Nobody has the power to tell anybody NOT to wear a hoodie or a backpack.

I think your proposal is unworkable.

-Laelth

Go ahead and wear your hoodie and take your backpack.

Don't make perfect the enemy of good.

I think peaceful protesters should take flowers to the demonstrations too.
But I can't force you. no.

I would rather focus my energy on something that is actually possible. This OP proposes a potential solution that seems impossible to me.

-Laelth

If protest leaders let their groups know to be suspicious of anyone dressed in that fashion, someone should observe them and perhaps even question suspicious actions. Take pictures and make notes if necessary.

Simply by getting the real protesters to voluntarily agree to keep the hoodies down and leave the means of carrying heavy tools at home, that could make the fascists nervous about sticking out like a sore thumb and stay the hell away.

I'm looking for simple ways the good guys can prevent evil people that look like something out of a spy movie from walking down city streets methodically popping windows out of storefronts and spray painting everything in sight with false messages.

KY

You overestimate DU if you think that this forum can reach your target audience. We are old. I would wager that fewer than 3% of us have actually attended a George Floyd protest. Still, if you could actually reach your target audience with your suggestions, I would support them. I don’t think you are wrong. I think that grassroots movements are organic and, ultimately, uncontrollable.

-Laelth

... in Furgeson and it worked like a charm to stop the anarchist

that ended up at the governor's mansion.

Protesters agreed to walk back down the street and disperse if the officers walked with them.
It worked.

... or corrupt themselves.

Christ Rock is right, a couple of bad apples among police is like having a couple of bad apple airline pilots who like to crash their planes into mountains.

the sides. Pretty much stop the vandalism or they have easy access to them as they clearly present themselves getting out of protest to do damage. But I imagine most of the damage is not coming from the protest line, but groups going around with the express purpose of causing problems.

Lets try quietly kneeling when the national anthem is played.
Oh wait...

We should call out the RW agitators and vandals but a lot of the vandalism is coming from our/my side and I don't think we should be in fear of it. Do exactly what you say and there are still going to be oppressed people, and those who support our cause, out there breaking shit. When peaceful protests don't provide the required change then some factions will take it to the next level. I support them. The killing of minorities and systemic governmental oppression is not going to to end by way of peaceful protests.

Why don't some people stop attempting to rewrite history by saying that violence and vandalism only have a negative impact on societal movements, specially in the area of civil rights? It's just not true.

Lets not put a dress code on protests. Lets not start questioning our own. Point out the agitators, attempt to identify them, and also understand the great importance of the vandalism that is coming from our side.

"I just feel the good guys somehow need to make themselves distinctive from the bad guys."

Don't look at someone who just broke a store window and simply write them off as "bad guys." Many are agents of change.

stations, city halls, etc., every day with hundred/thousands carrying signs like BLM -- so that police and officials see it as they come and go -- would make a difference. And do it during the week, not just on weekends.

But, when you get right down to it, doing something -- even if not the best way -- feels, and might be, better than doing nothing.

Was 8.5M last time I looked.



This little pandemic thing....