with far-right groups, suggesting a possible alignment or leniency towards these armed groups.

What did the analysis reveal about police officers wearing symbols from far-right movements?

The analysis found instances where on-duty police officers wore symbols associated with far-right movements, such as the 'Three Percenters' and the 'Oath Keepers.' These incidents are being investigated by the respective police departments.

What did the police chief in Virginia do that raised concerns about his relationship with armed groups?

In Virginia, a police chief was seen shaking hands and sharing a drink with an armed man wearing a shirt associated with the anti-government 'Boogaloo' movement. The police chief later claimed to have been attempting to de-escalate the situation.

How did law enforcement in Michigan interact with individuals associated with the plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer?

In Michigan, a county sheriff was seen with a member of an unlawful paramilitary group, which was later involved in a plot to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The sheriff defended the individuals' right to make a 'citizen's arrest.'

How did coordination between armed groups and local law enforcement blur the lines of authority?

In some instances, armed groups like the Oath Keepers coordinated with local law enforcement by notifying them of their movements and identifying their members. This blurred the lines between the police and armed civilians, creating confusion about who was policing the streets.