Armed black citizens escort Michigan lawmaker to capitol after volatile rightwing protest

[friendly_iconoclast]

Source: The Guardian

A black lawmaker came to Michigan's capitol with an escort of armed black citizens on Wednesday, days after white protesters with guns staged a volatile protest inside the state house, comparing the Democratic governor's public health orders to "tyranny".

The state representative Sarah Anthony, 36, said she wanted to highlight what she saw as the failure of the Michigan capitol police to provide legislators with adequate security during the protest, which saw demonstrators with rifles standing in the legislative chamber above lawmakers...

...One of Anthony's constituents, a black firefighter, organized Wednesday's capitol escort. While early reports focused on three black men with large rifles escorting Anthony, there were six participants, including two women, and some of them were armed with handguns, Lynn said. Five of the participants are black and one is Hispanic. Michael Lynn Jr, a Lansing resident, said he was frustrated to see his legislator being violently intimidated in her workplace. He said the escort was the first time he had ever chosen to openly carry his AR-15 rifle.

Lynn said he did not want to see a black woman who had been elevated to political office feeling threatened "because of the white supremacists in the yard" and wanted "to make sure that would never happen again"...

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/07/michigan-lawmaker-armed-escort-rightwing-protest

---

Now, *that's* more like it!

The Deacons for Defense and Justice set the original example:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deacons_for_Defense_and_Justice

https://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?azview_all&address118x331645

Remembering Robert Hicks and the Deacons of Defense

https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/us/25hicks.html?_r1&scp1&sqrobert%20hicks&stcse

Robert Hicks, Leader in Armed Rights Group, Dies at 81

By Douglas Martin

April 24, 2010

Someone had called to say the Ku Klux Klan was coming to bomb Robert Hicks's house. The police said there was nothing they could do. It was the night of Feb. 1, 1965, in Bogalusa, La.

The Klan was furious that Mr. Hicks, a black paper mill worker, was putting up two white civil rights workers in his home. It was just six months after three young civil rights workers had been murdered in Philadelphia, Miss.

Mr. Hicks and his wife, Valeria, made some phone calls. They found neighbors to take in their children, and they reached out to friends for protection. Soon, armed black men materialized. Nothing happened.

Less than three weeks later, the leaders of a secretive, paramilitary organization of blacks called the Deacons for Defense and Justice visited Bogalusa. It had been formed in Jonesboro, La., in 1964 mainly to protect unarmed civil rights demonstrators from the Klan. After listening to the Deacons, Mr. Hicks took the lead in forming a Bogalusa chapter, recruiting many of the men who had gone to his house to protect his family and guests...

The RW will not disarm, and as we've seen, the police will not disarm them.

Kudos to these citizens for following in the path of the Deacons and protecting their rights

[47of74]

1. Good. Glad to hear not everyone is taking Kluxer horseshit lying down

[Midnight Writer]

2. I hate to see this, but it probably had to happen, to check the bullying Right Wing.

I just hope this defuses rather than escalates.

But sometimes somebody has to look the bully in the face.

Guns should be prohibited at the Capitol, just like in a County Courthouse.

Maybe the sight of this group will make even a few GOP politicians rethink this policy.

[Arthur_Frain]

60. The fact that we are physically here already does not bode well for the outcome.

There are too many crazies just itching to set something off. We are going to step across that line one day soon. If we are lucky, saner heads will prevail, and we can step back, and maybe talk about how looking for plan B is pretty damned important.

Problem is, I haven’t seen very many sane heads on their side, and the ones I’ve seen, are generally being shouted down or ostracized.

[sop]

3. This will not end well.

[friendly_iconoclast]

4. I wonder what the chickenhawks in *this* recent thread will have to say about this?

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=13372481

[LovingA2andMI]

23. Not if they keep threatening our African-American Lawmakers....

It surely will NOT!

[roamer65]

26. A mistake will get made. Gunfire will break out and someone will die.

Then there will be all the “thoughts and prayers”.

[LovingA2andMI]

28. Tell Them!

Or tell the Capitol Police that should have arrested them. The African-American Lawmakers must PROTECT THEMSELVES if the Capitol Police WON'T!

[friendly_iconoclast]

31. They can't be arrested until open carry at the MI capitol is outlawed- as it should be...

[roamer65]

5. This is why I want the National Guard in there.

The MI National Guard should be providing escorts and security for ALL state employees in that building.

[friendly_iconoclast]

6. The NG can't do anything, as carrying guns openly there isn't illegal- yet

God knows it ought to be, though...

[roamer65]

7. A simple declaration of martial law on the grounds would do nicely.

Gov Romney used the NG in the 1967 Detroit riots, they can be used now.

Lyndon Johnson even violated the Posse Comitatus Act by sending in Airborne troops.

