BlackLivesMatter plans to block finish line at TC Marathon

[laurack]

Hmmmm standing on the sidelines handing out fliers with the water DOES sound effective. Now I'm torn! Which would the runners notice more? I just don't know.

[Deleted]

Sept 30, 2015 9:16:34 GMT -5 @koko said:

And I will say, while people keep thinking if we just hold these solemn, dignified marches a la MLK that suddenly folks will decide "Hey, you know, those black folks are right..." are forgetting that what really got white America's attention during the civil rights movement, and what made people start reacting to it, was not the marches. It was the pictures in the papers of the protesters getting beaten by cops, blasted with water hoses, and otherwise physically assaulted. It was four little girls getting blown up in a church.

They knew about it, they absolutely knew about it, but they didn't start to really care until people started getting hurt. These days people are getting killed, but folks STILL don't care. Forgive me if I am inclined to say protest at the race, at the governor's mansion, at the Mall of America, on the light rail, and any damn place you wanna protest because OBVIOUSLY it's fucking needed.

Well said

[underwaterrhymes]

I have run five marathons and can understand feeling disappointed to not cross the finish line. Disappointment is okay.

However, this is a cause that is far more important than a chip on a shoe officially recording your time. The people who would be outraged over this and not understand or empathize are clearly not outraged over the loss of black lives. And that Is exactly why BLM is doing this.

It's when people are uncomfortable and inconvenienced that change begins to happen.

[shauni27]

Sept 29, 2015 15:55:12 GMT -5 gummybear said:

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.

This won't end well.

I have a concern that all black spectators are going to be questions and stopped, which makes me really uncomfortable and angry thinking about it.

[shauni27]

Sept 29, 2015 16:13:34 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Here's what I'd like people to do: Run the race, stop their garmin when they get to the protesters, and then join in.

This was my first thought.  I would LOVE for my first marathon to be this race with these protesters at the end.

1) run my first marathon
2) join in with a group that I fully support
3) still get to say I ran a marathon (so I ran 26 and not 26.2.  I DONT FUCKING CARE)
4) have two accomplishments I would be extremely proud of all in the span of a few hours

You can do both.  If these runners are so GD concerned, just finish with the protesters, show them your support and encouragement and then finish the last bit later.  You essentially ran the race.  Show your support.

[laurack]

Sept 30, 2015 9:06:18 GMT -5 @koko said:

Sept 30, 2015 9:05:00 GMT -5 laurack said:

Hmmmm standing on the sidelines handing out fliers with the water DOES sound effective. Now I'm torn! Which would the runners notice more? I just don't know.

....this is a joke, right.....

Yes!

[schitzengiggles]

I'm a runner, local to this and with tons of friends who will be running on Sunday.

I get the protest, and am in support....especially after reading many of these replies here. This place is great for that and causes me to consider and reconsider various ideas often (even if I don't post frequently).

They're definitely already accomplishing something - getting conversation started. Nobody can deny that! Yea, runners may not finish. And they will be mad, blah blah. That sucks, and as a runner I can imagine the disappointment. But I get it - it's just an inconvenience. There are other races. Lives lost are LOST, there is no second chance. It's a great, meaningful analogy.

So screw the "finish line". My only remaining concern is runners who may need urgent medical attention...and at mile 25, there surely will be some.

Hopefully I expressed this how I intended it.

[LLL]

Ditto everything 05heel and others have said. I think it sends a powerful message. 

[clseale]

Sept 30, 2015 9:57:46 GMT -5 schitzengiggles said:

So screw the "finish line". My only remaining concern is runners who may need urgent medical attention...and at mile 25, there surely will be some.

Hopefully I expressed this how I intended it.

This, as well as the trampling/stampede comment are valid, safety concerns. With that said, I feel like there is close to a 0% chance that they will make it anywhere near the finish line. Really, it's sort of on the runners now, to decide how this is going to go down. They've been given fair warning. I think their reactions will play a huge part in just how chaotic this becomes.  

[05heel]

Sept 30, 2015 9:10:20 GMT -5 @koko said:

I am just....I am getting increasingly angry at this idea that the protest should be less "intrusive" or more "productive" or all these ways people keep coming up with to protest that won't impede on or inconvenience anybody. That's not the fucking purpose of a protest.

But have they thought of the stampedes? 

Let's see, where have I heard the argument that you must do everything just right, by the book, and according to the rules of a society that you've never actually been invited to join?  And that if you just do those things, you MAY earn the respect of SOME people who will then CONSIDER your perspective and TRY, blah, blah, blah. So many qualifiers. So many people who know best, but do nothing.

