I think the debating of what percentage of demonstrations were violent, or whether the violent people were provocateurs, is a red herring. I don't honestly know, for any of them, and I think people get trapped into arguing stuff they don't know.
The outrage is that, regardless of how many people were violent at or around the protests for racial justice, the ones who weren't violent were brutalized on many occasions. Lots of people, reporters and ordinary people, experienced it and documented it. And at the attack on the Capitol, no matter how many people were peaceful, the authorities gave the violent people strikingly more free rein.
Simply by arguing the statistics, I think you get derailed from what matters, which is how both sides are not equal.
Here we are mostly in agreement. On the flip side, BLM got much more favorable treatment from media, even if they did not get that treatment from cops.
You are right. Things are not equal. I would love for the same standard to be applied to everyone.
Not really. It's so obvious that the only person that would likely disagree with me is person that will likely disagree with reality, but here I go anyways.
Trump called for insurrection. He didn't call for a protest. So did Trump Jr. So Did Giuliani. It's a matter of public record.
Also the people, and please respect that I single out this comment as completely tangential to the original point, that try to make the "Sure Trump supporters rioted, but BLM!" argument never seem to take the following into account:
BLM is fighting against a system that arbitrarily tortures and executes them, often with impunity. While The Trump supporters are literally fighting to end American democracy.
Where in his speech did he specifically call for insurrection? Quote it. You can blame him for riling people up all you want, but he never instructed anybody to break into the capitol or interfere with the electoral vote or anything of that nature. People who were there even say that they were breaking into the Capitol while Trump was still speaking.
So tired of people having these absolutely vile attitudes (accusing the person you're responding to of being "likely to disagree with reality") while never presenting any facts.
Folks take the part where T stated at the in-person event (IIRC) to "go wild".
So, he didn't say "do an insurrection" he said those other - on the margin things (are those the things called dog whistles?) like "go wild" and "we will never back down" and the like.
They are playing the "Yes judge, he said the man would make an Excellent Cadaver, but he only meant that he hoped the man lives out his natural life in good health and turns into a good looking corpse in a completely natural sense" game.
> But they’re not going to stop. They’re not going to stop. They’re not. This is a movement. I’m telling you. They’re not going to stop, and everyone, beware. Because they’re not going to stop. They’re not going to stop before election day in November, and they are not going to stop after election day. And everyone should take note of that on both levels. That they’re not going to let up. And they should not, and we should not.
The point of keeping one's language in the gray area is to avoid culpability. It's no different from when a boss wants their employee to do something unethical/illegal; they don't come out and ask for it explicitly. That isn't how real life usually works.
When people say Trump incited an insurrection, they are bearing this in mind. All but the most obtuse of people understand this.
Yes, he did. And you could rightfully point to that as incitement of violence. However, that is not Trump calling for insurrection.
Edit: I've been hit with the dreaded "You're posting too fast" block, meaning I cannot respond anymore. Why? Because I asked somebody who said that Trump was on public record calling for insurrection to prove it with a quote.
So in the absence of explicit instruction - go to the Capitol, break through the barricade, enter the chamber - there is no responsibility? What if a leader uses phrases like “we need to fight and take back our country and you know what needs to be done”? I’d hope there is a higher standard for president of the United States
> But they’re not going to stop. They’re not going to stop. They’re not. This is a movement. I’m telling you. They’re not going to stop, and everyone, beware. Because they’re not going to stop. They’re not going to stop before election day in November, and they are not going to stop after election day. And everyone should take note of that on both levels. That they’re not going to let up. And they should not, and we should not.
This is not a defense of anything. That's something you projected onto the comment on your own.
The comment is simply pointing out the hypocrisy and double standard that pervades this discussion.
If pointing this out makes you angry, that's not an issue with the comment, but an issue with your ability to handle information that undermines your constructed narrative.
Trump repeatedly encouraged protestors to stay peaceful leading up to the riot:
> Jan 6th, 2:38 PM: Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!
> 3:13PM I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!
Can you link to where Trump called for insurrection? If that's true, that would certainly be significant. He's certainty spread unsubstantiated claims of election fraud, and it culminated in a riot. But saying that someone called for an insurrection is a very specific and very serious claim, and one that is best supported with references.
