Neighbor News
National Guard Occupation of Cities Will Not End Well
Troops are Not Trained in Law Enforcement
President Trump's deployment of 1,700 National Guard troops into 19 states to allegedly restore law and order is an irresponsible action that has tragedy as its historic precedent.
The National Guard is not a law enforcement organization. Its troops, which are armed, are not trained to control crowds or de-escalate potentially dangerous situations.
This reality became apparent on May 4, 1970 when the government sent the National Guard to to quash dissent at Kent State University in Ohio.
A peaceful campus student protest against the Vietnam War became unruly and, according to news reports, the National Guard responded excessively.
Gunfire erupted and four students (image) who were not even involved in the protest were shot and killed.
The political and societal tensions that resulted in the Kent State deaths were not an abberation. They are found in Trump's actions and in increasing public opposition to them.
The past is present and the future is clear: National Guard occupation of cities will not end well.
