Yaqeen Blog

1. The Murder of George Floyd (USA, 2020)

The death of George Floyd is the most consequential case of police violence in the 21st century. On May 25, 2020, Floyd was arrested for allegedly using a fake $20 bill. During the arrest, officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed and lying face-down on the pavement.

• The Facts: Despite Floyd crying out "I can't breathe" over twenty times and witnesses begging the officers to stop, Chauvin did not move his knee even after Floyd lost consciousness and his pulse stopped. Three other officers stood by and prevented the crowd from helping. The incident was captured on high-definition video, making it impossible for the department to use their usual script of lying about the encounter.

• The Aftermath: This case sparked the largest protests in U.S. history. Chauvin was convicted of murder, a rare instance where the "Blue Wall" actually crumbled under the weight of global pressure. It exposed a subhuman indifference within militarized police forces.

     Wikipedia page ⮕ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_George_Floyd

2. The Death of Mahsa Amini (Iran, 2022)

In September 2022, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini was arrested by the "Morality Police" in Tehran for allegedly wearing her hijab "improperly."

• The Facts: Witnesses reported that Amini was severely beaten inside a police van. Although the police claimed she died of a "sudden heart attack," leaked medical photos showed she had suffered a massive blow to the head, leading to a brain hemorrhage. This was a classic case of "Moral Theater," where the state used a fake excuse to hide a physical execution.

• The Aftermath: Her death triggered the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement. The Iranian state responded with even more brutality, killing hundreds of protesters. It is a diagnostic of how a government uses "morality" as a cover to carry out physical violence against women.

     Wikipedia page ⮕ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Mahsa_Amini

3. The Rodney King Beating (USA, 1991)

Rodney King became a household name after he was brutally beaten by four LAPD officers following a high-speed chase.

• The Facts: A bystander with a new home video camera captured the officers striking King over 50 times with batons and kicking him while he lay on the ground. Despite the clear video evidence, a jury in a suburban neighborhood acquitted the officers in 1992.

• The Aftermath: The acquittal led to the 1992 Los Angeles Riots, one of the most violent civil uprisings in American history. It proved to the world that even when a crime is caught on tape, the "Real Power" of the legal system often protects the police over the victim.

     Wikipedia page ⮕ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodney_King

4. The Killing of Jean Charles de Menezes (UK, 2005)

In a case of catastrophic "Managed Ambiguity," London’s Metropolitan Police shot an innocent Brazilian man, Jean Charles de Menezes, seven times in the head at point-blank range on a subway train.

• The Facts: Police were on high alert after the 7/7 bombings and mistook Menezes for a suicide bomber. Despite him wearing a light denim jacket and behaving normally, officers pinned him down and executed him. The police later lied, claiming he was wearing a bulky coat and jumped over a ticket barrier.

• The Aftermath: No individual officers were ever charged with his death. This highlighted how the "National Security" label is often used to excuse the state from being held accountable for the murder of innocent civilians.

     Wikipedia page ⮕ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Jean_Charles_de_Menezes

5. The Marikana Massacre (South Africa, 2012)

This case represents the deadliest use of force by South African security forces since the end of Apartheid.

• The Facts: During a strike at a platinum mine, police opened fire on a crowd of miners who were demanding better wages. They killed 34 men and wounded 78 others. Many of the miners were shot in the back while trying to flee.

• The Aftermath: The incident showed that even after Apartheid, the police were still being used as a "private army" to protect the interests of big corporations over the lives of poor workers. It was a "Moral Theater" failure for the government.

     Wikipedia page ⮕ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marikana_massacre

6. The Death of Adama Traoré (France, 2016)

Adama Traoré died on his 24th birthday after being taken into police custody in a suburb of Paris.

• The Facts: During the arrest, three officers pinned Traoré down with the weight of their bodies. He lost consciousness in their vehicle and died shortly after. For years, the French government released conflicting medical reports, trying to blame a pre-existing condition, while independent doctors confirmed he died of positional asphyxiation.

• The Aftermath: His death exposed deep-seated racism and brutality in the French police force, particularly in the banlieues (suburbs) where immigrants live. It became a rallying cry for justice in France.

     Wikipedia page ⮕ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Adama_Traor%C3%A9

7. The Bloody Sunday Massacre (Northern Ireland, 1972)

This remains one of the most infamous examples of state-sponsored "police-style" brutality during a protest.

• The Facts: Soldiers opened fire on unarmed civilians during a peaceful protest march in Derry, killing 13 people instantly. Many were shot while fleeing or trying to help the wounded. For decades, the British government lied, saying the protesters were armed terrorists.

• The Aftermath: It took 38 years for an official inquiry to admit that the killings were "unjustified and unjustifiable." This case shows how the state can maintain a "Managed Silence" for decades to protect its image.

     Wikipedia page ⮕ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloody_Sunday_(1972

8. The 2019 Hong Kong Protests Brutality (China/HK, 2019)

During the massive pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, the police force transitioned from "Asia's Finest" to a group widely accused of torture and excessive force.

• The Facts: Police were documented firing rubber bullets at people's heads and working with gangs to beat protesters. The "Prince Edward Station Incident" became a symbol of this brutality, where police charged into a train and beat passengers indiscriminately.

