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Paula Fitzsimmons's avatar

Exceptional piece, Roland. So many incredible insights and takeaways. I've already shared this piece far and wide.

At the end of your piece, you mentioned that Chief Jim McDonnell is in between a rock and a hard place. Agreed! While I'm not ready to give him a full pass quite yet, he's bound by a California law that prohibits local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE. Still, is there more that he could have done? Would love your take on this?

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Roland Clee's avatar

I think that there are sheriff's in California (I understand he is a former elected sheriff) who as constitutional officers would choose to disobey the California law that has been cited just like it is an illegal order. If he chose to support ICE efforts it would take the Governor and the AG to stop him but it is what a gutsy leader ought to do. Good chiefs say stand behind my badge to their officers.

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Paula Fitzsimmons's avatar

Well articulated, and agreed!

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Paula Fitzsimmons's avatar

I wanted to add that you make a great point about the impetus for the chaos being sewn. It isn't about the issue at hand, whether it's climate change, immigration, or something else. The end goal is about control, and we're funding it.

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Johanna Neuman's avatar

An extraordinary piece. Roland Clee has the experience and the big-picture insight to explain why these riots are happening, why they might spread to other cities in the short-term and why we have to win. A great addition to the conversation.

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Linda Hudgens's avatar

Oh Dear God in Heaven!! This is so Unbelievable!

How could this be happening in America???

What else can be done to end this violence? How much can the Military act against it?? Is this not considered Domestic Terrorism? Is that not a Federal Offense?

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