It brings to mind the question of how this protest originated. Since those at the front with the banners were likely organizers of the protest, and it is clear they had other intentions for the protest, it seems like they were counting on enacting the swarming behavior.
This is probably the most popular example, but there's plenty of YouTube videos showing people popping up at places to tear down window barricades, smash them and run. They aren't there to protest. They're there to stir shit up and exploit human psychology.
Do protests ever actually happen organically? I guess I always just assumed people organized protests on purpose. How else would everyone know where to show up?
The actual acts performed in the protest may very well be the goal for some of the protesters. The stated goals are in that case only rationalizations.
Yep, always funny when protesters think they are somehow rebelling against the interests of power. Protest is primarily an expression of power. Once I understood this things made a lot more sense.
The authentic protest is almost always met with violence, either directly from the state or with the state allowing or aiding in its administration.
I think, at its core, the message of the state sanctioned protest/counter-protest is essentially "these people can be unleashed on you and you will have no recourse".
You're right about something. But civil and peaceful protests cannot be so well organized and take place so quickly and occupy so many significant places. It looks too organized and therefore suspicious. Perhaps people are dissatisfied with the authorities and living conditions, but perhaps someone is trying to use the protests to their advantage and manage them.
Literally everything you're describing would be identical to that of a preplanned protest. The implication of "organization" is that of a plan for "insurrection", for which there is no proof of premeditation.
I think it’s important to remember that these are not “protestors”. They are opportunistic rioters that are co-opting a legitimate movement as an excuse to behave like animals.
https://youtu.be/U1VdhQbfSTY
It brings to mind the question of how this protest originated. Since those at the front with the banners were likely organizers of the protest, and it is clear they had other intentions for the protest, it seems like they were counting on enacting the swarming behavior.
reply