Police Shooting Video Sparks Violent Protests

Police Shooting Video Sparks Violent Protests
Video showing police shooting dead a homeless man sparks riots, with demonstrators hurling rocks and officers firing tear gas.

Officers in riot gear have clashed with demonstrators in Albuquerque after video emerged of police shooting dead a homeless man.

Police fired tear gas, charged at protesters and made several arrests after the 10-hour demonstration in the New Mexico city on Sunday.

Albuquerque's mayor, Richard Berry, said the protest had turned from peaceful into "mayhem".

"We respected their rights to protest obviously," Mr Berry said, "but what it appears we have at this time is individuals who weren't connected necessarily with the original protest.

"They've taken it far beyond a normal protest."

The protesters blocked traffic, tried to get on freeways and shouted anti-police slogans.

Gas canisters were thrown outside police headquarters, while rocks were hurled at officers, with at least one injured, according to news reports.

People are angry over Albuquerque police's involvement in 37 shootings, 23 of them fatal, since 2010.

The US Justice Department has been investigating the police department for more than a year amid complaints of civil rights violations and excessive use of force.

One of the protesters, 23-year-old Alexander Siderits, said he was "fed up" with how police treat citizens.

He said: "It has reached a boiling point, and people just can't take it anymore."

One shooting in particular, that of homeless camper James Boyd in the city's foothills, has outraged citizens.

The March 16 incident was captured on video and followed a long stand-off.

Police released the video, taken from a helmet camera, and insisted the shooting was justified.

They said they wanted Mr Boyd to move and stop illegally camping in an open space, but he refused to comply and threatened police.

The FBI is investigating the shooting.

http://news.sky.com/story/1234528/police-shooting-video-sparks-violent-protests

FFS!!!!! The video on the link shows he was doing nothing, not aggressive towards them in any way. No wonder people are rioting if that's the kind of thing the police are doing.