Were the George Floyd Protests Actually an Insurrection?

In the aftermath of the George Floyd protests, many have debated whether the disturbances classified as an insurrection. An insurrection involves the seizure and holding of territory, the overtaking of public buildings, and the looting of armories, not just the targeted actions of protests.

Defining Insurrection vs. Protests

Insurrections are political movements aimed at overthrowing a government or a regime. While the protests following the death of George Floyd were indeed political, they can be distinguished from an insurrection due to their primary objectives and actions. The protests were predominantly aimed at addressing police state-sanctioned treatment of Black people, highlighting systemic issues in society, and calling for long-overdue reforms.

Contrary to insurrections, the riots involved the destruction of property and looting of businesses, but without a clear political agenda. The focus was on the systemic issues of police brutality, not an attempt to overthrow the government.

Government and Insurrection: Lafayette Square Incident

It's also worth noting that the government itself can engage in actions that could be perceived as insurrectionary. For example, the incident at Lafayette Square where law enforcement officers forcibly removed peaceful protesters from a designated area without warning, could be seen as a misapplication of local laws and a violation of basic freedoms. If the government's actions are not equally applied to all, it can undermine public trust and could be seen as a form of self-insurrection.

Leadership and Ideological Goals

Some have suggested that certain leaders associated with Black Lives Matter (BLM) have Marxist leanings and are using the platform to advance a Marxist agenda. Critics like Van Jones argue that BLM leaders are trained Marxists who seek to convert America to a Marxist regime. However, while there may be differing views on the ideology of some BLM leaders, the primary focus of the protests was on police reform and justice, not the overthrow of a government.

Response and Action from the Government

The government's response, particularly from the federal level, was a subject of much debate. Critics argue that, for instance, if the protests in Seattle and Minneapolis were deemed insurrections, the president should have declared martial law and deployed the military. The use of force against peaceful protesters, particularly in Lafayette Square, has been widely criticized as a violation of civil liberties.

President Biden's approach of sending in the National Guard to areas of unrest, while necessary, did not go far enough for some, who argue that the full force of the military should have been deployed to maintain order and protect property, like in the days of George Washington addressing the Whiskey Rebellion.

Ultimately, the George Floyd protests were political and aimed at correcting long-standing issues with police culture. While misconduct by some protesters occurred, the overall objective was far from insurrectionary.

Understanding the distinction between official and alleged insurrections is crucial. The key lies in the actions and the objectives of those involved. While riots can escalate into insurrections, the George Floyd protests, despite their scale and intensity, did not meet the criteria of insurrection. The focus remained on addressing systemic issues and seeking justice, not overthrowing the government.