Photo: A protester joins a Black Lives Matter protest in Portland, Oregon, left: by Caitlin Ochs/Reuters; A demonstrator is sprayed with pepper spray during a Black Lives Matter protest in Portland, Oregon, right: by Marcio José Sánchez/AP
A new study has shown that the overwhelming majority of Black Lives Matter protests that have taken place in the United States have been peaceful. The new data comes from the respected Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project (Acled) that works with the Princeton University’s Bridging Divides Initiative. It tracks conflict around the world, including in places such as Syria and Yemen.
The report found that 93% of BLM protests ended with no serious injury sustained by any participant or law enforcement officer or any damage to property. The report goes against mainstream reporting that cities have descended into anarchy and chaos with mass casualties. It also dismisses the idea that left-wing mobs or anarchists were indeed posing any serious threat to law and order in the country.
The report also found that the US government and police officers were heavy handed in their approach and used force when it was not required. It stated that on 392 separate occasions force was used against BLM protestors as well as over 100 incidents of violence against journalists at the hands of the authorities. One journalist was permanently blinded.
In many cases it was said that intervention by authorities increased the likelihood of violent unrest, particularly in places such as Portland, which has seen a sustained protest movement.
The report took into account 7,750 demonstrations across the US in more than 2,000 locations. Showing just how big the protest movement has become since the tragic killing of George Floyd in May of this year.
Dr. Roudabeh Kishi, Acled's director of research & innovation, spoke about the report to The Guardian:
"There have been some violent demonstrations, and those tend to get a lot of media coverage. But if you were to look at all the demonstrations happening, it’s overwhelmingly peaceful."
The report also looked at 1,000 protests linked to the CoVid-19 pandemic, many of which were protests against schools reopening, every single one of them was registered as peaceful.
Protests are continuing throughout the US and show no real sign of abating. The movement was spurned on further after the shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin and the video release of Daniel Prude being killed by officers in Rochester, New York state.
The report flys in the face of a recent fake viral news report that said BLM had killed 36 people, wounded 1000 police officers and caused $8 billion worth of damage. As far as can be ascertained only 1 person has been killed by a BLM supporter while 2 BLM supporters have been killed by counter-protestors.
COMMENTS