FFS! I got an email at work saying they're shutting down the entire area this Saturday, as there's going to be ANOTHER protest. It even says, "based on experience with similar events, [local police] is also concerned protest activity may extend beyond the planned 6 pm time and may become disruptive." Which yes, has happened and the area in question has a lot of apartments with families in them. They're even allowing "staging events" prior to the 3 pm start time.
At least I'll have the day off and won't be anywhere near the area.
Look, I'm all for the right to protest, especially in a peaceful manner. I'm also well aware many solutions could and would become a slippery slope by authorities if implemented. Hell, I know a number of said-authorities actually support the violence! But this shit has been going on for nearly 3 damn months, many ending the same way and the thugs are getting bolder. At some point, these miserable excuses for human beings need to be treated like the overgrown children they are. Even something as simple as having officials periodically warn protesters of what police will be allowed to do as soon as anyone tries to start shit beyond waving signs or screaming whatever the chosen chant is that day, but won't interfere with the protest otherwise, and then making good on that promise would be better than letting a bunch of destructive brats go unpunished.
I don't know. I'm just so tired of all this.