Black Lives Matter

Haven't been here in awhile and see that we're mum on this subject.

This past week has been crazy but change is uncomfortable and change is needed. As cyclists we stand to benefit from increased police accountability, I'd like to think we support the BLM movement. I do.

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Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on July 2, 2020 at 8:02am

Anything like these NYC bike protests going on in Chicago?

Permalink Reply by Paul Fitz, Scrabblor on July 2, 2020 at 9:22am

I'm not sure of anything quite as large as what you've described, but this weekend I know of Fro Skate's "No Brakes" event on the 4th of July and another event on Sunday that starts in South Chicago at 86th and S Commercial and ends at Mann Park that calls out cyclists, skaters, and families. Most information seems to be distributed on IG. I didn't organize either event at all and do not feel comfortable posting the flyers here. 

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on July 22, 2020 at 6:08am

Weeks later, still feel in strong support of BLM. The posting on this thread reminded me, went back and read it again. Black Lives Matter. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. 

Needs to be said often and out loud. We need to remember. 

https://www.bicycling.com/culture/a32895355/bike-protests-black-liv...

For Hamilton, the mission is also personal. “In high school one of my close friends got killed by the police without any closure,” he said. “My older brother also has mental issues, on and off, and the police always treated him like shit instead of treating him like he needs some help.”


Hamilton believes protesting via bike has an unrivaled momentum. “You can’t really stop 5,000 bikes going down the street. You can try it, but bikes are kind of fast, we can just ride right around you,” he said. “Also, it sets up a sort of perimeter, a wall that police can’t really infiltrate.”

Permalink Reply by curt(is) locke on July 22, 2020 at 6:39am

YES. The message BLACK LIVES MATTER does not have an expiration date.

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on July 22, 2020 at 6:39am

Ok, so I was remiss in not saying this before... I really appreciate this forum post. This needs to be talked about often. It helps to have a safe space to come talk about it. So thank you VW for posting and sorry you got friction from some of us as you posted. Let's see if we can all help VW out and post articles and news about bikes and the BLM movement. There are a lot of great, positive ways cyclists have peacefully protested. 

Permalink Reply by ketoguychicago on August 11, 2020 at 2:08am
Permalink Reply by Elwood Gruschow on August 11, 2020 at 6:40pm

I support Black Lives Matter and do not support policemen using unnecessary force or ones that can find their guns but not the ON switch to their body cams.  I also do not support bike thieves and other looters.  I value the opinion of some people and one of those is John Nunes.  John presently lives in New York but he has Chicago roots.  

Here is the text of his Facebook posting where he defines the separation of the national Black Lives Matter movement and the people holding the BLM-INC rally on Monday your (ketoguychicago)  posting refers to.   

Quote from John Nunes.

"With their loathsome comments on the Chicago looting, Black Lives Matter INC is effectively doing more to damage the cause of racial justice for African Americans than perhaps any other group except those who post, share, or give headline space to BLM INC’s outrageous statements. We have three black daughters (mothers of 8 black grandchildren) who live in predominantly black neighborhoods in Chicago. Our family supports Black Lives Matter (MINUS the INC). Our children are outraged that local businesses on the southside and westside are unavailable for them to buy essential household items. None of them believe that looting constitutes reparations. “This is just people doing stupid things trying to get stuff for free not people standing for a cause,” one daughter commented. By circulating the irrational anarchism of BLM INC, we are delaying their demise and giving fuel to those looking for an excuse not to support the cause of racial justice."

(end of quote)

 You might be able to read it direct from his Facebook posting at 


https://www.facebook.com/145901354/posts/990906534660/ 

It is important to realize when people say they support BLM it does not mean they go along with
the events Sunday night here in downtown Chicago.

   

stay connected,

Elwood

Permalink Reply by curt(is) locke on August 12, 2020 at 5:01am

Thanks for sharing that, Elwood. John Nunes expresses my exact concerns that by equating looting with reparations the cause is being hijacked.

Permalink Reply by ketoguychicago on August 12, 2020 at 1:25pm

Do we have a clarifying statement yet from BLM declaring that John Nunes is an authorized spokesperson for BLM, and that Ariel Atkins is not?  It may be out there, just haven't seen it?

Permalink Reply by curt(is) locke on August 12, 2020 at 2:38pm

I suppose that's meant to be "funny"? I remember funny. And THAT is not it.

Permalink Reply by ketoguychicago on August 12, 2020 at 2:56pm

No, both of them were pretty serious in their assertions.  At issue is that there are alternate statements from Ariel Atkins on video making her points, then John Nunes with a very different viewpoint.  If there's debate about who is the appropriate/proper voice among them and others, it's certainly worth BLM clearing this up and BLM may attempt to do so. (Ariel's assertions are international news)  BLM may have offered that clarifying info with respect to their remarks, I just haven't come across it yet.      

Permalink Reply by curt(is) locke on August 13, 2020 at 5:35pm

John Nunes is not presenting himself as an "authorized spokesperson." However, I believe you are trying to subvert this discussion.

   

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