Why do protesters loot and burn

[Bigworldoutthere]

Disclaimer: not a comment on the awful event leading up to it but on rots/ protest in general. Watching the situation in Minneapolis it struck me that in almost all protest situations there are people —young men— who burn things that are useful to them and there community, loot shops that are useful for them and their community and damage/smash the same. I can understand anger s as d shouting but why actually damage the area you live in?

[Mittens030869]

I'm more concerned about the protests in the US, where the curve hasn't been flattened at all and where there have been up to 2,000 deaths a day. And where African Americans are disproportionately being impacted by the virus. The UK protest by contrast was well organised with safety in mind.

[Freddiefox]

[quote Mittens030869]@derxa I've noticed that too. This is going to lead to a spike in COVID-19 cases and another lockdown. It's very worrying, and people need to rediscover their common sense.[/quote]
There was always going to be a 2nd wave. The uk Government has squandered the first lockdown we can’t afford a second lockdown.
However the second wave will only be partially caused by the protest. Opening schools, shops, businesses will have a much bigger effect.

[MarshaBradyo]

I can understand why.
The anger, the building up, the latest event.

It’s still different if you are there in the midst of it and I can understand that fear too.

[Mittens030869]

@derxa I've noticed that too. This is going to lead to a spike in COVID-19 cases and another lockdown. It's very worrying, and people need to rediscover their common sense.

[derxa]

No social distancing at the US Embassy protest.

[Mittens030869]

It's not difficult to understand why this has got so ugly. I've been shocked and saddened by how little concern Trump has had for the 100,000 people who have died from COVID-19. It was hardly a coincidence that he suddenly became so keen to reopen the economy once it became clear that it was the African American community that was being disproportionately impacted by the virus. Plus, they've also been disproportionately impacted by the resulting economic crisis.

The anger will have been simmering under the surface and then exploded after the horrific racist murder of George Floyd, who from what I've read was a really decent man involved in numerous street projects and a devout Christian. There's no way he was a criminal. So it was also simply because of the colour of his skin, and because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Completely disgusting.

And now it will be the African American community who will be impacted by a spike in COVID-19 cases, including a lot of bystanders who weren't even involved in the rioting and have had their livelihoods impacted on by the riots. Social distancing has gone out of the window and the virus hasn't gone away.

That message has very sadly been lost in all the anger.

[CorianderLord]

People who enjoy violence and lawlessness see other people's protests as a way to get away with doing just that. So they go out without the intention of protesting and get straight to the looting and burning.

Some protestors see it as a way to get some attention for once to their cause.

Some are just angry and feel abused, so lash out.

[user1471565182]

Older voters getting on the internet and social media without the experience to sift fact from fiction happened since Obama.

[Mittens030869]

Actually the Minneapolis mayor spoke up from the start, calling for the police officer to be arrested and charged with murder. A much swifter condemnation than would have been the case in a lot of other states.

With regards to the rioting, there are always genuine rioters motivated by completely justified fury over the racist murder, and also hangers on looking for an excuse for causing trouble.

What I find most tragic about the rioting around the country is that there's going to a massive rise in COVID-19, which already impacts disproportionately the Black American population in the US.

[Swiftsseason]

I'd like to know about the handcuffs as well... They didn't even take them off when he was loaded into the stretcher and the way he was loaded on... Atrocious.
Why didn't the medics get the men off the moment they arrived! They checks his pulse and walk off.

When did those hand cuffs get removed.

It reminds me of the Winterbourne view situation too... Where some strong perps lead the others. Chavin and thao have past violent history apparently the other two are rookies. They took the pulse, said, lay him on his side.


As horrific as his death is.... I also wonder what the hell would have happened in private had he agreed to go in the cop car.

In private with no eye witnesses. It's Terryfying

[OmgThereAreNoPlanesAboveMeNow]

@HelloToMyKitty this is the problem. It isn't government getting their arsed kicked by it. It isn't the police. It's the innocent bystanders who are often vulnerable. It's the small businesses who don't have the amazing insurance and lawyers like national chains do and will get screwed by the insurance company on some technicality.
Protest, protest loudly! It is needed! But don't beat down someone else who had nothing to do with it.

[Swiftsseason]

People did go to the polls and got Obama in, what changed?

That twitter video is heart breaking.

[emilybrontescorsett]

Great post oldqueen

[Clavinova]

Get it right...

There is another form of protest missing from your poster - Mayor of Atlanta's passionate speech in the link above;

"If you want change in America go and register to vote."
"Show up at the polls..."

Arguably, the delay in the police officer's arrest was due to the initial findings of the medical examiner -

www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/minneapolis-police-officers-derek-chauvin-arrested-george-floyd-case-n1216011

[HelloToMyKitty]

I dare anyone who supports the looting and rioting in urban neighborhoods to watch this interview with a woman who lives on Lake St (ground zero of the rioting in Minneapolis) and has to suffer the fallout while everyone else gets to go home to well-stocked grocery stores and secure homes: mobile.twitter.com/ZaidJilani/status/1266790979790606336

[Pertella]

Fucking hell 😂

[GlitterToast]

I support the protests, but isn't COVID happening in the states??

[Swiftsseason]

Said before... I support genuine riots over this, I don't support the proffesonal agitators coming in from the different states who latch onto any issues.


It's such a shame.
It dilutes what's going on. Turns people off.

[HelloToMyKitty]

Although it’s absolutely fucked up that it should have to come to this, I totally support and understand why there is rioting

Don’t support the rioting. These are people’s neighborhoods and businesses you are talking about. A lot of these rioters are suburban white kids dreaming of revolution and then get to go back to their safe and prosperous neighborhoods while the local community has to pick up the pieces.

If I may interject with my politics, note that it’s mostly women assisting with the cleanup efforts in Minneapolis. Yet, they are largely not the ones trashing the community.

[Puzzledandpissedoff]

I fully support (looting) and wish it to continue until white people are just as afraid of black people as they are us. Then we will be equal

You might want to think that one through a bit more
Since the white community already have a disproportionate amount of the power they won't meekly accept this rampant criminality. Instead they'll fight back even if it means an all out war in which, tragically, the black community will suffer even more

Is that honestly the outcome you want?

[DeeCeeCherry]

Get it right...

[kirinm]

It took the protests and violence for the police officer to be arrested. Sometimes it seems to be the only way to ensure action is taken. Imagine knowing a police officer who had killed a man, with a video showing the world, hadn't been arrested let some charged for DAYS after it happened.

[Clavinova]

Actually - you might need to scroll down to listen to her speech in full.

[Clavinova]

Because why...not???

"Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms gave an emotional speech on Saturday morning, citing the actions of looters who smashed windows and threw bottles, rocks and knives at law enforcement as “not a protest” and “not Atlanta.”

Speech at 00.41 -

www.foxnews.com/politics/mayor-among-leaders-condemning-riots

[Grumpos]

Because why they fuck not???
People are angry, enraged, sick, tired, grieving.
This isn’t a peaceful sit in. And it shouldn’t be.
Women’s rights were not won peacefully and neither were gay rights.
Although it’s absolutely fucked up that it should have to come to this, I totally support and understand why there is rioting.
Would I personally start throwing shit through windows to get attention and change? Yup.
Enough is enough