Those who looted businesses in Minneapolis late Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning are not protesters, they are criminals. They are, in that regard, the antithesis of that which George Floyd deserves.
Because the facts suggest that George Floyd deserves a lot. As James Gagliano, former FBI-Hostage Rescue Team agent, notes for the Washington Examiner, the conduct of the officer who appears to be responsible for Floyd’s death is exceptionally alarming. Gagliano identifies the need for a robust inquiry and, if necessary, further actions to hold culpable persons responsible for Floyd’s demise. The FBI is now conducting just that investigation.
It should be pointed out, here, that the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team is one of the world’s most elite special operations units. Indeed, HRT’s proven operational and exercise success has earned it the distinction of being regarded by the British Army’s 22 Special Air Service regiment as the world’s most elite civilian law enforcement counter-terrorism team. The SAS is regarded by the U.S. Military as the world’s finest foreign special operations unit after its own units. In short, by his experience and record, Gagliano is the gold standard for law enforcement commentators. You don’t get into HRT or its associated CIRG command division unless you are the very best of the FBI Special Agent cadre.
So when Gagliano and others say that there is reason for deep concern over Floyd’s death, they are saying so with real experience. And with real affection – affection I share – for the men and women who endeavor to keep our streets, playgrounds, and homes safe every day. They are saying so, then, with the credible and informed belief that what Floyd suffered is not acceptable by the practice or process of law.
Yet, there is a fundamental distinction between rage over Floyd’s unnecessary death and rioting against innocent business owners, big banks included. Those business owners who have suffered in Minneapolis tonight are not responsible for Floyd’s untimely demise. Nor are the banks which, whatever you think of banking policy, due looting at their ATMs. The reality is that these businesses are suffering as so many businesses are suffering, in an effort to stay solvent as the coronvavirus wreaks havoc across the nation. They deserve better than criminals who would use the death of a man who did not deserve to suffer or die, to unjustly enrich themselves.
Actually, let’s be clear. These businesses – who employ Americans in much need of employment and pay checks amid coronavirus – deserve our unremitting support against criminality. To that end, those who equivocate or seek to justify or hedge against looting are not servants of Mr. Floyd’s family. Rather, they are what the Russians would call useful idiots. Those who use Floyd’s corpse as an excuse to steal and commit criminality do nothing but dishonor the cause of justice.
In turn, what we need here is that which the FBI is now actively endeavoring to deliver: an effort to establish the facts of Floyd’s death, the justification or otherwise of actions associated with it, and the delivery of evidence to hold accountable those who may have acted unprofessionally or criminally.
Regardless, looting is not protesting. And to act otherwise dishonors a man who did not deserve to die.
