Protesting and exercising 1st Amendment rights is as American as apple pie. The looting, rioting, and destruction taking place in areas across the country is not protesting – it’s anarchy. While there is no shortage of jokes going around about how these rioters come from their “mommies basement” and can be disbanded by throwing job applications at them – it’s a very serious situation. These rioters are fairly well organized, some are backed financially and even have legal representation, and are large in numbers. Police are powerless to respond in some areas due to being outnumbered – and the politics being played make things worse. Governors and mayors in the areas most affected are largely allowing the rioting to just continue. Large volumes of National Guardsmen are not being deployed. Curfews are enacted, threats of arrest are made, but, in the end, millions of dollars in damages are incurred and lives are lost.
The problem with movements such as BLM and Antifa is they fester and react on problems and specific events. They will grab hold of the smallest thing – or the biggest – and motivate their followers to behave in a manner that defies logic and common sense. Similar to a terrorist organization or financial religion? Absolutely. In 2020 there is no shortage of problems and a trend is continuing to show that not only are these rioters “triggered” more easily, but they are becoming more emboldened in their actions and demands.
One recent situation involved people eating in a restaurant. A BLM crowd came into the restaurant and told everyone to raise a fist in solidarity with BLM. One couple sitting at a table wouldn’t comply – and they were targeted. They were screamed at and threatened by numerous people. No violence – but infiltration of personal space certainly happened.
There are multiple sides and numerous facets to the issues which protesting and riots are taking place. Racial injustice and systemic racism is frequently heard from BLM. Antifa stands for economic equality(socialism) and says they are against fascism and capitalism. We all know they are actually the fascists. BLM and Antifa are but two groups that are most notable. Numerous militia groups and freedom-loving Patriots have also made themselves known as they stand against the policies – and groups – which are supporting economic COVID shutdowns as well as the rioting and looting. I have said for years when we get to a point where rioting is a daily event AND firearms are being used on both sides a tipping point has been reached – or is close at hand. It is now becoming more and more common that multiple sides are armed and actually engaging in firefights. People are being shot and people are dying.
The outcome of the elections in November will have an impact on this civil unrest. Should Trump gain an additional 4 years in the White House I am expecting a dramatic increase in protesting and violence. Should the Biden/Harris ticket win many who are protesting for change will have their outrage quelled and likely will garner some sense of satisfaction and patience to wait and see the change they so desire to occur. But hey – who knows?
Now is not the time to be complacent.
Rourke