Ferguson Protesters Chant ‘We’re Ready for War’

[Nuclear Unicorn]

Ferguson Protesters Chant ‘We’re Ready for War’

During Sunday night’s protest on the anniversary of the shooting death of African-American man Michael Brown, Ferguson protesters chanted that they were “ready for war.”

Watch, via Twitter:

--video at link--

The above video was tweeted out at 10:47 PM Central Time, which means the chant occurred before protesters exchanged gunfire with police officers shortly after 11. CNN also reports that some protesters were chanting “We’re ready for what? We’re ready for war,” during the protests.

http://www.mediaite.com/online/watch-ferguson-protesters-chant-were-ready-for-war/

Everyone is on edge. This doesn't help but I hope the police demonstrate a lot more restraint and discipline than they did last year.

[HooptieWagon]

1. It's a war they can't win.

That's the reality. There are other avenues to achieve their goals, but the impatience of youth and adrenalin rush of conflict are blinding them.

[ladjf]

2. Perhaps they have in mind a different kind of war. nt

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

5. Could be; let's hope so.

[ladjf]

7. If what we have been doing for the past 40 years has led us to the

mess we are now in, it's time to try something dramatically different. That would be electing Sen. Sanders to the Presidency.

It would be a win for everyone including the rich bastards who are now stuck in a foggy trance of collecting all of the wealth.

[jwirr]

18. And Bernie is calling for a revolution. A political one. One where we the people stand up and say

no to business as usual.

[Rex]

6. How long do they have to wait for their turn at the equality table?

I don't think you can chalk this all up to impatient youth as much as decades of neglect and abuse by a system that is set against them.

[HooptieWagon]

8. Hard to step ahead when shooting yourself in the foot.

But logic is too 'white' for them. They will lose the 'war', and blame others for their own failures. If they are seeking social change, they should examine tactics that have succeeded and failed in the past. However, it appears likely that there are elements who aren't seeking social change, but the power that constant conflict gives them.

[Rex]

9. Logic doesn't mean anything to people that feel desperate. I think you are wrong.

Who is seeking power here? What group? You look past real people that feel hopeless and see some kind of fictional movie premise imo. SO we will have to disagree on this one.

[HooptieWagon]

15. People have to choose their leaders carefully.

No matter how desparate, choosing leaders that are calling for a war that will be lost is not choosing carefully. Just ask 1930s Germany.

[NOLALady]

11. No one will win.

If it's a war our Country will lose. A war will weaken this country.

I disagree that we are dealing with the impatience of youth. IMHO, we are dealing with the impatience of injustice of over 400 years.

[jwirr]

19. Just curious - what is your starting point of 400 years?

[Person 2713]

27. More than 400 years

[jwirr]

28. Fine so the question I am asking is what event is the starting point? Here in America I would

put it at the first day a white person claimed the continent full of Native Americans but that is because I come at racism from that point of view. For that reason I would see it beginning for us some 300 years ago.

Why 400+ years?

[Person 2713]

29. You don't count the Spanish in Florida because it was not a future colony b4 independence ?

https://sharondraper.com/timeline.pdf
That would 1500s and I do so more than 400 yrs IMO
If you only include British areas it would be Viginia 1619 Almost 400 years- 2019
There were stolen goods from a Spanish ship

However it only became law to own in British area 1640
There were no laws regarding slavery early in Virginia's history. But, in 1640, a Virginia court sentenced John Punch to slavery after he attempted to flee his service.[5] The two whites with whom he fled were only sentenced to an additional year of their indenture, and three years' service to the colony.[6] This marked the first legal sanctioning of slavery in the English colonies and was one of the first legal distinctions made between Europeans and Africans.[5][7]


Slaves processing tobacco in 17th-century Virginia
Enslaved people imported to American colonies[8]
Date Numbers
1620–1700 21,000
1701–1760 189,000
1761–1770 63,000
1771–1790 56,000
1791–1800 79,000
1801–1810 124,000[9]
1810–1865 51,000
Total 597,000
Edit to add these were records of imported live slaves and do not include those born into slavery on (future )American soil. If none of this is correct I would like to know thanks in advance

[jwirr]

48. Thank you that is what I wanted to know.

[Rex]

3. This will spiral out of control, this is what racist assholes like the Oathkeepers want.

They want their Race War so Old Glory can rise again or some other vile crap their delusional minds came up with. However I will say that black people in 2015 in America are some of the most patient and compassionate humans on this planet. They've watched entire families disappear into the criminal justice system. That everyone knows is broke, racist by nature and deadly to young black men. Watched decades of disinfranchisement by white leaders and a ramping up on the War on Drugs for any kind of excuse to arrest a black person. Frankly, I'm surprised it took this long for a militant response to be issued. There are changes over the past year in leadership, yet I really wonder if it was too little far too late?

