Because of my work schedule, and the curfew in LA tonight, I decided to get the groceries we needed during lunch today. I will have nightmares tonight from what I witnessed. 1/
To start, let me say that I live in a predominately Latinx and Black neighborhood. Less than 10% of my neighborhood is white. As far as I can tell, my area has also been almost completely untouched by the looters/rioters. 2/
The Ralph's & CVS had boards over their windows today, but nothing was broken, & the other stores did NOT have boards up. The unopened 5 Guys, with a 100% glass store front, was pristine. The stores were crowded w/ people running errands before curfew. Everyone had a mask. 3/
Shopping took almost 2 hours. As I mentioned, stores were crowded. When I finally exited the store, it was like stepping into a completely different world. There were cops EVERYWHERE. Dozens of them, in packs. None of them were wearing masks. 4/
Why were they there? Good question? There were no protestors, or looters, or crimes being committed. The cops only seemed to be there to intimidate the folx shopping. People kept their eyes down, tried not to draw attention to themselves, HURRIED to their cars. 5/
It seemed like more cops kept appearing. Then, as I was leaving, I figured out why. The National Guard was using the major road South of the shopping center as a staging area. They had the roads blocked off with garbage trucks. 6/
There were HUNDREDS of soldiers, Humvees, and popo, staged in rows, up and down this major road. I had to go around to get home. I took this when I saw the first batch and it still seemed novel. 7/
None of them were wearing masks, they were all armed, and they were OCCUPYING my neighborhood where no protesting or looting as yet occurred. Can you imaging seeing an army, people you don't know, with weapons, take over your route home from the store? 8/
I'm white. I have SO much white privilege. When I saw the cops they SMILED at me. I was not the intended target of this show of force. These people were here for one reason: to terrify my black neighbors who have done NOTHING WRONG. 9/
Until I went to the store, I wad under the impression I lived in a wonderful, safe, diverse American neighborhood. Now I feel like I'm living in a war zone. The looters, rioters, and protestors didn't do that. The cops, mayor, and national guard did that. 10/
I can only imagine how my black friends and neighbor's feel. The injustice knows no bounds, and there will no be peace until there is justice. #BlackLiveMattters /fin
