Yesterday in Toledo, Oh., about an hour from where I live, a group of white power advocates held a rally. They were complaining about what they considered to be intimidation of Caucasians and lawlessness by blacks on the city's north side. They had all the necessary permits & permissions needed to hold the rally. The rally was proceeding in a peaceful, orderly manner.
But not for long.
A group of counter-demonstrators began to gather across the street from the rally. This crowd consisted of mostly black youths and younger adults, as well as a smattering of other races, e.g., Asians & Caucasians & Hispanics. Things got ugly in a hurry. The counter demonstrators began to throw rocks, firecrackers, bottles, etc., at the rallyists. When the police attempted to intervene, the crowd turned on them. Some police officers were injured, and police cars were damaged. The crowd tore down fences, set buildings on fire & looted businesses. Today the city is still under a state of emergency with a 24hr curfew.
I'd like to point out that the white supremesists were acting legally & peacefully. They were complaining about the intimidation of Caucasians and lawlessness in their community. The counter demonstrators, IMO, proved their point.
I am in NO WAY agreeing with the white power/anti black advocates. And the 1st amendment guarantees the right of free speech and peaceful assembly, regardless of whether you agree with the message or not. IMO, the counter demonstrators did more than a little harm to their own cause. They gave the white power crowd exactly what they wanted. Fuel. How much more would have been accomplished if everybody had stayed home & there was no one there to listen to the hate mongers. Even a peaceful counter demonstration would have been very appropriate.
But what happened was just wrong.
____________________ If you can't read this, you're illiterate.
Yikes. I don't agree with those white power people myself, but if they were being peaceful about it of course that's their right to gather.
People are intimidated by other groups (and even their own "groups") all the time and it's a terrible thing, singling out black people is wrong if it's done for idealogical reasons.
But god did the counter-demonstrators shoot themselves in the foot, big time. Not only assaulting the white supremacists, but also the police that were called in and all that?! What a horrible way to respond, it definitely gives the original demonstrators more than enough fuel to kepe them going a good while. So sad to see crap like that happen, it doesn't do anyone any good...
The best way to deal with any demonstrators, if you don't agree with what thier cause is, is to not give them the credit of showing up. If no-one attends then the demontrators have no-one to demonstrate too.
mchedd wrote: The best way to deal with any demonstrators, if you don't agree with what thier cause is, is to not give them the credit of showing up. If no-one attends then the demontrators have no-one to demonstrate too.
Best Said right here.
I also don't agree with singling out anyone by race, creed, religion or color, but you have to admit, the counter demonstrators didn't have much to impress upon anyone. They fell right into the stereotype.
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
Oh, am I ever going to be the PC target of the day.
Nazis are Nazis. Their very presence is objectionable. They have no rights as soon as they carry that banner. Or is this the " they are nice Nazis" day?
I suppose there is a "nice" Al Quaida group that ought to be free to demonstrate peacefully around the WTC hole in the ground as well.
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A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams...John Barrymore
Codger, Don't get me wrong on this one, but when we begin restricting the rights of an American no matter what they believe and if it offends us or not, we've taken even more steps backward.
There are plenty of things that piss me off and even offend me, but it's the perogative of the individual to have their opinions, thoughts etc. so long as they are demonstrating peacefully etc. Granted, people are extremely offended by these groups you've pointed out, but who are we to tell them they don't have the right to believe what they do if they're not hurting someone?
I actually brought this debate out into my work and I had someone flat out say to me that if a nazi showed up in her neighborhood she'd kick the crap out of them too. Well, if that person is just walking through and demonstrating and speaking freely without interfering with you and your rights (punching someone isn't a right) they (nazi's or any other group) have the right to do so based on our Consitution.
These people in this neighborhood who began throwing things took that right away from the demonstrators. I personally think it's disgusting that it's ok for hatemongers to preach hate, but they have that right.
These ppl. who began that riot were wrong to do what they did, but in their hearts and minds they felt it was right because of the horrible message these ppl. have.
You can't win in situations like this especially when you employ violence to show your disgust. It's not mature, it's not ok & it is illegal and people are going to jail for violence against a group who weren't worth the time of day to listen to.
Walk away...don't give them the audience they're looking for. That works much better believe it or not.
Such a sad world we live in...another reason I question ever having a child.
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
Chelly
Your tenacity and belief in the rights of all represents the best of the values of your country. At the end of the day you are right.
yup, took me a few days to mull that over and then I had to come back and state the above.
No, I'm not going to bring in "buts" or "except".
Hats off and acknowledgement of my respect for you.
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A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams...John Barrymore
Yikes. I don't agree with those white power people myself, but if they were being peaceful about it of course that's their right to gather.
