Double standard on race plays out in response to U.S. Capitol insurrection vs. Black Lives Matter protests
Updated Jan 07, 2021;
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NEW YORK Black Lives Matter protests, 2020: Overwhelming force from law enforcement in dozens of cities. Chemical dispersants. Rubber bullets and hand-to-hand combat with largely peaceful crowds and some unruly vandals and looters. More than 14,000 arrests.
The U.S. Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021: Barely more than a few dozen arrests. Several weapons seized, improvised explosive devices found. Members of a wilding mob escorted from the premises, some not even in handcuffs.
The key difference? The first set of protesters were overwhelmingly Black Americans and their allies. The second group was overwhelmingly white Americans who support outgoing President Donald Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud.
Many spectators watching the riots unfold on television or online commented on the small police presence assembled at the U.S. Capitol in comparison to the armed show of force that awaited the BLM protesters this summer. Others expressed surprise that the officers did not use greater force as the Capitol was breached. In one moment that sparked outrage online, an officer was caught on video taking a selfie with a rioter during the height of the chaos.
On Thursday, President-elect Joe Biden called Wednesday one of the darkest days in American history, and pointedly called out the double standard in the law enforcement response.
Race double standard clear in rioters Capitol insurrection sfgate.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sfgate.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Many spectators watching the riots unfold on television or online commented on the small police presence assembled at the U.S. Capitol in comparison to the armed show of force that awaited the BLM protesters this summer. Others expressed surprise that the officers did not use greater force as the Capitol was breached. In one moment that sparked outrage online, an officer was caught on video taking a selfie with a rioter during the height of the chaos.
On Thursday, President-elect Joe Biden called Wednesday one of the darkest days in American history, and pointedly called out the double standard in the law enforcement response.
Many spectators watching the riots unfold on television or online commented on the small police presence assembled at the U.S. Capitol in comparison to the armed show of force that awaited the BLM protesters this summer. Others expressed surprise that the officers did not use greater force as the Capitol was breached. In one moment that sparked outrage online, an officer was caught on video taking a selfie with a rioter during the height of the chaos.
On Thursday, President-elect Joe Biden called Wednesday one of the darkest days in American history, and pointedly called out the double standard in the law enforcement response.