[friendly_iconoclast]

10. You really want your cultural war to be an actual war, don't you?

And let me guess: You, yourself, are not in the NG.

I seem to hear the cry of some strange bird, likely a cross between

Gallus gallus domesticus, and one of the Accipitrinae family, or a member of the Buteo genus...

[friendly_iconoclast]

8. We know: you'd like them disarmed by force and arrested for a non-crime

You've already said so:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213372481#post111

They should have been arrested. If they would have tried to use their weapons, then the police should have used the force required suppress the situation.

I don’t want blood spilled in our capitol building unless it is absolutely necessary.

Are you Lord Farquaad?

[roamer65]

9. Absolutely I want them arrested.

I don’t deny it one bit.

Arrest them and let the courts and lawyers settle it out.

[friendly_iconoclast]

11. For "contempt of roamer65's sensibilities", no doubt

You won't be getting arrested, you won't be putting yourself in harms' way to do the arresting, you won't be paying the lawyers, and (unless your are a citizen of Michigan) you won't be paying for the massive legal settlement your proposed arrestees
will be getting for the massive civil rights violations you propose be committed on them.

IOW,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chickenhawk_(politics)

Chickenhawk (chicken hawk or chicken-hawk) is a political term used in the United States to describe a person who strongly supports war or other military action (i.e., a war hawk), yet who actively avoids or avoided military service when of age.[1] Generally, the implication is that chickenhawks lack the moral character to participate in war themselves, preferring to ask others to support, fight, and perhaps die in an armed conflict..

[roamer65]

13. What about the civil rights of those who are intimidated by these actions?

I am a MI resident and have asked my governor to use the MI Guard.

[friendly_iconoclast]

19. A 'right' that does not exist either in law or jurisprudence

And no, your finer sentiments do not count in case law

[LovingA2andMI]

25. As a Michigan Resident....

Our African-American lawmakers have a right to SELF-DEFENSE from Racists and the Klan by Any Means Necessary.

The Capitol Police need to DO THEIR JOB!

[friendly_iconoclast]

33. Again, until the law is changed things like this will happen.

Let's see if the Pubbies love of guns overcomes their discomfort at the sight of armed brown people

[LovingA2andMI]

45. Exactly!!!

n/t

[friendly_iconoclast]

15. The subject of gun control seems to bring forth the inner Bull Connor in some people.

[SergeStorms]

16. Another definition:

Chickenshit - adjective
English Language Learners Definition of chickenshit

US slang, offensive : weak and cowardly, as in someone who'll allow someone else to walk all over him.

[friendly_iconoclast]

22. Rep. Anthony and her escorts certainly walked the walk...

[friendly_iconoclast]

12. Gallus gallus domesticus x one of the Accipitrinae family, or a member of the Buteo genus.

Look it up...

[roamer65]

14. Are you a MI resident?

[friendly_iconoclast]

17. Are you Bull Connor? Civil rights violations are civil rights violations.

Think of it like

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Socialist_Party_of_America_v._Village_of_Skokie

...if it makes you feel any better

[roamer65]

18. Then mind your own business.

Stay out of our affairs.

[friendly_iconoclast]

21. Why not just call me an "outside agitator" and be done with it?

It'll fit in with the rest of the "LW version of Bull Connor" schtick...

[friendly_iconoclast]

24. "Then mind your own business. Stay out of our affairs."

I await your condemnation of the Freedom Riders:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_Riders

[dware]

30. Arrest them for WHAT?????

For not violating a law?

You really seem to be pushing for a confrontation, but what the hell, it won't be you on the front lines.

[friendly_iconoclast]

34. As we see, keyboard commandos and chickenhawks are not exclusively RW

[dware]

36. As has been proven in the last few days by some of the posts here on DU.

I used to love DU when it was first started, and then I had to take a leave of absence due to life problems, I come back and it's just all about hate this, hate that, etc.

I don't think I'm going to hang around much longer if this crap keeps up.

[friendly_iconoclast]

37. Please stay, DU needs people that don't easily fit into easy categories...

...and who have different perspectives.

[dware]

38. Thank you for the kind words,

but at my age, I really don't need the aggravation, I'm hoping that after the elections, if the Mango Menace loses, then things will calm down, so I'll stick around at least until then.

You have a great night.

[friendly_iconoclast]

39. You too!

[Union Yank]

20. Good for them!

The 60's are long gone, Black and Hispanic folks are NOT afraid of white Nazis with guns anymore ...

Glad to see they are practicing their 2nd Amendment rights...

[LovingA2andMI]

27. Exactly!!!

This! We will NOT be Intimated. Period!

[Buckeye_Democrat]

29. I'm glad to see it!

On the other hand, I hope it doesn't elevate racist attitudes even more among the deplorables... like the Democrats are all African Americans in their pea brains.

