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Was spoken to by police tonight and told that writing Black Lives Matter on public or private property with chalk without permission of the owner is the crime of Mischief and I'm to stop doing it or be charged.
I'm extremely disappointed in Officer K. I explained that I was chalking in response to BLM posters being destroyed nightly over the last two weeks by white supremacists. He was far more concerned about my attitude, which he did not appreciate.
For a few moments he was actually seriously rolling ahead on making me get in his car with my little bag of chalk and go to the police station and get charged with Mischief. Then Officer B arrived and took a broader perspective.
Two police cars & two officers and a very long discussion, over this.
Officer K wanted to educate me regarding the black&white way police can interpret the law if they want to. There was possibly some personal animosity. I imagine he saw a lot of white privilege when he looked at me vandalizing a parking lot and not regretting it.
I want to add that although Officer B said both he and Officer K believe that black lives matter, ("we're on your side"), they were trying to intimidate me & stop me doing what I explained to them is the only method our community has to combat white supremacists operating here.
My activity was harmless and caused no damage. My messages can be easily washed away with water, however they have strength beyond their ephemeral nature. Black families in my neighbourhood see the posters being repeatedly vandalized. They need to see the solidarity and support.
