Every night when I go to bed now, I think to myself, “I wonder what’s going to happen tomorrow?!”
And, every “tomorrow” has not failed to disappoint!
I was reading the news very late last Thursday night, and then bounced over to Facebook. I found myself on a page set up by a protest organizer and he sure seemed to be suggesting riot activities. They were going to meet in St. Pete the following afternoon. I had seen footage of carnage in other cities. We live right downtown. I have children. Yes, I was very worried.
The next morning, we got up, got Mason up, got dressed, made a reservation at a hotel near the beach, packed our bags, double-checked our insurance policy, locked up, and left town before noon. And, I’m glad we did because things went from peaceful to not that evening. And, things have gotten progressively worse in St. Pete every night since then. We spent two nights at the hotel, and came home on Sunday hoping things would get better. They have not. The organizer was arrested for inciting a riot, others were arrested for having bricks, rocks, and Molotov cocktail supplies, one guy was arrested last night with a loaded gun, the sheriff’s department helicopter was flying overhead for hours, fireworks, flash bangs, thrown water bottles, car horns honking, screaming in the streets… I tried to go to the post office two days ago and I could not get out of my truck. There were two men dressed all in black, with their heads completely covered (except their eyes), screaming at people. Screaming at people who had done NOTHING wrong! I called the police department, and then drove to the UPS store, which is more expensive, to conduct my business.
I agree that poor man was murdered by police officers, and they should be prosecuted and imprisoned. But, I fail to see how burning down your own neighbors’ businesses will advance your message at all.
Ironically, arsonists burned down a small marina two blocks from our hotel. We clearly didn’t travel far enough.
In other news, as most of you know, the pandemic news has essentially dried up but we’re getting very wet from that hurricane brewing in the Gulf of Mexico. It isn’t supposed to hit anywhere near here but we’ve been getting rain from the outer bands since yesterday morning, and are under a flood watch. As I’m typing this, it’s getting very dark outside so another band is on its way.
After all of this, including the funnel cloud last month, I have screwed my head on straight, and put in an application for a lease at a place that is NOT in downtown St. Pete. It’s a small, two-story townhouse (which will be good in the event of flooding from a hurricane this year). It’s cheap and in a good neighborhood, and will provide immense peace of mind during these trying times. NO, we are not getting rid of the boat. We just need a security back-up for the violent rainy season, hurricane season, and…riot season.
Mason (age 13) is the most relieved of all of us. He was up at 11:30 last night asking me if everything was going to be okay. He’s more worried about the rioters than he has been about the pandemic. I HATE that our children are being forced to endure things during these trying times that many adults can’t even handle.
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Angela Hoy lives on a mountain in North Georgia. She is the publisher of WritersWeekly.com, the President and CEO of BookLocker.com and AbuzzPress, and the author of 24 books.
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I would like to add a positive note. This very long link (sorry) is to examples of positive actions that don’t tend to get noticed in reporting on riots https://www.boredpanda.com/george-floyd-police-brutalityprotest/bclid=IwAR1JO59V265QqVqxWzJaOWz86Z8Dh9tJIJS_5khQsAZLngJuCQvf4jKslEU&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=organic Examples are the peaceful protestors protecting a policeman, the protestors protecting a storefront, police and protestors walking together. There are many examples of peaceful protests where the protestors and police are working together. My own town had one a few nights ago. The protest organizers contacted the police ahead of time so they could work together and it was a peaceful hour of song and a march protected by the police. That’s how it can be.
A new “leader” has taken over the protests in St. Pete and things have been peaceful the past couple of nights so he’s doing a fantastic job. We hope things stay that way. 🙂
Angela
downtown? last I knew you lived on a boat by the ocean?!
I agree what that cop did does look very very bad.
I will not be surprised if he gets convicted and sentenced harshly.
But, I still believe in the system and he is innocent until proven guilty by a jury of his peers.
We do not know from that tape what happened before nor what else the perp was doing.
The OFFICIAL coroners report did indicate other things than breathing as be possible causes of death that could not be known.
OTOH some speculate, claiming these people knew each other well, that this might be a mob hit to silence him. If that were true then the cop is even guiltier than the mob out to lynch him claims.
Until the trial when actual evidence is presented we should remain neutral and let the system work.
I always enjoy your writings and I appreciate your candor. I know that these are scary times and I’m sorry that any of us have to go through this – especially the kids!!! I Am really scared for my grandkids!! agree with you completely-the guy’s life being taken was unnecessary and horrible and those guilty will be held accountable I’m sure- but that doesn’t give others the right to take advantage of the situation and cause mayhem and kill others by taking their livelihoods (and now some of their lives). I’d like to add that regardless of who is inciting the protestors- people don’t have to be such followers and jump on the bandwagon just because of the people coming in and striking the match. They could leave or something, but instead many participate in the looting and rioting instead of being bigger mature adults. The number of inciters is small but the numbers of followers are the masses. Making excuses (previous commenter) for these rioters and looters and arsonists is creating an environment where it is ok to break the law in the name of our right to peacefully protest. These people are weak and pathetic and just want to stomp on others’ rights to get their own way. Political correctness- enough is enough! Are we going to ultimately let the government take total control of us because we allow America to be burned to the ground and then no one will be working and everyone will have to be on government money to survive until they sell off the US piece by piece to China because that free money will run out quickly?! We need to wake up and stand up and fight back to save our country and ourselves before it is too late! Anyway- stay safe and protect what’s yours- so far this is still a free country.
Prayerfully.
Totally agree with you and with Marion Powell.
Stay safe. Good planning!
I’m glad you’ve arranged a safe house. I want to point out that over and over the rioters, looters and vandals who destroy are not the protestors. The genuine protestors conduct peaceful demonstrations. It’s being discovered more and more that hate groups take advantage of the situation to rush in. It’s a deliberate attempt to smear the genuine protest. Plus, of course, there are always those who simply enjoy being destructive. What is so awful is that these get the attention and cause the genuine protest to be discredited.
Completely agreed, Marian, thank you.
This has been brewing for years. The organized Left hops in on each event they hope will push their promotion of socialism, communism, or Marxism. Leaders are being threatened and bow down or is it “take a knee” afraid to take a stand. That is not a free country. If the US is to capitulate i hope these leaders give the same cinsideration to my ancesters who came from Ireland forced to serve as indentured slaves in order to be here. Also want repriation for my father who served his country in the Navy and had to see signs in Boston Parks saying “no dogs, no sailors”.
I have many friends of many colors and religions. Those are not the attributes by which i judge them but rather that they respect the rights snd property of others and do not want to fundamentally change the USA.