Marathon Organizers Respond To Black Lives Matter Plans

[F4lconF16]

X-posted from GD as there weren't many regulars here that I saw responding. Curious on your thoughts.

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/09/28/marathon-organizers-respond-to-black-lives-matter-plans/

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — With six days left until one of the most popular marathons in the Midwest, organizers are responding to Black Lives Matter, whose members say they intend to disrupt the event.

The Twin Cities Marathon starts at 8 a.m. Sunday near U.S. Bank Stadium, the new home of the Minnesota Vikings. The finish line is near the Minnesota State Capitol. It’s been labeled “The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America,” but one group has plans to change all that.

The St. Paul chapter of the group Black Lives Matter is planning a protest on Sunday, and leaders say they plan to block the finish line to prevent runners from completing their 26.2 miles. Organizer Rashad Turner says protesters will “become the finish line” blocking the path of runners just about one mile from the actual end of the race.

The group Twin Cities in Motion, which organizes and hosts all Twin Cities Marathon events, released a statement Monday on the matter. Twin Cities in Motion said they are working closely with city officials to ensure the safety of participants, volunteers, and spectators.

My thoughts:

First, this really worries me as a safety issue. Marathon runners are exhausted at that point in a marathon. I don't run, but I do 120+ mile hill rides on my bike, and I can tell you I'm not sure I'd be able to stop safely if I had my finish line blocked. I'm absolutely confident that I would not be able to process what was happening entirely, or get my bearings in a crowd--especially a demonstration. With thousands of people participating, this has the potential to go really badly. As in, many, many serious injuries.

Second, I am a radical. I understand the need for agitation. I have been part of and support actions that disrupt. I have worked with OA206 a couple of times and they have impressed on me the need to wake people up before talking with them. I will support this protest because it is not my place to decide how to do so. After all, in the end, black people are still dying and that is always the priority.

That being said, this does not seem like it will end in any good way. It will draw large amounts of attention, but unfortunately, not all publicity is good publicity, even when the intent is to agitate or disrupt. This is an international and diverse event, and it seems simply an innapropriate and unrelated venue. It is, to me, also a bit of a middle finger towards those who have trained and invested themselves in this--particularly those from other countries. Any injuries sustained will almost certainly be directly blamed on BLM, and perhaps not without reason (the protesters, that is, and not BLM as a whole).

I also worry that if police try to stop them, this could get very ugly, very quickly. I cannot see those attending the marathon on the protester's side, either. I don't know what size of a group they plan on having, though.

Lastly, I think a marathon simply seems tone deaf after the Boston marathon bombing. While it has nothing to do with it, the right wing will have a field day associating black people with terrorists, and I can't see the advantage stoking those fears and hate will bring. While we cannot allow those who would hate regardless to dictate our actions, blocking a marathon near the end of the race is a very different thing than shutting down a city or a highway, both for safety and venue reasons.

I think, as another person has suggested, that a much better idea would be to stand by and pass out water and leaflets, perhaps setting up audio systems for speeches after the finish line and protesting then, interupting any speakers from the marathon organization. The audience would be only very slightly diminished, BLM would be seen in support of the community, and the safety issues would be drastically reduced, if not eliminated.

[Travis_0004]

1. I think its a stupid move

People have been training for a year or more for this race, and I would hate to see the righful winner get held up and lose.

I also think that marathon runners are less receptive to somebody blocking their protest. Theh have a time they want to finish in, and are going to be more agessive trying to get through.

[enough]

2. Is this part of some actual strategy? Or just a way to piss people off?

What is the path from this action to some good outcome?

[F4lconF16]

24. Take a look at these links.

Agitation is a very effective tactic that has been used to pursue social reform for hundreds of years. There are differences in how the state and oppressors respond, as well as how the movements themselves have used the tactic, but it's relatively the same.

A long read but a good one:
http://www.uky.edu/~addesa01/documents/Ch2.pdf

A short read, not particularly useful imo, but much quicker to get the gist of things:
http://department.monm.edu/cata/mcgaan/classes/cata339/rhet-agit.htm

From a marxist perspective (one that I don't entirely agree with):
https://www.marxists.org/history/erol/ncm-5/rcp-agit-prop.htm

[randys1]

28. Were the Vietnam war protesters just pissing people off?

[enough]

31. As I remember back when I was protesting the Vietnam war, a lot of thought was given

to the use of tactics in each action to achieve aims in each situation, whether in large or small events and depending on how much police violence was expected to be absorbed, how much passive resistance leading to arrests, etc. There was usually some connection between the nature of the event being protested and the subject of the protest. There was usually some connection to the war effort within the event being disrupted.

