Former Marine Paul Szoldra warns that events in Ferguson, Missouri illustrate the “terrifying” result of the militarization of police, with the American people now being treated like insurgents in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In an article for Business Insider, Szoldra questions why police in Ferguson are wearing combat gear such as desert camouflage which is normally reserved for troops fighting in foreign war zones.

“We looked intimidating, but all of our vehicles and equipment had a clear purpose for combat against enemy forces. So why is this same gear being used on our city streets?” asks Szoldra, adding, “When did this become OK?”

The former Marine notes how police in Ferguson are armed with military-style rifles with scopes as well as body armor.

“Their uniform would be mistaken for a soldier’s if it weren’t for their “Police” patches,” writes Szoldra. “They wear green tops, and pants fashioned after the U.S. Marine Corps MARPAT camouflage pattern. And they stand in front of a massive armored truck called a Bearcat, similar in look to a mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle, or as the troops who rode in them call it, the MRAP.”

Szoldra cites conversations he had with other former military personnel who pointed out that some of the police in Ferguson are more heavily armed than U.S. troops in an “actual warzone.”

“When did “protect and serve” turn into “us versus them”? asks Szoldra, asserting that the sight of police in militarized combat gear is not helping the situation.

“In Afghanistan, we patrolled in big, armored trucks. We wore uniforms that conveyed the message, “We are a military force and we are in control right now.” Many Afghans saw us as occupiers. And now we see some of our police officers in this same way,” writes Szoldra, concluding, “If there’s one thing I learned in Afghanistan, it’s this: You can’t win someone’s heart and mind when you are pointing a rifle at their chest.”

While the initial looting in Ferguson was deplorable, it’s clear the town is now the victim of a huge militarized police state exercise.

The unrest was first sparked by the shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown on Saturday night, who was unarmed when police gunned him down. Law enforcement authorities claim Brown was involved in a physical altercation with an officer although eyewitnesses said he was shot for no reason.

Peaceful demonstrations continued last night, with around 250 protesters marching down the main road into Ferguson where they were met with a heavy militarized police presence.

Your friendly local police department. Protect and Serve. #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/LIUfLlnXXK — Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) August 13, 2014

“Officers in military-style uniforms, some carrying high-powered rifles and wearing balaclavas, formed a line at least two men deep and blocking the entire width of Florrisant Street,” reports the Guardian.

One man had a red police gun laser pointed at his chest while another drove a car at high speed stopping just short of the police line.

A second man in the city was shot by police last night while another woman was struck in the head with a rubber bullet as police again used tear gas to disperse a small crowd.

“We have a right to assemble, a right to freedom,” said Paul Muhammad. “But here we are facing what looks like a military imposing martial law. It is not acceptable.”

Infowars reporters Joe Biggs and Jakari Jackson are on the ground in Ferguson, St. Louis. Last night they witnessed police pointing sniper rifles at protesters while cops also threatened to arrest demonstrators.

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Paul Joseph Watson is the editor at large of Infowars.com and Prison Planet.com.

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