Global Protests Against Social Distancing, Lockdown, Vaccine Mandate

[Dotini]

Is this real, or is it astroturfing? Where is this headed, suicide by coronavirus, or armed insurrection? Is freedom, democracy and constitutional law in any way at stake?

In photos: Americans gather to protest social distancing

Orion Rummler

New Hampshire residents rally at the State House in Concord on April 18, calling on the government to re-open the state for business. Photo: Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images

California, Texas and New Hampshire residents staged protests on Friday and Saturday opposing state closures of businesses and schools that aim to slow the spread of the coronavirus by enforcing social distancing.

Why it matters: Leading coronavirus modeling shows that the country's collective sacrifice of an economic shutdown — which has resulted in 22 million jobless claims — has likely prevented hundreds of thousands of deaths, serving as a sign that social distancing is working.

• But, the U.S. cannot afford to stay in lockdown until a cure or vaccine arrives. Safely reopening communities and economies requires information that is currently difficult to find.

Flashback: President Trump began fueling reopening protests in Michigan, Minnesota and Virginia on Friday via Twitter.

Jessica Lilly, right, with her children aged 7 and 4, join a crowd gathered at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, Calif., to protest state closures on April 17. Photo: Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images

Sarah Mason joins a crowd at Huntington Beach, Calif., to protest state closures on April 17. Photo: Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images

Police officers watch the crowd at Huntington Beach, Calif. as they protest state closures on April 17. Photo: Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images

Protestors in Huntington Beach, Calif. protest state closures on April 17. Photo: Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images

Protesters yell in unison when Infowars' Alex Jones arrives for an April 18 protest at the State Capitol in Austin, Texas. Photo: Mark Felix/AFP via Getty Images

A protestor in Austin, Texas on April 18. Photo: Sergio Flores/Getty Images

Protesters at the Texas State Capital on April 18 in Austin, Texas. Photo: Sergio Flores/Getty Images

Hundreds of New Hampshire residents rally at the State House in Concord on April 18, calling on the government to re-open the state. Photo: Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images

Hundreds of New Hampshire residents rally at the State House in Concord on April 18, calling on the government to reopen the state. Photo: Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images

Hundreds of New Hampshire residents rally at the State House in Concord on April 18, calling on the government to re-open the state. Photo: Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images
Go deeper: Michigan protesters rally over Gov. Whitmer's stay-at-home order

 

[mustafur]

All I can think of is Darwinism.

 

[Northstar]

I always love how the people at these types of protests style themselves as patriots, yet have no problem violating the rules of the U.S. flag.

 

[Liquid]

I was idly wondering about populace with guns. I don't want to get into a whole argument about gun rights but in the US, you're allowed to maintain firearms and a guarded militia in the event of government tyranny. Fine, that's what you're allowed.

These lockdown protests made me think though: Going against an oppressive government is noble and justice like, sure, but what happens when the armed population unite behind something really stupid?

 

[killerjimbag]

Well they won't be crossing into Canada anytime soon. Thank god. Anybody in a car plant in the states needs parts good luck. All the manufacturers in Ontario are shut down your not getting them.

 

[TexRex]

These lockdown protests made me think though: Going against an oppressive government is noble and justice like, sure, but what happens when the armed population unite behind something really stupid?

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

 

[Biggles]

I was idly wondering about populace with guns. I don't want to get into a whole argument about gun rights but in the US, you're allowed to maintain firearms and a guarded militia in the event of government tyranny. Fine, that's what you're allowed.

These lockdown protests made me think though: Going against an oppressive government is noble and justice like, sure, but what happens when the armed population unite behind something really stupid?

You mean like slavery? I think you have your answer.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Every single one these protestors needs to have a house arrest anklet on so they don't go out and spread whatever stupid they have lol

 

[Biggles]

What impresses me is how "un-rednecky" a lot of these pro-Trump protestors look ... for instance:

WTF?

 

[DesertPenguin]

What impresses me is how "un-rednecky" a lot of these pro-Trump protestors look ... for instance:


View attachment 912459

WTF?

Stupid has no prejudice. It can look like anyone. Strike at any time. Oh lord they're doomed...

 

[TexRex]

What impresses me is how "un-rednecky" a lot of these pro-Trump protestors look ... for instance:


View attachment 912459

WTF?

"I don't want to wear a mask. I may occasionally cover my face with the bandana that's currently around my neck, but it's not a mask."

 

[Biggles]

"I don't want to wear a mask. I may occasionally cover my face with the bandana that's currently around my neck, but it's not a mask."

Young, female, cute, ear lobe enlargement, nose ring, cool aviator sunglasses, black antifa shirt & reverse baseball cap ...

