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

[Gordano and Lysandus]

J. A. Robinson
@TarHeelRobinson

---

[A video message would be attached featuring Jay speaking from a relatively quiet public space in Greenville, though the background noise of the ongoing protests could be heard.]

"My friends, my brothers. North Carolinians and beyond. The great Dr. King once said 'The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.' We find ourselves now at such a time, a time when we stand on the verge of change, real change. And that is why we march peacefully, and that is why we must keep it peaceful. Reactionaries and racists foam at the mouth to weave a narrative that we are thugs, to put us on trial rather than re-evaluate the wrongs committed against us. We cannot allow them to steal the narrative from us. We're not rioters. And those who riot are not with us. They are against us, and we shun them. Rioting is not a part of our movement, it has no place in our movement. So let us keep marching, let us keep making our voices heard, and let us keep it peaceful. God bless y'all. God bless."

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

As the protestors separated and the sides clashed, Cassius emerged from the other side.

“Secretary Porter, I have something to say to you!” he bellowed fiercely, raising an accusatory finger to signal who he was speaking towards. The man was furious at the tactics being used to gaslight the well meaning protesters and he himself would see to it that this man was made a fool of himself.

"Well, please speak. I'm sure you have something to say, probably far far too much." He scoffed, standing back up to gain a hold of his flag.

“This isn’t your city or the city of these people you BROUGHT here. So stop trying to incite violence, stop trying to put yourself at the center of everything. You aren’t here for Atlanta, you are here for yourself. You maybe have served your country but remember this isn’t just your country, it’s ours, it was Marlon Ward’s too! So leave or I’ll stand in front of any attack you and your gang inflict on what has been a peaceful protest with good people, real people of Atlanta.”

[Vaquas]

Fox News
@FoxNews

---

JUST IN: AT LEAST ONE OFFICER IN COLUMBUS DEAD OF INJURIES SUSTAINED IN STRUGGLE WITH PROTESTORS

[Emazia]

"Well, please speak. I'm sure you have something to say, probably far far too much." He scoffed, standing back up to gain a hold of his flag.

“This isn’t your city or the city of these people you BROUGHT here. So stop trying to incite violence, stop trying to put yourself at the center of everything. You aren’t here for Atlanta, you are here for yourself. You maybe have served your country but remember this isn’t just your country, it’s ours, it was Marlon Ward’s too! So leave or I’ll stand in front of any attack you and your gang inflict on what has been a peaceful protest with good people, real people of Atlanta.”

"With all due respect..." He said sternly. "I am inciting no violence here. Our protest is entirely peaceful. We came here in good faith, to march and to speak. You may choose to stand there, and you can stand there until the end of the world, and yet you will still be alive. I attempted to open dialogue with your group, and yet what have they done? They assaulted me. Called me a racist pig.

This is the problem. People like me try to deal with reason, deal with facts. I am simply trying to have discourse here. I fought for the right to speak, and so I will speak. You have your 'peaceful' protest, we have our peaceful protest. That is freedom of speech. Do not yell at me like some morally indignant lecturer. Tell you what, why don't we debate the issues of police brutality in America, right here, right now? The cameras are rolling, the microphones are listening."

[Vaquas]

The Associated Press
@AP

---

BREAKING: KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD OPEN FIRE WITH RUBBER BULLETS ON RIOTERS, DEPLOY TEAR GAS

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

“This isn’t your city or the city of these people you BROUGHT here. So stop trying to incite violence, stop trying to put yourself at the center of everything. You aren’t here for Atlanta, you are here for yourself. You maybe have served your country but remember this isn’t just your country, it’s ours, it was Marlon Ward’s too! So leave or I’ll stand in front of any attack you and your gang inflict on what has been a peaceful protest with good people, real people of Atlanta.”

"With all due respect..." He said sternly. "I am inciting no violence here. Our protest is entirely peaceful. We came here in good faith, to march and to speak. You may choose to stand there, and you can stand there until the end of the world, and yet you will still be alive. I attempted to open dialogue with your group, and yet what have they done? They assaulted me. Called me a racist pig.

