MLK Day Protesters Block Traffic on the Bay Bridge

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Update from my friend who got out after three hours because of the blockage: People turned off their cars. Black and white people pissed off at the stoppage (didn't know why it was stopped), dude was performing backflips since all the car stopped, people lane splitting bikes, skateboards and electric skateboards in the opposite direction of traffic and lots of selfies on the bridge.
 
I understand the need for protests, but it's not like SF and the Bay Area are a hotbed of police violence. Of course that may be part of the reason for locals treating it the same way as the ranchers. It's seen as a problem for "other places" that aren't bothering to address the issues.

Mario Woods was shot by SFPD just last month, with video so it is still fresh in people mind.
 
Exsctly. To win (peaceful) change, those are exactly the people whose minds one needs to change. Exactly the people you don't want to alienate.

If your opinion on the value of black lives is swayed by being stuck in traffic for a few minutes. Keep your minds.
 
Unfortunately, all it is a personal annoyance. You being annoyed for an hour or two is not as valuable as the message the protest is sending. If these protesters denied passage to emergency vehicles or people with pressing issues IE "hey, so I need to get my mom's medication from the pharmacy across the bridge" then, yeah, I'd agree, but that probably never happens (I'm going to bet on the probably part). Take the annoyance, don't try to tell them how to protest if it's not killing someone.

Telling them to not protest on the road is dialogue certain groups want to further because it's effective at getting people against certain protests because people will believe, "they're blocking emergency crews!" is 100% true.

If someone is just being an ass and construes your post in a certain way either ignore them or explain your position further. If explaining further yields nothing but more ass-ery then walk away.

"Don't critique them" because I said so. Yeah no thanks we should be able to have a discussion about this.
 
You guys realize that this kind of "they should protest the way I say" is exactly the kind of thing that defines systematic oppression, right?

It's ok to recognize that you're part of the problem.

People have different levels of tolerances of radical protesting. Personally, I draw the line at disrupting critical services. If I were in the group of people organizing this protest, I'd be the voice saying 'We shouldn't do a protest that could disruptive fire fighters or ambulances". I'm not comfortable with the potential consequences of that protest. That doesn't mean I am a part of systematic oppression.
 
I would prefer to either seriously talk about what you just said or it not be mentioned from the start. It's wrong to lightly talk about somebody's character like that and then move away from it. I take that as a serious claim about me and I'd expect absolute statements of deplorable behavior like that to be backed up. Even saying "I know off the top of my head that isn't true, but let's not get into the gritty details. It would be off topic" is pretty messed up. Either show it or don't say it.

calling people racist is rude

so i'll just say you conveniently disagree from the correct position in nearly every discussion about civil rights, equality, race relations, and institutionalized racism, and it has begun to impact people's perceptions of your character
 
Idiot ranchers taking over a building in the middle of nowhere doesn't impact the public.

It did, and it continues to do so. Some schools closed down for the week, people that are supposed to be working there aren't(probably still get paid though), you have people in the community railing against them, there's talk of use of intimidation, threats and harassment against locals and feds, destroyed federal property, and probably more than I'm forgetting.

So, yeah, that armed "militia" has absolutely done more harm than traffic-clogging, unarmed protest.
 
People have different levels of tolerances of radical protesting. Personally, I draw the line at disrupting critical services. If I were in the group of people organizing this protest, I'd be the voice saying 'We shouldn't do a protest that could disruptive fire fighters or ambulances". I'm not comfortable with the potential consequences of that protest. That doesn't mean I am a part of systematic oppression.

You're still going on with this hypothetical concern. Your potential consequences don't happen. Stop the absurdity.
 
I would prefer to either seriously talk about what you just said or it not be mentioned from the start. It's wrong to lightly talk about somebody's character like that and then move away from it. I take that as a serious claim about me and I'd expect absolute statements of deplorable behavior like that to be backed up. Even saying "I know off the top of my head that isn't true, but let's not get into the gritty details. It would be off topic" is pretty messed up. Either show it or don't say it.

How about you defending the use of blackface or the thread where you defended the police when 6 of them took down a crippled man?
 
It did, and it continues to do so. Some schools closed down for the week, people that are supposed to be working there aren't(getting paid though), you have people in the community railing against them, there's talk of use of intimidation, threats and harassment against locals and feds, destroyed federal property, and probably more than I'm forgetting.

So, yeah, that armed "militia" has absolutely done more harm than traffic-clogging, unarmed protest.

Also all the money that it costs the town to not have that place in operation and all the money it will cost to fix all the stuff they've destroyed.
 
Why can't they protest somewhere more appropriate. You know, someplace where white people such as me won't see them. I don't like when my privileged ignorance about the plight of others is dispelled. It's just taking me from blissfully unaware to righteously angry towards minorities.

I hope it's clear the above is a parody. I support what BLM is doing with protests such as these.
 
Update from my friend who got out after three hours because of the blockage: People turned off their cars. Black and white people pissed off at the stoppage (didn't know why it was stopped), dude was performing backflips since all the car stopped, people lane splitting bikes, skateboards and electric skateboards in the opposite direction of traffic and lots of selfies on the bridge.

