The Land of the Free: American Political Roleplay (IC III)

[Vaquas]

"You can let the CBC take the lead." Halloway said. "And you can make this your number one priority. Don't waste time."

The DC Congressional Delegate, who had been quiet, spoke up.

"And get the caucus in line. We don't need people all over the place right now."

Cassius Parker had quietly shuffled into the room, sitting with a small pen and notebook in a chair in the farthest corner of the room. A few of the members of the meeting had noticed his entrance, nodding their heads at him as he gave a few of the younger fellows fist bumps.

Halloway smiled at Cassius.

"It is good to see you congressman." she said, as Reverend [Not Jackson] shook his hand and exchanged some remarks.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

"You can let the CBC take the lead." Halloway said. "And you can make this your number one priority. Don't waste time."

The DC Congressional Delegate, who had been quiet, spoke up.

"And get the caucus in line. We don't need people all over the place right now."

Caroline nodded gently, confirming what the others had said. "This is my number one priority. Once the bill is ready, it'll hit the floor and I'll push it through the House come hell or high water. As for getting the caucus in line, are there any particular troublemakers that are concerning you?"

[Deblar]

Mayor Hugo Fitzgerald Press Conference
Pasadena, Texas
May 29
(Image)

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. For those following my campaign for the House, I had activities planned today, but given recent events, I don’t think it would’ve been appropriate to continue as usual. The death of Mr. Ward has been felt across the country, and I do want his family to know that my thoughts and the thoughts of the entire city of Pasadena, Texas are with them. Before we continue, let’s have a moment of silence for Mr. Ward.

(25 second moment of silence)

“Thank you. Now, you are all free to ask questions.”

"What is the current rioting threat level? What is the department doing to prepare for such riots, and how will you handle the protests should there be any? Also, how do you plan on ending the systemic racism found in our very own police department?"

“To answer your questions, protests are expected, riots a bit less so. The police department is on standby should things evolve into...something unfavorable. Police that would be at scenes of protest would not be authorized to use force if everything stays peaceful, which we are very much is hoping will be the case. And as for the last question, I plan on an examination of the Pasadena Police Department’s training policies and practices to identify aspects of systemic racism and deal with them. Common sense reforms to policing to make sure none of our own citizens end up being the next Marlon Ward will be explored and hopefully implemented if the City Council shares our ambitions to curb police brutality.”

[Dentali]

The anger in the room was palpable, it was understandable, and Caroline said nothing to protest against or push back at what they were saying. It was not for her to interject, it was not for her to speak over. Folding her arms gently and leaning back, she paid each member of the working group her clear attention as they spoke. Nothing seemed to be outrageous to her, at least, these were all highly reasoned assertions that would be very much at home in a policing bill.

When it was time for Caroline to speak again, she gave a gentle nod. "I appreciate that you're all willing to come here and have this conversation despite the fact that you've been failed in this effort by this institution time and again. There's nothing I can say which can atone for those many crimes, but I can be clear when I say that I'm no more interested in signals than you are. I am not a person who naturally abides inaction in the face of injustice, and when I took leadership of the party, I was clear that I wanted to do policing reform in the span of this Congress. The fact that this hasn't happened so far is a failing, it is my failing, and I am sorry." She paused, hoping that the mea culpa would be accepted. Whilst Caroline had managed to wrap up wages, and so many other bills, she had not managed to conclude a proper policing bill so far.

"We did pass a marijuana bill this Congress. Wolf pocket-vetoed it, and I'd be happy to take another shot at it, but I don't expect we'll get the same response from Tawney. That said, I'm adamantly confident that if we win in November, Senator Dayton would sign the bill, and that ending the War of Drugs is a first 100 Days priority for the next Congress. That's not a reassurance to you, I know, but it is a promise that I can knowingly make that I should - if all pans out right - be able to keep. I am sure that some of our Senators can ask Arthur Bragg in his confirmation process about it as to whether he'll be ending Michael Jones' policies on that frontier."

Swallowing, she nodded her head again. "Everything you've said with regards to policing reform is entirely valid and entirely just, and when it comes to writing the policing bill, I'll make sure that it is in the language that the House passes. Is there anything I can do personally to help nudge this process along?"

"You can let the CBC take the lead." Halloway said. "And you can make this your number one priority. Don't waste time."

The DC Congressional Delegate, who had been quiet, spoke up.

"And get the caucus in line. We don't need people all over the place right now."

"I'm sorry Madam Mayor" said a James Moore Staffer speaking up "May I ask who put you in charge? Or asked you to lead the efforts of the CBC?"