• The Aftermath: The total lack of an independent inquiry into police conduct led to a complete breakdown of trust. It was a textbook case of Real Power using the police to crush political dissent.

     Wikipedia page ⮕ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_misconduct_allegations_during_the_2019%E2%80%932020_Hong_Kong_protests

9. The Favela Massacres (Brazil, Ongoing)

In Brazil, police operations in "favelas" (low-income neighborhoods) often result in mass killings that human rights groups call "executions."

• The Facts: In May 2021, a raid in the Jacarezinho favela resulted in 28 deaths. Police claimed they were fighting drug traffickers, but evidence showed many victims were executed at point-blank range after surrendering.

• The Aftermath: Brazil’s police are among the deadliest in the world. This is a diagnostic of a subhuman policy where the state treats poor citizens as combatants in an unending war.

     Wikipedia page ⮕ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_massacres_in_Brazil

10. The Death of Eric Garner (USA, 2014)

Eric Garner's death was a precursor to the George Floyd tragedy and solidified the phrase "I can't breathe" as a global cry for justice.

• The Facts: Garner was approached by NYPD officers for allegedly selling "loosie" cigarettes. Officer Daniel Pantaleo placed Garner in a prohibited chokehold. As Garner gasped "I can't breathe" eleven times, the officers did not let go. Garner went into cardiac arrest and died.

• The Aftermath: A grand jury chose not to indict Pantaleo, sparking massive outrage. This case highlighted the "Managed Ambiguity" of police policy, where "prohibited" moves are used with no legal consequences.

     Wikipedia page ⮕ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Eric_Garner

The Judgment of History: A Global Failure

These cases show that police brutality is a global problem. Whether in a democracy or a dictatorship, the state often uses the badge to carry out acts that would be considered murder if done by anyone else. In 2026, we look back at these victims as proof that "civilization" is still struggling to hold Real Power accountable. Until the "Blue Wall of Silence" is replaced with true transparency, the blood of the innocent will continue to stain the hands of those who claim to keep us safe.

The capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, is currently a city held hostage. With armed gangs controlling an estimated 80% or more of the metro area, nearly three million people are living under the constant threat of violence, murder, and acute hunger. This humanitarian crisis escalated into a full-scale political collapse in March 2024, forcing the resignation of then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

The face of this revolution is Jimmy Chérizier, the notorious gang spokesman known as “Barbecue,” who leads the powerful alliance Viv Ansamn ("Live Together"). Their message is clear: they demand a seat at the negotiating table, or the fight against the state—and the international community—will continue.

The Anatomy of a Gang Alliance: Viv Ansamn

For years, Haiti’s armed groups were decentralized and often fought turf wars. The game-changer was the formation of Viv Ansamn, an alliance of rival gangs that unified their firepower and political demands.

• Political Ambition: Barbecue, a former police officer, claims the gangs are a revolutionary force fighting the corrupt political and economic elites who have kept the majority of Haitians in poverty for decades.

• The Show of Force: In early 2024, Viv Ansamn launched coordinated attacks on key state infrastructure, including storming two major prisons to release thousands of inmates. This display of military superiority forced Henry’s resignation and demonstrated the gangs’ power to paralyze the state.

• The Ultimatum: Barbecue’s refusal to lay down weapons and his demand to be at the negotiating table highlights a grim reality: the gangs see themselves not just as criminals, but as de facto political actors.

Economic Leverage: Controlling the Lifeline

The gangs’ hold over Port-au-Prince is not just military; it is fundamentally economic. They control the capital's seafront, which encompasses the strategically vital ports and fuel terminals.

• Import Reliance: Haiti relies on imports for over 50% of its food and almost all fuel and medical supplies. By controlling the ports, the gangs effectively control the nation's supply chain.

• Humanitarian Crisis: This blockade has caused catastrophic food insecurity. Gangs disrupt main transport routes, impose illegal "fees" on goods, and prevent traders from supplying markets. The UN reports that almost half of Haiti’s population is now facing acute hunger.

• Weaponizing Hunger: For the thousands of displaced people trapped in the city, the soaring food prices and scarcity of basic goods transform hunger into a brutal tool of coercion and control used by the gangs.

The Elite’s Role: The Monster They Created

Many Haitians and analysts trace the root of the current chaos back to the nation’s ultra-wealthy political and economic elites.

The narrative suggests that wealthy individuals initially used youth groups and armed bandits to:

1. Attack business rivals and monopolize trade in staple goods.

2. Silence political opposition and maintain their vast family fortunes.

As one commentator noted, the gangs eventually became "more structured and much more powerful" and, in most cases, "turned against their former masters." The politicians and businessmen who armed and financed the violence watched as the monster they created seized the state's power and infrastructure for itself.

The global community, including the US, has responded with sanctions and a planned Kenya-led multinational security support mission. However, with thousands of people facing daily threats of murder, kidnapping, and sexual violence in the gang-held bastions, the urgent need for a solution that addresses both security and the deep-seated political poverty remains critical.

Sources

◦ France 24 - Inside Haiti's Gang War Documentary (2025 Reporting)

◦ International Rescue Committee (IRC) - Top 10 Crises 2026: Haiti

◦ UN News - Explainer: Feeding Haiti in Times of Crisis (2024 Figures)

◦ U.S. Department of Justice - Haitian Gang Leader 'Barbecue' Indicted (2025)