Unity in the face of chaos

[Tam]

Hello, everyone.

In the wake of George Floyd's murder, tensions are nearing their breaking point, and the media chooses to focus the spotlight on the violence, disruption, and division.

Aside from generating tremendous ad revenue, the heavily skewed fearmongering of the media directly stokes the flames of war, and in so doing, encourages us to surrender to our basest instincts.

Instead of focusing the spotlight on the division and violence, let us instead shift the focus on those who are coming together regardless of race, sex, orientation, political affiliation, or what-have-you.

We are all in this together. As cliché as the saying may be, united we stand, and divided we fall.

This thread will be entirely comprised of stories and headlines that bring to light the best of humanity. This will not be a place to argue the issue. We will instead focus on and share anything related to the protests that foster solidarity.

Here are a few articles to get the ball rolling. I encourage anyone reading to add to the pile

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/0...sttorn-streets


https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cou...amp/5286416002


https://www.google.com/amp/s/caldron...from-his-unit/

This is much more than a racial issue, or a police brutality issue, or a liberty issue. This is a human issue.

[fractal being]

Viral photo shows line of white people between police, black protesters at Thursday rally
Savannah Eadens Louisville Courier Journal

A photo from Thursday night's protest in downtown Louisville appears to show a line of white women, arms locked, standing between Louisville Metro Police officers and black protesters.

It quickly went viral, shared on social media by organizations like the Kentucky National Organization for Women, where it was shared more than 100,000 times on Facebook.

"This is a line of white people forming a barrier between Black protesters and the police. This is love. This is what you do with your privilege," the post states. Continue here

Traditionalist AMISH people protest in Minneapolis... peacefully, of course

Outrage over the death of George Floyd while in police custody has apparently even spread to the Amish community. A group belonging to the pacifist, traditionalist church was spotted singing and holding signs in Minneapolis.

Protesters who marched across the city’s Stone Arch Bridge on Friday afternoon were greeted by a small group of modestly dressed Amish, some of them holding placards reading “Justice for George Floyd,”“Thou shall not kill any man,” and “I can’t breathe.” Continue here

Police Chiefs Around the Country Are Breaking the Blue Wall of Silence for George Floyd

A stunning number of police leaders across the country are breaking through the “blue wall” of law enforcement silence on police brutality to condemn the Minneapolis officers complicit in George Floyd’s death.

Police chiefs in Texas, North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, and California have been openly condemning the actions of Officer Derek Chauvin. Continue here

‘It’s not who we are!’ County sheriff in Michigan JOINS march against police brutality

A sheriff in a Michigan county took an impressive step amid the massive George Floyd-inspired rallies, laying down his protective gear and marching side by side with protesters. His unorthodox gesture was met with glee.

Crowds of protesters had been amassing outside the Flint Township police station since earlier in the day, demanding justice for the slain Minnesotan George Floyd, and venting anger at police brutality. Shortly afterwards, Genesee County sheriff Chris Swanson turned up at the rally, engaging in a candid talk with those demonstrating.

“We want to be with you, I took my helmet off and laid the batons down. I want to make this a parade, not a protest,” he passionately tells people, assuring his officers won’t go tough on them.

“These cops love you, this cop over here hugs people,” Swanson is heard, in footage that went viral.
He then shouts repeatedly “Let’s go, let’s move,” joining the march. Continue here

[RunningDeer]

Tam, I happen to catch the same links and articles you provided in the OP by the letter we don’t mention. Below is another example from there of people helping people out of a horrific situation.

Note: I’ve photoshopped the graphic to stay within the Avalon guidelines. Many of the topics covered in the member’s only thread overlap what’s on the open forum.

