Thread: After covering civil unrest from US embassies in other countries, it has been sad to see past 72 hours. In trying to make sense of it all, here are things that I would have likely covered in a cable on #riots2020 #GeorgeFloydMurder
2 -The murder of #georgefloyd appears to be a Mohammad Bouazizi-type trigger that has affected the majority of the country and unleashed pent up anger from a significant portion of the populous.
3- It would be a mistake to discount those on streets to a small segment, grouping, or insignificant. The size, scale, & daring nature in almost ever major city highlight the level of anger. Also important to note it is taking place during pandemic-quarantine in most cities.
4- One common theme is age - the majority of those on street appear to be under 35. Perhaps highlighting growing disillusionment and distrust of the state by younger population.
5- Also important to note that protests appear to be organic with no clear leader or immediate demand (i.e. unclear if arrest of other officers will have immediate impact). Appears to be expression of overall frustration of the status quo in #policing, #inequality & policy.
6 - While majority of protests and policing appear tense but peaceful, there have been significant looting & criminal events. Also a number reports of excessive use of force by police in multiple cities. longer tense confrontations take place, the higher likelihood of escalation
7- This appears to be some of the worst civil unrest in decades, occurring during one of the worst recessions, and in the height of a highly controversial political season -- all a very bad mixture.
8- The social & political discourse will likely be subject to incredible amounts of #disinformation, bot activity, and false narratives in the coming days. This dynamic will exacerbate the situation and further polarize society, trying to force binary decisions (with or against)
9- It is possible protests, looting, and tense confrontations with police may end in the coming days, the anger demonstrated appears genuine and could be easily sparked again in the coming weeks/months. #Floyd