On edit:

Right after posting this, I read a comment down thread that suggests the idea that people should not be able to run freely in the streets as long as other people have to fear for their lives just for being in the streets at all. There's a deep connection that resonates. I'll try to express this when talking to people about it. Thanks to F4lconF16 for that thought, and I hope it comes through in the reaction to this event if it takes place.

[randys1]

39. And pissing people off, when those people are part of an institution that is KILLING you...

I think said folks should be grateful that is all that is happening.

[MineralMan]

3. Thanks for cross-posting.

I'm the poster of the original GD thread. I fully support BLM and its goals, but had questions about this particular action. I never post original threads in the AA group, because I'm not a person of color.

[1StrongBlackMan]

4. MM ... I think I speak for the other Hosts ...

Thank you for your consideration; but, you are welcome to post original threads to the AA Group.

[Glassunion]

5. Welcome back Sir.

[1StrongBlackMan]

9. Thank you ... I'll try and behave myself; but, ...

reading some of the "I will/would not compromise AND get stuff done" magical stuff I'm reading in DU:GD-P, it will be hard damned work!

[Glassunion]

12. I just say out of GP-P.

When shit gets real thick, I head over to Cooking and Baking.

[1StrongBlackMan]

13. I try ... I really try ...

and have failed ... miserably!

[greatauntoftriplets]

33. In that case, I'm surprised we don't see in you C&B more often.

[Glassunion]

34. Yeah... I've been lax in my posts.

I did update the pinned thread recently if it's any consolation.

[zappaman]

14. Obama is soooooo "naive"!!!!!

[1StrongBlackMan]

16. Said a bunch of people of suspect accomplishment ...

beyond getting high score on World of War.

[zappaman]

17. Looks like it's todays meme

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=635701

[1StrongBlackMan]

18. Have you noticed a wretching up of ...

"I would make them do it my way or we burn the place down" / "tough guyism" worship ...on DU over the last 7 years?

[MineralMan]

6. Thank you, and welcome back.

It's good to see your screen name again!

[JustAnotherGen]

7. You are ALWAYS welcome in here!

No ifs, ands, or buts about it!

[MineralMan]

8. Thank you, too.

Normally, though, I don't post OPs in DU groups at all. I appreciate your confidence in me, though. I do read AA, though. I find it very informative and learn from the posts here.

[1StrongBlackMan]

11. LOL ...

I do read AA, though. I find it very informative and learn from the posts here.

We can tell ... Hence, the welcome!

[1StrongBlackMan]

10. Thank you ... It's good to be seen ... I think. n/t

[F4lconF16]

19. I am glad to see you back. Your thoughts have been missed. nt

[1StrongBlackMan]

20. Thank you. I read your "knocked down, again" post and wanted to give you a ...

[F4lconF16]

22. Thank you. Things are looking up, a bit. I am surrounded by good and caring people.

[1StrongBlackMan]

23. Glad to hear it ...

sometimes, good and caring people around us is all we need to clear life's hurdles ... or to catch us when we don't.

[randys1]

15. Perspective. BLM has a message to get out, it is one of life and death.

It is a right now message.

It is about the lives of African Americans, and eventually, other minorities.

If not this, then what?

Where?

How about NFL fans going into the stadium on Sunday, block them from going in?

Would that be OK?

What can they do and what cant they do?

What happened in the 60's when WE decided the Vietnam War HAD to be stopped?

[F4lconF16]

21. Yes.

The "negative publicity" was an afterthought. The safety concerns are what worries me.

But then again, the safety of the runners on the street is nothing compared with the necessity of creating safety for AAs on the street. Could be an interesting message--we will not let marathons continue unabated while PoC cannot even walk down the street.

I fully support this action should they choose to go through with it. Protests and demonstrations will never be convenient, and nor should they be. Not much of a protest if it can be easily ignored, eh?

