A sure sign of someone who has virtually no contact with street actions, is them blaming “anarchists.” The *actual* anarchist blocs are some of the most responsible and helpful groups on the street, many of them providing street medical help, advice to newbies on how to survive when things get rough, sharing water or snacks, etc. Having more-radical-than-thou politics and wearing black does not make a group violent or problematic.
You are going to have to leave your comfort zone. Protests will get rougher. Yup, there were definitely Boogaloo Boys in Minneapolis. There are almost always some moles and agents provocateurs. There sure will be both out right now. However, real protestors actually fight back. They risk arrest. They may throw back a flashbang or tear gas canister. They may form their own barricades. They may use fireworks as a distraction (not that this tends to be useful). They may even turn over police cars or burn them.
There is a wartime stance being taken by the cops and military in LA. Expect actual protestors to fight back as people are beaten who may not even be part of the action, reporters are shot or arrested, people are kettled, and so on. If you can’t take that heat personally or would rat out people YOU aren’t comfortable with who aren’t actually on the other side, stay home. Resist in other ways. What you do now, AND WHAT/WHO YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT NOW, is how you would resist (or really, not resist) in Nazi germany. You’d better expect a lot more discomfort.
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