Kansas City Defender Blog Seyz: 'Stop Telling Black People Not To Riot' Over Tyre Nichols Death

There's all kind of hot garbage on the Internets but we note this local blog post for a couple of reasons:

The blog has enjoyed loving praise from local media and quite a few glowing references despite the fact that they helped propagate fake news about a serial killer last year.

This week the blog again earned local TV mention and newspaper praise for helping some guy troll a cop who might have been enduring a medical episode.

Now . . . Here's what seems to us like a dangerous and misguided justification of violence:

"Whatever the response of the people, regardless of how visceral, how unorganized, how expressive, whether it is a candlelight vigil or burning down buildings – there can be no condemnation of such actions that are themselves responses to the brazen, vicious violence inflicted daily on the Black community by the systems of policing and white supremacy."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Stop Telling Black People Not To Riot Over the Lynching of Tyre Nichols

Do not talk to us today about potential for "violence" from protestors, to do so is to appropriate the language and framing of white supremacy. Less than two weeks ago, we celebrated the birthday of one of our most prolific leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who famously stated that "the riot is the language of the unheard."

Better reporting and context . . .

The city of Memphis releases videos of Tyre Nichols' arrest and beating

Memphis authorities released footage from the police beating of Tyre Nichols, as cities across the country prepare for the public's response to the brutal incident. Nichols, a 29-year-old father and FedEx worker, was pulled over on Jan. 7 for what police said was reckless driving.

Tyre Nichols' family speaks with Biden ahead of expected video release

President Joe Biden spoke with the mother and stepfather of Tyre Nichols on Friday afternoon, the White House said. The call took place hours before Memphis officials were expected to release police body camera video of the violent arrest that led to the Black man's death.

The Tyre Nichols Video Demands Solemnity, Not Sensationalism

Whether you watch the video of Tyre Nichols' beating or not, you should treat it with solemnity and contend with the fact that unchecked and unlawful policing not only allows for assaults on citizens but threatens democracy.

Developing . . .