Discussion: Counterprotesters Expected To Dwarf White Supremacists In DC

Dwarf White Supremacists…

Sounds like a bad garage band…

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Dwarf White Supremacists....

Sounds like a bad garage band…

… and I first read your comment as “bad garbage band” …
… also fitting …

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Naturally you have to be glad the protesters outnumber these clowns, because it would be pretty damned worrisome if they didn’t. But I wonder if standing across the street yelling at them is the best way to protest. It feels to me like going back and forth with a troll–it’s what they want, isn’t it? Outrage? I’d rather see them dismissed as losers and misfits terrified they can’t compete in an even slightly more equitable world than the Alabama of 1957. Let 273 of them stand in the park, pretty much ignored, and try to imagine they’re part of a huge and growing movement. That’s what I’d like to see. Obviously there are compelling arguments for protesting them, I get that. But I like to imagine another way, I guess, of showing them they’re on a very unproductive path.

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Ideally, while the small herd of racists and Nazis grazes stupidly on the inner 4 acres of the oval walkway in Lafayette Park, they’re peacefully watched and cataloged (for future shunning) by surrounding crowds under the banner “Yes, We Will Replace You.”

ETA: Very nearly what actually happened, but it got even better. In the event, the racists turned out to be colossal snowflakes, to the point that they actually melted away after a few raindrops. Their supremacy was … what’s the opposite of supreme?

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Some leading figures in the U.S. white nationalist movement have said they won’t attend or have encouraged supporters to stay away.

It’s a little jarring to see the word “leading” used in connection with the so-called “white nationalist movement.”

“Retreating” would appear to be le mot juste.

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Exactly, don’t give them any attention at all.

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“Why are you in riot gear? We don’t see no riot here.”

This brings to mind the police riot in Chicago in '68.

(One is also sadly reminded that, to more than half of America, what the police did was right.)

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I’ve been struggling with what the right strategy is for dealing with these bastards.

I think it might be to make sure clear images of every single white supremicist face and identify every one of them to the community in which they dwell.

I seriously doubt that very many of them have ideals strong enough to survive a lack of anonymity, whether it’s borne of being in a city to which they don’t belong or the outright wearing of the robes and hood.

It’s undeniably true they have the right put on their pathetic display. They have no right to do so protected by any level of anonymity.

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terrible headline
‘outnumber’ would have been better, plainer journalism - but, well…{AP}

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Outnumber them at their protest but otherwise don’t engage.

Lay down across the street and fall asleep, in droves.

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I see your point. But also, I see theirs. To show up and let people know that
A) not all white people are racists is something
B) Black Lives Matter and other groups change things by speaking out

I’m not sure that physically marching or organizing matters - Occupy Wall Street was a real eye-opener for me.
But you’re absolutely right that shouting at one another does nothing. Maybe surrounding the naziwannabees and then turning their backs on them in silence might be powerful.

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Why not an absolutely silent protest. Stand in front of them, stare and say not a word. Let them do all the work in providing their counter point.

I always thought that would be a stunning thing to see as a protest in front of the white house. Thousands, just standing there. It would be unnerving.

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Bloody Hell! Skin Heads, Nazis, Klanners, It’s like the Miscreant Olympics.

Ah, to be in bonny Scotland, where the issue of controversy is: “Should Rock Stacking be Banned?”

I really don’t cairn, do you?

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Fucking douche bag KKK Nazi pigs march in my town, no way in hell I aint gonna be there with a camera and a raised middle finger salute. No Way!

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Sorry, didn’t quite cache that.

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In one is not in a protesting area and wants to be around like minded folks on the anniversary of Charlottesville I highly recommend attending a showing on BlackkKlansman, Spike Lee’s brilliant new movie.

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I think mockery is a way to go. Like playing recordings of crying babies.

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After last year’s Nazi horror in the streets, there was a flurry of wingnut legislators who wanted to shift all the blame to the antifa faction, and introduced legislation making it illegal to wear a mask to a public protest.

I think they all failed due to absurdity, but based on this spirit of transparency, it seems the Nazis should willingly show their faces for us to photograph, video and expose to their neighbors and employers, right?

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Authorities eventually forced the crowd to disperse, but a car later barreled into a crowd of peaceful counterprotesters, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer.

It wasn’t a self-driving car.

The driver of the car, self-professed neo-Nazi James Fields, was charged with 30 counts of hate crimes resulting in the death of Heather Heyer and the attempted killing of others who were injured in the incident.

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