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

(Image)

Cassius Parker had quietly shuffled into the room, sitting with a small pen and notebook in a chair in the farthest corner of the room. A few of the members of the meeting had noticed his entrance, nodding their heads at him as he gave a few of the younger fellows fist bumps.

Halloway smiled at Cassius.

"It is good to see you congressman." she said, as Reverend [Not Jackson] shook his hand and exchanged some remarks.

"Madam Mayor." he said, his thundering and deep voice filling the room, "Reverend." He nodded at the rest, exchanging a brief hello to the crowd from his seat.

He smiled at Caroline Simone, listening to her as she spoke and writing a few notes in his notebook.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

"Madam Mayor." he said, his thundering and deep voice filling the room, "Reverend." He nodded at the rest, exchanging a brief hello to the crowd from his seat.

He smiled at Caroline Simone, listening to her as she spoke and writing a few notes in his notebook.

Caroline gave the Majority Whip a weary but grateful smile, it was obvious that she was very glad that he was here to help her navigate this crisis, which seemed to have touched on a breaking point that previous incitements had not.

[Emazia]

Bernard J. Porter
@BerniePorter

[The video of the white man and African American protester hugging]

Do not let the AGITATORS and COWARDS divide us! The politics of BLM and of the rest of the SJW left is that of the far-left, and it is clear that to all decent people - black, white or brown - they are destructive! Our police are still here to protect and serve, and they will serve people like this man who are peaceful, and they will protect decent Americans from the rioters who are not.

[Vaquas]

"You can let the CBC take the lead." Halloway said. "And you can make this your number one priority. Don't waste time."

The DC Congressional Delegate, who had been quiet, spoke up.

"And get the caucus in line. We don't need people all over the place right now."

"I'm sorry Madam Mayor" said a James Moore Staffer speaking up "May I ask who put you in charge? Or asked you to lead the efforts of the CBC?"

Halloway smiled and looked at the very important congressman who just walked in.

"Am I out of line Representative?"

[Dentali]

"I'm sorry Madam Mayor" said a James Moore Staffer speaking up "May I ask who put you in charge? Or asked you to lead the efforts of the CBC?"

Halloway smiled and looked at the very important congressman who just walked in.

"Am I out of line Representative?"

"Out of place" the staffer said holding up his iPhone which showed a livestream of crowds gathering in the streets of DC and already starting chanting about roasting pigs in blankets "We need people on the ground now calming things down or this is going to get bloody fast."

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

"I'm sorry Madam Mayor" said a James Moore Staffer speaking up "May I ask who put you in charge? Or asked you to lead the efforts of the CBC?"

Halloway smiled and looked at the very important congressman who just walked in.

"Am I out of line Representative?"

Cassius' eyes narrowed, a sign that he was thinking before he bellowed out.

"Not at all!" he said with a calm fire. "The Mayor is simply directing traffic, at an intersection that is greater than any single one of us. It will take all of us to accomplish the mission. And we cannot have brothers and sisters fighting each other. I trust James will understand that, in fact, I trust we will all understand that."

Parker faced the young staffer once again. "As for what's happening right now in the streets, I understand the troubling nature of seeing change in the streets instead of seeing the change in the halls of Congress. Our people are angry and we cannot placate their concerns without figuring out what we intend to offer. That's why this meeting is happening and it is why I also intend to visit Wichita in the coming days. Both things can happen at the same time."

[Vaquas]

"You can let the CBC take the lead." Halloway said. "And you can make this your number one priority. Don't waste time."

The DC Congressional Delegate, who had been quiet, spoke up.

"And get the caucus in line. We don't need people all over the place right now."

Caroline nodded gently, confirming what the others had said. "This is my number one priority. Once the bill is ready, it'll hit the floor and I'll push it through the House come hell or high water. As for getting the caucus in line, are there any particular troublemakers that are concerning you?"

"Not yet." she said, eying the Moore staffer.

The DC Delegate spoke again. "You know how some of the members in the swing districts get."

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

Martin Spellman
@thespellman

---

I have suspended campaign activities in Oregon for the time being. Instead, we're going to join the protests in the streets of Portland demanding change. Donations of water, food, and other supplies are on the way. The time for reform is over, it is time for real and unprecedented change. #BLM

[Louisianan]

IGNORE

[Gordano and Lysandus]

"Not yet." she said, eying the Moore staffer.

The DC Delegate spoke again. "You know how some of the members in the swing districts get."

"Of course. Rest assured I will be firm with them. Nothing being proposed here is radical or revolutionary, it is simply the basic standards that for decades have not been met. I am sure that Whip Parker will be taking the lead on the legislative initiative, and I will keep the caucus in line."