+ Trump 2020 sign?

My head's exploding.

 

[DesertPenguin]

ear lobe enlargement, nose ring, cool aviator sunglasses, & reverse baseball cap ...

This is the the current teenage loser starter kit so adding the other stuff isn't that much of a stretch anymore. Anyone that puts a giant hole in their ear is a dumbass. My cousin's fiance did years ago and has regretted it for awhile because it will never go back to normal no matter how much he wants it to. Good job idiot lol

 

[TexRex]

Young, female, cute, ear lobe enlargement, nose ring, cool aviator sunglasses, black antifa shirt & reverse baseball cap ...

+ Trump 2020 sign?

My head's exploding.

That's an antifa shirt? There are no visible markings to indicate this is the case. I have black sweatshirts. Are they antifa shirts? I hope not, because I'm simultaneously anti-fascism and [as a result] anti-Antifa.

Edit:

Anyone that puts a giant hole in their ear is a dumbass.

Do what now?

 

[DesertPenguin]

That's an antifa shirt? There are no visible markings to indicate this is the case. I have black sweatshirts. Are they antifa shirts? I hope not, because I'm simultaneously anti-fascism and [as a result] anti-Antifa.

Edit:


Do what now?

Nothing against their artistic integrity, and this is a big generalization but if you do that to your ear you're either not taking life seriously enough to think ahead to a "normal" job or you have work in a setting where that's acceptable like the music industry. My cousin's fiance is a nurse in a hospital. It makes him look a certain way and can give off certain connotations to patients. He'd like to not have that ever be a thing.

 

[TexRex]

Nothing against their artistic integrity, and this is a big generalization but if you do that to your ear you're either not taking life seriously enough to think ahead to a "normal" job or you have work in a setting where that's acceptable like the music industry. My cousin's fiance is a nurse in a hospital. It makes him look a certain way and can give off certain connotations to patients. He'd like to not have that ever be a thing.

Seems like the problem is others' perception of individuals with additional holes in their body and not those holes themselves. It's a stupid problem.

 

[DesertPenguin]

Seems like the problem is others' perception of individuals with additional holes in their body and not those holes themselves. It's a stupid problem.

It is. But he's acknowledged that he can't change other people's perception so he's being the bigger man and trying to get rid of it so as not deal with it anymore. He's said the coolness of having it wore off a long time ago. The hole will shrink ever so slightly so maybe when he's 50 it'll look almost normal.

 

[Biggles]

That's an antifa shirt? There are no visible markings to indicate this is the case. I have black sweatshirts. Are they antifa shirts? I hope not, because I'm simultaneously anti-fascism and [as a result] anti-Antifa.

When I think of Trump supporters I picture something more this:

... or this:

... or this:

..or this:

I guess I'm just a bigot.

 

[PzR Slim]

Maybe all these protests will end up killing a lot of the Trump 2020 vote. You just got to hope that those who don't think it's a good idea to gather in large groups during a global pandemic aren't also infected by people who do.

 

[TexRex]

It is. But he's acknowledged that he can't change other people's perception so he's being the bigger man and trying to get rid of it so as not deal with it anymore. He's said the coolness of having it wore off a long time ago. The hole will shrink ever so slightly so maybe when he's 50 it'll look almost normal.

That he's seen nothing to indicate others' perception changing doesn't mean others' perception hasn't changed or won't change.

To this day, the sweetest person I have ever met is a 50-year-old man, one who people would have referred to as a "punk" many years ago, covered in tattoos (including on his face) and with a plethora of additional holes in his body (including many that can't be seen in public, I'm given to understand), who is 6-foot-6 and weighs well over 300 pounds. He's imposing...until he talks. He's an incredibly well-spoken, thoughtful and caring individual who goes well out of his way to help others.

In stark contrast, I'm a brash, confrontational blowhard with carefully groomed facial hair (okay, so I also have long hair, but it isn't unkempt), no additional holes in my body and no visible tattoos.

When I think of Trump supporters I picture something more this:

View attachment 912479

... or this:

View attachment 912480

... or this:

View attachment 912486

..or this:

View attachment 912487

I guess I'm just a bigot.

Those are the ones who make themselves visible. Those pictures of them are also taken at rallies. It's a mistake to assume people who don't look like that are Trump supporters, and I'd wager those people don't look like that on a daily basis.

 

[DesertPenguin]

I totally know what you mean. At one job one of my managers was this 50-somethings guy who was a devout Christian (or Catholic, don't remember) but also a die-hard heavy metal and comic book fan. It was so cool to talk to him about some Metallica concert from the early 90s and then he would go off on something about the saints. He had them all memorized and a card in his wallet listing them. It's great that there are people like that in this world.

