United We Stand.
Protests, sparked by the outrage in reaction to the death of George Floyd, continued this week in cities all over the world. As reported earlier, numerous celebrities are showing their support for the Black Lives Matter movement by showing up and protesting in person.
Saturday night, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti deployed the National Guard into the city after a state of emergency was declared to “maintain peace and safety”. While the mayor felt their presence was necessary, others felt otherwise. A video of actress Keke Palmer has been circulating social media of her advocacy for peace. In the video, Keke urges a group of National Guard Troops to march with the assembled protestors. She expresses that the president’s response “Once the looting starts, the shooting starts” could incite a race war and in order to stop government oppression, there must be a showing of unity between the two groups.
In an effort to compromise, the troops tell Keke that they will march a short ways with the protestors, however, they cannot leave their post long term. A protestor in the crowd suggests the troops take a knee instead, to which they oblige. The video ends with Palmer, visibly disappointed, stating that taking a knee is not enough for her.
What are your thoughts, should the troops have marched with the protestors?