The judicial and law enforcement systems at all levels of government are in need of deep reform, including a de-emphasis in punitive measures. Steps must be taken to eliminate the culture of racism and abuse so prevalent among policemen. It is crucial for civil society to monitor the implementation of such steps. It is naïve to believe that repeated assassinations of people of color by the police are instances of a few “bad apples.” Massive replacement of officers may be needed. Again, this must take place with civil society monitoring. All levels of government should empower demonstrators and encourage them to select leaders to represent them at the table. This way, they will have negotiating power and be a part of the solution. Prospective solutions cannot depend only on the traditional institutions. Dialogue, rather than repression, is what’s needed. After all, the state is responsible for the crimes that have been committed.

There is little trust in the police. They are perceived as enjoying too much power across the US. There is no trust in the legal/judicial system. It is a punitive system, clearly biased against minorities. The police seem to enjoy de facto independence from civil authorities. Judges and prosecutors are afraid of the police and never challenge its overextended powers. The judiciary is a joke when police brutality is questioned. The problem is structural, institutional, and even historic. That is why police crimes and abuses are repeated time and again.

The assassination of the African-American man George Floyd by the police incited protests that are spontaneous, and leaderless. Demonstrators perceived, rightly so, that their forceful actions prompted the arrest of the officer who assassinated Floyd, days after of the crime. Moreover, they see the other policemen who participated in Floyd’s arrest as accomplices. Those men are still free of any charge.

Demonstrations have not been free of violence. The majority of demonstrators probably approved of setting the police station on fire as a targeted building of symbolic value for the protest. The more generalized violence that followed was the result of some exalted demonstrators.

Governments in various states and cities are emphasizing repression as the solution. In many cases, the reason for the protests seems forgotten. Negotiations with demonstrators are not even mentioned. In my view, a curfew is an extreme measure that may bring additional problems. The rhetoric of the Trump administration plays a very negative role. Leaders of Congress, state and local governments, civil rights organizations, together with genuinely elected leaders of the protests could draw some programmatic solutions to these issues that could be implemented expeditiously.

It is regrettable that civil rights organizations have not more actively supported demonstrations nor assumed any possible leadership roles. It is also regrettable that the political leaders who are sympathetic to the demonstrations have not participated in the protests, provided leadership nor offered their guidance in making positive proposals. Verbal support is not enough.