this post was submitted on 21 Jul 2023
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We saw evidence during the BLM protests that violence was being started by police by both beating on peaceful protesters and using agent-provocateurs. The most famous example was the hooded man wearing police issued boots, who wasnt participating in the protest, knocking out the windows of a Target.
My point is that if violence and property destruction discredit a protest for you then the police have already won. They can turn any protest into violence and destruction if not by outright attacking peaceful protests, then by using an agent-provocateur.
Absolutely, and I'm not saying that it's better/safer to protest against police in the United States.
You need to also keep in mind that the President of the country at the time was a racist and a despicable human being, who would constantly stoke the flames of unrest, and put citizens against the police on several occasions.
I'll admit that I don't know as much about Macron than I do Trump, but only because Macron's decisions don't directly affect what happens in my country (Canada).
They don't discredit the protest, but they make it really hard for me to be on the side of protesters because I don't believe that destroying private property is effective.
And I hold this belief no matter the cause. I've been part of animal rights protests, but completely reject groups who use violence or otherwise break the law to "support our cause", because it only creates divide.
Yes but how do you know if the people causing property damage are protesters or anti protestors?That was the crux of my last comment. Nobody likes when protesters are violent so showing up to a protest and starting violence is an easy way to shut it down.
That's a huge accusation. I'm sure there are hooligans and anarchists who just want to fuck shit up, and will create chaos whenever a protest comes up.
But in that case, the protesters would unequivocally denounce the violence, not embrace or partake in it.
It's easy to pass the blame, but it's even easier to call out anti-protesters and to separate them from your cause.
Its only easy to call out anti-protesters if you're well organized. When police attack peaceful protesters and launch tear gas into peaceful crowds, to force dispersion, people panic and act unpredictably.