# What would you do if an angry mob demands you raise your fist in support? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 26, 2020, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071 "2020-08-26T14:49:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071/61 "2020-08-26T21:48:08Z")
I wouldn’t go that far. The reporter, Fredrick Kunkle, writes “Victor explained that she just felt coerced and somewhat threatened — although she also said she wasn’t afraid.” ~Max ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071/62 "2020-08-26T22:00:38Z")
> [@urbanredneck2](#): > > So what would YOU do if you were out eating, peacefully minding your own business, and some protesters came up and demanded you give a salute? If I am sympathetic to their cause or feel like it could turn violent, or if they won’t back six plus feet away, I would just do it to get them away from me. Otherwise I try and leave if I think that is an option, or I’m calling the police. In the midst of this pandemic, it is a very big deal to me if strangers get close. Especially big groups of strangers who are shouting and not all wearing masks. ~Max ---
**Author:** ![ThisIsTheEnd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisistheend/32/4713_2.png) [@ThisIsTheEnd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisIsTheEnd)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071/63 "2020-08-26T22:04:38Z")
Nobody should be defending this type of shit via any method, including, but not limited to, whataboutism and vanishingly smallism. This kind of stuff is the ball going through Buckner’s legs. ---
**Author:** ![Boudicca90](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boudicca90/32/16818_2.png) [@Boudicca90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boudicca90)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071/64 "2020-08-26T22:07:38Z")
If they confronted me, I would raise my fist with them and join in the protest. There sure is a lot of “concern” for this on the right, but not so much about the right-wing murderer killing protesters in Wisconsin. I see you. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071/65 "2020-08-26T22:08:25Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Interesting double standard that you have pointed out here, thank you. I don’t think I’m pointing out a double standard, but I see what you mean. My position is: mobs are scary, and I would do what they asked, or try to escape, and that it’s a dumb idea to escalate things with something like pepper spray, but I understand the fear that leads people to do that, because I am also afraid of mobs. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071/66 "2020-08-26T22:11:09Z")
So, this is an unacceptable level of violence . . . but storming your statehouse armed with ARs demanding to be allowed on to its floor is a peaceful protest? ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071/67 "2020-08-26T22:18:10Z")
I mean, yeah ,I would have raised my fist and shouted Black Lives Matter, or whatever slogan slogan was popular with them even before they got there, as I agree with their sentiments. Depending on where I was in my meal, I may or may not join in the march. Certainly wouldn’t want to run out on the check though. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071/68 "2020-08-26T22:19:22Z")
The irony is that a few of the noted posters in this topic who claimed they were fully for the protestors are also the same people who in previous topics literally defended human slavery. Wonder how BLM would react to your post history about how it was actually better to be a colonial slave in Africa then a free black man in Africa. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071/69 "2020-08-26T22:20:03Z")
I don’t think that anyone is defending the actions of these particular people. Just pointing out that it is blown out of proportion to what actually happened, and also that it is not honest to paint all BLM protesters based on the actions of these few. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071/70 "2020-08-26T22:21:32Z")
You better @ some people if you’re going to get all passive aggressive in here. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071/71 "2020-08-26T22:22:29Z")
I thought that was against the rules outside of BBQ Pit. But there’s two very specific posters I know of. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071/72 "2020-08-26T22:23:45Z")
No, citing your claims is always acceptable. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071/73 "2020-08-26T22:24:37Z")
You just can’t call the racists _racists_. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071/74 "2020-08-26T22:24:44Z")
Is you’re too afraid, you can PM me and I’ll do it. ---
**Author:** ![Boudicca90](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boudicca90/32/16818_2.png) [@Boudicca90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boudicca90)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071/75 "2020-08-26T22:25:43Z")
Oh definitely. I’m not a monster. Pay (don’t forget to tip!), then protest. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071/76 "2020-08-26T22:28:32Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > I don’t think that anyone is defending the actions of these particular people. > > Just pointing out that it is blown out of proportion to what actually happened, and also that it is not honest to paint all BLM protesters based on the actions of these few. I completely agree with this, despite the points I’ve been arguing. This is bad behavior but fairly weak sauce compared to lots of things, and I don’t think it’s indicative of BLM protests in general. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071/77 "2020-08-26T22:34:18Z")
I’m not a huge sports fan, so I just context clued your analogy. But then I looked it up, and the analogy is pat. > [@](#): > > Red Sox first baseman Bill **Buckner** lets ground ball roll **through** his **legs**. … Even though Game 6 was tied because Boston’s pitchers couldn’t hold a two-run, two-out lead, and even though the Sox managed **to** fritter away a three-run lead in Game 7, people still blame **Buckner** for losing the championship. ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071/78 "2020-08-26T23:54:14Z")
I’m white, elderly, and support BLM. But this video is ugly and counterproductive. What does the BLM movement gain by forcing someone to go through the motions under duress? It reminds me of my Catholic father insisting that I attend Mass even though I told him I didn’t believe it any more. What did he think he’d gain? If I had the presence of mind (which I rarely do in fraught situations) I hope I’d just raise both hands and repeat softly “Hands up! Don’t shoot!” ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071/79 "2020-08-26T23:56:11Z")
There are thousands of protests. This one is using unwise tactics. But remember that the vast majority of these protests are entirely peaceful and positive. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2020, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071/80 "2020-08-26T23:58:16Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > My bolding. You may not be aware of this, but I’m pretty sure there is no such criminal charge as “whatever”. Feel free to describe what specific criminal charges should be brought against people yelling at diners, if you believe you are correct. As this was in Washington, D.C. the appropriate cites are to [DC law](https://code.dccouncil.us/dc/council/code/titles/22/chapters/4/): § 22–402 Every person convicted of an assault with intent to commit mayhem, or of an assault with a dangerous weapon, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than 10 years. In addition to any other penalty provided under this section, a person may be fined an amount not more than the amount set forth in [§ 22-3571.01](https://code.dccouncil.us/dc/council/code/sections/22-3571.01.html). § 22–404(a)(1) Whoever unlawfully assaults, or threatens another in a menacing manner, shall be fined not more than the amount set forth in [§ 22-3571.01](https://code.dccouncil.us/dc/council/code/sections/22-3571.01.html) or be imprisoned not more than 180 days, or both. Assault and/or mayhem would be the appropriate charges. Assault does not require physical contact or physical injury. An attempt to menace is sufficient to support a charge of assault. If a reasonable person would feel threatened by the behavior then it is an assault. As this [DC defense attorney](https://criminallawdc.com/dc-assault-lawyer/laws/) writes: > ## What is the Definition of Assault? > > Generally, “assault” is defined as the threat or use of force on an individual that causes them to have a reasonable apprehension of imminent harmful or offensive contact. Assault is treated very seriously in DC. It could be seen as just a civil wrong or a criminal offense. > DC assault laws cover “assault or threatened assault in a menacing manner”. This crime is a misdemeanor that applies to anyone who intentionally causes or attempts to cause harmful or unwanted contact with another person. It also covers anyone who threatens such assault in a manner that gives the threatened person a reasonable belief of imminent harm or unwanted contact. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-do-if-an-angry-mob-demands-you-raise-your-fist-in-support/919071.md?page=5)