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When Compliance Isn’t Enough: A Call for Accountability and Protection

I just watched the deeply disturbing video out of Jacksonville, Florida, from February 19, 2025, where 22‑year‑old Black student William McNeil Jr. was violently pulled from his vehicle and beaten—all after he calmly asked to speak with a supervisor and questioned why he was being pulled over.

He was sitting with his hands visible, asking innocent questions—until officers escalated the situation: one smashed open his driver-side window, punched him in the face, and, along with others, dragged and beat him on the ground. There was no immediate threat, no weapon brandished, but the punches came anyway. AP News

These actions go beyond enforcement—they’re outright aggression. They reflect a dangerous eagerness, a cavalier use of force that in any other context would be condemned. From my half‑white, half‑privileged viewpoint, it’s clear: this was excessive—and unacceptable.

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🔍 Here’s what happened with McNeil:

• McNeil questioned why his headlights were off (it was daylight); the officer demanded he exit. McNeil asked for a supervisor and locked his door. CBS News
• After three minutes of resisting exit, the officer smashed the window and used closed-fist strikes. McNeil was handcuffed, suffering a chipped tooth, stitches, and a concussion. People.com
• Investigations followed: the State Attorney found no criminal wrongdoing, though administrative reviews are underway and one officer was suspended. AP

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To every person of color—and to everyone who cares about them:

If dash cams and interior car cameras are within reach, get one. If you know someone who might benefit, this makes a powerful gift. These devices don’t lie—they capture truth when words fail.

To car manufacturers:

Let’s talk innovation. Outfitting side‑view or rear‑view mirrors with built‑in, high‑quality cameras is no longer optional—it’s essential. Vehicles equipped this way could offer critical evidence during interactions that escalate without justification.

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Because the system won’t always police itself, we must. We the people—with our cameras, our voices, our demand for transparency—will insist on accountability. One camera. One recorded moment. One truth. At a time when authority meets violence, it’s us who must hold the lens.

In Solidarity always,

-Judy T.