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Armed groups confronted scores of BLM protesters this year. Our new Visual Investigation examined video and social media from over a hundred of these interactions and found that these groups often get a pass from the police. Watch https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000007424380/police-black-lives-matter-protests.html.
There were over 7,000 Black Lives Matters protests this summer and according to data from @ACLEDINFO, the majority were peaceful.
We analyzed videos, social media posts and news reports from over 100 BLM protests that were attended by armed counter protesters. We wanted to see how police engage with armed groups and individuals.
Armed far-right groups have different motivations, ideologies and attitudes, but they have one thing in common: They often get a pass from the police at BLM protests.
We frequently saw police officers take a hands-off approach to armed groups and individuals, even if they had intimidated or injured BLM protesters.
In some cases, we saw police officers express affiliation with far-right and anti-government groups by wearing their symbols while on duty or posing in pictures together.
In a few extreme cases, we even saw police officers offer support to armed groups, like this deputy sheriff in Clackamas County, Ore.
Note, there are laws in most states to curb paramilitary activity and unlawful militias. https://www.law.georgetown.edu/icap/our-work/addressing-the-rise-of-unlawful-private-paramilitaries/
The increasingly blurred line between armed groups and police could play a role in emboldening vigilantes.
Thank you to our team, @whitney_hurst, @evanchill, @dim109, @arielle_designs, @DrewJordan_NYT, @markscheffler, @therealDahliak
Extra thanks to @Tina_Kelso, @heytherehaIey, @Poorpotatoface and @btdecker for all of your input and help.
For more Visual Investigations (including our reporting on police brutality): https://www.nytimes.com/spotlight/visual-investigations
