Just a few thoughts after last night's #protest in #DowntownRaleigh:
The damage was minimal, but not zero
There were 14 arrests, including legal observers
#RPD staying behind protesters likely reduced violence
Protesters can't expect media to protect their identities
(a thread)

There was just enough damage (a few broken windows, paint on the officer memorial) so anyone wanting to depict this as a #riot could focus on just that. But that wouldn't be accurate. The protest was almost completely non-violent

And yet it wasn't completely without violence either. This was not a "peaceful protest" in the vein that we've seen other times in Raleigh.

I can't speak to the validity of most of the 14 arrests. But I do know that legal observers are not a part of any violence. They are literally there just to observe. Sure, they are breaking #curfew, but @maryannbaldwin and others might consider adding them to the exempt list

Right at 10p, #RPD #police in #riot #gear showed up, and there was a tensity about the protest. But they fell back and never confronted the #protesters head on. This was notably different from May 30, and likely helped to avoid greater violence

Several protesters got angry and even confrontational with media recording or photographing them.

Let me be crystal clear on this point: We are not there to support you, or to amplify your message. We are there to document events. No more or less

I understand that you think #police will use that footage to identify protesters for possible arrest. But our responsibility is to accurately tell the story of the night. That includes photos, maybe even of you. This is not something I will apologize for

By the same token: I have no problem with you trying to shield my view with an umbrella or any other way. That's part of the night and of your strategy. Which is kind of my point: I'm not there specifically to get someone's face. I'm there only to record what's happening

Finally: I know this comes off a bit ivory tower and Big J. Trust me when I say that's not me. I have an English degree from Liberty U (that's a long way from Hussman). But I believe strongly in sunshine and transparency, and will not be convinced otherwise