and friends, and well-liked by his neighbors. He was a peaceful person
who respected his fellow humans. So, why was he shot and killed by the
Lynn Police while he was in his home caring for his two young children?
According to newspaper reports, the police department received a noise
complaint and sent three cops to respond (Why is it necessary to send
three armed men to respond to a simple noise complaint?). When the
police arrived, all was quiet. Apparently, Mr. Reynoso had had a brief
argument with someone outside his home and then went back inside. The
cops went to his home and knocked on the door. No one answered. Instead
of going away, the cops forced their way into Mr. Reynoso's home and
proceeded to shoot and kill the defenseless dad when he objected to
their violent and criminal behavior.
Unfortunately, this execution was not an isolated event. There was the
cold-blooded murder of Michael Addesa, a man suffering from depression
who was not bothering anyone when he was fatally assaulted by a Lynn cop.
And, there have been several other senseless killings by the police.
Over the past decade or two, the Lynn Mayors and city councilors have
allowed the creation of a Frankenstein monster. Officer Friendly has
been replaced by Officer Mean, Officer Bully, and Officer Psychopath.
How did this happen?
The police are supposed to be peace keepers. They are supposed to help
resolve disputes between neighbors. They are supposed to de-escalate
potentially violent situations. They are never supposed to introduce
violence into a peaceful situation. They are supposed to serve and
protect the people, not bully and stomp on them. (Of course, they never
bully and stomp on members of the ruling class.) How did we evolve
into a full-blown police state?
It happened so gradually that most people didn't see it. After several
decades of moving in the wrong direction of enacting more unjust laws
that criminalize innocent activity, the average American now unknowingly
commits three felonies a day. The authorities can now convict anyone of
a "crime". In the words of Lavrenti Beria, Stalin’s chief of secret
police: “Show me the man, and I will find you the crime.”
As a result of the constant erosion of freedom together with the
militarization of the police and the creation of thousands of SWAT
teams, innocent Americans are routinely being treated like they are
worse than murderers. After several decades of "getting tough" on
"crime", we have adopted the Nazi policy of "Zero Tolerance" and the
totalitarian policy of "Obey or Die". These fascist policies attract
bullies and sociopaths like flies to excrement.
These issues need to brought out into the open because sunshine is a
good disinfectant. I suggest a public meeting where those who oppose
this fascist crap are allowed to speak. And, a public debate between a
defender of the current police state and a principled opponent. In the
words of the poet John Milton: "Let Truth and Falsehood grapple; who
ever knew Truth put to the worse, in a free and open encounter?"
We also need to establish a Civilian Review Board with the power to fire
any cop who behaves like a stormtrooper. It is ridiculous that the police
are allowed to investigate and judge themselves.
A man's home is supposed to be a refuge, an island of peace, a safe
place to enjoy his family and friends, and his solitude. In fact, the
principle that a man's home is his castle dates all the way back to
Magna Carta in the year 1215. Not even the King could enter the home of
the poorest person unless invited. This principle became part of the
Rights of Englishmen and was later exported to America in the form of
the Fourth Amendment. Let's not allow it to die in Lynn.
"The right most valued by all civilized men is the right to be left
alone." –- Justice Louis Brandeis.
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