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1/13
The First Amendment of the Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law... abridging... the right of the people peaceably to assemble.”
This right has been the subject of controversy throughout American history & in this election, protest is becoming pivotal. #velshi
The First Amendment of the Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law... abridging... the right of the people peaceably to assemble.”
This right has been the subject of controversy throughout American history & in this election, protest is becoming pivotal. #velshi
2/13
This summer’s protests, sparked by the killing of George Floyd, are really a continuation of a years-long effort to end police violence against Black people. The demonstrations have been violent at times. At other times met with unprovoked violence from authorities. #velshi
This summer’s protests, sparked by the killing of George Floyd, are really a continuation of a years-long effort to end police violence against Black people. The demonstrations have been violent at times. At other times met with unprovoked violence from authorities. #velshi
3/13
In Minneapolis, I was shot by a rubber bullet during an entirely peaceful protest. At Lafayette Square in DC, the President had federal forces clear out protesters, spraying them with an irritant & beating civilians with batons. These are only recent examples. #velshi
In Minneapolis, I was shot by a rubber bullet during an entirely peaceful protest. At Lafayette Square in DC, the President had federal forces clear out protesters, spraying them with an irritant & beating civilians with batons. These are only recent examples. #velshi
4/13
1965. Selma, AL. Nearly two dozen protesters walking, peacefully, across the Edmund Pettus Bridge were brutalized by police. 55 years later, Black Americans are still fighting voter suppression. #velshi
1965. Selma, AL. Nearly two dozen protesters walking, peacefully, across the Edmund Pettus Bridge were brutalized by police. 55 years later, Black Americans are still fighting voter suppression. #velshi
5/13
1969. New York City. Police conducted a violent overnight raid at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar. That event gave rise to 6 days of violent clashes & protest. 51 years later, the LGBTQ community STILL faces harassment & legal discrimination. #velshi
1969. New York City. Police conducted a violent overnight raid at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar. That event gave rise to 6 days of violent clashes & protest. 51 years later, the LGBTQ community STILL faces harassment & legal discrimination. #velshi
6/13
1920. American women sought the universal right to vote. Hundreds of women were violently injured over the course of the ultimately successful movement. Today, women still make less than men do & continue to face social disadvantages. #velshi
1920. American women sought the universal right to vote. Hundreds of women were violently injured over the course of the ultimately successful movement. Today, women still make less than men do & continue to face social disadvantages. #velshi
7/13
All of these protests fought what we now call privilege. They sought redress. I can cite example after example, here & abroad, that when someone comes for your privilege, you will fight them, whether they come in peace or with stones or with fuel for fires. #velshi
All of these protests fought what we now call privilege. They sought redress. I can cite example after example, here & abroad, that when someone comes for your privilege, you will fight them, whether they come in peace or with stones or with fuel for fires. #velshi
8/13
Protest is often a reminder of systemic injustice. If it’s done quietly, hopefully from afar, you can pretend the inequality doesn’t exist. Pretend that Black people enjoy the same rights, that women earn as much as men & that being gay comes at no cost. #velshi
Protest is often a reminder of systemic injustice. If it’s done quietly, hopefully from afar, you can pretend the inequality doesn’t exist. Pretend that Black people enjoy the same rights, that women earn as much as men & that being gay comes at no cost. #velshi
9/13
2016, just FOUR years ago. Colin Kaepernick took a knee against police brutality. That was as quiet as a protest could get. It cost him his career & people say he was out of line, doing it in the wrong place. They said that to Martin Luther King Jr., too. #velshi
2016, just FOUR years ago. Colin Kaepernick took a knee against police brutality. That was as quiet as a protest could get. It cost him his career & people say he was out of line, doing it in the wrong place. They said that to Martin Luther King Jr., too. #velshi
10/13
MLK Jr. wrote in his famous Letter from a Birmingham Jail, "You deplore the demonstrations taking place... But your statement, I am sorry to say, fails to express a similar concern for the conditions that brought about the demonstrations." #velshi
MLK Jr. wrote in his famous Letter from a Birmingham Jail, "You deplore the demonstrations taking place... But your statement, I am sorry to say, fails to express a similar concern for the conditions that brought about the demonstrations." #velshi
11/13
It's that simple. Nobody protests nothing. There’s something beneath these protests that those who hold the power don’t want to hear. Until the underlying causes are heard & the powerless given voice, the protests will grow & unfortunately, at times, turn violent. #velshi
It's that simple. Nobody protests nothing. There’s something beneath these protests that those who hold the power don’t want to hear. Until the underlying causes are heard & the powerless given voice, the protests will grow & unfortunately, at times, turn violent. #velshi
12/13
I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again: This country WAS founded through violence. This land was stolen from Native Americans. Enslaved people were FORCIBLY brought to America to work, FOR FREE. The colonies won their independence from the British through war. #velshi
I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again: This country WAS founded through violence. This land was stolen from Native Americans. Enslaved people were FORCIBLY brought to America to work, FOR FREE. The colonies won their independence from the British through war. #velshi
13/13
Much of the freedoms we enjoy today are the fruits of violence. So what is an acceptable form of protest? It’s food for thought. #velshi
Much of the freedoms we enjoy today are the fruits of violence. So what is an acceptable form of protest? It’s food for thought. #velshi