Respectability politics, assimilation, humbly beseeching and petitioning, appealing to some fictional better nature...ask Obama, Barack how that's worked out.  It doesn't.  Now I'll just peace out of this thread before my inner Marcus Garvey gets too out of hand. 

[margotmacomber]

Honestly I just don't see anything changing UNTIL shit gets real and violent.  I'm a pessimist by nature but I'm serious.

[pixy0stix]

I think being worried about the logistics does not take away from the protest itself. Being worried about stampedes/crush of people is a reasonable fear especially in terms of a race. People at the end of marathons are not in the most cognitive state. I had to stop suddenly once at the end of the race, and I got extremely lightheaded. If it had been a longer race I might have passed out. So we're looking at the physical effects of the runners, plus people suddenly stopped in a small area.

[ninjabridemom]

Sept 30, 2015 10:58:24 GMT -5 margotmacomber said:

Honestly I just don't see anything changing UNTIL shit gets real and violent.  I'm a pessimist by nature but I'm serious.

What's really sad is it already IS real and violent. Kids (fucking kids!!) are dying at the hands of people of authority. Adults too.

I really wonder what it will take for the wakeup.

[05heel]

Sept 30, 2015 11:01:29 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I think being worried about the logistics does not take away from the protest itself. Being worried about stampedes/crush of people is a reasonable fear especially in terms of a race. People at the end of marathons are not in the most cognitive state. I had to stop suddenly once at the end of the race, and I got extremely lightheaded. If it had been a longer race I might have passed out. So we're looking at the physical effects of the runners, plus people suddenly stopped in a small area.

I think that's generally a fair assessment, but not in this case.  I think these worries absolutely detract from the fundamental message of the protest.  I had them too, but I'm going to check them and let it ride. 

[ninjabridemom]

Sept 30, 2015 11:10:56 GMT -5 05heel said:

Sept 30, 2015 11:01:29 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I think being worried about the logistics does not take away from the protest itself. Being worried about stampedes/crush of people is a reasonable fear especially in terms of a race. People at the end of marathons are not in the most cognitive state. I had to stop suddenly once at the end of the race, and I got extremely lightheaded. If it had been a longer race I might have passed out. So we're looking at the physical effects of the runners, plus people suddenly stopped in a small area.

I think that's generally a fair assessment, but not in this case.  I think these worries absolutely detract from the fundamental message of the protest.  I had them too, but I'm going to check them and let it ride. 

I think it is important to remember too that none of this happens in a vacuum. The media is all over this crap too. So our passing thought of logistics gets blown out of proportion and suddenly THAT is what everyone is talking about instead of the cause.

I like how 05 stated it -- check those thoughts and move on. Focus on the cause.

[miso]

Sept 30, 2015 7:21:45 GMT -5 ohiowan said:

Sept 29, 2015 15:57:38 GMT -5 miso said:

LOL. Very true.

How much more privileged can you get?

You're paying to run 26.2 miles.

You do know people of other ethnicities often run races, right?

I was not aware of this.

Thank you so much for informing me.

[cap]

Sept 30, 2015 8:00:54 GMT -5 Kristinmo said:

This post now has almost 14,000 likes:


        Dear Black Lives Matter -

        I have refrained from commenting up until now, as any dissent is too quickly turned back as being racist or unsympathetic to your cause.

        While that could not be further from the truth, the reality is that your choice to disrupt the marathon directly contradicts the very things you say you seek. I understand you are planning to block our         finish line next weekend. In fact, your leadership has said "They are putting a marathon over the importance of someone losing their lives." On Sunday, people are going to see runners chasing         dreams, doing what seems impossible, running for charities, running FOR LIFE. It is the culmination of months of hard work and dedication, often in the memory of those who are fighting for their         lives or who have lost their lives. Runners are an incredibly diverse community of everyday folks who do extraordinary things; witness a marathon finish line and you will witness the human spirit in         it's most amazing form.

        If you succeed in blocking our finish line, you are doing more than stopping human beings from crossing a rubber timing mat. You are telling me that you do not value good citizens setting positive         examples of perseverance and triumph. Running has saved lives in so many ways and has brought people and communities together by their shared passion for what it gives back - to them AND to         others.

        Instead, why don't you show up and support us, get to know us, and let us get to know you? We can bond over chocolate milk and bananas at the finish line. You'll discover that we probably have         more in common than you may think.

Yeah, just like Freddie Gray really was running for his life.

This post is just awful in so many ways.   

[spindle92]

Apparently both the police chief and the head of the BLM movement here (MN) are going to speak at 1PM today.
Not sure if they are both at the same venue speaking together or at different places but I am curious as to what is going to be said by both parties.

