America In Flames: The Appropriateness Of Riots & Protests

[Serbia-Macebonia]

Violence against small businesses is never justified. Don't burn the indian restaurant.

Violence against major corporate businesses like Target should be avoided, but I don't really feel sympathy for multinational corporation, Chinese sweatshop utilizing Target. I feel for their hourly employees but their corporate leadership are frankly scumfucks.

Violence against crooked police is justified, because if they can't keep from getting violent toward the populace, there is no reason not to brutalize them. Last night an NYPD officer ran protesters over in his car and the night before they bodyslammed a woman outside Barclay center. They deserve all the suffering they're getting. Zero sympathy from me.

Violence against McDonalds is even more justified because their food sucks ass, their managers are cocksuckers and they're represented by a creepy ass clown.

Completely agree with this, except for the third point. There are good and bad apples in the Police Force, and the bad apples are the ones it seems everyone is talking about. I mean, yeah. Chauvin was a bad apple. So are these NYPD folks running over rioters. But come on, seriously. Everyone knows at least one good cop in your area. Someone's dad in elementary school was a cop. Almost for sure.

Secondly, these looters and rioters are most likely organized by broader anarchist organizations, and most aren't even from the city they're protesting in. Arrest records show this. Additionally, looting and outright stealing from any type of store, big or small, is horrible. Come on, stealing PC's in the name of "Justice For George"? What the hell is wrong with you? Setting fires to businesses? Really, come on. A Minneapolis low-income shelter was burnt to the ground the other night. Burning and raiding a police station? God help us.

Finally, to my last point. The minute someone starts punching, smashing, or throwing; it becomes a riot, not a protest. No matter what the circumstances. In Atlanta, there was a handful of police cruisers parked outside the CNN World HQ while then-protesters were swarming the CNN building. Then, a single guy dressed in all-black kicked the windshield of a cop car. Immediately after, all the "protesters" began smashing and lighting the cop cars on fire. Unconfirmed rumors have been spreading that some of these rioters represent Antifa. Also, rioters in Washington broke down barriers at the White House and attempted to enter. Secret Service officials sprayed tear gas and pepper spray to disperse them from getting any further.

It's a shame that this is America in 2020. With a global pandemic in the midst, and the launch of SpaceX's new rocket, we should be standing together in unity. Instead, selfish idiots decide to cause unrest in our cities. Enough is enough.

[The Reformed American Republic]

It isn't the violence that bothers me. It's that it is directed at people who had nothing to do with this.

[The Huskar Social Union]

It isn't the violence that bothers me. It's that it is directed at people who had nothing to do with this.

This is my biggest issue regarding the rioting too. I support the protesters and can understand why they are doing what they are, but the violence needs to be directed properly. Violence towards the Police, and attacking police vehicles, police buildings, government buildings etc are as far as i am concerned, all justifiable given that all this shit is a direct result of police action. However violence against random shops, and staff and attacking people in the streets and looting places that have nothing to do with this is wrong and not justifiable.

[The Grims]

It isn't the violence that bothers me. It's that it is directed at people who had nothing to do with this.

This is my biggest issue regarding the rioting too. I support the protesters and can understand why they are doing what they are, but the violence needs to be directed properly. Violence towards the Police, and attacking police vehicles, police buildings, government buildings etc are as far as i am concerned, all justifiable given that all this shit is a direct result of police action. However violence against random shops, and staff and attacking people in the streets and looting places that have nothing to do with this is wrong and not justifiable.

Where the random innocent people who were targeted unaware of the plight of their black countrymen ? And if not, why did they not remedy it ? They had years. Decades.

Is one truly innocent when one stands by and does not stop evil ?

Then again quite a few victims were black themselves so in practice this line of reasoning may well lead nowhere.

[The Reformed American Republic]

This is my biggest issue regarding the rioting too. I support the protesters and can understand why they are doing what they are, but the violence needs to be directed properly. Violence towards the Police, and attacking police vehicles, police buildings, government buildings etc are as far as i am concerned, all justifiable given that all this shit is a direct result of police action. However violence against random shops, and staff and attacking people in the streets and looting places that have nothing to do with this is wrong and not justifiable.

Where the random innocent people who were targeted unaware of the plight of their black countrymen ? And if not, why did they not remedy it ? They had years. Decades.

Is one truly innocent when one stands by and does not stop evil ?

Then again quite a few victims were black themselves so in practice this line of reasoning may well lead nowhere.

