SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Then AP’s story about Sacramento event.
I hate to break this to AP, but Sacramento is literally halfway across the State of California. This event had nothing to do with SF’s wonderful Pride Weekend.
I don’t know who started what, exactly who was stabbed, etc., but my take on these events is this: You are totally free to peacefully counter-protest (If you need a permit in your region, you’d best do your homework) – but, why not just let these folks have their day, their say, etc.? As Americans, they have every right to hold rallies, petition our government, etc. – that is guaranteed to all of us in the U.S. Constitution and most state constitutions as well. Seriously, let them rally, let the mingle with their own kind, etc., let them make their statements to the government. What in the heck does it hurt? How does it harm you to allow them to do that? I say this as a very Progressive gay man of 50yo who knows all too well what these movements are about. I despise them – but that does not mean I want to rumble with them.
Edited for grammar.
30 against 400 I now see who got their ASSES KICKED.
Amazing no guns involved.
Excuse me.
Your race?
Nobody’s race is superior. The sooner fascists realize that, the sooner we’ll let them participate in the American experiment — all men are created equal.
Bravo. Thanks for saying this. Things change all the time, and not always to the good. One thing I’ve noticed about the left in recent years is that we seem to be jumping to conclusions and passing quick judgment on groups (both political, and social/economic) that we have differences with. This is phenomena that has existed on the right for decades, and it is sickening to see it here on the left.
Thanks, horrido. I don’t like these white nationalists anymore than most other thinking folks – but that doesn’t mean they don’t have rights as well, and one of those rights is to peacefully assemble … just like all of us should enjoy. I’m no better than the bad guys if I can’t allow them that right without me interfering – and especially physical altercations. Again, I don’t know who started what or who did what – but that’s not called for. I can remember a time not that long ago when gay people–just like myself–couldn’t peacefully assemble in even the most liberal of places. Granted, our groups have nearly polar-opposite agendas, but under the U.S. Constitution, we all are supposed to be afforded the right to assemble, petition our government, etc. Anyway, thanks.
Exactly correct. It’s like the Trump rallies, where the counter-Trump folks are attacking Trump supporters. Let the Trump supporters have their rallies. They are losing at the ballot box - what is the problem with their having a rally?
First of all, I agree that they have a right to protest, just like the rest of us. The constitution does not protect “only people we agree with.” Secondly, a hate-filled counter protest only feeds the root of this. Tuba playing is the only counter protest I think is ok! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs4P1kKK-5k
This is very true. If you know anything about my posts, you know that I have opinions which I express and defend. However, in a moderately liberal comment zone like this, you are simply not allowed to hold such opinions. While I do not attack others, I get regularly attacked in a personal way, and people have no problem calling me all kinds of names. There is no tolerance on the left, and it is no better than the right. If you hold a belief which is “verboten”, you are cast into the outer darkness, and there is no discussion at a rational level.
You really need to pay attention more closely.
I see stupid stuff on “the left” but there really is no comparison for those of us familiar with reality.
“the time to do something was yesterday!”
pssst, guys - the invitation to do something was dated yesterday. You can’t read?
@BeattyCat, @horrido, @nickdanger one of the funniest things I ever saw was a guy in full Klan uniform - except his face was showing - standing in front of a bank in my wife’s little rural hometown. People were studiously ignoring him as they drove/walked by.
On the other hand, non-violent counter-protests are a valid way of telling these a-holes that they really do stand alone. Without knowing who initiated the individual attacks, there’s no way of knowing who is responsible for the protest/counter-protest going so badly awry. Although, as others have expressed, thank the pasta no one there had a gun.
No arrests. Huh.
I would have liked to see 10 arrests for assault and battery (with civil rights enhancements stuck in), one for each of theassholes who got the snot kicked out of them. Arrested when the first punch struck home.
But the counterprotesters weren’t identified in this article. How do we know they are on the left? When 2 biker gangs fight you don’t assume opposing party affiliations.
I’m not sure what the point of a counter-protest in this case is at all. Just gives them attention.
This is like when Milo Yiannopoulis speaks at colleges and the regressive left, safe space, coddled students complain that just his presence on campus is an act of violence. Then they show up and shout and scream and throw shit and get violent.
If you feel the need to call names, shout over people, or resort to violence, the only thing you are saying is: You win. Either my position is wrong, or I’m too stupid to win an argument against you.
Truthfully, that is the best way to deal with them. When I lived in San Francisco, there was some dude who wore a sandwich board every single day, with messages about God’s pronouncements how gay people were going to Hell, blah, blah, blah. He was in the downtown area, always busy foot traffic. He yelled out his screeds. No one ever paid the man any attention. That never deterred him, he showed up enthusiastically everyday for years. I lived there 17 years and I think he was there when I left in 2006. Still the many hundreds of times I passed him on the street, I never once noticed a single person approach him or yell back, etc. He never approached anyone either – either by design or maybe experience or police order …? I think I saw him once on a side street during one of the Pride parades, but, again, he never approached anyone and nobody gave him the time of day. Though he kept showing up like it was a job–and maybe he was paid to do it, I don’t know–most others get deterred after awhile realizing they are having absolutely zilch effect. It’s the ideal way to deal with these people.
Though I do think college students should have some sway in who speaks at commencement and certain types of celebrations, I’m pretty much in agreement with you: Don’t like him–and it isn’t a celebratory occasion or commencement, etc.–then just sit there quietly or turn your back. The whole point to college is to open your mind, expand your horizons, be confronted with situations such as this so you’ll be prepared in life for how to maturely handle it and yourself. That said, I totally get what they’re saying with regards to some people who are nothing more than shit-stirrers (Ann Coulter comes to mind) who is only a clown to sell books, not there to open your mind, etc. I don’t have all the answers with regards to colleges, etc. Circumstances vary and rules vary, etc., but I personally prefer either the silent treatment or peaceful protests.
Sousaphone. A tuba would work too.