 

[Danoff]

I see their point. I hate that there is so much dehumanizing going on in this thread.

 

[Exorcet]

You mean like slavery? I think you have your answer.

I wouldn't say that's a fitting analogy. The government got behind something really stupid and use their monopoly on force to start a war. They had support of the local people yes, but even if private gun ownership was banned you'd have the same war break out.

 

[Biggles]

I wouldn't say that's a fitting analogy. The government got behind something really stupid and use their monopoly on force to start a war. They had support of the local people yes, but even if private gun ownership was banned you'd have the same war break out.

My point is that it's delusional to think that it's ever likely to be "the government against the people" in a country like the United States. It's much more likely that the conflict will be between different factions of the government supported by different factions of the people ... as is the case now. Having everyone armed to the teeth is not going be helpful to a peaceful or reasonable outcome & is more likely to lead to civil war. Aside from that, in the present age, the kind of firepower possessed by the government makes personal firearm ownership irrelevant in a conflict, unless different factions of government engage ... which again leads you back to a (worse) civil war.

 

[Danoff]

My point is that it's delusional to think that it's ever likely to be "the government against the people" in a country like the United States. It's much more likely that the conflict will be between different factions of the government supported by different factions of the people ... as is the case now. Having everyone armed to the teeth is not going be helpful to a peaceful or reasonable outcome & is more likely to lead to civil war. Aside from that, in the present age, the kind of firepower possessed by the government makes personal firearm ownership irrelevant in a conflict, unless different factions of government engage ... which again leads you back to a (worse) civil war.

We've been over this so many times in the various gun threads.... it seems like a discussion for there.

 

[Joey D]

I agree that the lockdowns are probably unconstitutional and I'm not sure the government really has the power to enforce them. However, I think people should not be stupid and understand that the best way to prevent getting sick is to no gather in large crowds.

As for the people who are protesting? Based on the Utah protests I saw yesterday, it seemed like many of those in attendance we older people, mostly overweight, and probably had underlying conditions...much like many of the protests I'm seeing. It's like the most susceptible to COVID-19 are the ones yelling and shouting about it, which makes no sense to me. The data is literally everywhere that certain groups are way more likely to have severe complications from COVID-19 and potentially die. You'd think people would take it seriously or at least seriously enough to protect themselves.

One thing I don't agree with when it comes to the protests is the flying of the Confederate flag. Not only are you flying the flag of a bunch of traitorist losers, but it also has nothing to do with COVID-19, being anti-government, or being pro-Trump. It's about being an idiot and thinking you're doing something "cultural" when really it's just supporting a bunch of traitorist losers who couldn't fight a wart properly and got steamrolled. Seriously, people who fly the Confederate flag are just dumbasses who like associating themselves with losers.

===

I do think it's astroturfing though, and apparently someone on Reddit found some pretty compelling evidence too. Here's a link to it but there is some offensive language in it, so if you don't want to see swear words don't click.

Seriously, LANGUAGE WARNING.



And no, I don't think Trump or Trump's family is behind it. But I'd be willing to put money on it that it's a wealthy Trump donor or group of donors doing it.

 

[DesertPenguin]

My brother just showed me that. I believe it.

 

[PzR Slim]

Jews and 5G are the problem, apparently.

 

[Biggles]

As for the people who are protesting? Based on the Utah protests I saw yesterday, it seemed like many of those in attendance we older people, mostly overweight, and probably had underlying conditions...much like many of the protests I'm seeing. It's like the most susceptible to COVID-19 are the ones yelling and shouting about it, which makes no sense to me. The data is literally everywhere that certain groups are way more likely to have severe complications from COVID-19 and potentially die. You'd think people would take it seriously or at least seriously enough to protect themselves.

Not more "dehumanizing"? But that's what prompted my comment: that young woman ... & a lot of the other individuals appearing in the protest photos/videos don't really fit that description.

And no, I don't think Trump or Trump's family is behind it. But I'd be willing to put money on it that it's a wealthy Trump donor or group of donors doing it.

A fair & balanced response to Soros funding every conceivable left wing/socialist/communist/antifa movement on the planet.

We've been over this so many times in the various gun threads.... it seems like a discussion for there.

True, but weirdly, guns inevitably pop up in just about every topic about the US ... & the coronavirus doesn't seem to be an exception.

 

[GranTurNismo]

The Michigan protests were funded by Betsy Devos and her family (they are billionaires, btw).

https://www.prwatch.org/news/2020/0...t-against-michigan-governor’s-stay-home-order

This is absolutely disgusting. I've always thought of her as one of the most corrupt, soulless people connected to Trump.