I made huge stink about those that failed to vote. Meanwhile people blame third parties. Bro they voted at least.

You make very good points that I do not disagree with at all, so I am correcting myself.

This is not the same as Eckford because Eckford had the support of the federal government. The National Guard had the firearms for her. This week, the protests are against the people that protected Eckford. FYI, the government has the authority, means, and experience on violence. A lone gunman isn’t going to accomplish anything positive unless there is some highly unlikely scenario in which they use it to protect a victim, they are trained and experienced. But, as @Lumiluz@slrpnk.net pointed out, the Black Panthers were armed and did achieve progress in the 60s and 70s. Also, I have high regard for the original Black Panthers and even have a t-shirt with Huey on it.

Therefore, if you are part of a highly organized political group that has a strong identity based on centuries of brutal oppression, an established unified message, undergone weapons training, experience in lethal altercation with police, a lawyers present, a protocol for functioning as a unit at protests, and haven’t been infiltrated by the FBI yet, then listen to your leaders on whether to take a firearm or not (if that is legal because I don’t want to get in trouble for saying something that is clearly meant to highlight ill-consideration; don’t break the law).

However, if you are a lone protestor or going with a few friends because you care or to check it out, my recommendation is that you DO NOT TAKE A FUCKING FIREARM. I would like to add a few more arguments for my recommendation. If the cops don’t like your face and say that you were threatening them and you have a firearm, good luck convincing the jury that you had no ill intentions. You might win the trial with a good expensive lawyer that you will never be reimbursed for, but if you lose, you are royally fucked. Moreover, let’s even put the cops aside and only focus on you. If you have never been in an altercation where people are firing at each other, that is not the time to learn or figure things out. You will be under the most extreme stress possible for a person. You will not be able to analyze properly or make decisions in an extremely chaotic situation. You will be overwhelmed with your body’s naturally designed desire to survive. You will be reacting, not responding rationally. Making a lethal mistake will ruin your life at the very least, and ruin or end the life of others. But, let’s set the situation to be even more in your favor. Even if you make the best decision possible and fire at someone that is miraculously identified by a glowing arrow floating above their head like a video game that reads “KILL THIS GUY”, you may still miss and kill an innocent person. I’m not going to elaborate on the consequences of that.

This is merely my recommendation based on my limited knowledge and biases. To me, it seems like there are too many ways for this to go very bad, and not enough ways for it to go well. I guess maybe you could be a hero somehow? I may be wrong. I may not know a lot of information that would be contradictory to my stance. I definitely don’t know any of you individually. If you know something I don’t, that’s valid. Maybe ask people that have been arrested for taking a firearm to a protest. That would be useful information. It’s ultimately your decision, so make it. Just think it really fucking well.

Holy hell, I hope this manuscript saves even just one person from serving prison time.

Sure I realise that, but I was more pointing out that whatever time a protest is there will be people like you unhappy with it.

I don’t know what gave you the impression I want to be seen outraged and I do hope you’re not making judgments about me over a single comment as that would be very good.

It would be like me labelling you for the two comments I’ve seen you post. Positive intent my friend.

I think people in positions of privilege can recognize their status, and, in my opinion, have a duty to do more (whether it’s donate to orgs fighting this, or donate time if able to be more flexible with their time and work commitments, etc. ).

There will be people who will be able to take greater risk because they are privileged. There are less financially secure individuals who won’t be able to take as much risk. That’s OK! We don’t need to turn this into a dick waving contest of “who is doing more”

What we don’t need is this bickering amongst ourselves. We’re all proletariat. Some proletariat will have more privilege. And getting the less privileged working class to attack the slightly more privileged/wealthy wage slav- I mean “workers”- is EXACTLY what they want!

DO NOT give the bourgeoisie what they want, c’mon now.

Honestly? No. This isn’t something that you go “if it’s convenient”, the entire concept of freedom is at stake here. I’m biased as a woman of color in a non traditional marriage, but this is absolutely mandatory. I will lose a day’s wages, and it may impact my ability to pay my bills. But are you not seeing the future of this administration if people stand by and accept it?

Yea, I’m looking at this but thinking “that’s not happening lol” with my state. I’m in AZ and anyone outside Phoenix is probably driving at least 2 hours just to get there.

For me: 6 hours in a car with 5000ft (1500m) drop/climb just for a protest that’s vaguely “against Project 2025”. I could never justify it.

“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is spongy and bruised.”

Do explain how me talking about the fact that people (like you) have no compassion or understanding for others when it comes to this event is not on-topic enough for you.

I understand that you think that people should sacrifice their jobs and their homes and their kids so that they can protest on a specific day, but I’m guessing that’s not going to get them to do it. Nor is being rude about it.

Yeah, I clearly have a good reason to lie about that, which is stuff. Either that or things. Or maybe because shut up.

I get that and I totally agree, but I don’t understand the food of comments here arguing that there won’t be reduced turnout in the middle of a Wednesday vs on a weekend. Most people with a full time job can’t just up and leave in the middle of a weekday with less than a week of notice, especially in large states with capitals that are far away. Turnout would be much better if it was on a weekend, and anybody denying that doesn’t live in reality.

They can’t oppose Trump without displeasing their corporate overlords.