In general, I consider myself a liberal person. And a patient person. But, with a week of this chaos, I've had enough. The protests and violence continued in major cities last night. I once again applaud Dallas PD for getting things under control and arresting the people who were out blocking roads and causing problems.
I feel like a lot of people suddenly forgot what civil disobedience is, including some of the anchors for CNN. Last night listening to Don Lemon on CNN upset me, and I have mad respect for that man. But why was he sounding surprised that the police were arresting what he called “peaceful” protesters?
Blocking the road is against the law.
Being out past curfew is against the law.
Saying “I’m doing it as part of a protest” doesn’t negate the fact that it’s against the law.
MLK understood that. He knew he was going to get arrested. He was willing to get arrested. That’s civil disobedience. When the police show up in Dallas and arrest the protestors blocking the road/bridge, it’s not shocking; it’s how the system works. Quite frankly, it’s a good thing. If anything, Don Lemon, you should be upset and shocked by the cities that are not arresting the protestors in the streets (because it’s against the law to block the roads without having a permit and planning the event ahead of time with local authorities).
Protestors should want to engage in civil disobedience and accept the consequences. Then they can go brag to everyone that they stood up for their cause and they were arrested for their cause. And then we can move on. That’s how MLK did it. That’s how it should work. Don’t act surprised when it happens like that.
We need justice, but not vigilantism. Civil disobedience includes justice. It does not include destroying property, setting fires in the streets, and looting local businesses.
If you want to legally protest, organize a group and fill out the proper paperwork to have a parade or use a free speech zone. Setup in a public place where you are not in the road. Have a sit-in at a park or city building. March on the sidewalks. Organize with local authorities.
But you have to decide: (1) Do you want a legal peaceful protest? (2) Do you want a peaceful illegal scene of civil disobedience, in which you accept that you will be arrested for breaking the law? (3) Or do you want all out illegal chaos and anarchy?
The first is ideal. The second is acceptable, but you must be willing to go along with the consequences. The third is unacceptable. Don’t act surprised when the authorities respond with appropriate force.
Side Note:
The protests have spread from the big cities into the surrounding suburban areas. I know the nearby Frisco protests yesterday were peaceful and the police helped the people march through the streets, but it's still scary to me because it's nearby and these things easily turn violent.
Be safe out there!
UPDATE:
Apparently the protests are the "new normal" we live in and they are starting earlier and earlier in the day.
I guess we shouldn't plan to drive anywhere anymore since the streets are covered in protestors. Sigh. What happens when I have to go back to work? What do I do if protestors are blocking the highway between my home and my work? What do I do if they are in the way on my drive home?
Be safe out there (and maybe, just maybe, never leave your home again)!
MORE UPDATES:
I got messages that my hometown is having a protest this evening. I hope people are peaceful. They are starting at the high school parking lot and that school's front is mostly windows. I'm worried, even though there's a nearby police station and fire station. Minneapolis has shown us that variable might not really matter.
Meanwhile, on CNN: Wolf Blitzer asked a civil rights activist and evangelical leader, a member of the black community, Reverend Michael Curry whether the protesters should be out after curfew. I was glad to hear the response that the protestors need to go home. That they should use lawful means for protesting during the day and then abide the curfew so that we can maintain order.
That makes me feel better.
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