You're making it like those civilians have magic wands that can change the system. They don't. Many are not that influential.

[Bulgar Rouge]

Violence against small businesses is never justified. Don't burn the indian restaurant.

Violence against major corporate businesses like Target should be avoided, but I don't really feel sympathy for multinational corporation, Chinese sweatshop utilizing Target. I feel for their hourly employees but their corporate leadership are frankly scumfucks.

Violence against crooked police is justified, because if they can't keep from getting violent toward the populace, there is no reason not to brutalize them. Last night an NYPD officer ran protesters over in his car and the night before they bodyslammed a woman outside Barclay center. They deserve all the suffering they're getting. Zero sympathy from me.

Violence against McDonalds is even more justified because their food sucks ass, their managers are cocksuckers and they're represented by a creepy ass clown.

Completely agree with this, except for the third point. There are good and bad apples in the Police Force, and the bad apples are the ones it seems everyone is talking about. I mean, yeah. Chauvin was a bad apple. So are these NYPD folks running over rioters. But come on, seriously. Everyone knows at least one good cop in your area. Someone's dad in elementary school was a cop. Almost for sure.

Secondly, these looters and rioters are most likely organized by broader anarchist organizations, and most aren't even from the city they're protesting in. Arrest records show this. Additionally, looting and outright stealing from any type of store, big or small, is horrible. Come on, stealing PC's in the name of "Justice For George"? What the hell is wrong with you? Setting fires to businesses? Really, come on. A Minneapolis low-income shelter was burnt to the ground the other night. Burning and raiding a police station? God help us.

Finally, to my last point. The minute someone starts punching, smashing, or throwing; it becomes a riot, not a protest. No matter what the circumstances. In Atlanta, there was a handful of police cruisers parked outside the CNN World HQ while then-protesters were swarming the CNN building. Then, a single guy dressed in all-black kicked the windshield of a cop car. Immediately after, all the "protesters" began smashing and lighting the cop cars on fire. Unconfirmed rumors have been spreading that some of these rioters represent Antifa. Also, rioters in Washington broke down barriers at the White House and attempted to enter. Secret Service officials sprayed tear gas and pepper spray to disperse them from getting any further.

It's a shame that this is America in 2020. With a global pandemic in the midst, and the launch of SpaceX's new rocket, we should be standing together in unity. Instead, selfish idiots decide to cause unrest in our cities. Enough is enough.

The irony is that America firmly supported similar looting, destruction and killings of policemen across the Middle East, and just a decade later has to deal with the same crap on its own soil. That being said, a riot is naturally expected to break out and perpetuate if you see something like this or this first-hand (generous police violence in these videos - you've been warned). These "officers" are out of control. The supposedly few bad apples seem to generate disproportionate amounts of chaos. Reform is obviously needed, now.

[The Grims]

Where the random innocent people who were targeted unaware of the plight of their black countrymen ? And if not, why did they not remedy it ? They had years. Decades.

Is one truly innocent when one stands by and does not stop evil ?

Then again quite a few victims were black themselves so in practice this line of reasoning may well lead nowhere.

You're making it like those civilians have magic wands that can change the system. They don't. Many are not that influential.

The USA is a democracy. They are.

[Kowani]

Shrug. I have long held that violence is a legitimate political tool. I see no reason why that would change now.

[Esternial]

I think it's a shame when protest end up in violence, because usually it detracts from the protest.

I always get the feeling that the people that instigate this violence are just assholes that want to destroy some shit and are using protestors' frustrations to have a field day. Those of you familiar with the "Euromaidan" protests in Ukraine may also remember that the government hired thugs back then to instigate violence, vandalize and loot so the Berkut special police had an excuse to hit down hard on the protestors. Violence rarely works in the favor of whomever is associated with it - especially these days.

If your protest devolves to violence, for whatever reason, it's easier for your opposition to move the focus from the issue to the violence being caused and sway undecided people away from your cause. That's a shame.

[Serbia-Macebonia]

Completely agree with this, except for the third point. There are good and bad apples in the Police Force, and the bad apples are the ones it seems everyone is talking about. I mean, yeah. Chauvin was a bad apple. So are these NYPD folks running over rioters. But come on, seriously. Everyone knows at least one good cop in your area. Someone's dad in elementary school was a cop. Almost for sure.

Secondly, these looters and rioters are most likely organized by broader anarchist organizations, and most aren't even from the city they're protesting in. Arrest records show this. Additionally, looting and outright stealing from any type of store, big or small, is horrible. Come on, stealing PC's in the name of "Justice For George"? What the hell is wrong with you? Setting fires to businesses? Really, come on. A Minneapolis low-income shelter was burnt to the ground the other night. Burning and raiding a police station? God help us.

