2020 Protests megathread

[Progressive Pessimist]

Checking snap map, it appears there has been widespread violence and looting in portions of Chicago and Philadelphia throughout the day. Haven't seen a lot of media attention on this? Lots of more peaceful protests going on too, which is fine.

There are certainly plenty of them happening, but they don't seem to be getting most of the media attention though. Riots and looting make for good television, and that is one of many reasons why they're so irresponsible.

[Progressive Pessimist]

So far he's been all talk and no action, so I expect nothing to come from this. However, there is nothing wrong with him threatening to use the military to protect citizens from violence and barbarism.

It’s a little hypocritical to say that after ordering police to use tear gas on a peaceful, legal protest.

It really is coming across that he is viewing American citizens as actively antagonistic by default. This is not the way to de-escalate internal conflict and, as always with Trump, will make things worse. Oh right, it's all part of his 4D chess strategy, right?

[Progressive Pessimist]

I don't know how you could argue in good-faith that any of this is good for Trump.

Even if you buy into the idea that suburbanites find "law and order" rhetoric appealing still, Trump's little stunt today evokes imagery of a police state within a dictatorship. Is that appealing? Is retaliating in an overreactive fashion against peaceful protests appealing? What is the proper way to protest now? Like the "Unite the Right" folks in Charlottesville who murdered someone, and whom he defended? Is that the right way? Is that what he wants Americans to take away from this? Are uneauivocal supporters of his now the only protected class in this nation who are to be guaranteed basic rights? It sure seems that way to me.

 Nevertheless, it appears that our esteemed President made yet another situation worse in addition to somehow making himself and his presidency look worse. He has now inserted himself into a situation which he cannot untether himself from, no matter how much he may try. Trump is the King Midas of degradation.

[Progressive Pessimist]

My sister attended a protest in Clifton. It was entirely civil from what it seems. I'm proud of her for going, she has way more balls than I do-I'm still wary of the virus. Though, granted, it may have been more out of boredom than zeal, especially since she went with her friend. She pays attention to politics very casually, but isn't that knowledgeable about it, so that's why I say that. But regardless, she sure made me look like a slacktivist.

When she gets home maybe I'll share the details she gives me about it. I hope she didn't get infected though.

[Progressive Pessimist]

At least one Republican has joined in:

https://twitter.com/HurdOnTheHill/status/1267953208674209794

Good for Will Turd. This doesn't make up for voting against Trump's impeachment though.

[Progressive Pessimist]

People are tearing down the United States, just so Donald Trump can #MAGA 😂

I thought he was intent on #KAG? I guess that isn't going so well so he still needs to use his old slogan in its original tense. What does that say about his first term?

[Progressive Pessimist]

Using tear gas to subdue protesters may help spread the coronavirus, experts warn

Spraying people with tear gas causes them to cough, shout and scream — and that will send infectious droplets from an infected person to others, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine and an infectious diseases specialist at UC San Francisco.

Tear gas may cause people who are wearing masks to take them off, and prompt them to rub their eyes, nose and mouth, Chin-Hong said. Even worse, respiratory irritants inflame the inside of the nose and mouth and the lining of lung tissues, making the body more susceptible to infection, he said.

Chin-Hong was one of more than 1,000 people — among them infectious disease and public health experts — who have signed a petition asking local and state governments to stop using tear gas, smoke and other respiratory irritants that increase the risk for coronavirus transmission by inducing coughing. The petition was inspired by a group from the University of Washington, and Chin-Hong said he was contacted to edit the letter.

If they're concerned about coronavirus they can stay home like everybody else and like they were telling everyone to do up until a week ago.

I sort of agree, but at a certain point there's no winning here. It's either stay home and try not to spread the virus while tolerating rank systematic injustice or go out and use your First Amendment right (which quarantines can't legally overrule) but risk infection, or spreading the virus. At the very least, most protesters are still wearing masks though. They at least still have some self-awareness of the situation.

Meanwhile, the police using teargas really isn't always necessary. The riots have become significantly less violent over the past few days and protesters violating curfew really isn't worth this reaction in the instances where it happens. 

[Progressive Pessimist]

Woke Romney is the best Romney!

[Progressive Pessimist]

https://twitter.com/SecretService/status/1271883429404184576

More tone-deafness from law enforcement agencies. Them investigating themselves is not acceptable, and never should have been.