What are your thoughts about the term “peaceful protests” when protesters are responding to violence?
I see so many people on TV pushing the term peaceful protest as though to say, ‘No, we’re not those Black people.’ Not only are we responding to the violence that has been placed upon us, but we’re also responding to the violence of how they respond to our protests. Those protesters who showed up to a government building in Michigan toting guns were not surrounded by the National Guard. But while we’re peacefully protesting, they’re throwing tear gas at us and shooting young teenagers in the face with rubber bullets. Our president has told us he will act violently toward us. So, no, this isn’t a peaceful protest, it’s a protest. I’m in a war with my oppressor.
