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[freeformschooler]

As for the rioting, I think it is actually appropriate.

I kinda agree.  It isn't right, but its not like anything else seems to be working.  What should you do when protesting doesn't work?

Obstruct the activities of the people oppressing you. Sit on the tree that's going to be chopped down. Set all the factory's machines to make scrap. Wait 'til the riot police are gone for the day and occupy the courthouse with gas masks. Not saying this would definitely "work," especially without some specific demands, but it is a common theme in successful protests in the past: Seize. Hold. Defend.

[smjjames]

It's reached the tipping point in Ferguson again, CNN is reporting a police car got attacked.

Meanwhile, protests in cities from coast to coast, no violence that I'm aware of.

[SalmonGod]

As for the rioting, I think it is actually appropriate.

I kinda agree.  It isn't right, but its not like anything else seems to be working.  What should you do when protesting doesn't work?

Obstruct the activities of the people oppressing you. Sit on the tree that's going to be chopped down. Set all the factory's machines to make scrap. Wait 'til the riot police are gone for the day and occupy the courthouse with gas masks. Not saying this would definitely "work," especially without some specific demands, but it is a common theme in successful protests in the past: Seize. Hold. Defend.

Rubber bullets.  Batons.  Mass arrests.  Order resumes.  There have been literally thousands of these occupation actions in the last 4 years.  Authorities have no trouble dealing with them, especially when the protesters are committed to peace.

[freeformschooler]

As for the rioting, I think it is actually appropriate.

I kinda agree.  It isn't right, but its not like anything else seems to be working.  What should you do when protesting doesn't work?

Obstruct the activities of the people oppressing you. Sit on the tree that's going to be chopped down. Set all the factory's machines to make scrap. Wait 'til the riot police are gone for the day and occupy the courthouse with gas masks. Not saying this would definitely "work," especially without some specific demands, but it is a common theme in successful protests in the past: Seize. Hold. Defend.

Rubber bullets.  Batons.  Mass arrests.  Order resumes.  There have been literally thousands of these occupation actions in the last 4 years.  Authorities have no trouble dealing with them, especially when the protesters are committed to peace.

Yes. They had little trouble in the past, either, especially when they had armor that magically deflected all blows and the kerns did not. Didn't stop these things from happening and occasionally working.

And the protesters need not be committed to peace, although it certainly raises the chances of not getting killed.

[smjjames]

Kems?

Anyways, things are de-evolving in Ferguson.

[SalmonGod]

I'm not saying it isn't sometimes effective.  I'm saying that it's not a sufficient tactic by itself in the present situation.

[freeformschooler]

I'm not saying it isn't sometimes effective.  I'm saying that it's not a sufficient tactic by itself in the present situation.

Of course. But I cannot see car tipping and building burning alone as being in any way effective, either. In fact, it seems more likely, based on the comments section of every article on the Internet, that it would actually get the opposite effect. People would think, "There should have been more violent, awful police here!" instead of "I want the government to reform the system to disincentive glass smashing AND shooting poor black kids!" as your post seemed to indicate.

[smjjames]

Well, everyplace else that's having a protest is fine so far.

[TheDarkStar]

Well, everyplace else that's having a protest is fine so far.

Apparently there were some arrests in LA but no property damage.

[penguinofhonor]

.

[SalmonGod]

I'm not saying it isn't sometimes effective.  I'm saying that it's not a sufficient tactic by itself in the present situation.

Of course. But I cannot see car tipping and building burning alone as being in any way effective, either.

It's absolutely not.  I agree.  And it's far from the only strategy that's been applied since Michael Brown was shot, either.

In fact, it seems more likely, based on the comments section of every article on the Internet, that it would actually get the opposite effect. People would think, "There should have been more violent, awful police here!" instead of "I want the government to reform the system to disincentive glass smashing AND shooting poor black kids!" as your post seemed to indicate.

If it's a one-time thing, I would expect that to be the response.  People who aren't effected don't want to care.  The question is what their attitude will be if it's established that more violence by police will not force the issue off their radar, and that this can be expected continuously if police keep up their behavior.

[Vector]

.

[freeformschooler]

In fact, it seems more likely, based on the comments section of every article on the Internet, that it would actually get the opposite effect. People would think, "There should have been more violent, awful police here!" instead of "I want the government to reform the system to disincentive glass smashing AND shooting poor black kids!" as your post seemed to indicate.

If it's a one-time thing, I would expect that to be the response.  People who aren't effected don't want to care.  The question is what their attitude will be if it's established that more violence by police will not force the issue off their radar, and that this can be expected continuously if police keep up their behavior.

This is one of those scenarios where person A thinks person B is wrong but hopes beyond hope they are right. It's hard to communicate over text.

[SalmonGod]

In fact, it seems more likely, based on the comments section of every article on the Internet, that it would actually get the opposite effect. People would think, "There should have been more violent, awful police here!" instead of "I want the government to reform the system to disincentive glass smashing AND shooting poor black kids!" as your post seemed to indicate.

If it's a one-time thing, I would expect that to be the response.  People who aren't effected don't want to care.  The question is what their attitude will be if it's established that more violence by police will not force the issue off their radar, and that this can be expected continuously if police keep up their behavior.

This is one of those scenarios where person A thinks person B is wrong but hopes beyond hope they are right. It's hard to communicate over text.

I'm not exactly optimistic.  I just don't think the rioting is an inappropriate response at this stage of things.  It's highly unlikely that it will be highlighted as a factor if any positive change does occur.  Most likely no strategy will be.  It's just another form of pressure that can be applied, and different forms are appropriate at different times. 

That's really all protest and activism is about.  Pressure pressure pressure until something cracks.  And you can't apply just one tool to one area, because that area will be reinforced.  There has to be diversity.

[4maskwolf]

They're calling for a Black Friday boycott, in which I will be taking part.

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