Liberty Minute November 19, 2013

Rihanna Ferrell, who was driving a minivan in the company of her five children, was stopped by a New Mexico State Police trooper for violating the speed limit. After the officer returned to his car, Ferrell drove away for a short distance, then stopped again. When the officer attempted to arrest her, the oldest of her children ? her 14-year-old son ? came to his mother?s aid when an armed stranger violently laid hands on her.

Several other officers arrived and laid siege to the family?s vehicle, breaking windows and terrorizing the children. Ferrell took off again, prompting one of the officers to fire several shots into the rear of the vehicle. Following an extremely dangerous chase, Ferrell eventually pulled over and surrendered. She has been charged with child abuse. The officer who shot her vehicle should be charged with attempted criminal homicide.

The actions of the mother may be considered intemperate and irresponsible. However, the behavior of the police in this episode was close kindred to that of occupation forces in Iraq who would often fire indiscriminately into vehicles that refused to stop at checkpoints. Nothing Ferrell did justified the use of deadly force that put her children at risk.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.