Protest at Churches housing police during 2012 Republican National Convention

Tampa, Florida, during the 2012 Democratic National Convention—-On Sunday, a day before Labor Day, a group of about 25 protested at two churches. I was told the reason for the protest was that the church was housing some of the thousands of cops. One of the churches as at 509 E. Twiggs. One chant was “ God loves peace. Don’t help police.”

That chant seemed to have been based on protesters’ view that peace in our communities and aiding police are mutually exclusive. At least some folk in historically under-served communities likely share that view, but I suspect no where near a majority of people in the general public do.

Perhaps, when it comes to choosing chants, knowing our audience matters. [[[[Photos]]]] One of the protests was at Sacred Heart Church during one of its services at Twiggs Street and Florida Avenue. Other chants were, “police everywhere, justice nowhere” and “we want equality, not police brutality.”