"We made huge mistakes back in 1999," said former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper, in a discussion of the Battle of Seattle with Amy Goodman on Democracy Now! "I’m afraid they’re being repeated today across the country." In reaction to escalation of the "wars" against drugs and terror, Norm argues, police forces throughout the country have rapidly militarized—and sacrificed many of their community partnerships in the process. You can read Norm’s thoughtful analysis of the issue here.

—Teresa Cotsirilos