[Democratic Peoples republic of Kelvinsi]

James Burgun
@RoughriderGovernor
Patriotic North Dakotans, stand back and stand by! Even radical left BLM protestors have a right to peacefully assemble! If the protests get violent, I will pardon all reasonable actions!!! But for now we will have to have peace!

[New Cobastheia]

James Burgun
@RoughriderGovernor
Patriotic North Dakotans, stand back and stand by! Even radical left BLM protestors have a right to peacefully assemble! If the protests get violent, I will pardon all reasonable actions!!! But for now we will have to have peace!

Nez took a screenshot.

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

"Not yet." she said, eying the Moore staffer.

The DC Delegate spoke again. "You know how some of the members in the swing districts get."

"Of course. Rest assured I will be firm with them. Nothing being proposed here is radical or revolutionary, it is simply the basic standards that for decades have not been met. I am sure that Whip Parker will be taking the lead on the legislative initiative, and I will keep the caucus in line."

"Yes, we will make sure this happens. You have my word." he remarked, looking at everyone.

[Vaquas]

The Associated Press
@AP

---

BREAKING: Former President Rashid Baharia has released a statement on ongoing events, calling the murder of Marlon Ward a "terrible tragedy" and urging restraint, saying that Black Americans who are suffering should "hold to the words of Dr. King" and "exercise their right to protest peacefully". Says Marlon Ward could have been "any one of us" and that his death must "stir change".

[Vaquas]

"Of course. Rest assured I will be firm with them. Nothing being proposed here is radical or revolutionary, it is simply the basic standards that for decades have not been met. I am sure that Whip Parker will be taking the lead on the legislative initiative, and I will keep the caucus in line."

"Yes, we will make sure this happens. You have my word." he remarked, looking at everyone.

Wrapping up her contribution to the meeting with some more custodial matters and thanking the speaker, Mayor Halloway left, taking some leaders with her and leaving some behind, and took to the streets to march with her people.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Speaker Caroline Simone, former Governor John Nathan Lynskey, and former Representative Jay Abraham Robinson
New York, Massachusetts, and North Carolina
Saturday 30th May, 2020

After her meeting at the Capitol with Mayor Halloway and leadership figures in the black community, Caroline knew that despite her win in the primary, she needed to be responsive and responsible, not just to the people looking to her for leadership in the broader caucus, but also the people back in her home district. New York City was a diverse conurbation, a vibrant one, and one that knew all too well the myriad injustices of a bad police department. The New York Police Department had far from a glowing record, and so she flew back to New York and made her way out into the community. It was public knowledge by now that she'd spoken with senior black Democrats, activists, and the CBC. She did not presume to usurp the roles of black leaders, she never sought to take away their thunder, but she consulted with those leaders back in New York as she had in DC. She sat quietly and listened and absorbed. She made sure that she took her cues from them. This was something far too important to exercise ego about.

Governor Lynskey felt a degree of dread about this. He'd long been divorced from the life of his father, who had been a civil rights activists as a priest. And yet, he had to stand up and show leadership at a time like this. Be a part of the call to keep things in order, keep things peaceful. Springfield, the city he had long made his home, of which he had been Mayor, was almost a quarter black by population, and despite his reservations, he would bear that same mantle of leadership if he needed to. He'd go out and march. He'd make sure that the local authorities listened. It was a duty that he had to abide by, a calling he could not ignore.

Jay had no such concerns. He had done this before. He'd spent the 70s and the 80s marching, as much as litigating. This was not, to him, someone else's story, but a continuation of that familiar, communal story in which he had been so long embroiled. And he knew that he needed to stand up for change, but also as a peacemaker, if he was to secure not just any hope for himself, but for the broader push. Public opinion, political capital, would exist for real change only if they made the right steps, and so back in Greenville, in his home town, he stood up and went to work. Seventy was a good age, he was still fit enough for marching.

[Greater Arab State]

Location of my characters on the night of Saturday 30 May, 2020

House Minority Leader Thomas Volker (R-MO-8): Farmington, Missouri, having left the Hill earlier that day on district business related to recent developments, particularly with the sizeable proportion of African-Americans located in the south east of the 8th District whilst also ensuring that he was kept regularly up to date with developments on the Hill through staff and fellow House Republicans remaining in Washington.

Secretary of State Arthur Urquhart (R-KY): Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C. in order to ensure the continued functioning of the State Department and US diplomacy.

Governor Jennifer Marshall (D-KS): Topeka, Kansas in order to coordinate the state government’s management of any potential unrest with the support of the Mayors of Kansas City, Topeka and Wichita.

Senator Rebecca Trelawney (R-IN): Washington D.C. in order to continue acting as Senate Chair in the absence of President pro tempore Burckhalter whilst sending a number of her staff to Indiana to watch and report on developments in the state.

