If the images of St. Louis (Ferguson) police hurling tear gas at civilians protesting Mike Brown’s death looks like something out of the Middle East, it’s because that’s where they’re taking their cues from. A few years ago, then St. Louis County Police Chief Timothy Fitch was part of a group of officers from the States that traveled to Israel for training in anti-terrorism tactics.
Reports Crooks & Liars:
It was a surreal night, with Palestinians tweeting advice about how to deal with tear gas to the protesters in Ferguson. So many of the tactics reminded me of what was done in Gaza — and now it’s all so much clearer:
St. Louis County, MO (KSDK) – St. Louis County Police Chief Timothy Fitch will be part of a national delegation of law enforcement officials traveling to Israel next month to study counter-terrorism tactics.
Over a weeklong visit, the delegation will learn how Israel’s police, intelligence and security forces prevent terror attacks, and includes visits to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Tiberias. Law enforcement will be briefed by members of the Israel National Police, the Israel Defense Forces, among others.
Well, there you go. No wonder it looked so familiar.
Again, we gotta ask, who exactly are the police trying to protect and serve?
Watch video of cops purposely shooting tear gas at an Al Jazeera TV crew (read: journalists) in the video below.
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Photo: NewsFix
