Crossfire: Are riots justifiable?

Protesters who riot will cause more harm than good

POLINA ZUBAREV and not the right way to fight against a racist By rioting and destroying buildings, people

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF system. go against the direct wishes of the Floyd A rioter, face covered, armed with bricks and a lighter, smashes a shop window,

Violence will not end violence, and causing chaos and destruction will invalidate family.

Citizens of this country have a right to Although these protests have come to be change America.” protest, especially if they are being actively about more than just the killing of George With violence, protesters are adding more oppressed, beaten and killed by those meant Floyd, it is important to remember what fuel to the fire that is America’s prevalent to protect us. The majority of this country sparked them. On June 1, George Floyd’s racism. However tragic, the past cannot be does not and will not ever understand the brother, Terrence Floyd, met protesters in undone, and it is up to us to change the suffering black citizens experience on a daily Minneapolis. He urged protesters to continue future and bring peace. We need to let our basis. But burning buildings, looting and to fight peacefully, and said that violence is voices be heard, not loot and riot in George rioting unprovoked by police is unacceptable “not going to bring my brother back at all.” Floyd’s name.

While many people believe that looting runs inside, proceeds to loot the building any change that protestors want to bring to is a legitimate form of protest, there are and finally lights it on fire. Citizens across this nation. Burning down small businesses so many other ways to allow your voice to the nation have been gathering to protest and homes will also affect people of color be heard. When people preach justice yet institutionalized racism and police brutality, more than anyone else. Nearly 21% of black destroy private property with no concern for primarily against black people. These protests people are living in poverty, and are therefore others, it gives reason for others to belittle for Black Lives Matter reignited with more more likely to work minimum wage jobs. their cause. vigor and outrage when George Floyd, a Furthermore, those who loot and destroy “We are all angry… But what are black man, was killed by Minneapolis police buildings may target black-owned businesses [protesters] changing by tearing up a city?” officer Derek Chauvin. While these protests without even realizing it. On May 28, more said Keisha Lance Bottoms, the mayor of began as peaceful acts of opposition, many of than 160 buildings were looted, damaged or Atlanta and a black woman. “[They have] them quickly turned into violent riots. destroyed in Minneapolis alone. lost all credibility now. This is not how we

ARE RIOTS JUSTIFIABLE?

Riots are necessary to fix this country’s problems

DALIA FISHMAN color face every day in this country, and these George Floyd has sparked a revolution,

MANAGING & COPY EDITOR riots are what is needed for that change to and now no one can deny the prevalence of D o you remember Willie Tillman? How occur. police brutality. After several cases of trying about Antonio Richardson? Or Kisha “Those who make peaceful revolution to make a difference peacefully, people Arrone? Or how about the other 133 black impossible will make violent revolution started to see just how impossible that people killed by police officers in just one inevitable.” John F. Kennedy’s famous quote would be. These protests for George Floyd year? No, you probably don’t recognize them, echoes loudly in today’s societal climate. started out peaceful, but it wasn’t until things but one name you most likely recognize is After generations of racial prejudice affecting became unruly that people actually began George Floyd, a black man whose recent millions, with no solution in sight, violence talking about police brutality. death initiated riots in Minneapolis. seems to be the only way to get the public’s In an ideal world, people would not have

George Floyd was murdered by three attention. Those who ignored peaceful to resort to violence, but this is not an ideal police officers kneeling on him for no evident revolution must realize that violent events, world, and it is naive to believe that extreme reason, after he exclaimed several times that like the ones in Minneapolis, were inevitable. and long-lasting change can be achieved he could not breathe. He, and his malicious In no way is destroying property without large sacrifices—large sacrifices by death, however, are not the controversy. belonging to innocent people, pillaging people who will someday be treated as heroes.

The controversy lies with the aftermath of uninvolved stores and taking advantage of Once again, the people of this country Floyd’s death—the riots all over the country, the riots to steal for personal gain acceptable, are called to action. It is your duty to stand resulting in the mass destruction of property. but people are talking about it. People are by these protests, and let whoever will listen Protesters began looting stores as well as discussing George Floyd, his death and what know that as a country, we will do whatever vandalizing buildings by spray painting we, as a country, can do to prevent this kind it takes to ensure the safety of any victim them, both of which were done in the name of atrocity from happening again. People who needs protection. Most importantly, we of justice. of every race are gathering in the streets all will not let our voices be silenced. We will

Simply put: drastic actions are necessary over the nation and the world to make real be heard. We will be listened to. And we will to correct the systemic racism that people of change. get justice for George Floyd, no matter what.