Ran an errand this afternoon. National Guard on street corners,

[Ocelot II]

windows of businesses all boarded up. I have lived in this city almost my whole life and I have never seen anything like this. It's so depressing and disheartening. How did it come to this, and will it ever end?

[soothsayer]

1. Well it's the trial fears

[Ocelot II]

5. I am well aware of that.

I just think it's sad and depressing that the outcome of a trial might provoke such extensive unrest as to require the city to respond like it's under siege. I do think Chauvin will be convicted, but I'm not sure of what. I hope there's no violence if he's not found guilty of the most serious offense.

[Throck]

2. When we stop being slaves to our emotions and master and harness the energy otherwise.

Be angry but don't be destructive. Former supervisor use to call it emotional intelligence.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

3. The preemptive presence of the NG shows they know neither verdict will bring justice.

But the system won't change unless we force it to.

[SoCalDavidS]

7. I Don't Believe That At All

They are planning for a worst case scenario. An acquittal on the most serious charges or a hung jury.

If he is convicted of the higher charges, I think people will be very satisfied.

[sprinkleeninow]

4. I hadn't realized until 'educated' on DU.

The disease has been steadily creeping-- slowly, slowly. Until 4 years ago when its mouthpiece and model in the forefront gave
endorsement/allowance for 'it', and thus it surfaced outta the swamp.

[stopdiggin]

15. the 'disease' has been with us always

I find it hard to make a claim that many segments of our society (including police departments) are more racist now than they were 40-50-60 years ago. We are 'seeing' and recognizing the disease all around us, now that people are more cognizant and start paying attention. But there is only a thin sliver of our population that is currently becoming more virulent and racist -- and lots of movement (although always less than should) in the other direction.

True, Trump was an aggravating toxic contagion, but ...
The 'backlash' to BLM? Those people (and their attitudes) were always there. They may not realize it (living in our enclaves and info silos) but they are more isolated and marginalized than they have ever been.

[sprinkleeninow]

19. I meant also in addition to racism and white superiority that all that

was and should be for, by, and of the people is being dismantled daily by those who possess a destructive nature.

The 'former one' gave license to it all as never before.

[fescuerescue]

8. What part of the country?

[maxsolomon]

9. One presumes in MN.

I don't think the NG is called out anywhere else.

[barbtries]

13. i think maybe Philly? nt

[fescuerescue]

21. Well that's what I was hoping to learn

I think the NG is still in DC though.

But it's not just the MN that is in a mess right now. Other cities are having issues too. I was wondering if it's spread.

[Ocelot II]

11. Minneapolis. Ground Zero for the Chauvin trial.

[fescuerescue]

22. txs

[uponit7771]

10. Too many white supremacist associated with PDs who want a civil war. That's how it came to this...

... and that's what the FBI evidence we have before us, we know it hasn't gotten better in the last 15 years.

[barbtries]

12. it's been forever.

my theory is this is the last gasp of white supremacists. they will not let go of their privilege without a fight.

I also decided that in the history books, this decade should be called the Age of Acknowledgment. More and more Americans are coming face to face with the country's original sin and declining to deny it. We need to keep alive the BLM movement.

[Noodleboy13]

14. I live in the middle of it

big howdy from LynLake Ocelot ( i promise not to get all freaky and Archer-like). Given the level of street crime, as a disabled dude, I got no problem with the Guard ,being here. The boarded up windows are kinda a drag, but our little green gem of a neighborhood, our village in the trees, was burned and destroyed last summer. Walz and the powers that be got a lot of blowback for being caught a little flat-footed initially last summer, i see this as an attempt not to be perceived as repeating that. What is disheartening, especially in the neighborhood, is that there is the sense that there will be rioting regardless of the verdict. While i'm sure I'll have digital tomatoes thrown at me for this, but personally I'd be kinda embarrassed if the city spent like 20 mil because they knew I was going to throw a tantrum.

peace,
Noodleboy

[Ocelot II]

16. I get that, and it's true that there was insuffient response last summer.

What I'm depressed about, really, is that any of it is necessary in the first place. I'm in Kingfield, a little distance south, but close enough; some windows are boarded up around here, too. It just shouldn't have come to this.

[progree]

20. Daunte Wright, George Floyd, Justine Ruszczyk Damond, Philando Castille, Jamar Clark...

We certainly have had more than our share of very high profile police killings in the last few years in the Twin Cities metro area (all but Philando Castille were in Minneapolis or a first ring suburb (Daunte Wright); Philando Castille was in a first ring suburb of St. Paul about 3 miles I'd guess from the Minneapolis border. Its been exhausting

Edit - that list is off the top of my head -- there are probably more

[sarisataka]

17. I traveled down Lake Street yesterday

We went to tour MCAD where my daughter will be attending next year. It was a sight seeing police and Guard deployed in front of every bank and liquor store, some buildings still board, others boarded again.

And some businesses still a pile of charred rubble surrounded by a fence. A stark reminder why the Guard is there.

[RegularJam]

18. When segments of society are not given the same equitable options to issue grievances.... nt.