[Democratic Peoples republic of Kelvinsi]

Saturday, May 30th, 2020

Governor James Burgun: Bismarck, North Dakota. With the ongoing large-scale BLM protests, Burgun was readying up the North Dakota National Guard to go into Kansas. He was telling the officers of the guard that they must be prepared to shoot at the protestors with rubber ammunition and tell their troops to aim for the heads of the protestors in order to achieve maximum deterrence.

Representative Daniel Park: Los Angeles, California Park was attending a fundraiser with the pharma industry for the Republican Party. The party's coffers need to be replenished in order to take back the House.

Senator Farnsworth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Attending a meeting with Black community leaders. Farnsworth is attempting to arrange a meeting between the police officer leaders and Black community leaders. He saw what happened in Baltimore with the mass riots, it was imperative that the racial unrest be repaired before that happens... or worse.

[Alozia]

Reverend Gabriel Abel Bennett Jr., Robert Pelletier, Representative Julia Piotrowska, Governor Anne Murphy Caldwell
May 30, 2020

Having conducted a number of masses, Reverend Bennett gathered a group of willing local men and women to travel to Little Rock to protest police brutality at the State Capitol. After organizing food and quarters for the night he walked down with his group to the building. It wouldn't be long until someone in the crowd recognized him, as much as he hated to admit it he was somewhat famous in the state, especially among the members of the Arkansas black community. He shook hands with those who approached him and tried to discourage those who were asking him to give a speech.

Meanwhile, Robert Pelletier was back on the campaign trail, staying in a motel in Portland, having campaigned in the southern part of the state in the previous days. Tired, he decided to wait until the next day to return home. He sat on his bed, TV turned on, as he was swiping in various directions on Tinder.

Julia sat in her Hill office, making sure that all of her papers were in order. Her staff was planning a couple of town halls within her district which required compiling documents, letters and research. Not wanting to overburden her staffers, Piotrowska joined in on the effort.

Anne Caldwell was sitting at home, in the Governor's Mansion after a long day of performing the duties of Washington State's chief executive. She sat on the couch in the living room as her husband slept on the chair next to her. Caldwell began to worry for the residence's third occupant, her grandson Jim who was out with a small group of his newly-made friends from school. Even though it wasn't a school night, her gut feeling made her concerned for his well-being. She considered calling him, but opted not to as to not appear overly protective.

[Louisianan]

Locations of my Characters on May 30th

Former Senator Hypolite Gaspard (R-LA): After speaking with his campaign staff, he drove from his home in Forked Island to Georgia, to attend his great-niece's wedding.

Rep. Linda D. Lazare (D-TX-7): In Washington, D.C. lobbying support for her bill, and waiting on a call from Hugo Fitzgerald, Linda had decided that she was needed in Texas much more than she was in Washington. She flew to Texas, where she attended a vigil and a protest. She spoke with local leaders throughout her district as well as the greater Houston area.

Utah State Rep. Henry Mason (R-UT): Henry was in Utah, having a meal of Veal Parmesan and Spaghetti with his family. He had decided that this controversial issue was far less important than his family, and his district. He did, however, pray that night. He prayed for the safety of his children, and the safety of his community during such uncertain times.

[Gordano and Lysandus]

Governor Jonah Prendergast Jr. and Governor Rudolf Kohl
West Virginia and Minnesota
Saturday 30th May, 2020

Two different states. Two different policing strategies.

In West Virginia, a mostly white state, the focus was bound to be in Charleston, which did have a fairly large African-American population compared to the rest of the very rural, very quiet state. Jonah had been carving a very careful image on racial issues, and though he had long favored the police here at home in West Virginia, he decided he didn't want a fight on his turf. And so he had the National Guard take the lead over the police, and he limited the cordons to around the Governor's Mansion and the State Capitol. He would let the protestors pass. Non-confrontation and de-escalation were his policies in this context, trying to avoid a fight, and if there was property damage, he would deal with that later - at personal expense if necessary.

In Minnesota? Rudi Kohl was not to be considered the most stable or sensitive of leaders on this issue. Close to the police unions and not necessarily all that interested in what he view as 'social policy distractions', he lacked credibility with the black community, and he knew it, relying on a stronger WWC backing to maintain his electoral coalition. He didn't go looking for a fight, but he certainly didn't shut the door on the police, and he certainly didn't want this rocking up on his doorstep. Whilst he was far from certifying the same kind of violent strategies as - say - James Burgun, he did go so far as to move to shut down the heart of St. Paul, and keep things well away from government buildings. He wanted to nudge the protests away from anything important, and out into the suburbs.