And the cops are stuck in the middle, enemies of both groups. This won't end well for anyone involved.

[Eleanors38]

24. A violent "war" won't be constructive and will probably be very ruinous...

But I am damn sure Not going to take away the RKBA. From Anyone.

Take note that the Deacons for Defense essentially neutralized the racists in Bogulousa, LA, who were a LOT more entrenched and aggressive than this ragtag Oathkeepers outfit. Everyone has a right to self-defense. Incidentally, the Deacons sometimes showed up Openly Armed in their confrontations, and they were damn well armed at other times. This was in the day of True Jim (large, raucous black bird) Laws, not in the present-day of liberalized, mostly non-discriminatory laws.

[haikugal]

4. A race war would make the oligharchy cream their pants....they want this! nt

[Zorra]

10. Yes. Violent revolution in the US is not possible in this world of drones and

basically undetectable surveillance technology. Among other things.

If African Americans want to organize a mass general strike and shut things down for negotiation leverage and force positive change, they can count me in.

[haikugal]

12. And me...

[jwirr]

22. Me to.

[jwirr]

20. Yes, and while the people on the bottom kill each other the 1% will be setting someplace safe

and sound counting all their money.

[haikugal]

21. Sipping tears.....

[jwirr]

23. Yep. And enjoying every momont of it.

[Waiting For Everyman]

13. There's brilliance.

How is a 'war' going to stop AA's being shot by cops? I don't see that happening.

[tavernier]

14. I'm frankly surprised that anyone lives there anymore.

I would find SOME way to relocate myself and my family. The town has become toxic, at least from all we see and hear on the news. A similar thing happened to a small town in Florida years ago that eventually became more or less a ghost town. People eventually leave when there is no chance for a peaceful or productive future. I don't know what the intention of the rioters is, but eventually they will have nothing to riot at but each other. (and no, I'm not referring to peaceful protests)

[yuiyoshida]

16. The racist hate speech in the comments

is worthy.

[Skidmore]

32. I hear people chanting "we're ready for war" in response to

"we're ready for what?". What are you hearing?

[yuiyoshida]

37. IF you go to Youtube

and where the video was uploaded, and read the comments, you will see such vile stuff that is cringeworthy.

[Skidmore]

40. Not saying the comments section doesn't

have strong and/or objectionable remarks. Have you ever seen the comment section for an article on the President or any given black person? Hate speech abound, all vile and cringe inducing.

[yuiyoshida]

41. well exactly

and other poc as well.

[Skidmore]

43. You got it.

[seveneyes]

17. War against who exactly?

General war is generally avoidable.

[Skidmore]

34. A corrupt and racist system?

Why are people unable to empathize with the very real hell that many black lives have been turned into? Is it so hard?

[seveneyes]

38. Then maybe they mean local battle

The US Constitution give everyone the same chance at success - so it's not a war against the US.

What is the local battle plan other than violence and destruction?

[Skidmore]

42. This is a national issue. It happens in many locales

and across all systems. As long as you see these problems as belonging to "them," you are not understanding or being part of a solution. The problems of corruption, militarized racist policing and brutality, economic disparity, etc. belong to us all. The question is why those young people are being pushed by even the most "progressive" among us to consider such solutions. Try looking at "them" through a broader lense. "They" are our youth and are deserving of the same considerations as their peers with lighter skin. If you stomach is in knots from fear at this prospect, consider what it is like to live constantly with fear and insecurity.

[seveneyes]

44. Every non violent person needs treated equally

The war on non violent drugs needs to end. Those in public service who do not treat people equally need to be removed from their positions.

Violence against innocents should never be tolerated.

[Skidmore]

46. Do you make the assumption that violence is

the only possible outcome. I just feel fear from you and no indication that you understand the frustration in these communities. Are you willing to step up and help correct problems?

[seveneyes]

47. I assume nothing

I am willing help all those willing to help themselves.

[Skidmore]

52. I see.

[seveneyes]

55. Some need a Lion's roar

[AOR]

49. You say..."The US Constitution gives everyone the same chance at success"...

utter nonsense with ZERO basis in historical reality. The US Constitution was written for and by capitalist white male landowners and slaveholders. This kind of unhistorical and uncritical nonsense and belief is what got us to this point as a society in the first place.

