Demonstrators protesting the killings of 18-year-olds Michael Brown by a Ferguson, Mo., police officer and Vonderrit Myers Jr. by an off-duty St. Louis police officer are confronted by police wearing riot gear on Oct. 12 in St Louis. (Scott Olson, Getty Images file)
My dad used to give me two warnings when I was a youth back in the 1930s:
First, never argue with a policeman under any circumstance, but always follow his requests. Then take your objections, if any, to the officer in charge at the police station.
Second, never get close to a mob or any large demonstration, for large groups often get far out of control of their leaders very quickly. Humans tend to breed a unique “mob psychology” when they group together. Also, vandals quickly join, using this as a cover for their main objectives, to loot and harm property or other people.
Is this still good advice?
Fletcher Walters Jr., Highlands Ranch
This letter was published in the Dec. 11 edition.
Submit a letter to the editor via this form or check out our guidelines for how to submit by e-mail or mail.
