Featured

Texas Reps equate Nigerian police violence to American law enforcement

The protests against Nigeria’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a controversial police unit that has been accused of committing torture and killings, continue to escalate and have grabbed the world’s attention.

In the U.S., lawmakers have drawn a parallel to SARS and American police forces, many pushing the narrative that American law enforcement as a whole, is as corrupt as the Nigerian special police force being scrutinized.

Texas Reps. Joaquin Castro (D) and Al Green (D) have now introduced a resolution supporting the #EndSars movement, and Rep. Green has invoked the “Black lives matter’ movement here in the U.S.

“End SARS has become a meaningful rallying cry, ringing loudly throughout Nigeria and across the globe after reports of wrongful killings of many innocent persons on October 20, 2020, at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos,” Congressman Al Green – who represents one of the largest Nigerian populations in the United States – said. “I have expressed my support for peaceful protesters in Nigeria and have emphasized the international importance of this issue, as Black lives matter wherever they may be.”

But the issue in Nigeria has nothing to do with whether those individuals being unfairly and wrongly persecuted are black or not, it appears to be about a police unit that overstepped its authority in its crackdown on crime.

Congressman Green added, “I vehemently oppose and condemn the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters by Nigeria’s security forces. This is in part why I and my colleague Congressman Castro have presented a congressional resolution in support of the #EndSARS peaceful protest movement. This resolution – in addition to my previous letters to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as well as United Nations officials – articulates our solidarity with peaceful protesters and urges the Nigerian Government to uphold the right to peaceful protest and assembly in accordance with international, African, and Nigerian policies. I thank Congressman Castro as well as multiple human rights organizations for their support of this resolution.”

Rep. Castro directly equated the violence in Nigeria to the recent call in the U.S. for criminal justice reform.

“Nigerians are protesting police violence, and like here in the United States, demanding justice. I’m proud to co-lead this resolution as a statement of support for the people of Nigeria who are protesting against these injustices,” said Congressman Joaquin Castro, Vice Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “Human rights abuses, including extrajudicial executions of peaceful protestors, must be independently investigated and held accountable.”

Javier Manjarres

Javier Manjarres is a nationally renowned award-winning political journalist. Diverse New Media, Corp. publishes Floridianpress.com, Hispolitica.com, shark-tank.com, and Texaspolitics.com He enjoys traveling, playing soccer, mixed martial arts, weight-lifting, swimming, and biking. Javier is also a political consultant, and has also authored "BROWN PEOPLE," which is a book about Hispanic Politics. Learn more at www.brownpeople.org Email him at Diversenewmedia@gmail.com

Recent Posts

August Pfluger Blasts Democrats for Government Shutdown Tactics

U.S. Congressman August Pfluger, joined by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and House Majority Leader…

3 hours ago

John Cornyn Condemns Democrats for Prolonging Shutdown as 3.5 Million Texas Face Loss of Benefits

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R) is calling out Senate Democrats for voting against reopening the…

4 hours ago

Texans Show Economic Anxiety and Political Discontent in New Poll

A new University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll indicates that Texas voters are feeling uneasy…

1 day ago

Greg Abbott Announces $1.12 Billion Loan for 1,350 MW Natural Gas Power Plant

Governor Greg Abbott (R) has announced the fifth Texas Energy Fund Loan Agreement, supporting the…

1 day ago

John Cornyn Condemns 'Weaponization of Justice' in Special Counsel Subpoena Revelations

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R) joined the Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and…

1 day ago