Why Are Police Brutality Protesters in Minneapolis Targeting Small Businesses?

The question of why police brutality protesters in Minneapolis targeted small businesses has stirred considerable debate. The truth is that any protest can have a wide range of individuals, each with their motivations, and not all participants may have shared the same purpose or action. It is important to differentiate between genuine protesters and those who engage in destructive behavior.

Inherent Diverse Crowd Dynamics

Any crowd of people is made up of individual people, each with their unique reasons for being there. It is not accurate or fair to label every person in a protest as a protester. If someone is looting or rioting instead of protesting, they are rioters, not protesters. The vast majority of protesters did not cause any damage and many of them actively tried to prevent it.

There is no concrete evidence that protests against police brutality were targeted specifically at small businesses out of malice or strategic reasons. Initial reports suggested that larger businesses were targeted due to past donations to Minneapolis police, but this information has not been corroborated by official reports or social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter. The targeting of businesses was likely due to their proximity and availability, not a deliberate stance against small businesses.

Looters and Opportunistic Behavior

Looters are generally opportunistic. The assumption that all black people think alike and are inherently supportive of the Black Lives Matter movement is a broad generalization. Many may have been outraged by the death of George Floyd, but this does not mean everyone inside the protest area shared the same mindset. Both black and white individuals who loot may not have been concerned about George Floyd’s case. They may have been driven by other factors, such as frustration, a desire for attention, or a wish to rip apart the existing social system.

Arson and Clear Minded Opportunists

Apart from spontaneous actions, there were incidents of arson and destruction led by individuals who had a clear purpose. For instance, reports emerged of an Illinois man who came to Minneapolis with friends and explosives, trying to incite violence and destruction. This individual was handing out Molotov cocktails to protesters and encouraging them to throw them at law enforcement.

Reports indicated that a man from Illinois was caught and charged for his role in creating chaos and violence. He did not differentiate between small and large businesses, only in their susceptibility to destruction and arson. Luckily, the protesters in Minneapolis and St. Paul were relatively peaceful, with almost no violence. The destruction was present, but the protest atmosphere remained largely non-violent.

Justifiable Outrage and Full Accountability

The protesters are justified in their anger and desire for change. For too long, the police force in Minneapolis has terrorized communities, especially those of color, with no accountability. The horrific events captured on camera, highlighting the thuggish behavior of police officers, have ignited justified outrage. This event would never have occurred if those in power had taken appropriate actions to prevent and address such occurrences.

To prevent similar incidents in the future, it is crucial that all citizens, regardless of race, class, or background, demand full accountability from law enforcement. The lack of justice for a significant portion of the country's residents cannot continue. Stand strong, Minneapolis. Demand full accountability from any means necessary.

As an opinion expressed by a middle-aged white male who is sick and tired of the systemic issues and readiness to stand up against harmful behavior, it is my stance to support those who demand justice and accountability.