TEHRAN- Referring to the violent history of the U.S. and its endeavors to abolish the culture of racism, Scottish politician Tommy Sheridan said, "The U.S. has always been a bully, a violent bully internationally, and a domestic bully in relation to police forces polluted by racists from top to bottom."

George Floyd, an unarmed American black man, died on May 25, 2020, after a police officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air. 

His death by the U.S. police has caused a ripple of protests throughout the U.S., turning the country into a battlefield between police and demonstrators. Rallies have turned violent in some U.S. cities, where the police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets against the demonstrators.

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened the use of force in dealing with protests against the death of George Floyd, referring to participants as "thugs" in a tweet that was later hidden by Twitter for "glorifying violence."

But the former President Barack Obama issued a statement on Floyd's killing via Twitter and pleaded for Americans to open their eyes to the ongoing racial injustice that plagues the country.

Growing unrest against police brutality across the country, Obama said to demonstrators that this moment is politically advantageous for protesters who are calling for widespread police reforms and large-scale institutional change.

Simultaneously with all the protests in the U.S., thousands of people of all colors, creeds, ages, and walks of life took to the streets across the world to show their anger over the racism and police brutality.

To shed more light on the issue and its dimensions, we reached out to Scottish politician Tommy Sheridan. 

Following is the full text of the interview:

Question: Where do you think these protests across the U.S. will eventually lead to? Do you see any hope for a change of behavior towards African Americans?

Answer: George Floyd's senseless and awful murder is not the first example of police racism and brutality in America and won't be the last. However, sometimes events take a life of their own and coincide with specific circumstances. Who would have thought Rosa Parke's defiance in December 1955 would develop into a full-blown boycott and eventual change in discrimination laws? There appears to be a sense across many parts of the U.S. that 'enough is enough'. I certainly hope the fundamental change in the systemic racism which scars American society emerges from this tragedy.

Q: Why do you think the United States has failed to abolish the culture that has grown out of hundreds of years of slavery?

A: The United States was built on bloodshed, subjugation, and racism. The genocide of the Native Americans followed by the economic application of slavery and the war, which ensued between 1861-65 over slavery but about economic domination of capital over land, only added to that very violent history. The U.S. had some great visionaries try to build a new society, but at heart, it has always been a bully, a violent bully internationally, and a domestic bully in relation to police forces polluted by racists from top to bottom.

Q: What do you believe the world can do to help African-Americans and eliminate the structural racism in the U.S.?

A: Racism is worldwide cancer, which appears more virulent and noticeable in some countries than others. The U.S. is amongst the worst afflicted countries, but many others also have major challenges. International cooperation and solidarity in the fight against racism are essential, but it will also require focusing on the unity of the dispossessed, black and white, against capitalism and the very many inequalities and injustices that it spawns as an economic system. Keeping the working class divided is a long-term strategy of the rich and powerful in society.

Q: European countries have kept silent on recent developments in the U.S. despite the fact they are among the first to express worry for human rights issues in other regions, such as West Asia. What is your take on this?

A: European countries, separately and particularly via the European Union, have been disgraceful and shameful in their silence in the face of U.S. abuse of human rights and international law across the world. The U.S. deployment of economic sanctions is the modern-day form of international terrorism as it attacks the very fabric of countries and their ability to feed their nations and provide essential medicines. Rather than condemn such political piracy and brutal bullying, the E.U. has acted like a pathetic cheerleader in the face of U.S. incursions in Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Syria and further afield. Much of the E.U., but particularly Britain, is no more than an obedient puppy of U.S. invasions, illegal coups, and brutal economic sanctions policies.

Q: How can these developments affect the upcoming Presidential election in the U.S.?

A: I am no fan of Joe Biden. He is of the same ilk of the Clintons and their sickening hypocrisy within America and across the world. They talk of freedom and democracy while crushing democratically elected governments and social movements across the globe if they dare to demur from the neo-liberal economic philosophy of U.S. capital and privatization for the benefit of the already rich and powerful. Biden represents the past, the polluted swamp of vested privilege and favors for the rich. Sadly, Bernie Sanders will not be the Democratic candidate. That is sad and tragic. The choice in November facing U.S. citizens is one of two devils. Biden is the devil I hope they opt for, but I would have to vote for him with a peg on my nose and blindfold. Trump is the worst of the options, but only slightly. American needs a proper party of socialism to unite and represent the black and white working classes.