Local news sources report:
The Durham County Sheriff’s Office is preparing for a possible march by white supremacist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan marching in Durham today.
“The Sheriff’s Office is thoroughly researching the potential of several groups with opposing viewpoints holding demonstrations in Durham,” Sheriff Mike Andrews said in a statement.
“This is partly why the Sheriff’s Office continues to remind demonstrators to first obtain a permit and most importantly, abide by the law. I expect demonstrators to conduct themselves in such a manner that is legal and respectful of the Durham County community. Again, I call upon city and county leaders to establish rules for demonstrators.”
Please, if you are moved to counter-demonstrate (and bravo for that, says I), recall that Durham is sacred ground, the home of the NC-NAACP and its brilliant non-violent resistance movement, Forward Together. Don’t screw that up.
I will be there, standing on the sidewalk, with my back turned to the marchers...both as a statement of my utter loathing for them and to enable me to keep a better eye on our church’s community day school, which stands next to Ground Zero in this dispute.
Opposing violence on anyone’s part is not “moral equivalence.” Neither is worrying about the possibility of violence when fierce enemies come together in one place.
These are the times that try men’s souls.
Friday, Aug 18, 2017 · 5:45:25 PM +00:00 · DocDawg
All quiet so far. I have the inglorious duty of keeping people paying attention to the “parking for church business only" sign on our lot, which is next to ground zero. Have turned away about two hundred cars. One good old boy assured me “you ain't no kinda Christian, faggot.” To which I replied, “well bless your heart.” He did not seem too appreciate my NAACP t-shirt.
Some wicked good drumming by the good guys is keeping me tapping my feet.
Friday, Aug 18, 2017 · 6:15:52 PM +00:00 · DocDawg
Overheard: tail end of a conversation between an agitated white kid and a cop directing traffic away from the crowd of good guys: “You pigs should be ashamed of yourselves. Fuck off!” Cop: “Thank you. Have a nice day.”
Friday, Aug 18, 2017 · 9:21:25 PM +00:00 · DocDawg
Street in front of ground zero has spontaneously cleared, maybe forty folks left on sidewalk. Unless the kkk tries an illegal nighttime rally, things seem about over for today. I'll hang around a while longer until news truck's start pulling out.
Friday, Aug 18, 2017 · 9:40:06 PM +00:00 · DocDawg
Last few counter protesters (with nothing to counter today, mercifully) are picking up and bagging trash. It's a common kkk ploy here to suggest they'll do one thing, then do another. Tomorrow is another day. For today, the good folk of Durham have demonstrated that we can put a thousand good guys in the street on a moment's notice and clean up our trash when we're done. I'm outta here...for now anyway.