Finally, to my last point. The minute someone starts punching, smashing, or throwing; it becomes a riot, not a protest. No matter what the circumstances. In Atlanta, there was a handful of police cruisers parked outside the CNN World HQ while then-protesters were swarming the CNN building. Then, a single guy dressed in all-black kicked the windshield of a cop car. Immediately after, all the "protesters" began smashing and lighting the cop cars on fire. Unconfirmed rumors have been spreading that some of these rioters represent Antifa. Also, rioters in Washington broke down barriers at the White House and attempted to enter. Secret Service officials sprayed tear gas and pepper spray to disperse them from getting any further.

It's a shame that this is America in 2020. With a global pandemic in the midst, and the launch of SpaceX's new rocket, we should be standing together in unity. Instead, selfish idiots decide to cause unrest in our cities. Enough is enough.

The irony is that America firmly supported similar looting, destruction and killings of policemen across the Middle East, and just a decade later has to deal with the same crap on its own soil. That being said, a riot is naturally expected to break out and perpetuate if you see something like this or this first-hand (generous police violence in these videos - you've been warned). These "officers" are out of control. The supposedly few bad apples seem to generate disproportionate amounts of chaos. Reform is obviously needed, now.

First off, these two examples are the bad cops. Absolutely, they should face consequences for these actions. There are many 'bad apples' out there, and that's what needs to be fixed. My point is that not all cops are terrible human beings. Secondly, about the middle east. Yes, that was shameful. Causing unrest and violence in the Middle East is horrible. The actions of Bush and Obama during that period were arguably some of the worst decisions that can be made by any government.

[Soled]

You're making it like those civilians have magic wands that can change the system. They don't. Many are not that influential.

The USA is a democracy. They are.

A minority of the voters in the United States elect the leadership.
The US is not a democracy.

[Heloin]

The USA is a democracy. They are.

A minority of the voters in the United States elect the leadership.
The US is not a democracy.

A bad democracy is still a democracy.

[Soled]

A minority of the voters in the United States elect the leadership.
The US is not a democracy.

A bad democracy is still a democracy.

South Africa had full democracy for its white citizens, but it's hard to argue that it was "ruled by the people" when 80% of the population lived in constant fear and repression.

[The Grims]

The USA is a democracy. They are.

A minority of the voters in the United States elect the leadership.
The US is not a democracy.

They then should call themselves a dictatorship. And then people can indeed claim to be innocent and powerless to change an oppressive and unfair system.

But in a democracy guilt is shared by all.

[Greed and Death]

Violence against small businesses is never justified. Don't burn the indian restaurant.

But the Indian restaurant always burns my butthole. Sure it might be my fault for ordering extra spicy.

[Region of Dwipantara]

Isn't all these chaos are basically Russia's and China's wet dream? And with Trump confirming that Antifa will be designated as a terrorist organization, this wil be fun.

[Brunswick-upon-Raritan]

Different parts of the country are experiencing different things. Some places the protests have become super violent, maybe because of anarchists, maybe because of racial tensions, and in other places there have been many peaceful protests with little to no bloodshed. People all over the world are responding differently. And that includes variation in government and police response as well. There’s also a lot more rhetoric I think about chaos than actual chaos happening. Allegedly New York is among the “flames” but like 99.98% of the city would be unaffected by any kind of protest here, and the crime’s a lot better than in, say, Chicago, where homicide is like rain. Why are there these discrepancies? Why are some streets full of soldiers, tear gas, rubber bullets, etc. while others (including some pretty poor, minority-majority cities in NJ...) have been super tame. We’ve got to figure out what’s happening in our own backyards.

[Pilipinas and Malaya]

You're making it like those civilians have magic wands that can change the system. They don't. Many are not that influential.

The USA is a democracy. They are.

Despite the classification, it is a flawed one at best considering the whole electoral college which frankly just takes away from the popular vote with a big impact and the gerrymandering process that ensures that the people in power, stay in power.

[Region of Dwipantara]

Isn't all these chaos are basically Russia's and China's wet dream? And with Trump confirming that Antifa will be designated as a terrorist organization, this wil be fun.

The ability of foreign influencers to spread discord and conduct information war shouldn't be underestimated, and in these times of age such chaos is just jucily ripe to be taken advantage of.