I am not at all trying to suggest what they can or cannot do. I will not even say what I think they should or should not do; it is not my concern how they protest. I am here to support the movement above all else. It is not my voice that needs to be heard.

In all honesty, I am still new to the whole protest game. If nothing else, the thoughts of experienced AA protesters here would be appreciated.

[randys1]

27. I like this comment from you

we will not let marathons continue unabated while PoC cannot even walk down the street.

[JI7]

25. since they publicly announce it those in charge of the race can work

with them and discuss any issues concerning safety.

After boston i think they already have more security in place.

I just can't see any way where they will be able to get at the finish line or most other restricted places in the first place.

[tishaLA]

26. Simply put, I support the action

The Boston connection is IMO the only legitimate reason not to do it.

Yes, the police and spectators might get mad. But people are dying. But every protest I have gone into has been with the understanding that things could get ugly; from that understanding, we (as a group) strategized how we would handle violence and arrests.

[F4lconF16]

37. And we're headed there, I'm sad to say.

I know which side I will be on.

[Glassunion]

38. It's quite sad when you look at two maps side by side...

Counties without DL centers...


Alabama Black Belt...

[randys1]

42. Ridiculous...Infuriating, you see it is UNCONSTITUTIONAL to require ID to vote! God DAMMIT

[Number23]

30. This is a great conversation and topic. Thanks for posting it here

I personally think that BLM is beyond spectacular but I'm not sure how blocking the finish line of a race will do anything but garner the group negative publicity.

Some people, including a HUGE cadre of people on the "left," refuse to believe that these guys are acting in good faith anyway. So I think that actions like this could potentially alienate more than rouse support. Even if they backed up 10 feet from the finish line I think that woudl be better.

[F4lconF16]

36. Yes, that is a problem. Without solid support from the left

at all times and in all cases, people will always continue to have an exuse to pretend they are not acting in good faith.

Legitimization of those attacks by liberals and progresssives through inconsistent support of the movement and their actions is the primary cause of the tensions BLM is facing, in my opinion. A strong stance from those unwilling to take one right now would make me much more supportive of a movement like Sander's, as well.

[randys1]

40. BLM needs to sit down with all white rich people and find out what will inconvenience them

and be sure not to do that, dont wanna ruffle feathers.

Not like the issue at hand, murder, is important enough to stop people from finishing a foot race.

[MineralMan]

32. Apparently, the organizer of this action has backed away

from planning to actually block runners. Other disruptions are planned. This comes on the heels of the St. Paul Police Chief's statement today that anyone blocking the course will be arrested. It sounds like some compromise is in the works.

With 10,000 runners from around the world and financial benefits for the city, it looks like numbers are winning for this.

The race isn't until Sunday, so this remains a fluid situation, I think.

[F4lconF16]

35. Thanks for the information.

I am glad to hear that. Hopefully they will still be able to garner the attention they would have gotten, though.

[randys1]

41. Arrests will happen? Remember when activists had to INSIST on Zimmerman's arrest?

[MineralMan]

43. Well, it looks like they've changed the plans and won't

be blocking the runners from finishing the race, so the arrests probably won't happen. However, civil disobedience generally has the risk of arrest. It's part of the process of civil disobedience, really. I still think this action was a misguided plan as originally planned. It doesn't really seem to relate directly to the issues being raised, and security for these big public marathon races has been amped up, due to the Boston Marathon bombing.

The other BLM protests in the Twin Cities have not led to serious consequences, but got really wide media coverage. There were arrests at the Mall of America action, but not many and no real prosecutions. Nobody was harmed. The protest for the Minnesota Vikings game went off without any problems, and people going to the game found other ways to get there that didn't involve the area where the protest occurred. Again, there was lots of media coverage, so people were aware of the protest.

The plan for the Twin Cities Marathon was originally planned to block the runners just short of the finish line. I think that was ill-conceived and likely to create serious problems than to send the message about police violence against people of color. There was real potential for violent issues between protesters and the competitors and spectators near the finish line. I don't see that as a productive protest, really.

I think the organizers' decision not to block the runners was a good one. I suppose not everyone will agree, but that's my opinion. BLM will still be there, but the potential for serious problems is decreased. The media will be there, too, and not just local media. The protest will be covered.