Protests and Looting: What’s the Difference?

George Floyd was callously murdered by a police thug. People have risen up in protest. Others took the opportunity for violence and looting. And others took advantage of the latter to score political points and aggravate societal divisions.

In a radio discussion, some talkers, addressing the protests and the looting together, said it’s wrong to see this as about “property” when it’s really all about everything non-whites suffer, and justified rage against it. Former TV reporter Linda Ellerbee said the burning and looting are just like the Boston Tea Party, an act of rebellion we now celebrate, asking “What’s the difference?”

No. Protest marches are about justified rage. Opportunistic looting has nothing to do with that. Nobody who smashed a store window to steal stuff did it for George Floyd. We must stand up against the violence he suffered — and against the violence suffered by victims of looting and burning, numerous honest businesses (many minority owned). Putting the protests and the looting in the same frame is morally wrong and just plays into the hands of the Trumps of the world, all too eager to do exactly that, to delegitimize the protests.

Trump spouts about violence and “law and order.” Then, right outside the White House, he has peaceful demonstrators attacked with horses, tear gas, and clubbing. To clear the way for his walk to a church whose doors he never otherwise darkens, to pose holding a book he’s never read. Who’s guilty of violence? Who’s breaching law and order?

Meantime yesterday, in stark contrast, Joe Biden delivered a speech demonstrating the kind of decency, vision, and leadership America so desperately needs, now more than ever. Please read it: www.fsrcoin.com/yy.htm.

If you somehow still imagine America a better country with Trump than Biden, I beseech you to shine a searchlight into your heart and soul.