There is a sad and rather long history of dictators, despots, and bad actors weaponizing police to silence critics, destroy democracy, and squash dissent.
This perilous punishment of political abuse was perfected by Adolf Hitler in the 1930’s according to the Holocaust Encyclopedia hosted by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. It describes how Hitler’s extreme censorship “included control of newspapers, magazines, books, art, theater, music, movies, and radio.”
The crackdown on free speech was so severe that police arrested people who were accused of cracking jokes about the German government.
If you’re of the thought process that this was 90 years ago, and this type of government abusing law enforcement to bully, harass, and intimidate people for expressing opinions doesn't happen today, you are sadly mistaken.
It’s happened around the world, and even here in New York State.
In England law enforcement and police pushed a public service campaign titled “Think Before You Post,” a chilling reminder that police will come to your door and question you, or arrest you, depending on what you post or share on social media platforms.
The British government is following through on that threat.
The Crown Prosecution Service in England, the actual government, ironically warned people on a Twitter post: “Remind those close to you to share responsibly or face the consequences.”
Or face the consequences. It is believed that at least 30 people faced those consequences by being placed under arrest in England, with 17 of them charged with crimes after posting about riots that took place in their respective communities.
All hell broke loose after someone went on a stabbing spree at what is described as a Taylor Swift dance class, where a madman bludgeoned three young girls, all aged nine and under. Angry neighbors posted their outrage on social media, riots ensued, and police arrested those who shared information on public platforms.
If you think this is limited to our freedom of speech hating redcoats on the other side of the pond, think again.
It’s happening right here and now in New York State.
North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec, leader of a city in Niagara County about 15 miles north of Buffalo, just ordered officers from his police department to question and harass a citizen he believed was responsible for posting on a Facebook page that regularly takes aim at the Mayor.
Cops went to this person’s workplace and questioned him at his employer’s place of business, all because the Mayor didn’t appreciate the Facebook page and wanted to get to the bottom of who was posting. Clearly, the intent was to weaponize police to scare and silence critics.
In this case, we don’t even know if the person targeted and questioned by cops was even posting on social media about the Mayor. That’s irrelevant. Freedom of speech was so important to our Founding Fathers that they included its protection in an amendment to the Constitution: the First one.
The North Tonawanda taxpayer is now considering legal action against the Mayor and North Tonawanda. Its Council is in the beginning phases of a full-blown investigation. Good. That’s a potential start to fight back hard against tyrannical governments who despise the free market of ideas and will stop at nothing to shut down dissent.
Folks, the only way to combat bad ideas or thoughts is to come up with better ones and have the ability to debate and discuss our beliefs in an open, honest, and transparent manner.
If you have strong opinions one way or the other on content within the South Shore Press, do not hesitate to put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, and let us know how you feel. Send us an email with your editorial to News@SouthShorePress.com.
Let’s hear it, especially if you disagree with what you read online at SouthShorePress.com or on our Facebook (@TheSouthShorePress) or Twitter (@SSPNewsroom) pages.
Our corner of the world cherishes free speech and your right to express yourself.
We’ll gladly post and share your comments. We won’t call the cops on you, that’s for sure.