Atlanta Under Siege – Protest or Riots

Across the country people are gathering to protest the senseless death of yet another black man - George Floyd who was killed in Minneapolis on Monday. The city of Atlanta is no exception. In fact, residents took to peacefully protesting outside the CNN building in downtown Atlanta yesterday. However by early evening things took a violent turn. Not sure how it started but by 11pm police cars were vandalized and set on fire, store fronts were smashed, and looting ensued.

Despite police presence and a few arrests, the crowd continued their relentless misbehavior. Police officers dressed in swat gear held their ground and pushed the crowd back to contain them. At times tear gas was deployed in an attempt to disburse the crowd. While the goal was achieved, it was only short lived as people would just move to another area to continue their rain of destruction. 

After police cars were set on fire in downtown Atlanta, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, addressed protesters and pleaded for them to go home. She said “if you love this city go home.” Rapper Killer Mike also addressed the crowd. Interestingly he had on a t-shirt with the words “kill your master” on the front. Not sure what that is about but it sure did not help matters any. Needless-to-say their pleas had no effect as things progressively go worst.

By 1am the violence spread to the uptown Buckhead area where looters smashed doors and windows to gain access to stores near Lennox Mall. Restaurants were also set ablaze. With all the mayhem that transpired, Governor Brian Kemp eventually dispatched 500 National Guard personnel to help restore order. Why did it take having Buckhead in play before he dispatched the calvary? I have my suspicions as to why. In the end the College Football Hall of Fame, the visitor center and other structures all suffered damage during the protests/riots. 

While I understand the frustration many are feeling in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd and the numerous other black men before him, at the hands of white police officers, I fail to see how destroying the city helps the cause. This whole ordeal left me with a lot of questions. Like where was the outrage at the time the officer had Mr. Floyd's neck pinned under his knee? Why didn't anyone go to his aid then? Why doesn't anyone ever go to the aid of the victims of these public executions at the time it is happening? Why do people always wait until after the fact to stage some protest or riot? Why not intervene at the time it is happening? It’s not enough to just videotape the event and post it to social media after the fact.

Time after time white officers kill black men openly with no regards or concern to the fact that they are being watched and/or videotaped. Why is that? Could it be that they believe they are untouchable? That despite the evidence they know they will get off? News reports indicates that the officer in this most recent incident, Derek Chauvin, was arrested and charged with 3^rd degree murder and manslaughter. Let’s see how this plays out as the preliminary findings from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner seems to favor the officer by stating they did not find that traumatic asphyxia or strangulation alone led to Mr. Floyd’s death. Interesting to say the least. So I’m guessing what they are saying is that if left to sit in the police car without any contact with Officer Chauvin, Mr. Floyd would still have died.  If that’s the case there will be no punishment for Officer Chauvin who appointed himself judge, jury, and executioner of Mr. George Floyd all in 8 minutes on May 25, 2020.

I don't condone the outrageous behavior exhibited in the name of “protest” across the country, but maybe it is as my friend Shurla suggested - that this is the only way to get the attention of those who have the power to put an end to these senseless killing of our black men. Until officers are held accountable for their actions nothing will change. Until people intervene during these senseless killings nothing will change. Until we stop being afraid for our own safety and draw attention to the horrific act of a black man being killed in broad day light at the time it is happening, nothing will change! I’m just saying. I got issues – what about you? )i(

#blacklivesmatters #BLM #igotissues #yaminah89 #yahsdaughter #murder #atlanta #police #cops #floyd 

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