Yeah, I am all on board with the BLM movement, but people train hard for months to accomplish a marathon finish.... And that just seems shitty. They can create awareness at the race without impeding runners.
Post by sometimesrunner on Sept 29, 2015 15:30:09 GMT -5
There are laws regarding protests, no? I vaguely remember some time/place/manner requirement from high school. I'm sure the race officials have some type of permit, so I can't imagine this going well for the BLM protestors.
This is shitty. I just finished my first marathon and I would have been heartbroken if a protest kept me from crossing the finish line. I support the BLM movement, too. Why would they take an event that is so positive and brings people of all backgrounds together and choose to ruin it?
I can't see the protestors really holding their ground and seriously preventing people from crossing the finish line. That would be pretty heartless. However, I'm torn too because I understand what they're saying and they need to cause disruption to create awareness.
I'm not sure I understand how being/blocking the finish line isn't "getting physical with the runners" or how it will impact the state of affairs as it is. I guess I would choose actual events/political forums that involve the decision-makers and people that can actually enact change. This seems to me like protesting a college football game to change an abortion law. They don't correlate at all to me.
How is that disrupting business as usual? I mean I get it, but I guess I don't. Why not disrupt business as usual on a weekday, daily life rituals? I don't know.
I am also a big supporter of BLM, but I also think groups need to be smart in how they plan their protest otherwise it will do the exact opposite of what they are trying to achieve.
There are laws regarding protests, no? I vaguely remember some time/place/manner requirement from high school. I'm sure the race officials have some type of permit, so I can't imagine this going well for the BLM protestors.
From what I have read, BLM has every right to protest at the race BUT if any racer tries to use force to get thru the human barricade they are planning on making, they can be arrested.
Post by amberlyrose on Sept 29, 2015 15:40:21 GMT -5
I'm 100% for BLM but this seems like a terrible idea. If I had trained for that marathon, I'd be pretty pissed. I don't think this is going to have the outcome they think it will. There is no reasoning with someone who just ran 26 miles- they're hungry and tired.
I like it. It's not the best way, but there really is no best way. Nothing anyone does is going to keep racist white cops from killing black people, and there will always be enough people in power who are willing to let the practice continue. The idea of trying your best and not being able to finish the race is a powerful metaphor.
I'm torn about it too. I was planning on running the marathon this year and had been training until last month (stupid stress fracture ruined that). I would have been so upset if I wasn't able to finish or had a screwed up time because of the protest.
I think a protest alongside the route or at the finish would be more productive than interrupting the race.
I'm 100% for BLM but this seems like a terrible idea. If I had trained for that marathon, I'd be pretty pissed. I don't think this is going to have the outcome they think it will. There is no reasoning with someone who just ran 26 miles- they're hungry and tired.
so you are against BLM or for them? Normally, I mean, not this particular protest.
Post by foundmylazybum on Sept 29, 2015 15:42:39 GMT -5
Hmm. I've been at the finish at Boston and as a spectator getting to the inside with runners is nearly impossible through the barricades. Like I was trying to cross over to get to a subway back to the hotel and had to walk for blocks before I could cross. If security wants to make the course or finish impassable with barriers I think they can.
Post by fuckyourcouch on Sept 29, 2015 15:44:10 GMT -5
I think this is going to have the opposite effect they want. I support BLM but the runners have nothing to do with this. People are going to focus on that and use it against BLM in the media and elsewhere.
Hmm. I've been at the finish at Boston and as a spectator getting to the inside with runners is nearly impossible through the barricades. Like I was trying to cross over to get to a subway back to the hotel and had to walk for blocks before I could cross. If security wants to make the course or finish impassable with barriers I think they can.
Well, the Boston marathon is a different beast.Â
Twin cities is a usa championship race in two areas. It's also a race with a pretty big purse, & a big, well known national race that sells out every year. If security needs to put up more barriers to stop or at least work to prevent a protest at the finish I think they probably can.
I know you need to disrupt things to get noticed, and the bigger the thing you disrupt the more attention your protest will get. And I think the BLM movement is something that needs attention in America right now.
But fucking hell, there's days I want a medal just for making it through a C25K session without dying. If I actually trained for a MARATHON and I wasn't allowed to cross the finish line? I'd be so fucking pissed...and not for the reasons BLM would want me to be.
I'm 100% for BLM but this seems like a terrible idea. If I had trained for that marathon, I'd be pretty pissed. I don't think this is going to have the outcome they think it will. There is no reasoning with someone who just ran 26 miles- they're hungry and tired.
so you are against BLM or for them? Normally, I mean, not this particular protest.
I believe in their cause and stand behind them. I had a typo earlier that I edited
I know you need to disrupt things to get noticed, and the bigger the thing you disrupt the more attention your protest will get. And I think the BLM movement is something that needs attention in America right now.
But fucking hell, there's days I want a medal just for making it through a C25K session without dying. If I actually trained for a MARATHON and I wasn't allowed to cross the finish line? I'd be so fucking pissed...and not for the reasons BLM would want me to be.
Ya you put it into words better for me. I agree. I am torn.
I know you need to disrupt things to get noticed, and the bigger the thing you disrupt the more attention your protest will get. And I think the BLM movement is something that needs attention in America right now.
But fucking hell, there's days I want a medal just for making it through a C25K session without dying. If I actually trained for a MARATHON and I wasn't allowed to cross the finish line? I'd be so fucking pissed...and not for the reasons BLM would want me to be.
I know you need to disrupt things to get noticed, and the bigger the thing you disrupt the more attention your protest will get. And I think the BLM movement is something that needs attention in America right now.
But fucking hell, there's days I want a medal just for making it through a C25K session without dying. If I actually trained for a MARATHON and I wasn't allowed to cross the finish line? I'd be so fucking pissed...and not for the reasons BLM would want me to be.
I think a protest alongside the route or at the finish would be more productive than interrupting the race.
No, I don't agree with this at all.
The fact that the protest stops people from finishing is what makes the protest most effective.
But I'm not sure this is going to get people riled up for the right reasons.
I think interrupting the race will bring the most attention and press to the cause, but not the attention they want. Tensions have been running quite high here since BLM announced the protest and, from what I've seen, there is a lot of anger.
A protest alongside the race (without interrupting it) would still bring media attention but hopefully not the animosity.
I'm with 05 here. If I had worked that hard to train for a marathon and I can't see the correlation between my efforts and the protest and what it stood for, gah... I don't know. I think it's actually a very smart move. Sure there will be many that are angry and upset, but if they are forewarned, maybe they too can be part of the movement. In other words, they won't cross the finish line as a way to take a stand. It's smart.
Those against the BLM movement that are racing, well, too bad for them.
I do see this side of their logic and with what 05 said above. It's a tough call though, as any protest is.
Post by gummybear on Sept 29, 2015 15:55:12 GMT -5
Hmmm. As a runner I totally get the outrage. But this is not supposed to be convenient. It's not supposed to be about fair and getting what you've worked for or deserve. That said, I'd be pissed.
My worry is that this could backfire in that black athletes who are actually running the race may be profiled and stereotyped. They may be unfairly treated during the race bc security/other runners think they are moles who are planning to do something with BLM.
Post by open24hours on Sept 29, 2015 15:55:02 GMT -5
If I was participating in the marathon, I'd be pissed. This does not seem like a very smart way to get people on board with your movement. Also, the protest seems to ignore the fact that it is possible to care about both finishing a marathon and about racial injustice/standing in solidarity. It doesn't have to be one or the other.