BehindBlueI's
Grandmaster
- Oct 3, 2012
- 25,936
- 113
I would stay home. I look at this as a battle between a bunch of Nazis and a bunch of Bolsheviks. I don't have a side in that battle. I just feel bad that LE has to be involved.
I attended two 2A rallies held downtown Indy. We took pictures and talked to the anti-protesters who gathered across the street. There was no violence and both sides had signs that were questionable in taste, but there was no yelling or insults exchanged. I can actually understand why people would go to these rallies, but in today's climate, they will only produce trouble and serve no benefit.
What phylodog said.
I'm not going to any rally, as a protester or supporter. Too many variables that I don't have control over.
My thoughts have evolved on this, even over the weekend.I understand. Those meant a lot to me at the time. Things have changed now and I wouldn't try to attend these days. I'm just saying I can understand why people attend them. Everybody doesn't go to start trouble.
I didn't counter protest BLM and I wouldn't protest the "Alt-Right", neither group is deserving of my time or attention as neither serves to improve anything. Acknowledging them gives them the legitimacy they crave, ignore them and they'll go away. If they choose to allow their gathering to turn violent or involve destruction of property lock them up and allow the courts to deal with them.
One of the few "rallies" I have attended in my day was a counter-rally to Klan rally in our sleepy little town.
Our anti-Klan rally was staged at the same time, but in a different location so as to not draw attention to the small, but loud Klan members and their pitiful display. We out-drew them by several multiples.
Less potential for violence. Less screaming (maybe feels good, but accomplishes nothing). Less unpredictability.
This is pure speculation, but I don't believe Charlottesville was structurally prepared for what happened. Hopefully, Indiana jurisdictions (and across the country) will be better prepared. I think Charlottesville only has a population of about 50k. Imagine Bloomington or West Lafayette having to deal with this.
I can guarantee Boston is more prepared than Charlottesville. Part of it is a numbers game. Boston's hosted hundreds (thousands?) of events drawing tens of thousands of people. They have the manpower (or can get it) and the expertise.
IMHO, Indy does, too. Outside of that, I'm not sure what Indiana municipality would also be able to handle what happened in Charlottesville.