(source)

Sir Patrick Mack of In Pursuit of Truth @ 23:17: “…the protest in Chicago and you know I don't know what else to say. I mean it's obviously heartbreaking even knowing the fake nature and the staged nature of so many of these videos not knowing which ones are real which ones are fake it doesn’t matter. This is terrible to watch people look like they're really getting hurt and you know any way you slice it this is just not the way that we want to see America go. So maybe this is what people need to see to get fed up, but all I can say is please stay safe…”

[Forest Denizen]

A group of protest organizers block others wishing to vandalize/loot a Target store in Brooklyn last night..

[Sarah Rainsong]

Thank you for starting this thread, Tam.

(Cross-posted: )
Hundreds gather in Fairbanks to protest peacefully in wake of George Floyd's death

“We want to show that Alaska can be an example for some of the people that are hurting in the Lower 48, so that we can get together in solidarity with our other brothers and sisters and have a peaceful gathering,” Colbert said.

Colbert said the march was something community leaders were talking about because of the recent events, but they hadn’t realized how many people were truly being affected by it within this community.

People expressing dismay over Floyd’s death were planning their own type of protest or rally, according to Colbert, which sprung the NAACP and other community leaders to action to spearhead a peaceful gathering.

Police join residents at peaceful protest rally in Alaska

UNEAU, Alaska — Juneau law enforcement officers joined elected officials and residents at a peaceful gathering Saturday in Alaska’s capital to protest the death of George Floyd.

Violent protests have erupted around the country after Floyd, a black man, died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air.

Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer said he and other officers attended to show solidarity with residents, the J uneau Empire reported.

“We don’t tolerate excessive use of force,” Mercer said at the gathering in front of a giant whale sculpture on the city’s waterfront. A group sang Alaska Native songs, and most people practiced social distancing and wore masks.

[Gwin Ru]

[Forest Denizen]

Cross-posting this here..

[Wind]

[Gracy]

Posted by Gwin Ru (here)

Just for the sake of accuracy, these heart warming pictures were taken during the Ferguson riots in 2014. I remember them.

[pueblo]

[Billy Vasiliadis]

Such a good thread, thank you.

[meeradas]

Posted by Gracy May (here)
Just for the sake of accuracy, these heart warming pictures were taken during the Ferguson riots in 2014. I remember them.

It is good to know this;
however, it matters not.
The content is what counts;
its message is timeless.

And Gracy, I know that you know this, and that you just posted it before anyone could use its timestamp as an invalidating argument.

[Kryztian]

MIDDLE SCHOOL OVERWHELMED WITH FOOD DONATIONS

https://www.kare11.com/article/news/...b-a21b9f4e9c92

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=IGlrLGrSzq0

MINNEAPOLIS -- After a heartbreaking week of coverage of the death of George Floyd and the damage to our community that came after, the weekend brought a heartwarming sign of hope.

A food drive for kids and their families was held at Sanford Middle School in south Minneapolis, and the response was overwhelming.

Organizers say almost 170 Sanford students live within three blocks of the third precinct.

But any stores within walking distance are destroyed. Service by Metro Transit buses and trains has been suspended through Monday night.

Minneapolis and St. Paul Public Schools have suspended many of their school nutrition services. On top of all that, some families are battling coronavirus.

The drive's organizers asked for food kits, laundry detergent, and diapers and the community really delivered.

Any extras left over from Sunday's drive will either go to Minneapolis Public Schools or another local organization fighting child hunger.

"You know, it started with one of our former parents here at Sanford who said he listen let's work to get kids who live in the area some support, and so an email went out. It went viral and it got put on social media and I'm actually going to steal my budd here, Rob Williams who is from Sheridan's Story to join me because we called him in a panic and said can you help us? You guys to food and we do middle school and so he is here with his crew," said an organizer.

[AutumnW]

Cops on one knee, expressing solidarity with protesters. THIS is what the protests everywhere SHOULD have looked like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WFqP_Yb3yI

[RunningDeer]

Posted by AutumnW (here)
Cops on one knee, expressing solidarity with protesters. THIS is what the protests everywhere SHOULD have looked like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WFqP_Yb3yI

Portland Police Take a Knee with Protesters (3 min)

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=8WFqP_Yb3yI