1/ Comments on pro-Trump protest from a professor who studies protest. Step #1: These protests are more performance, less coup.
2/ Protests vary in their goals and tactics. While pro-Trump/MAGA protests may claim that a conspiracy altered the election, the truth is probably more mundane.
3/ The #ElectoralCollegeRiot likely represents the alt.right's attempt to grab the spotlight one last time before Dem's control the legislature and White House.
4/ For a few folks who put the President in a religious light, it may represent a Masada-style last stand. Otherwise, I view this sort of antic as a sort of pro-wrestling style spectacle for the alt.right.
5/ Also important to realize that violence and riots often undermine a movement, as much social science research shows. As I type this, GOP Congress members are coming out against the #ElectoralCollegeRiot.
6/ Some observers think "coup." True, coups often start by having coup-leaders discredit mainstream institutions. But that's not the whole story.
7/ If a true coup were happening, we'd see some folks more substantial than MAGA nerds out. Instead, courts have tossed Trump lawsuits, GOP sec of states have certified votes, and even Pence, allegedly, has informed the boss that time's up.
8/ On a deeper level, the police and military of this country seem to be of the belief that Biden will be president on Jan 20, 2021. The #ElectoralCollegeRiot will not stop that.
9/ Let me close with an ethical note: violence, in most cases, is highly immoral. Even this circus style #ElectoralCollegeRiot will but police, DC residents, Fed employees and even the rioters themselves at risk of harm. This must be condemned.
10/ Bottom Line: The #ElectoralCollegeRiot is not the beginning of some sort of neo-fascist revolution. It's the social media friendly performance of a group of rather marginal people. Let's make sure it stays that way.
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