Social Unrest in Minneapolis and Other US Cities

[GoodGollyMissMolly]

If any of you live in Minneapolis or St. Louis stay safe. It’s wild out there.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52844192

[Nappyolean]

Many US cities are demonstrating such as NYC, Chicago, LA. I sure don’t understand why various police officers need to keep murdering their suspects. These “crimes” aren’t violent. Apparently this guy in Minneapolis was passing counterfeit money at a deli. If the counterfeit allegation is true, the police killed him over a free ham sandwich. The same thing with Eric Garner in NYC. Eric would buy cartons of cigarets and then sell them one at a time on the street corner. Again, not killing, raping, etc. Selling single cigarets on the open market. The police were called and they killed Eric. Again, for providing a service to his clientele. It’s awful.

[Maria]

I don’t know if this topic can be discussed here without be derailed. Please check yourself when posting.   

Watching the video of George Floyd being killed is straight up horrifying. Knowing he’s just one of the latest suffering that fate certainly makes me understand why so many react in hopeless fury because it’s grotesque and no one seems able or willing to stop it.

[Queen’s Tea]

Having lived in Minneapolis (and now a two hour drive away), I’m very, very sad to see this happening.  I understand and approve of peaceful protest, but destroying property and putting other lives in danger makes no sense to me.  I’m waking up to truly distressing photos and video this morning and feel so sad for what’s happened, not only there but to our society in general that we find ourselves at this point. 

Peace, my friends.   

[Barrie]

As a northern neighbour to Minnesota and as someone that has been to Minneapolis on many occasions, this is just shocking. I hope that all can find peace and justice.

[Queen’s Tea]

As a northern neighbour to Minnesota and as someone that has been to Minneapolis on many occasions, this is just shocking. I hope that all can find peace and justice.

👋  Sounds like we’re neighbors so saying hi!  And I agree with everything you said - I’m shocked at what this situation has turned into in less than a week.   It’s so distressing.  I’m praying for peace for all concerned.  And restoration of all that was damaged or destroyed. 

[anastasia beaverhausen]

I don’t know if this topic can be discussed here without be derailed. Please check yourself when posting.   

Watching the video of George Floyd being killed is straight up horrifying. Knowing he’s just one of the latest suffering that fate certainly makes me understand why so many react in hopeless fury because it’s grotesque and no one seems able or willing to stop it.

This. The frequency of unlawful police killings here in the US is nauseating and the anger and frustration are palpable.

We are in a period of social regression, where violence against minorities is so prevalent that it’s in danger of becoming normalized.

[Paulina]

I think some of the protest may also be springing up unconsciously from pent up anger or frustration with being on lockdown for two months, the erosion of the constitution, extreme economic and health uncertainty, and an unconscionable distribution  of Covid money to the wealthy.

Protests may well have happened anyway bc of the despicable action on the police’s part. Especially on the heels of the lynching in Georgia.

But the fierce spread and pent up anger I think is due to a confluence of factors.

I was sad to see the police escorts in LA on the 101 get the cars smashed in. LA and some departments around the country have done a lot of work on restraint, negotiation, and de-escalation since the Rodney King riots.

I know Berkeley PD has exceptional training and are never in the news for bad police actions. But they’ve been at it for 50 years.

[Kins]

I live in a St. Paul suburb and as I am sure you have all heard-St. Paul and many of its suburbs have had looters and riots-many businesses set on fire. I am about 3 miles from some of this. It is scary for sure. My son got sent home from work yesterday because the store closed due to its proximity to one of these looting events.

[Lady Liebe]

Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.      

Martin Luther King Jr.

[Queen’s Tea]

Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.      

Martin Luther King Jr.

Love this 💕

Thank you for this apt reminder!

[Paulina]

Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.      

Martin Luther King Jr.

Love this 💕

Thank you for this apt reminder!

Agreed. Well said.

[BubbaGumpShrimp]

For years, black men and women tried to protest peacefully by kneeling down, and it changed nothing. And those same men and women who were outraged by the sheer audacity of kneeling, are now among the ones saying "I'd listen to the protesters if they only weren't violent". I don't condone violence, not one bit, not at all. But I understand why the protesters feel that they are nearing the end of their tether.

This sheet has being on since before Rodney King, y'all. That was in 1991. We have all known about this since 1991 and done nothing. Something has to change so that people can be safe in their own skin. This feeling of unsafety is very, very unpleasant, but that is a temporary feeling for most. But a lot of POC live with that feeling every time they go outside. And sometimes, when they are inside their own homes, because the police kills them there, too

[Chandrasekhi]

I live in a St. Paul suburb and as I am sure you have all heard-St. Paul and many of its suburbs have had looters and riots-many businesses set on fire. I am about 3 miles from some of this. It is scary for sure. My son got sent home from work yesterday because the store closed due to its proximity to one of these looting events.

Kins, so glad your son is safe.

[Kins]

^Thank you so much Chandrasekhi!