Was Recording Artist ORiel & Band, “Assaulted” By Pittsburgh, PA Officer? Firearm Drawn On Group … Why Such Violence?

Perspective: Reports posted in Vision not denied by authorities that a firearm was drawn by police on ORiel and his band as they were lighting up a spliff is shocking to say the least. This offence is notching more than a misdemeanor to be treated like a traffic infraction or misdemeanor. Why this trigger go for it approach?

If smoking a spliff is illegal and you are approached and you carry out the instructions of the Police officer …”I asked the officer why he was drawing his firearm as we were doing as he asked, our hands were up and the spliff was put out.” This account of events, not refuted by police, is crystal clear that ORiel and his band members were extremely cooperative with law enforcement.

This therefore begs the question for which we anxiously await an answer … “Why use a cannon to kill a mosquito?” As stated in the post by Vision.

Police need to conduct themselves in a more dignified and professional way. See the public as their client. You do not insult or abuse your client. Do you ?

We hope there were no racial overtones in this assault.

Let us treat each other with more respect. In my perspective this incident is not uncommon and needs to be brought to an end.

We are glad this incident ended without bloodshed. It could have easily ended up that way.

The Pittsburgh PA police department has nothing in this incident to be proud of.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior International Correspondent & Photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.