George Floyd

AW Admin · May 30, 2020

Keep in mind, especially in the context of Twitter and Facebook:

We KNOW Russia is still manipulating social media with thousands of accounts both bot and human

We KNOW that hate-mongering groups are deliberately posting content meant to raise passions, often using OLD images with made up stories

We KNOW how to fact-check. Check Snopes; Check reputable news sources.

Kjbartolotta · May 30, 2020

Big protest at Pan-Pacific Park today, and I am conflicted about going. Think I'm a far cry from where I was in the Iraq War when I had no problem kicking it with the Black Bloc and booking it down alleyways to avoid getting arrested. Different situation & and it doesn't sound like that kinda protest anyhow, but I'm really not sure if adding myself to the mix is going to be viewed as an act of solidarity or be viewed with (justified) suspicion. The BLM people are keeping on point and all the people I know who are going are doing so with the best intentions, there also seems to be a (predominantly white) 'fuck shit up' element that I don't want to viewed as part of.

Chris P · May 30, 2020

Ari Meermans said:
Protests across the U.S. in the overnight. The White House was under siege but I'm not sure of the current status of the protests there.

If you don't have to go out, don't. If you do have to, please, please check your routes first and be safe.

All quiet near the White House around noon today when I went by. A couple dozen people (families mostly) with signs. Lafayette Park (where the protests were last night) is now closed off. This isn't necessarily related, as Trump flew out by helicopter about 12:30 this afternoon and the park and Ellipse on the south side of the WH are both closed when this happens.

I did see a police-escorted car caravan this afternoon, with BLM signs and cheering.

DC mayor Muriel Bowser refuted Trump's claim that she refused DC police assistance during the demonstration.

ETA: not that we need more proof of Trump's cluelessness:

The president also praised the Secret Service and claimed that protesters would have been met by “ominous weapons” and “vicious dogs” if they had breached the White House fence.

Bowser, not normally known for fiery rhetoric, didn’t hold back in calling the president’s comments “no subtle reminder to African Americans of segregationists who let dogs out on women, children, and innocent people in the South,” while lacing into the president

ETA2: I'm seeing Twitter and Facebook mentions of numerous smaller demonstrations throughout the city, with more planned for this evening.

Kjbartolotta · May 30, 2020

Chris P said:
All quiet near the White House around noon today when I went by. A couple dozen people (families mostly) with signs. Lafayette Park (where the protests were last night) is now closed off. This isn't necessarily related, as Trump flew out by helicopter about 12:30 this afternoon and the park and Ellipse on the south side of the WH are both closed when this happens.

I did see a police-escorted car caravan this afternoon, with BLM signs and cheering.

That's good to hear. There was something in the air this morning, especially with that Rodeo Drive hashtag trending (on Moscow time, obvs), but after a loooong night in LA people are adapting quickly and keeping disciplined.

mccardey · May 30, 2020

AW Admin said:
Fact checking social media and Minneapolis protests.

I just want to make sure that this link stays up on every page while the thread is ongoing.

Do be careful, America. Add light, not heat. If you have a spare room, get it ready in case someone needs it.

ElaineA · May 30, 2020

Both of my sons are at marches in their respective cities (Seattle and Denver). Both are reporting peaceful demonstrations (backed up by photos) and police firing gas and flash-bang grenades.

There's a sizable march heading toward the White House (not sure the street but the Capitol building is in the background in this video clip I saw).

The Secret Service corrected Trump, issuing a statement saying the Metropolitan Police were on scene to assist last night.

Also, Bill Barr is a lying sack of fetid sewer scum.

Chris P · May 30, 2020

ElaineA said:
There's a sizable march heading toward the White House (not sure the street but the Capitol building is in the background in this video clip I saw).
.

That's Pennsylvania Ave. They will march right in front of Trump's hotel.

Things seems to be heating up again in DC.

Kjbartolotta · May 30, 2020

From what I've seen of the Fairfax Protests happening right now, the main group moved along quickly to Third and there are a very small group far away destroying cops cars. I can't tell if it's an organized group or not, they're all wearing dark hoodies and caps but that's pretty standard gear for everyone & the only presumption I'm making right now is that they're not with the BLM protest. The live feed I'm watching is doing a good job making it clear it's a handful of people and showing how far they are from the main group. The other issue seem to be that there's not a good police presence where the fires are.

ElaineA · May 30, 2020

Yep. I saw this video of the DC march LEOs pushing the crowd back, then start bashing them with batons. Somehow the cops can stand calmly face-to-face with a screaming, potentially Covid-spewing, weapons-wearing white man--inside a state house, no less--but people marching are a lethal threat.

My son is reporting the crowd in Denver was lying down in the street, everyone with hands raised, and the police started "shooting" (rubber bullets, I assume) and firing gas. He's got video I can't wait to see.