This is the problem. People like me try to deal with reason, deal with facts. I am simply trying to have discourse here. I fought for the right to speak, and so I will speak. You have your 'peaceful' protest, we have our peaceful protest. That is freedom of speech. Do not yell at me like some morally indignant lecturer. Tell you what, why don't we debate the issues of police brutality in America, right here, right now? The cameras are rolling, the microphones are listening."

Before the Secretary could say the words “racist pig”, a few elder women including Cynthia Parker, began to sing “We Shall Overcome.” Casey smiled as he and the rest of the crowd began to sing, drowning out the voices of the counter protester and their leader.

[The Orion Islands]

Cedar Crest, Topeka, Kansas

Saturday 30th May, 2020

Having issued the statement, Governor Marshall almost immediately dialled in the phone number of Governor Chambers from her office telephone and waited to be connected through.

Governor Chambers was staying in a hotel in Grand Island when he got Governor Marshall's call. He was privately pleased the situation in Lincoln and Omaha had not deteriorated to the same extent as elsewhere. He had Fox News on, so he knew what Marshall wanted.
"Hello Governor. I presume you are requesting aid from the Nebraska National Guard?"

[Greater Arab State]

Cedar Crest, Topeka, Kansas

Saturday 30th May, 2020

Having issued the statement, Governor Marshall almost immediately dialled in the phone number of Governor Chambers from her office telephone and waited to be connected through.

Governor Chambers was staying in a hotel in Grand Island when he got Governor Marshall's call. He was privately pleased the situation in Lincoln and Omaha had not deteriorated to the same extent as elsewhere. He had Fox News on, so he knew what Marshall wanted.
"Hello Governor. I presume you are requesting aid from the Nebraska National Guard?"

“Good evening, Governor. It’s good to see that Nebraska hasn’t been affected so far, and I hope that continues. Yes, I was wondering if I might be able to request that you send a proportion of the Nebraska National Guard to Wichita to support our efforts to de-escalate the situation?”

[Louisianan]

"With all due respect..." He said sternly. "I am inciting no violence here. Our protest is entirely peaceful. We came here in good faith, to march and to speak. You may choose to stand there, and you can stand there until the end of the world, and yet you will still be alive. I attempted to open dialogue with your group, and yet what have they done? They assaulted me. Called me a racist pig.

This is the problem. People like me try to deal with reason, deal with facts. I am simply trying to have discourse here. I fought for the right to speak, and so I will speak. You have your 'peaceful' protest, we have our peaceful protest. That is freedom of speech. Do not yell at me like some morally indignant lecturer. Tell you what, why don't we debate the issues of police brutality in America, right here, right now? The cameras are rolling, the microphones are listening."

Before the Secretary could say the words “racist pig”, a few elder women including Cynthia Parker, began to sing “We Shall Overcome.” Casey smiled as he and the rest of the crowd began to sing, drowning out the voices of the counter protester and their leader.

Hypolite was watching the events unfold on his sisters computer, after a mixture of grunts and groans and head shakes, he smiled and repeated a verse this reminded him of, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans, 12:21." he chuckled before sighing, "Oh boy, Bernie is toast."

[The Orion Islands]

Omaha World-Herald
@OWHNews

---

Report: Governor Chambers returning to Lincoln in the morning. Reports say Governor was "pleased that Nebraska did not experience the violence seen elsewhere." Nebraska Legislature to sit in State Capitol on June 2nd.

[The Orion Islands]

Governor Chambers was staying in a hotel in Grand Island when he got Governor Marshall's call. He was privately pleased the situation in Lincoln and Omaha had not deteriorated to the same extent as elsewhere. He had Fox News on, so he knew what Marshall wanted.
"Hello Governor. I presume you are requesting aid from the Nebraska National Guard?"

“Good evening, Governor. It’s good to see that Nebraska hasn’t been affected so far, and I hope that continues. Yes, I was wondering if I might be able to request that you send a proportion of the Nebraska National Guard to Wichita to support our efforts to de-escalate the situation?”

Governor Chambers: "Yes, I will send whatever resources we can spare, though I am confident that will take care of the situation. In fact, if everything goes well, I hope to be back in Lincoln by noon tomorrow."