[cwydro]

50. We have had a black president for eight years.

We have a black AG and had one previously, so what is wrong here?

[Skidmore]

51. We also have power bases that are exclusively

the purview of state, county, and local governments. You know that "states' rights" stuff conservatives like to use as a hammer to bludgeon every problem with? That does play into considerations too.

I have a better question for people? If you are aware of corruption and racism in your community and have a problem with how things work and people are treated, what stops you from stepping up to help your fellow citizen or neighor to right the wrongs? Sorry I don't buy that we always hold one person responsible for the negligence and maliciousness of the many.

[cwydro]

53. My local city council and recent mayor are all black.

Unfortunately, our mayor was sent to prison on corruption charges.

However, black Americans make up a huge part of the power base here in the South.

Obama has been president for eight years. Why do we expect the incoming white candidates to do better than he? That is actually an insult to him in my opinion.

[Skidmore]

56. I live in an unincorporated village in the

middle of rural Iowa. We have no formal governmment for about 200 people. My husband is the only black resident in the greater group of seven villages. Fortunately, village people are in the habit of meeting monthly and discussing problems and voting on how to address them. Where we used to live is considered liberal but there is a rotten little core of racism and corruption present that surfaces from time to time. We experienced it when my husband was harrassed on his job. He stepped up and took that place on. Over a period of about four years of pure hell, he persisted and meaningful changes were made at that place. I'm really proud of him. He's a strong person, but it wears on you. It's even more soul grinding when you bump into racism and corruption as you go to other locations. It is a huge problem and one that will only be solved when the majority of people stand up and make it known that it will not be tolerated. I firmly believe that we all have responsibility, at every level.

[cwydro]

57. I'm sorry to hear you have these problems in the midwest.

The South is very integrated (despite what you read here) and many of our leaders are black.

My friends, lovers, co-workers, and neighbors are black and white.

I can't speak for your problems there and I'm sure sorry about it.

But war won't solve it. We are dealing with a white cop killing a black man here in Charlotte, NC.

The trial is on now. We have had protests. Every single one has been peaceful, and the press has covered every single one.

We are a united city. We care about each other.

[Supersedeas]

58. And it is a sad commentary that during his Presidency, it is necessary for blacks to demand

attention in this way.

When a black man is the most important life on the planet, being the President of the United States, a movement like this is necessary to generate our own bully pulpit.

[Daemonaquila]

25. This article is a load of horse manure.

In one sentence, it shows that the reporter is lazy, incompetent, and biased. Even CNN could get it right.

"...which means the chant occurred before protesters exchanged gunfire with police officers..." Really? PROTESTORS exchanged gunfire with the cops? Nope. A dude selling a stolen TV to another dude got into a gunfight over the price NEAR the protest. There was a vehicle with UNDERCOVER cops in it nearby, watching the protest. The thief shot into the van, probably because he thought they either were witnesses to him shooting at the other guy, or because he thought they might be his buddies. Basic street crime, completely unrelated to the protests, horsecrap reporting.

Of course, it suits a lot of people's agendas to create a false link to the protestors an BLM.

[Egnever]

30. Interesting

Where did you get that info?

[seveneyes]

39. Maybe they we talking about this gunfire ...

[hamsterjill]

26. I find it interesting that those who are asking for peace are proposing a war.

The slogan was utterly distasteful to me. Yes, I know it was "some" rather than "all". But the world sees what the media shows it, and I do not believe this slogan will be received positively by most people.

[Person 2713]

33. Would any slogan they have be received positively by most white people? nothing to lose really

[hamsterjill]

36. The movement needs as much support as it can get.

Alienating anyone is not a good idea. We all need each other in some way or another. We are all the same. Any movement that is serious about change is going to understand that having more support is better than having less support.

But the movement for change is going to have to be perceived as positive, not negative, and any one of any color for any purpose announcing that they are ready for war is not a positive thing.

[Taitertots]

31. Why would that be provocative? The police have been at war with their community for decades

The war on drugs, the war on poverty....

At least a "war on police criminality" has a chance of causing a positive improvement. Unlike the current wars being waged against the American people.

[romanic]

35. War against who?

The Police The justice system? White people?

I don't like this at all.

[Skidmore]

45. I encourage you to try to

understand the problems and find a way to be part of the solutions.

[romanic]

54. Im biracial and dealt with the police before.

I understand well enough but my solution doesn't involve "war".