Well how dare they! All those drivers should have been smiling and sympathetic and left their cars and joined them.
 
You guys realize that this kind of "they should protest the way I say" is exactly the kind of thing that defines systematic oppression, right?

It's ok to recognize that you're part of the problem.

And even if you don't agree that you are part of the problem I would just ask you guys this:

Why does impeding traffic bother you so much? Why is order so important to you?

Why did this thread make you need to let people know how blocking traffic bothers you so much?
 
"Don't critique them" because I said so. Yeah no thanks we should be able to have a discussion about this.

What do you want to discuss, bud? What black people need to do to make this struggle more palatable to you?

Do you find a discussion worth having there? Do you think there are two sides with legitimate points? Because I see opinions that enable the status quo, and opinions that allow people to speak for themselves.
 
People have different levels of tolerances of radical protesting. Personally, I draw the line at disrupting critical services. If I were in the group of people organizing this protest, I'd be the voice saying 'We shouldn't do a protest that could disruptive fire fighters or ambulances". I'm not comfortable with the potential consequences of that protest. That doesn't mean I am a part of systematic oppression.

There's always reasons why there shouldn't be any inconvenience and why things should just keep on going the way they are, eh
 
You would have marched with pieces of shit and monsters? Why would you do that?
Indeed, people should at least admit that they would have the same response to MLK's tactics then that they have now - it's the same situation, what would be the reason for the discrepancy in response to the two identical situations?

And I'm not even saying that to try and make people feel bad about themselves - from a coldly logical perspective, that is what you would have done. Simple as that.

To address some hypothetical as well: considering the ubiquity of traffic apps these days any emergency vehicle should be routed around the protest. And if they are caught by the very beginning of the protest before it registers in the systems, well then the protesters can easily let the emergency vehicle through since it is right up at the front. There is also no school today and it is a federal holiday - in fact, it is a federal holiday memorializing this very form of protest.
 
Also all the money that it costs the town to not have that place in operation and all the money it will cost to fix all the stuff they've destroyed.

You have a judge talking about billing this Bundy filth 70k A DAY for their absolute fuckery, and this guy has the audacity to compare the two in a way that is much more negative towards these protests? Unbelievable.
 
Institutionalized racism is still around because it's profitable, not because BLM hasn't been co-opted by the Soul Train awards

Bingo...

And for the folks in the back, guess what this blocked traffic does? Makes the continuation of said institutional racism unprofitable. A disruption, and inconvenience. JUST LIKE IN THE 60s!
 
What do you want to discuss, bud? What black people need to do to make this struggle more palatable to you?

Do you find a discussion worth having there?

We can have a discussion on whether or not something is appropriate. But comments saying, "Don't critique them because I'm in favor of this" isn't exactly conducive to conversation.
 
Indeed, people should at least admit that they would have the same response to MLK's tactics then that they have now - it's the same situation, what would be the reason for the discrepancy in response to the two identical situations?

And I'm not even saying that to try and make people feel bad about themselves - from a coldly logical perspective, that is what you would have done. Simple as that.

To address some hypothetical as well: considering the ubiquity of traffic apps these days any emergency vehicle should be routed around the protest. And if they are caught by the very beginning of the protest before it registers in the systems, well then the protesters can easily let the emergency vehicle through since it is right up at the front. There is also no school today and it is a federal holiday - in fact, it is a federal holiday memorializing this very form of protest.

they are not the same thing, sorry to burst your bubble

like has been said, 2016 is a radically faster world than 1965

this kind is disruption is irresponsible and dangerous, does no favors to our cause

if that fact falls flat on you, we're at odds ends with each other re: how we protest
 
The line is fairly blurry for anyone who has internet access.

Not really? Willful ignorance is active, ignorance is inactive.

they are not the same thing, sorry to burst your bubble

like has been said, 2016 is a radically faster world than 1965

this kind is disruption is irresponsible and dangerous, does no favors to our cause

Are you still of a mind that MLK would reject this kind of protesting if he were still around?
 
Lmao at that page 1 alt account throwaway. What a coward

As far as the protests go, I dont see much debate. They got their point across that they won't be ignored and if it's illegal then they'll get cleared out
 

My GF who works at the hospital.

Like I said, today's protest would't have impacted it, but it's been done in the past. And Children's is far from a hospital that caters to "the rich." They take everyone, and because of their level of care, usually end up with transfers from other local hospitals.

EDIT: To put it into perspective how close Children's is to the bridge, when the bridge collapsed in '89, doctors and nurses from Children's were first responders because they could simply reach it on foot.

That is a big negative good buddy

Schools, and Federal offices were shut down

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/schools-reopen-near-militia-showdown-in-oregon

http://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-standoff/2016/01/burns-area_schools_reopen_as_a.html

at least BLM did it on a holiday when federal offices and schools were closed normally.

I stand corrected on that point. Knew they had holed up in a building in a wildlife sanctuary. Didn't know that schools ~30 miles away had been shut down because of it.
 