[Vaquas]

The Associated Press
@AP

---

BREAKING: AT LEAST FIVE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN LITTLE ROCK AS THE CITY IS CONSUMED BY RIOTS AMID REPORTS OF GUNFIRE. THE ARKANSAS NATIONAL GUARD HAS BEEN DEPLOYED AND MASS ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE.

[Greater Arab State]

“I’m sure you’ll be fine. You’re a hard worker all the time so I’m sure it’s acceptable given the current situation. To be fair, I don’t know how long Missouri will be unaffected for, it’s been quiet here the whole time despite everything currently ongoing in Kansas. Still, if things get worse in D.C. then I’ll be straight back there, I promise.”

"I'm glad to hear it Dad, I've never seen anything like this. Even during the Zimmerman trial and Michael Brown it was never as large as this. I guess the economy had already had everyone on edge and this pushed them over."

“I guess so, especially considering that this fiscal downturn is worse than 2008, albeit marginally. I’m sure we’ll be able to get past this soon enough though, we’ve dealt with worse things as a country.”

[Vaquas]

Fox News
@FoxNews

---

JUST IN: KANSAS NATIONAL GUARDSMEN HAVE RECLAIMED THE AREA SURROUNDING CITY HALL AND WICHITA POLICE DEPARTMENT. MULTIPLE INJURIES ARE REPORTED AS FIREFIGHTERS ARE ABLE TO BEGIN COMBATTING THE BLAZE.

[Greater Arab State]

“Good evening, Governor. It’s good to see that Nebraska hasn’t been affected so far, and I hope that continues. Yes, I was wondering if I might be able to request that you send a proportion of the Nebraska National Guard to Wichita to support our efforts to de-escalate the situation?”

Governor Chambers: "Yes, I will send whatever resources we can spare, though I am confident that will take care of the situation. In fact, if everything goes well, I hope to be back in Lincoln by noon tomorrow."

“Thank you, Governor. I hope that the situation in Nebraska also remains as stable as it has been so far.”

[Kargintinia]

"I'm glad to hear it Dad, I've never seen anything like this. Even during the Zimmerman trial and Michael Brown it was never as large as this. I guess the economy had already had everyone on edge and this pushed them over."

“I guess so, especially considering that this fiscal downturn is worse than 2008, albeit marginally. I’m sure we’ll be able to get past this soon enough though, we’ve dealt with worse things as a country.”

"I sure hope so. I think I have to go now, have to finally force myself to get back to work. See you soon Dad, love you."

[Emazia]

"With all due respect..." He said sternly. "I am inciting no violence here. Our protest is entirely peaceful. We came here in good faith, to march and to speak. You may choose to stand there, and you can stand there until the end of the world, and yet you will still be alive. I attempted to open dialogue with your group, and yet what have they done? They assaulted me. Called me a racist pig.

This is the problem. People like me try to deal with reason, deal with facts. I am simply trying to have discourse here. I fought for the right to speak, and so I will speak. You have your 'peaceful' protest, we have our peaceful protest. That is freedom of speech. Do not yell at me like some morally indignant lecturer. Tell you what, why don't we debate the issues of police brutality in America, right here, right now? The cameras are rolling, the microphones are listening."

Before the Secretary could say the words “racist pig”, a few elder women including Cynthia Parker, began to sing “We Shall Overcome.” Casey smiled as he and the rest of the crowd began to sing, drowning out the voices of the counter protester and their leader.

Porter used his phone to turn up the speakers, and then continued. "Alright, everyone. if they're going to sing, we're going to sing too. There's some spare microphones being handed around - probably not enough for all of you, but just try it out, and get the best singers in the crowd to sing through those speakers!"

He walked back up to the podium, ready to lead the performance. "The lyrics are up there," He said, pointing to a large screen behind him, "And so let's sing America the Beautiful!"

And as he said those words, the instrumental began to play through the speakers...

[Greater Arab State]

“I guess so, especially considering that this fiscal downturn is worse than 2008, albeit marginally. I’m sure we’ll be able to get past this soon enough though, we’ve dealt with worse things as a country.”

"I sure hope so. I think I have to go now, have to finally force myself to get back to work. See you soon Dad, love you."

