Politics and Proportionality in Police Behavior

I propose a research experiment. Film a video with a set of non-descript protesters being harassed and somewhat assaulted by actors dressed as police. Divide subjects into four groups based on left/right political affiliation, two viewing the video framing the protesters as cohorts, two as opposition. After, the subjects judge the proportionality and validity of the police actions. Compare results.




I am by no means oversensitive to police action, however, I cannot think that this is clear harassment. Still, I’m left thinking about what someone less hospitable to their message like my one of my (conservative, small-town North Dakotan) uncles would be saying.

More from the International Night of Action.