People have different levels of tolerances of radical protesting. Personally, I draw the line at disrupting critical services. If I were in the group of people organizing this protest, I'd be the voice saying 'We shouldn't do a protest that could disruptive fire fighters or ambulances". I'm not comfortable with the potential consequences of that protest. That doesn't mean I am a part of systematic oppression.

You should reconsider a moral stance where the line is drawn as soon as it inconveniences you.

Also why is such a big deal made about ambulances and other emergency services? Unless someone is on fire ON the bridge, I recall San Francisco and Oakland having their own respective hospitals.
 
I don't view important services like fire fighters and ambulances being disrupted as simply "inconveniences".

You're still ignoring the part where you're not bringing up incidents where people died or how something horrific occurred because of a traffic protest.

Why do you insist on this train of thought? This is the same type of logic that's against gender neutral bathrooms.

My GF who works at the hospital.

Like I said, today's protest would't have impacted it, but it's been done in the past. And Children's is far from a hospital that caters to "the rich." They take everyone, and because of their level of care, usually end up with transfers from other local hospitals.
I tried googling it and I found #ShutItDown preventing an ambulance from passing but the person inside ended up OK.

You're really grasping with sources aren't you?
 
Institutionalized racism is still around because it's profitable, not because BLM hasn't been co-opted by the Soul Train awards

Don't forget about emergent ignorance. The very fact that a group is a minority diminishes their visibility. Anything requiring significant capital backing will ignore them to seek the most immediate returns.
 
I don't view important services like fire fighters and ambulances being disrupted as simply "inconveniences".

If I were Mayor, I'd take further action to make sure that protests like these do not continue to happen in my city. I'd do that by implementing reforms while simultaneously making sure large groups of people do not impede traffic for hours on end.

Can you imagine the disaster if people stormed the traffic tunnels to NYC?
 
they are not the same thing, sorry to burst your bubble

like has been said, 2016 is a radically faster world than 1965

this kind is disruption is irresponsible and dangerous, does no favors to our cause

if that fact falls flat on you, we're at odds ends with each other re: how we protest

Hahaha, aren't you a Bernie Sanders supporter?
 
they are not the same thing, sorry to burst your bubble

like has been said, 2016 is a radically faster world than 1965

this kind is disruption is irresponsible and dangerous, does no favors to our cause

if that fact falls flat on you, we're at odds ends with each other re: how we protest

You have failed to elaborate on why this form of protest is is acceptable in the 60s but not in 2016? Saying it's "faster" doesn't mean anything and comes of as nonsense. What's the big difference between now and then?
 
Well how dare they! All those drivers should have been smiling and sympathetic and left their cars and joined them.

The thing is, the sooner everybody joins in, the faster we can clear traffic.

Because you know how the whole systemic racism thing is the actual cause of the hold up.
 
You should reconsider a moral stance where the line is drawn is soon as it inconveniences you.

Also why is such a big deal made about ambulances and other emergency services? Unless someone is on fire ON the bridge, I recall San Francisco and Oakland having their own respective hospitals.

It's true that I don't know the area at all and cannot speak to how it affects that exact area. I'm talking about blocking a busy road/bridge in general. It is possible that what I do not know about that exact area could change how I feel about the protest.
 
they are not the same thing, sorry to burst your bubble

like has been said, 2016 is a radically faster world than 1965

this kind is disruption is irresponsible and dangerous, does no favors to our cause

if that fact falls flat on you, we're at odds ends with each other re: how we protest

this works. it has worked in the past. there is precedent.

Either you agree, or you're a history denier. And when you're telling black people that they shouldn't go to what works, you better have another answer.
 
It's true that I don't know the area at all and cannot speak to how it affects that exact area. I'm talking about blocking a busy road/bridge in general. It is possible that what I do not know about that exact area could change how I feel about the protest.

Again why are you so focused on this hypothetical when it's not even what happened?
 
It's true that I don't know the area at all and cannot speak to how it affects that exact area. I'm talking about blocking a busy road/bridge in general. It is possible that what I do not know about that exact area could change how I feel about the protest.

Oddly, not being able to present solid examples of harm caused by traffic protests isn't swaying your determination but "what I do not know about that exact area could change how I feel about the protest" does? I can confidently say you're not looking at it as a traffic issue but a "BLM is protesting again" issue.
 
My GF who works at the hospital.

Like I said, today's protest would't have impacted it, but it's been done in the past. And Children's is far from a hospital that caters to "the rich." They take everyone, and because of their level of care, usually end up with transfers from other local hospitals.



I stand corrected on that point. Knew they had holed up in a building in a wildlife sanctuary. Didn't know that schools ~30 miles away had been shut down because of it.

Just stop talking about the idiots at Malheur until you do some more research. Please.

The are NOT holed up. They come and go at will. They go into town whenever they want. They travel miles away to destroy fences. They built a shitty fucking road through the wildlife refuge. They are destroying whatever they want. They receive mail.

So stop.
 
The thing is, the sooner everybody joins in, the faster we can clear traffic.

Because you know how the whole systemic racism thing is the actual cause of the hold up.

Yeah the whole point is that that blocking traffic for everyone (not just white people) isn't going to make people join in.
 
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