“You take care, Sadie.” Thomas said paternally, as he ended the call.

[Louisianan]

Before the Secretary could say the words “racist pig”, a few elder women including Cynthia Parker, began to sing “We Shall Overcome.” Casey smiled as he and the rest of the crowd began to sing, drowning out the voices of the counter protester and their leader.

Porter used his phone to turn up the speakers, and then continued. "Alright, everyone. if they're going to sing, we're going to sing too. There's some spare microphones being handed around - probably not enough for all of you, but just try it out, and get the best singers in the crowd to sing through those speakers!"

He walked back up to the podium, ready to lead the performance. "The lyrics are up there," He said, pointing to a large screen behind him, "And so let's sing America the Beautiful!"

And as he said those words, the instrumental began to play through the speakers...

Hypolite saw this footage, and after grunts and moans, and a grin accompanied by eye-rolling he began to hum with the music, "I should be there with my accordion, bring some Zydeco to Georgia." he said as he began tapping his foot to his own rhythm, "The devil went down to Georgia, he was looking for a soul to steal. Duh duh duh duh duh, bang galanga ding, something something,"

[Emazia]

Before the Secretary could say the words “racist pig”, a few elder women including Cynthia Parker, began to sing “We Shall Overcome.” Casey smiled as he and the rest of the crowd began to sing, drowning out the voices of the counter protester and their leader.

Porter used his phone to turn up the speakers, and then continued. "Alright, everyone. if they're going to sing, we're going to sing too. There's some spare microphones being handed around - probably not enough for all of you, but just try it out, and get the best singers in the crowd to sing through those speakers!"

He walked back up to the podium, ready to lead the performance. "The lyrics are up there," He said, pointing to a large screen behind him, "And so let's sing America the Beautiful!"

And as he said those words, the instrumental began to play through the speakers...

After the song ended, Porter smiled in ecstasy.

"Alright, alright, everyone, there are some fireworks, sparklers, whatever, over there." He pointed to a makeshift stall. "Go get them, and go get them now!" He said, smiling jovially to the crowd. "There are also some torches and stuff, so we can have a bit of a celebration here, before we get back to the actual rallying! For the glory of America, and all her sons and daughters!"

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

Before the Secretary could say the words “racist pig”, a few elder women including Cynthia Parker, began to sing “We Shall Overcome.” Casey smiled as he and the rest of the crowd began to sing, drowning out the voices of the counter protester and their leader.

Porter used his phone to turn up the speakers, and then continued. "Alright, everyone. if they're going to sing, we're going to sing too. There's some spare microphones being handed around - probably not enough for all of you, but just try it out, and get the best singers in the crowd to sing through those speakers!"

He walked back up to the podium, ready to lead the performance. "The lyrics are up there," He said, pointing to a large screen behind him, "And so let's sing America the Beautiful!"

And as he said those words, the instrumental began to play through the speakers...

The crowd had swelled and Cassius continued singing and clapping. They cycled through chants as well as gospel songs from the old days. Already, they were beginning to outmatch and drown out the other side despite their gadgets. It would be clear that given their set up, Bernie Porter and his crew of thugs had come ready to incite violence. And instead, they’d been met by the soul of Atlanta, a quote he repeated to reporters.

“Violence came over to this city through Bernie Porter and his gang, but tonight, at the battle of Atlanta, the soul of the state and the American people prevailed, not his racism and supremacy.”

[Vaquas]

Fox News
@FoxNews

---

JUST IN: LOOTERS CLASH WITH NATIONAL GUARD IN CHARLOTTE AS DOWNTOWN FACES EVACUATION, MULTIPLE FATALITIES IN GAS EXPLOSION CONFIRMED

[Emazia]

Porter used his phone to turn up the speakers, and then continued. "Alright, everyone. if they're going to sing, we're going to sing too. There's some spare microphones being handed around - probably not enough for all of you, but just try it out, and get the best singers in the crowd to sing through those speakers!"

He walked back up to the podium, ready to lead the performance. "The lyrics are up there," He said, pointing to a large screen behind him, "And so let's sing America the Beautiful!"

