This story comes to us from The Inclusion Daily Express. As we have written many times, its clear that the police forces of this country need diversity training and courses in how to access emotional intelligence. The police in this instance argue that a deaf man sitting on a toilet and holding an umbrella was obviously a threatening sight. The argument is pathetic.
S.K.
Cops Zap Deaf Man Sitting On Toilet
(WKRG)
July 29, 2009
MOBILE, ALABAMA– [Excerpt] Mobile Police are speaking up about the case of the deaf and mentally disabled man who was tased last Friday.
37-year old Antonio Love reportedly walked to the store alone to buy candy. He lives nearby and explained to his family that he was hungry.
The manager of the Dollar General store on Azalea road called police when Love wouldn’t come out of the bathroom for about an hour. Love’s mom says her son was having stomach problems and needed some extra time.
Police knocked on the door but say they had no idea who was inside. So, they used pepper spray under the door and preyed it open with a tire iron. Once inside, police found Love holding an umbrella.
Entire article:
Tased Off The Toilet
http://wkrg.com/217854
Related:
Deaf man tased, investigation sparked (WALA)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/2009/red/0729d.htm
Video: Deaf man tased (YouTube)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NYYem7T-qI
Planet of the Blind 
I’m aghast. I can see opening the door from concern–for example, what if someone had had a heart attack in there? But not in this way, not by assaulting someone!
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