I had a former apartment neighbor from Hell (noisy and self-centered) who told me one day that he left a free music concert early because of "too many Democrats" there. (That was before Obama was President, by the way.) I asked him how he knew that. Were they wearing political shirts or something? He answered, looking at me like I was clueless, "Black people." I was shocked and ready to muster a reply, but then he quickly drove away somewhere. I was so happy when he later got kicked out (for not paying rent).

[friendly_iconoclast]

35. They're already morally lost, only fear for their own safety will stop the RW

[dustyscamp]

32. This is just the world we live in now

The 2nd Amendment can be a tool for good. I think it's time we use it more to protect people who can't protect themselves.

[Warpy]

40. I hate to see anyone toting guns around government offices

which means everything from the offices in DC to the local post office.

Something needs to be done about this and quickly. Armed standoffs shouldn't be happening that threaten any elected official, even the crooks.

However, this is the kind of thing that might wake people up to the fact that nobody should be pulling this shit, as in "Black people with guns? Oh, heavens to Betsy, we'd better do something!"

[riversedge]

41. ""Being a black and brown female Democrat in the capitol now is a dangerous job," Lynn said. "This i

So horrible to see this.


““Being a black and brown female Democrat in the capitol now is a dangerous job,” Lynn said. “This is an environment that Donald Trump has nurtured.”” https://gu.com/p/dz8v4/stw

[oldsoftie]

42. So they exercised their rights. Good.

Its ridiculous that these idiots protesting the shutdown think coming armed had ANYTHING to do with it. It would be like carrying Pro life signs; whats one got to do with the other?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

43. Another stunt with guns.

Oh well, nobody got shot. An armed, peaceful demonstration, just like the last one.

Maybe the Reptilian Legislature will pass a bill to prohibit guns on State Capitol grounds and buildings. They wouldn't do that if it were only white people carrying.

[keithbvadu2]

44. Armed citizens

Black/white gun control

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213378319

Take a guess - Which one led to gun control legislation, which one won't?

[sarisataka]

46. The inherent racism is an acceptable price

If leads leads to control.

At least that is the attitude of some (or many?)

[Devil Child]

47. Good, the 2nd amendment applies to all, not just the right

[Aristus]

48. Black people carrying guns.

The Gravy Seals and the Meal Team Six types are gonna shit!

They're convinced that no one is allowed to carry weapons except themselves...

[Traildogbob]

53. This is great

A true poet. I love your special forces teams. Special Needs Forces. Not promoting violence here but as a 12 year Navy Special Forces Vet, now retired educator, let one of these new pricks try to rio off mine or my daughter’s mask as Hannity is promoting. No guns needed, but the furniture will be rearranged. Like Liam, I have a special set of skills. Do not threaten me or my daughter. Bravo to the armed black men protecting elected black leaders. About time, no more Georgia lynchings in daylight.

[Aristus]

54. They're not original with me, but thank you.

I'm perfectly happy if those names get spread around a bit.

[Bayard]

49. I guess this is another way Covid-19 is going to kill people

Although, trump has been promoting armed confrontation from Day 1.

The law allows peaceful demonstrations. Noisy idiots with guns do not qualify.

[HotTeaBag]

50. This will most certainly end well.

[DFW]

51. As a white guy

I would personally love to see the expressions on these mostly overweight right-wing couch-hugging slobs when confronted by an equally well-armed, disciplined force of uniformly dressed blacks, preferably in superior number, accompanying some of the lawmakers that these Trumpanzees intended to intimidate. A quick, megaphoned "gentlemen, we are here to make sure our representative makes it to and from her job safely, and without the slightest harassment. Any attempt to impede that will result in an immediate standing of our ground on our part, and any threat of lethal force will be met with an immediate and appropriate amount of self-defense. Are we clear?" They should NOT wait for an answer, just accompany their rep on inside.

No one needs to start shooting, but the message of "not with US, you don't" has to be made clear, because cowards are only emboldened if never confronted. If the law will not de-escalate this, then an equal show of force must. Then they can go back to holding their neo-Nazi rallies in their log cabins in the woods of the Upper Peninsula on alternate weekends, or else leave their guns at home like civilized citizens.

[dalton99a]

52. +1

[ibegurpard]

56. That's my opinion as well

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

61. Done!

See the picture: https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1172&pid=209371
Actually that OP and thread are good read.

[Dandelyon]

55. Good

You don't want the KKK MAGAs to hurt him.

[CJustice]

57. Unreal, this is the country we live in

Where the hell is the national guard? This should not be necessary.

[11 Bravo]

58. If they pop a couple of white joggers along the way, will they still be out of jail in August?

[11 Bravo]

59. In the good old days, this thread would have been instantly turfed to the Gungeon.