And as he said those words, the instrumental began to play through the speakers...

The crowd had swelled and Cassius continued singing and clapping. They cycled through chants as well as gospel songs from the old days. Already, they were beginning to outmatch and drown out the other side despite their gadgets. It would be clear that given their set up, Bernie Porter and his crew of thugs had come ready to incite violence. And instead, they’d been met by the soul of Atlanta, a quote he repeated to reporters.

“Violence came over to this city through Bernie Porter and his gang, but tonight, at the battle of Atlanta, the soul of the state and the American people prevailed, not his racism and supremacy.”

The fireworks were lit off, as the Porter supporters simply cheered, not particularly causing a stir for the bit the fireworks were going. Porter and his staff aimed the fireworks upwards, but perhaps some sort of mishap or...misdirection would happen.

[Federal States of Xathuecia]

Porter used his phone to turn up the speakers, and then continued. "Alright, everyone. if they're going to sing, we're going to sing too. There's some spare microphones being handed around - probably not enough for all of you, but just try it out, and get the best singers in the crowd to sing through those speakers!"

He walked back up to the podium, ready to lead the performance. "The lyrics are up there," He said, pointing to a large screen behind him, "And so let's sing America the Beautiful!"

And as he said those words, the instrumental began to play through the speakers...

After the song ended, Porter smiled in ecstasy.

"Alright, alright, everyone, there are some fireworks, sparklers, whatever, over there." He pointed to a makeshift stall. "Go get them, and go get them now!" He said, smiling jovially to the crowd. "There are also some torches and stuff, so we can have a bit of a celebration here, before we get back to the actual rallying! For the glory of America, and all her sons and daughters!"

As both sides faced off in song, the peace was broken off as fireworks rang out. The crowd was spooked and already Cassius and others angrily yelled.

“What are you doing?!? Someone is gonna get hurt!” they argued when, either by accident or twisted intention, a loaded firework was sent too low to the ground. It zipped over the heads of Cynthia and other singers, exploding and creating chaos in the crowd. “They are shooting at us, the f*cking Nazi’s are shooting!” yelled a young activist. Immediately, the crowd began to scramble and a semi-stampede began. Cassius moved to the side, looking for his wife as chaos erupted once again all broadcasted by the cameras and social media that had moments before been praising their singing.

[Emazia]

After the song ended, Porter smiled in ecstasy.

"Alright, alright, everyone, there are some fireworks, sparklers, whatever, over there." He pointed to a makeshift stall. "Go get them, and go get them now!" He said, smiling jovially to the crowd. "There are also some torches and stuff, so we can have a bit of a celebration here, before we get back to the actual rallying! For the glory of America, and all her sons and daughters!"

As both sides faced off in song, the peace was broken off as fireworks rang out. The crowd was spooked and already Cassius and others angrily yelled.

“What are you doing?!? Someone is gonna get hurt!” they argued when, either by accident or twisted intention, a loaded firework was sent too low to the ground. It zipped over the heads of Cynthia and other singers, exploding and creating chaos in the crowd. “They are shooting at us, the f*cking Nazi’s are shooting!” yelled a young activist. Immediately, the crowd began to scramble and a semi-stampede began. Cassius moved to the side, looking for his wife as chaos erupted once again all broadcasted by the cameras and social media that had moments before been praising their singing.

Porter, seeing the chaos, began to yell: "STOP SHOOTING THE FIREWORKS! STOP NOW! PUT THEM DOWN! PUT THE TORCHES AND EVERYTHING DOWN, HELP PEOPLE EVACUATE!"

A few fireworks had hit the nearby buildings, causing some flammable materials to light on fire across the area, Porter himself stepped down, trying to help evacuate people. He stepped into both sides, simply trying to help people leave. At this point, the cameras, while still on, had reduced in quality slightly due to all the chaos.

"GO, GO, GO!" He kept on yelling, as the stampede continued. He helped pick a few people up from the floor, and just kept on going...But the fire slowly closed in on him, and he could feel a fire in his hand. And then suddenly a strong sting. His hand had turned black, as he yelled out in pain. He slowly staggered again, but was able to find water in time, merely left with a scar on his hand...