THE ANATOMY OF A PROTEST
Please resist the temptation to write off the protest as wrong because of the wrong elements that attempt to hijack its voice. A protest is a complex social phenomenon composed of a mixed multitude, including at least the following five groups:
Please resist the temptation to write off the protest as wrong because of the wrong elements that attempt to hijack its voice. A protest is a complex social phenomenon composed of a mixed multitude, including at least the following five groups:
1. PEACEFUL PROTESTERS
These are the people who initiate the protest and have no intention of participating in or inciting violence. They simply want to communicate clearly and powerfully to those in authority that the injustices they are protesting must be righted.
These are the people who initiate the protest and have no intention of participating in or inciting violence. They simply want to communicate clearly and powerfully to those in authority that the injustices they are protesting must be righted.
2. TRIGGERED PROTESTERS
These are people whose visceral sense of justice & volatile pain momentarily override their rational self-control. They are committed to the cause of peaceful protest, but the horror of the evil they see triggers a violent reaction, for which they repent.
These are people whose visceral sense of justice & volatile pain momentarily override their rational self-control. They are committed to the cause of peaceful protest, but the horror of the evil they see triggers a violent reaction, for which they repent.
3. ANGRY ANARCHISTS
These are people who feed on the legitimate energy of the peaceful protesters in order to stoke the illegitimate fires of anarchy against all forms of order and authority. They destroy social cohesion in order to manipulate themselves into positions of power.
These are people who feed on the legitimate energy of the peaceful protesters in order to stoke the illegitimate fires of anarchy against all forms of order and authority. They destroy social cohesion in order to manipulate themselves into positions of power.
4. COVERT INSTIGATORS
These are individuals who are secretly on the side of the evil that the protesters are protesting. They masquerade as protesters and deliberately perform violent actions in order to make it look like the real protesters are violent and must be stopped.
These are individuals who are secretly on the side of the evil that the protesters are protesting. They masquerade as protesters and deliberately perform violent actions in order to make it look like the real protesters are violent and must be stopped.
5. OPPORTUNIST CRIMINALS
These are people who don't really care about the issues at stake in the protest itself, but simply take the opportunity afforded by the cover of the crowd to grab whatever stuff they can. Their looting then steals the power of the legitimate protest.
These are people who don't really care about the issues at stake in the protest itself, but simply take the opportunity afforded by the cover of the crowd to grab whatever stuff they can. Their looting then steals the power of the legitimate protest.
Protesting injustice is a daunting and dangerous task that requires courage, self-control, and stamina. Do not be afraid, do not lash out with violence, and do not give up. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
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