Monday, June 08, 2020

Sacramento's Saturday Protests

Rachel and I went down to one of the now-daily protests. Saturday's protests apparently lasted most of the day, and featured chapters:
Continuing past what would have been the curfew the night before, a few hundred people remained at Cesar Chavez Plaza, but the atmosphere continued to be festive instead of tense. The remaining few hundred protesters danced and listened to live music.

Organizers said they were calling for a second DJ to take the stage. The performers have stopped a few times to share information about legal help, getting out the vote against President Donald Trump and letting local elected officials know that police brutality and racism is wrong.

We were there for only a part of the protests - a couple of hours, from about 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. We were there for some speeches at the east steps of the State Capitol, followed by a march down the K Street Mall, to Cesar Chavez Plaza.

I'm increasingly-optimistic about these protests. There are plenty of indications - signs erected by merchants, for example - indicating that they are popular with most people (despite the riots and looting last week). These protests are different - they have legs! It's a long haul, but I hope there will be ongoing protests until November!

Big Fire in Phoenix

Whoa!

Writer's Room

THIS is Antifa!

THIS is Antifa! Short for antifascism. Not a group. A commitment to a proactive defense against fascists.

Basically, if you observe a fascist attack someone, you don't call the cops - not enough time. Instead, you attack the fascist. We help our own.

I am Antifa. You should be too!