Chris P · May 30, 2020

CNN's rolling feed of coverage in several cities. https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/george-floyd-protests-05-30-20/index.html

ElaineA · May 30, 2020

Seattle has gone full chaos, destroying and looting the downtown retail core. It was peaceful all day long.

We have a history of Antifa showing up and really going full riot. I don't know that's who is involved today, just that historically (see: the WTO riots), we have seen this sudden ratcheting up of destruction during tense, but otherwise peaceful, protests. We know how to march and protest peacefully--did it at the Women's March, the Science March, BLM rallies. We have 300 protests a year, none of which end in this kind of chaos. So there are provocateurs on the streets today, for sure.

Chris P · May 30, 2020

I usually leave an event as soon as Antifa shows up. The entire vibe changes into something I'd rather not be a part of.

Kjbartolotta · May 30, 2020

I'll be honest that I'm not always sure who the Antifa is. Same thing as the Black Bloc? Because that's not always one group or set of people necessarily, though usually drawn from the Red-Black groups.

Helix · May 30, 2020

Are they antifa groups or are they agents provocateurs?

ElaineA · May 30, 2020

I don't know either, except that that's what they called themselves up in these parts before the right took control of the term to mean anyone left-leaning, and my kid in Denver associates with some people who call themselves that, so that's the term I used. He tells me they are basically okay with using extreme means to break down what they see as a society built on economic inequality and what amounts to a police state, but as far as I can tell, there isn't a cohesive organizational ideal beyond "break things owned and run by 'the man'."

Basically, the feeling I get from him is it's not so much a group with an organized mission statement, as a loose coalition of people who've hooked up with like-minded people on the internet. *shrug*

mccardey · May 30, 2020

Helix said:
Are they antifa groups or are they agents provocateurs?

Was it an old guy with a walking stick at a bus stop, or was it really an agent provocateur? Doesn't matter because they pushed him over anyway...

Chris P · May 30, 2020

As far as I know, Antifa is not organized in the conventional sense of the word. It seems to be separate groups or individuals rallying around a common ideology. According to the linked article, they adopt black bloc techniques.

Helix · May 30, 2020

mccardey said:
Was it an old guy with a walking stick at a bus stop, or was it really an agent provocateur? Doesn't matter because they pushed him over anyway...

They wouldn't have pushed over an agent provocateur. The cops would have given him free rein.

mccardey · May 30, 2020

Helix said:
They wouldn't have pushed over an agent provocateur. The cops would have given him free rein.

Do you think? I think 'roid rage would roll over any political beliefs....

There, I said it.

Kjbartolotta · May 30, 2020

ElaineA said:
I don't know either, except that that's what they called themselves up in these parts before the right took control of the term to mean anyone left-leaning, and my kid in Denver associates with some people who call themselves that, so that's the term I used. He tells me they are basically okay with using extreme means to break down what they see as a society built on economic inequality and what amounts to a police state, but as far as I can tell, there isn't a cohesive organizational ideal beyond "break things owned and run by 'the man'."

Basically, the feeling I get from him is it's not so much a group with an organized mission statement, as a loose coalition of people who've hooked up with like-minded people on the internet. *shrug*

Chris P said:
As far as I know, Antifa is not organized in the conventional sense of the word. It seems to be separate groups or individuals rallying around a common ideology. According to the linked article, they adopt black bloc techniques.

Ok, all checks out then. My experience with these groups have always been that they tend to keep pretty disciplined and follow specific rules, but then I haven't been in a really crazy protest since pre-Occupy.

Helix · May 30, 2020

The incident mccardey and I are talking about is this one in Salt Lake City: https://twitter.com/greg_doucette/status/1266885769282584576

I wouldn't give those bastards the benefit of a chemical excuse.

mccardey · May 30, 2020

Helix said:
The incident mccardey and I are talking about is this one in Salt Lake City: https://twitter.com/greg_doucette/status/1266885769282584576

I wouldn't give those bastards the benefit of a chemical excuse.

I can't even. America, you are not looking like the greatest etc any more. Fix it. (we have our own shames, lots of them, but we haven't ever thought we were the greatest.)

Also- keep yourselves safe and don't assume that someone else is providing a safe place for people who need it. If you have safe place, use it.

Ari Meermans · May 30, 2020

That was a shameful display. Then, in Santa Cruz, you have this.

ETA: Also, I've traveled enough to not have bought into all that exceptionalism rot.

AW Admin · May 30, 2020

George Floyd

Potentially has/is dog

Likes metaphors mixed, not stirred

Potentially has/is dog

All about that action, boss.

Likes metaphors mixed, not stirred

Potentially has/is dog

All about that action, boss.

Likes metaphors mixed, not stirred

All about that action, boss.

Likes metaphors mixed, not stirred

Potentially has/is dog

socially distancing

All about that action, boss.

Likes metaphors mixed, not stirred

socially distancing

Potentially has/is dog

socially distancing

MacAllister's Official Minion & Greeter