Protests against police brutality pop up in small towns in Trump-friendly regions

Hice on May 29 criticized Twitter for flagging a tweet from Trump that “violated the Twitter rules about glorifying violence.” Trump in this tweet, now hidden behind the notice from Twitter, wrote, “When the looting starts, the shooting starts,” an echo of a phrase used by a Miami police chief in the 1960s, widely interpreted as a violent threat against protesters. 

When asked for his thoughts on the protests in his district, Hice said he was “very happy” to see his constituents demonstrating peacefully.

“The tragic and horrifying death of George Floyd must never be repeated, and that requires Americans to demand systemic change,” Hice added. “I view the problem of racism in America through the lens of my experience as a pastor of 25 years. I believe that America has a spiritual problem in our nation’s heart. We must come together to restore our love for God and each other.”

In Monroe, Georgia, about 10 miles from Loganville, protesters held multiple demonstrations last week, with each one doubling or tripling turnout from the previous demonstration. The first gathering, held last Monday, attracted about a dozen people, said attendee Ava Atkism. During another event that night, 40 or 50 people came out in support of the cause. And in an event on Tuesday, “easily between 100-150 people, maybe even more” protested, Atkism said.  

In 2016, Trump won the town, which has a population similar in size to Loganville’s, with 68%, compared with 28% for Clinton. Still, protesters received support from law enforcement and community members who stood by and supported the efforts, Atkism said.

“It was very moving that some of the local pastors were out there for and with us. A few of them have actually walked with us every single day, and have prayed with us,” she said. “Our police department has blocked the roads off for us so we can cross safely and not worry about people that might try to be funny and harm us.” Several pizzeria owners donated food, water and snacks to protesters.

Such support in conservative Monroe demonstrated to Atkism that the sentiment against institutionalized racism transcends party politics.

“This is totally against tradition, but this isn’t about political parties,” she said. “This all falls back on what’s wrong and what’s right. You can only take so much until you say ‘enough is enough.’ You need to take action before it hits home or hits close to you.”

Across the country in Red Bluff, California, up to 250 people came out on June 1, according to an estimate from attendee Kristin Hayworth. The town has a population of more than 14,000.

Organizers advised protesters to avoid obstructing roads and gave advice on how to remain safe in the event of violence, she said. The event remained largely peaceful, however, and Hayworth “was comfortable enough with the atmosphere to not only have my 9-year-old son with me, but to march with him.”

But in a town like Red Bluff, where Trump garnered 58% of the vote to Clinton’s 35% in 2016, and where liberal causes are denounced and shunned, Hayworth remained hyper-aware that most people “likely” wouldn’t support the movement. 

“At no point did I forget that the crowd gathered across the street wasn’t likely to be sympathetic to our cause and the police, who had been informed of the protest and talked to the organizers, were stationed on the roof and driving around in unmarked cars, following us with a drone as we marched,” Hayworth said in an email to CNBC. 

Article source: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/08/police-brutality-protests-pop-up-in-small-towns-in-trump-country.html