zlacker

This may explain why the DEA, but not why protestors, as opposed to looters

>>kevinm+(OP)
Maybe it is because protesters are more of a threat to those in power than looters

>>mkgold+i1
Of course, most of the looters are undercover cops anyway.

>>kevinm+(OP)
Because putting "protestors" in the title fits Buzzfeed's narrative better than "looters"? The stated purpose is to allow the DEA to investigate crimes such as looting, arson etc committed under cover of the protests.

>>jessau+Mh
Most? I've seen hundreds of people looting in my neighborhood. Most of them aren't even adults, let alone cops.

>>kevinm+(OP)
Do you really think the cops see a distinction? If so, I encourage you to watch any of the dozens of videos of cops attacking people that have come out over the past 72 hours.

Cop brain is very simple: You wither listen to the cop or you are a criminal. There are no shades of grey, and the US police have demonstrated this across the country this weekend.

>>jessau+Mh
Yeah this just isn't true. I'm sure that there's been some false flag attacks but to say that most of the looters are undercover cops is asinine.

>>kevinm+(OP)
Actual text from the authorization memo:

"...to enforce federal criminal laws in the wake of protests..."

So not protestors, but criminals taking advantage of protests.

>>kevinm+(OP)
There are several concerning videos of people trying to trigger violence at protests. Here is one list I saw today...

https://old.reddit.com/r/PublicFreakout/comments/gvmhh6/fbi_...

>>koheri+av2
I find it unusual and upsetting that this comparison gets made so often.

On one side, you have the generally disorganized public which naturally includes the opportunistic, the provocative, the desperate. On the other, you have the police and the military, nominally organized with a largely uniform mission and code of conduct.

Bad behavior by the government is less excusable and also more threatening.

>>NoSorr+XV2
I don't think it's meaningful to try to compare them. Is police brutality worse - ok. It's not relevant to the investigation the FBI is looking into.

I also think there may be some suspicions that some violent instigators might be acting at the urging of a foreign government - which is the domain of the FBI.

I think it's reasonable to help them in that effort - while also condemning the police for their role.

The death of ONE MAN, George Floyd, caused mass outrage. If a foreign directed agent is able to instigate a similar tragedy, I think that's very very important to nail down.