[keyslover]

The mayor of St. Paul has released a statement. www.kare11.com/story/news/2015/09/30/mayor-takes-tough-stance-against-marathon-threats/73091102/

"Over the last several months, Black Lives Matter has conducted numerous demonstrations in the City of Saint Paul designed to disrupt traffic, deter people from getting to the State Fair and shut down the Green Line. While these events have likely inconvenienced some people, the protests have not led to any significant issues, no serious injuries and no arrests. The Saint Paul Police Department has done an exceptional job of balancing the rights of protesters to be heard and the public to be safe."

"Now leaders of Black Lives Matter in Saint Paul have stated their intent to 'shut down the Twin Cities Marathon.' While we are no less committed to the right to peacefully protest, these threatened actions pose an unacceptable risk to runners, spectators and protesters themselves. To paraphrase an old adage, the right of anyone to protest ends at another's nose, or, in this case, someone else's feet. Therefore, I have asked Chief Smith to keep all options on the table to prevent disruption of the race or prevent runners from finishing the marathon."

"I have also reached out to Saint Paul leaders of Black Lives Matter and hope to meet with them prior to Sunday. It is my desire to understand more fully what specific steps they are asking the City of Saint Paul and the Saint Paul Police Department to take to address their concerns. Recent incidents cited by the group's leadership are currently under review. I am confident Chief Smith will address these matters appropriately. And I also believe it is important for leaders of Black Lives Matter to understand the extraordinary efforts Chief Smith and the department have taken to address issues of racial equity."

"Saint Paul has a long history of resolving disputes peacefully and successfully, including a long history of working directly with community leaders to take corrective action in City and police practices. We remain committed to doing so."

[scottyderp]

I am having a hard time understanding if there is sarcasm in some of these posts. I feel like Little Man Tate.

[05heel]

Sept 30, 2015 12:29:04 GMT -5 keyslover said:

The mayor of St. Paul has released a statement. www.kare11.com/story/news/2015/09/30/mayor-takes-tough-stance-against-marathon-threats/73091102/

"Over the last several months, Black Lives Matter has conducted numerous demonstrations in the City of Saint Paul designed to disrupt traffic, deter people from getting to the State Fair and shut down the Green Line. While these events have likely inconvenienced some people, the protests have not led to any significant issues, no serious injuries and no arrests. The Saint Paul Police Department has done an exceptional job of balancing the rights of protesters to be heard and the public to be safe."

"Now leaders of Black Lives Matter in Saint Paul have stated their intent to 'shut down the Twin Cities Marathon.' While we are no less committed to the right to peacefully protest, these threatened actions pose an unacceptable risk to runners, spectators and protesters themselves. To paraphrase an old adage, the right of anyone to protest ends at another's nose, or, in this case, someone else's feet. Therefore, I have asked Chief Smith to keep all options on the table to prevent disruption of the race or prevent runners from finishing the marathon."

"I have also reached out to Saint Paul leaders of Black Lives Matter and hope to meet with them prior to Sunday. It is my desire to understand more fully what specific steps they are asking the City of Saint Paul and the Saint Paul Police Department to take to address their concerns. Recent incidents cited by the group's leadership are currently under review. I am confident Chief Smith will address these matters appropriately. And I also believe it is important for leaders of Black Lives Matter to understand the extraordinary efforts Chief Smith and the department have taken to address issues of racial equity."

"Saint Paul has a long history of resolving disputes peacefully and successfully, including a long history of working directly with community leaders to take corrective action in City and police practices. We remain committed to doing so."

So much material here.  I'm giddy! Let's see if I can interpret:

...the protests have not led to any significant issues, no serious injuries and no arrests. 

It is my desire to understand more fully what specific steps they are asking the City of Saint Paul and the Saint Paul Police Department to take to address their concerns. 

Nice work, BLM, but there's no free lunch here.  It's still up to you to use your words, follow the rules (which are subject to change without notice), and then we'll move the goalpost for good measure.  Just keep pushing!

Recent incidents cited by the group's leadership are currently under review. I am confident Chief Smith will address these matters appropriately. 

Yes, we heard you, but now you need to shut up and let the good guys "handle" it.

And I also believe it is important for leaders of Black Lives Matter to understand the extraordinary efforts Chief Smith and the department have taken to address issues of racial equity.

Oh, and by the way, YOU'RE WELCOME, ingrates!  I do like how passive and polite "issues of racial equity" sounds.  They're just little abstract things that exist in a vacuum.  No one is to blame.