With all due respect to the protestors in DC down at Lafayette Park

[nitpicker]

It's now 20 minutes past curfew time.

I think that some of them think "it won't happen again" tonight.

They may be sadly mistaken.

[democrattotheend]

1. Not to mention, they are endangering everyone

Last edited Wed Jun 3, 2020, 10:58 AM - Edit history (1)

By packing together in crowds. Especially since the people at these protests are often the most vulnerable to the virus and live in areas where the virus spreads rapidly.

[LanternWaste]

7. Could simply be a matter of priorities rather than a simple false dilemma fallacy

Possibly there are people who believe 440 years of systemic oppression poses a far greater and more immediate threat than the contagion.

[democrattotheend]

10. That doesn't make sense

This virus is primarily killing people of color. More black lives will likely be lost as a result of these mass gatherings. Not only will they endanger the people who participate, and their families and people they work with, but they completely undermine the message Dems have been stressing for months about social distancing. And I don't see how you can say this is okay despite the threat but shame people who protested because their ability to earn a living was taken away.

[bigtree]

23. these folks in DC are masked , grouped up, and distancing

...look in here:

[JonLP24]

12. I worry about protestors spreading the virus

However they aren't protesting safety measures to keep us safe they are protesting something real.

[rufus dog]

18. Respectfully, you don't get it, and you don't think like some of us

Nothing personal, but some of us think different. We don't condemn those who think different with statements like, 'which is it folks?' (which is over the top condescending)

Now, I am pondering to fly across Country to join these people, does it increase risk to me and others? YES

Do I think it is a cause that is worth taking the risks? YES

Now you might disagree, might think it is better to sit back, see what happens yet. Some of us aren't built that way, not willing to sit back.

You may also want to ponder your avatar, because Warren is out there tonight.

So, we have different breaking points, respect those who are taking a risk.

[Tipperary]

20. Please keep,us posted.

[democrattotheend]

25. I know she's out there

And I have very mixed feelings on that. On the one hand, I admire her standing up for the cause. On the other hand, I am concerned that Democratic elected officials participating in mass gatherings risks undermining the message they've been working hard to send for months about social distancing. I think it's a really tough call, because the coronavirus is disproportionately killing people of color and I'm afraid that more black lives will be lost as a result of these massive gatherings.

[JonLP24]

26. The protesters are protesting racism

racism is why the corona virus is disproportionately impacting communities of color. I don't have the link handy but I read African countries are doing a better job of handling the response where racism is less of an issue.

[Tipperary]

32. So how is the protesting going?

Did you fly across country to participate? Which makes me wonder where you live, since protests are going on in just about every single state.

[Solomon]

28. You should change your screen name.

[sweetloukillbot]

2. I suspect they probably know the risks

But thanks for your concern

[UncleTomsEvilBrother]

3. Yea...

...pretty sure their desire to put an end to the state sanctioned of terrorizing the Black citizens of this country is a little more important that curfew.

I'm sure worry comes from the best of places, though.

[Brainfodder]

4. Maybe they are more interested in justice and the optics aint good for Trump.

Pandemic and my own safety, yeah I'd not be there.

[Atticus]

5. I think most of them are very intentionally playing "chicken"with Trump; DARING him

to repeat last night. And, you are correct, he may. But, Trump is too stupid to understand that if he again chooses to "dominate" he loses and if he stands down he loses.

He has painted himself into another corner.

[njhoneybadger]

6. I see only brave patriots who understand the risk

[soothsayer]

9. This

[LiberalLoner]

15. +1

[fishwax]

8. if they can stay peaceful, they win

[Voltaire2]

11. So now we are at "obey authority" ?

We’ve dropped the pretense of “if only they weren’t looting” to justify our opposition to mass protest against injustice.

[SideStep]

13. It's beautiful civil disobedience. NT

[msongs]

14. perfect opportunity for the old lie in or sit down tactic nt

[Demsrule86]

16. Peaceful demonstrations should be allowed...it is our right.

[democrattotheend]

17. I agree, but why was that not true a month ago?

A month ago, many people on this site seemed to think it was okay to declare protesting "nonessential". FWIW, I didn't think that was okay then or now.

[kas125]

19. I think most people are well aware that there is a big difference between

protesting for the right to spread a deadly virus and protesing for human rights. WTF??? It is truly baffling to come here and see people who think that when the police continually attack peaceful people for a week and the fake president calls out the military on them, we should just sit down and shut up and take it.

[democrattotheend]

24. I never said anyone should "shut up and take it"

But I don't think the virus cares what you are protesting about. Either it's dangerous to go to big crowded events or it isn't. And regardless of how you (or I) might weigh the relative importance of what is being protested, it is completely unconstitutional for the government to say protesting is or is not essential based on the content of the protest. Frankly, I was bothered a month ago by those who had valiantly fought to defend the constitution in the past, such as from abuses in the post-9/11 world, suddenly seeming indifferent to First Amendment rights in the face of a pandemic. I personally am not going to any protests right now because of the health risk and wanting to do my part not to spread the virus, but as a lawyer I would take anyone's case fighting for the right to protest no matter what the content because I believe in the constitution, and if the First Amendment means anything then it applies equally regardless of whether people are protesting government shutdowns or police brutality.

[kas125]

27. Yeah, it is unfortunate that this happened when there's a virus. But some people

are willing to risk their lives so others can have the rights they've been asking for for four hundred years. I've been to hundreds of protests in my life, I'm a proud Code Pink member. I've been in my house for months because I'm not only 66, I'm considered medically frail. But you can bet your ass that I'll be out there fighting so other people can live. That is more important than me.

[Demsrule86]

31. I never said that...I do think that you should not be allowed near the capitol with weapons.

[bigtree]

21. looks fine, so far

Last edited Tue Jun 2, 2020, 10:36 PM - Edit history (1)

...look in here on this 'Zach and Matt Show' live feed:

[JCMach1]

22. Our park, our Whitehouse

[malaise]

29. Turns out they were right

It did not happen again

[bigtree]

30. +1

...