Video Shows Police Harassing Innocent People for 'Air Fresheners'
Providence RI — In what can only be considered an absolutely mockery of justice, a young man was recently pulled over by an overzealous law enforcement officer for having an air freshener in his car.
In a video uploaded to YouTube yesterday, a young man can be seen in what appears to be a standard traffic stop. When the officer approaches his vehicle, he demands the man’s license and registration. The man complies with the officer’s demands, but is adamant in asserting his right to be informed as to why he is being detained.
When pressed to explain the reason he pulled someone over, the officer attempted to justify his actions by saying that the man’s air fresheners were obstructing his view. Just before the man stops recording, he remarks that the officer is "bored," and the officer seems to acknowledge this assertion just before the video ends.
While the authenticity of this video has yet to be verified by independent sources, the likelihood of a situation like this occurring is likely in Police State USA.
As the Free Thought Project reported last month; the Fifth Circuit US Court of Appeals ruled that it is suspicious for a vehicle to have air fresheners, rosaries, or pro-police bumper stickers. Alas, we now have video evidence of the ridiculous consequences policies like this can have.
While concern for the safety of others is admirable and should be encouraged, we believe that police are rarely looking out for the well-being of citizens. Their primary purpose, as evidenced by Warren v. District of Columbia, is “law enforcement,” which in most jurisdictions equals revenue generation.
Accordingly, the average traffic stop leads to having one's money taken under the threat of violence, or worse, death; as was the case with Walter Scott, Sandra Bland, and many others. We can now begin to understand why there truly is no such thing as a “standard” traffic stop.
The fact of the matter is that all traffic stops require the initiation of force. Whether subtle or explicit, every person is well aware that behind the flashing lights, shiny badge and fancy uniform, there is a gun waiting to end their life possessed by an individual that will (most likely) not be charged for their misdeeds.
