Just in time for the Memorial Day holiday, the governor of Louisiana signed a bill into law protecting some of America’s finest heroes—but these ones are fighting off the battlefield.
Aptly nicknamed the “Blue Lives Matter” bill, the movement will impose broader protections under the state’s existing hate crime law. In particular, Governor John Bel Edwards hopes to fight back against crimes committed purposefully against law enforcement.
Under the new legislation, such deliberate violence toward police officers, first responders, firefighters, and other emergency medical professionals will be deemed a “hate crime,” resulting in harsher penalties.
While most states in our diversity-obsessed country uphold their own versions of this type of deliberate attack, they only cover bias based on gender, race, religion, sexuality, and the like.
Louisiana’s occupation-based protection will be the first of its kind. Now, any individual convicted of a hate crime against law enforcement will face up to a $5,000 fine and five years in jail depending on the severity of the act.
The bill comes just at the right moment as our nation continues to face unnecessary drama inspired by the violent Black Lives Matter movement and their ruthless attack against America’s everyday heroes.
Addressing his decision to swiftly pass the mandate, Edwards said, “Coming from a family of law enforcement officers, I have great respect for the work that they do…they deserve every protection we can give them.”
The Democratic governor is an army veteran himself, making his support even more fitting. But it was Republican Lance Harris who conceived of the bill in response to a terrible tragedy that befell the town of Cypress, Texas, back in August of 2015.
On a late summer night, 47-year-old sheriff Darren Goforth stopped at a Chevron gas station for a routine fill up. In an act of reprehensible evil, Shannon J. Miles approached the officer from behind, shooting him in the back of the head.
The 30-year-old black male fired some fifteen bullets at the unsuspecting husband—and father of two—even well after the innocent hero fell to the ground. The African American killer clearly targeted Goforth because he wore a uniform.
No provocation. No motivation. Just a random, brutal act against the greater backdrop of Obama’s racially divided America.
The passing of the Blue Lives Matter bill is a beacon of hope in a nation that continues to disparage law enforcement. As men and women in blue valiantly lay their lives on the line to protect us, the Black Lives Matter movement becomes increasingly violent since the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Baltimore’s Freddie Gray.
In May of 2016, members of the controversial group tore down “Blue Lives Matter” posters on the campus of Dartmouth University, replacing them with their own. The seemingly trivial incident was just one of the BLM organization’s many intolerant acts in recent months.
With its expanded hate crime law, Louisiana hopes to inspire other states to fight back against a movement that is both divisive and deadly in its intentions.
After the deaths of Trayvon Martin and Freddie Gray, President Obama publicly addressed the nation on the topics of targeted violence and America’s deep-rooted racial divide. But in wake of officer Darren Goforth’s untimely demise at the hands of a deranged killer, the Commander in Chief remained silent.
Many pundits have pointed out the timing of Louisiana’s “Blue Lives Matter” bill as it coincides with the acquittal of police officer Edward Nero, the second of six individuals to be tried in relation to the death of Freddie Gray.
The first trial of William Porter ended in a hung jury. Found not guilty of every single charge brought against him, Nero triumphed in court, but alas, the event ended with a spirited protest outside the Baltimore courthouse.
For those forgetful, Freddie Gray was the 25-year-old black man who died from spinal cord damage following a short time in police custody back in April of 2015. Picked up by Baltimore law enforcement for possessing an illegal switchblade, Gray was detained and sustained injuries while riding in the back of a van.
Theories about the incident abound, including speculation of police brutality via “rough ride,” and on the other end of the spectrum, that Gray may have self-inflicted injury. Whatever the true details are, there’s no doubt that the city of Baltimore launched an outrageously biased attack against its brave officers.
Nero’s acquittal gives promise to the remaining offers awaiting trials over the course of the next year. Still, details of his not guilty verdict point towards the officer’s minor role in the incident, including his failure to restrain Gray in a seatbelt.
As low man on the totem pole, Nero may have gotten lucky. The other personnel could be held liable due to their higher degree of responsibility.
Still, many argue that Baltimore’s State Attorney Marilyn Mosby jumped to charge the officers in order to pacify violent protesters and gain her fifteen minutes of fame as the city went down in flames. At the time of his death, Gray was a seasoned criminal, having no fewer than 20 cases against him in his 25 years.
Although many of the offenses were minor, further information about the one-time-prisoner shows a darker picture. Upon initially seeing officers the morning of his detainment, Gray fled suspiciously without provocation.
Even worse, investigation showed that he had a history of hurting himself as a means of suing law enforcement. The latter information was not disclosed at Nero’s trial.
The same week as the passing of the “Blue Lives Matter” bill, media reported that two of the other involved officers, both African American, have sued Mosby for defamation. Alicia White and William Porter are seeking damages, claiming that the attorney made false statements during early press conferences in order to quiet rioters as they destroyed their own city.
Although Gray’s family received a reported $6.4 million settlement with the city of Baltimore without any clear convictions, legal analysts predict the officers’ lawsuits will be unsuccessful.
As Americans anxiously await the remaining verdicts in the Freddie Gray case, police officers everywhere—or at least in Louisiana—can breathe a slight sigh of relief with their unique protection.
But knowing the drastic measures that Black Lives and other racially motivated movements have taken against law enforcement, it’s important that we remember that blue lives more than matter. They deserve special acknowledgement for their ongoing bravery in the face of social chaos.
