What if you knew her and found her dead on the ground?

1968, Democrat National Convention Chicago - friends invited me to join the fun in Grant Park. I declined. Glad I didn't participate in the riot.

Fast forward to 1970; universities across the nation went on strike to protest the Kent State deaths of 4 students by the National Guard. 

Northwestern University in Evanston went on strike. So did my high school. (ETHS). Great fun, and a learning experience. 

We "marched" to the University. The college kids had Sheridan Road blockaded. Some of us helped build up the road block. Others gathered wood and built a bonfire in the road 

I went down an alley where some kids were stealing a ladder for the bonfire, and I saw some cops going in to arrest them.

I ran back to the road and shouted, "Some brothers are getting busted!" and pointed the way. About 30 people pealed off down the alley towards the cops, throwing bottles and rocks.

Yes, I learned a BIG lesson that day. People at protests are easily incited to do things when feeling safe within a crowd. "Mob mentality"

Now, to the point.

The people protesting George Floyd's murder have/had a right to be heard and people need to listen.

But it only takes a few instigators to turn a peaceful protest ugly.

The lesson I learned that day had a profound impact on my politics, but I didn't realize that then.

John Lennon wrote the immortal words to "Revolution"

"...but if you want money for people with minds that hate,

All I can tell you is brother you have to wait."