[Brunswick-upon-Raritan]

Every civil rights' struggle has been won, if not always but often with violence, in flagrant defiance of the law. No movement ever won standing out of the way holding up signs and obeying the rules.

Legalism is the lowest form of morality. The rights you cherish today were won by "criminals."

I would whole heartedly disagree.

My right to truly vote was won by Dr. King in his many trips to the Oval Office to lobby President Johnson.

The constitutional amendment which forbade a state from depriving me of my liberty based on the color of my skin, was drafted by coalitions of legislators.

These rights have been upheld by the effectual argumentations of passionate litigators, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Whilst the violence surrounding these movements may have had violent outbursts which may have inadvertently solicited compassion, it was the peaceful, yet visually effectual, non-violent efforts of the Civil Rights Movement, which sealed the end of Jim Crow's prominency.

There's a reason why Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial is what's remembered as the defining moment for the movement, and not the violence in Selma.

Rosa Parks broke the law

[Page]

Shrug. I have long held that violence is a legitimate political tool. I see no reason why that would change now.

I am against violence outside of self-defense but I do hold that violence against the state is no worse than violence committed by the state.

I wholeheartedly reject the idea of a state having a monopoly on "legitimate" violence. Civil asset forfeiture is armed robbery, arrest is kidnapping, police brutality is gang violence, drone strikes are terrorism. Not like - is.

[The Grims]

Isn't all these chaos are basically Russia's and China's wet dream? And with Trump confirming that Antifa will be designated as a terrorist organization, this wil be fun.

The ability of foreign influencers to spread discord and conduct information war shouldn't be underestimated, and in these times of age such chaos is just jucily ripe to be taken advantage of.

A look at Trumps twitter indicates it is also his wet dream. Plenty of opportunities to blame the left and democrats for everything. Campaign mode is on while the corpses are still fresh and the fires still burning.

[Brunswick-upon-Raritan]

Shrug. I have long held that violence is a legitimate political tool. I see no reason why that would change now.

I am against violence outside of self-defense but I do hold that violence against the state is no worse than violence committed by the state.

I wholeheartedly reject the idea of a state having a monopoly on "legitimate" violence. Civil asset forfeiture is armed robbery, arrest is kidnapping, police brutality is gang violence, drone strikes are terrorism. Not like - is.

Light em up

[Rojava Free State]

This is my biggest issue regarding the rioting too. I support the protesters and can understand why they are doing what they are, but the violence needs to be directed properly. Violence towards the Police, and attacking police vehicles, police buildings, government buildings etc are as far as i am concerned, all justifiable given that all this shit is a direct result of police action. However violence against random shops, and staff and attacking people in the streets and looting places that have nothing to do with this is wrong and not justifiable.

Where the random innocent people who were targeted unaware of the plight of their black countrymen ? And if not, why did they not remedy it ? They had years. Decades.

Is one truly innocent when one stands by and does not stop evil ?

Then again quite a few victims were black themselves so in practice this line of reasoning may well lead nowhere.

These small business owners stand with the people. Dont burn their shit.

[Unifair]

Violence against small businesses is never justified. Don't burn the indian restaurant.

Violence against major corporate businesses like Target should be avoided, but I don't really feel sympathy for multinational corporation, Chinese sweatshop utilizing Target. I feel for their hourly employees but their corporate leadership are frankly scumfucks.

Violence against crooked police is justified, because if they can't keep from getting violent toward the populace, there is no reason not to brutalize them. Last night an NYPD officer ran protesters over in his car and the night before they bodyslammed a woman outside Barclay center. They deserve all the suffering they're getting. Zero sympathy from me.

Violence against McDonalds is even more justified because their food sucks ass, their managers are cocksuckers and they're represented by a creepy ass clown.

A.C.A.B. (all Cops Are Bastards)
#George Floyd

Violence against small business should
never be justified. Especially one build by the blood sweat and tears of minority groups and immigrants who are challenging institutionalized racism,and seeing the racism committed by police officers at every day.

The murdering scum known as the police should be at the center of all the anger for the murder of George Floyd. And violence against police is justified now and I predict will continue over the coming months. Police abuse their authority and think police racism and brutality is justified.The NYPD incident where the police SUV charged the crown shows the worst of the bad apples in the police.They think because they are police,they are in a position above society and above the law,much like our orange-faced leader in the White House.

Crashing through the White House gates is justified as Washington is the epicentre of institutionalized racism in America. They can go light fires in the White House lawn for all I care.