I'm still shocked by the reality of how many Americans don't know anything about what happened in the George Floyd protests of 2020.
As we get more and more protests on the ground, and coming into "protest season," it pays to learn our very, very recent history. https://www.opb.org/news/article/police-violence-portland-protest-federal-officers/
As we get more and more protests on the ground, and coming into "protest season," it pays to learn our very, very recent history. https://www.opb.org/news/article/police-violence-portland-protest-federal-officers/
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But yes, they were shooting "non-lethal rounds" and kettling journalists here; they arrested them too.
But if you're new to protest or any sort of civil action, IT IS A PRACTICE. There are people to FOLLOW who know how to do it safely.
Don't assume that standing around with a sign is all that will happen.
Union history, the AIDS crisis, Black Panthers, feminism, antiwar, you name it.
Things usually go smoothly until they don't. And then they can disintegrate quickly. Be safe. Be aware.
But the most important thing I remember is the outrage. The pain. The sorrow. The hurt of a community that always gets hurt and kicked down.
Black Lives Matter.
We shouldn't have to say it. But until the world is better, we have to specify.
But I also remember peaceful protestors around the country being violently assaulted by police.
I remember people being shot, point blank, with rubber bullets. To the face.
I remember police retaliating for being held accountable for murder.