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I went to Fort Wayne& #39;s protest today. It was really nice. There were so many people coming together, chanting, singing, being there for one another.
Last night, protesters were accused of harming officers, therefore, tear gas was deployed, which videos prove that is false...
Last night, protesters were accused of harming officers, therefore, tear gas was deployed, which videos prove that is false...
Today, when people are speaking, SWAT members are laughing, pointing their phones at protesters, making fun of them. Despite this, people remained calm. The protesters talked to each other, made sure they were hydrated, picked up trash...
Protesters were on the sidewalks, raising their signs at the passing cars. A car passes by, raising a Trump flag high in the air, mocking the protesters. A couple protesters threw water bottles at it, which the group yelled at them to stop. Do not escalate...
Little did we realize, even before then, the SWAT team was surrounding the protesters on all sides, closing them in. They walked closer to the protesters, raising their guns. The group yelled to get out of the street, they were putting masks on...
It was the same as yesterday. They said their reasoning for firing tear gas was for blocking the road, despite the fact the SWAT had already closed it. Without a single heard word, they began firing tear gas in the crowd. Many ran, others threw the canisters back...
Despite being off the street and on the courthouse lawn, the place the protest took place earlier that day, they continued to fire. People begged them to stop. This was a peaceful protest. They saw kids there and didn& #39;t warn them, despite being within ear range...
Individuals stayed to help those who were gassed and maced, desperately trying to see to evacuate. SWAT continued to blast these people for not moving. Others tried to hurry and pour milk in their eyes, help them get away, but as they ran, they continued to fire gas...
We didn& #39;t know where to go. People cried, asking where they need to go, but instead of telling the protesters, they continued to fire gas and if they were close enough, they maced the crying protesters who just wanted instruction.
Even when we were pinned in the next street, they had their guns pointed at us. We didn& #39;t know what to do, they weren& #39;t talking or we couldn& #39;t hear them. We told them we couldn& #39;t hear them and they did nothing but smirk. This was a peaceful protest.
Finally, a SWAT member decided to pull up his mask and told us to get out the street, which the majority of us were. This old white dude comes out, smoking a cigar, laughing at both sides, walking down the street and the SWAT didn& #39;t care. They didn& #39;t raise a brow to him.
In the distance, we heard absolutely horrific screaming. It was terrible. The protest would eventually lead to the Martin Luther King Jr. bridge. By this time, we had left, but from what I heard, they gassed the people on it.
I do believe people are still out there.
I do believe people are still out there.
I& #39;ve seen news report protesters start with violence yesterday and that& #39;s why we were met with tear gas, but seriously? That& #39;s not what happened and the group was begging people not to throw things.
Yes, a few protesters, after being gassed to hell, they smashed windows...
Yes, a few protesters, after being gassed to hell, they smashed windows...
I& #39;ve seen people berating the entire group. We started the group telling people not to resort to violence, we don& #39;t need to be gassed. I don& #39;t agree with their actions, tho I understand them. No one broke anything today. Why are we being gassed?
I just saw a headline that they gassed a three year old child. Do you know who helped that baby? Not a cop, a passing protester.
I saw them firing at groups where children are present without first warning them. How is this alright?
I saw them firing at groups where children are present without first warning them. How is this alright?
Why are they allowed to laugh at people crying, screaming, begging for instruction?
Maybe two individuals throw water bottles and they gas people who had nothing to do with it without warning. They were itching for a reason and they made one up.
Maybe two individuals throw water bottles and they gas people who had nothing to do with it without warning. They were itching for a reason and they made one up.
Media is cherry picking what& #39;s happening. They are focused on the mild vandalism, saying that was an excuse for gassing, despite the fact it didn& #39;t start before being gassed.
This isn& #39;t a group of vandals or thugs, they are people begging for peace.
This isn& #39;t a group of vandals or thugs, they are people begging for peace.
No, not every cop is bad. No one is saying that, but you can& #39;t go turn around and say all the protesters are bad just because a few started smashing a few windows.
How ass backwards.
How ass backwards.
The protesters I met today were incredible. They helped each other, picked up trash, held each other when things got bad. So many people had medical supplies, milk, water, and went to all the protesters to check on them.
The police gassed people who were just sitting there.
The police gassed people who were just sitting there.
