Freedom of speech. Cool deal.
Right to keep, and bear arms? Go on and get you some!
Death threats against LEOs? Self-Deligitimizing.
That being said, with as much overt ill-will towards Law Enforcement, and as much as it is supported by the media narrative, at what point does this gain traction/turn into a legitimate insurgency?
These folks have a Right to assemble. They have a Right to keep and bear arms. They have a Right for redress of grievances. Where the line is crossed is openly calling for the killing of Law Enforcement. Regardless of whether the message is rhetorical or not, it is definitely in poor taste. If their objective was to attack the Police, I believe they would have done so. To my eyes, this appears to be more show than blow, and is most likely an “awareness raising” op.
So, while TNBPP may, or may not, engage in open warfare against Law Enforcement, does anyone think that through their inspiration, aggression by unorganized groups may be fomented?
What about the possibility of deliberate instigation of an incident by Violent Criminal Actors?
A high-profile attack, or series of attacks, especially directed at LE by VCAs using “assault rifles”, and gun control will be the “solution” yet again.
Had the situation in the OP gone south, it would be the ultimate “Greedo/Han” shot first debate. The only outcome would be more people losing their minds, depending on who the media portrayed as the victim, further fanning the flames in the hearts of bigots, regardless of skin pigment.
In the world of “up is down, wrong is right,” only the utterly naive fail to see, what appears to be, a concerted effort to fracture the population along racial divides. As well, Law Enforcement is increasingly portrayed in an ever more disparaging light.
To clarify my perspective, I don’t condone any of the activities of officers like Michael Scott in the cold-blooded murder of Walter Scott; however, nor do I approve of the burning/looting/pillaging of communities for perceived sleights.
In short, with as much open hostility towards Law Enforcement, it’s as though there’s a damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don’t situation in effect.
If the Police abandon law enforcement in certain demographic areas, they will be branded “racists” for abandoning the black community.
If they practice law enforcement in these communities, they will be branded “racists” for doing their jobs.
It’s a zero-sum game.
Hopefully, future incidents play out like this one, and don’t go any further than rhetoric, posturing, and harsh words.