Militarization of thug forces implies that they are occupying enemy territory, but who in the US is the enemy? Blacks, principally. This article makes the connection between militarization and racism.

The article also explains that the occupation of Ferguson puts on display the weapons and armor that most often are used to attack private homes, unseen by anyone except the people who live there.

Although non-blacks are not inherently part of the enemy, anyone such as a protester or journalist whose actions support the enemy is treated as one of them.