BLM not to blame for violence at rallies

A recent letter seemed to have a fairly accurate hashtag, “Violence is wiping out ‘Opportunity Zones’” (E-R, July 8th.)

However, the letter begins with a false assertion, that “for years, we’ve known that BLM was a violent organization.”

Since 2013, BLM has been an organized movement advocating for non-violent civil disobedience in protest against incidents of police brutality against African-American people.

Other historic practitioners of non-violent civil disobedience over the years have included: Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., the Women’s Suffrage Movement (watch the new PBS series), and the Civil Rights Movement.

The broader BLM movement and its related organizations have also typically advocated for various other policy changes considered to be necessary for the eventual total fulfillment of black liberation.

BLM has organized rallies and demonstrations over the years that have included the political poster and chant slogans such as the following: “Hands up, don’t shoot,” “I can’t breathe,” “White silence is violence,” “No justice, no peace” and “Is my son next?”

Unfortunately, in recent weeks, after the ‘official’ peaceful protests and demonstrations had concluded for the day and participants left for their homes, a malevolent group of looters, vandals, opportunists, anarchists, criminals, and possible ‘undercover agents’ — under the cover of darkness — committed widespread acts of wanton violence and destruction in the communities. These individuals should be the focus of our wrath, as they are working directly counter to the stated objectives and goals of the ‘official’ non-violent BLM protest planners and participants.