This week: A History of Riots in America Edited by: Shannon  
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Welcome to the Short Stories Newsletter. I am Shannon and I'm your editor this week.
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"Nonviolent episodes of protest are extraordinarily efficient in creating social change in democratic states; violent episodes undo the good work of change with astonishing rapidity." ~ Adam Gopnik
2020 has been a tough year. A virus spread across our country and America shut down. Millions lost their jobs, thousands lost their lives, and just when we were beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel the recording of George Floyd's death went viral.
The riots that ensued reminded me of other riots I've witnessed or read about in my lifetime. Below are three examples:
 In March of 1991, Rodney King led police on a high-speed chase through the streets of Los Angeles. King would later admit he fled because he was on parole for robbing a convenience store in 1989; drinking and driving was a clear violation of his parole. King attempted to outrun the police, eventually reaching freeway speeds as high as 117 miles per hour. King left the freeway and continued his escape attempt, racing at 50-80 MPH through residential streets as a convoy of police cars followed and a chopper flew overhead. After an 8-mile chase police were able to corner the vehicle and order its three occupants to step out. King remained inside longer than the others, but he eventually exited the vehicle. The police allege King appeared to be reaching for a weapon, at one point "rushed" one of the officers, and they proceeded to kick and hit him 33 times with their batons. George Holliday, who watched the events from his nearby apartment, recorded the scene on his camcorder. Several days later Holliday took the footage to KTLA. Before airing the video, KTLA cut the first ten seconds which showed King standing and lunging toward the officers (to me it looks like he's just trying to get away), but it was blurry so the station opted not to air it. Jury members said the excised ten seconds, which aired as evidence in the courtroom, was crucial in their decision to acquit the officers involved (1).
Within hours of the acquittals in April of 1992, enraged Los Angelinos took to the streets in protest. The chaos lasted six days, and "by the time law enforcement, the California Army National Guard, the United States Army, and the United States Marine Corps restored order, the riots had resulted in 63 deaths, 2,383 injuries, more than 7,000 fires, damage to 3,100 businesses, and nearly $1 billion in financial losses" (1).
To view the video in its entirety, Google "Rodney King beating full video." It's eight minutes and nine seconds long. I don't recommend it, however. It's repulsive and deeply disturbing.
On February 2, 1980, the most violent prison riot in American history began when a group of inmates who'd gotten "drunk on hooch" decided to take over the institution. New Mexico State Penitentiary, a maximum-security prison housing the state's deadliest and most dangerous offenders, was built to house 900 inmates. On the night of the riot 1,157 men called NMSP home with only 12 corrections officers to monitor them. Overcrowding, inhumane conditions, understaffing, neglect, and allegations of abuse sparked the 36-hour riot that left 33 people dead, dozens injured, and hundreds psychologically scarred for life (2).
The following BBC documentary summarizes what happened that night.
It contains foul language and graphic images.
Viewer discretion is strongly advised.
At 7:00 pm on Wednesday, August 11, 1965, a routine DUI stoppage resulted in one of the deadliest riots in US history. Police suspected brothers Marquette and Ronald Frye were driving under the influence. Marquette failed a sobriety test and resisted arrest, scuffling with the arresting officer until another cop rammed a baton into his guts, knocking him to the ground. The brothers' mother appeared on scene and attempted to pull officers off Marquette. She, too, was arrested. Ron Frye, in an attempt to protect his mother, started to defend her and was quickly arrested as well. By this time an angry crowd had formed and officers used batons and shotguns to keep the mob at bay. A bystander, a woman the crowd believed to be pregnant, spat on one of the officers. When police tried to arrest her she resisted, so police dragged her out of the crowd. "By 7:45 p.m., the riot was in full force, with rocks, bottles, and more being thrown at the buses and cars that had been stalled in traffic because of the escalating incident. The night after the arrest, crowds attacked motorists with rocks and bricks, and pulled white drivers out of their cars and beat them" (3).
Police commissioner William Parker fanned the flames by likening rioters to "monkeys in a zoo."
"The Watts Riots lasted for six days, resulting in 34 deaths, 1,032 injuries and 4,000 arrests, involving 34,000 people and ending in the destruction of 1,000 buildings, totaling $40 million in damages" (3).
While the majority of people where I live in the Treasure Valley are white, the area has a large Hispanic population and thousands of refugees from all over the world. Everyone of every color lives in harmony here. We may disagree on things, but the crime rate is low and we make our voices heard at the ballot box. This kind of stuff is foreign to me and so very sad.
"Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral. I am not unmindful of the fact that violence often brings about momentary results. Nations have frequently won their independence in battle. But in spite of temporary victories, violence never brings permanent peace." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
Have you personally witnessed looting/rioting? Have you participated in protests? Have you written a story about (or is your protagonist a victim of) social injustice and/or police brutality? Share your thoughts, comments, and creations by responding to this newsletter and I will share them in my next edition.
Thank you for reading.
Sources:
1. Rodney King
2. Devastating Penitentiary Riot of 1980 Changed New Mexico and Its Prisons
3. Watts Riots
Further Reading:
 List of incidents of civil unrest in the United States
Learning from the Slaughter in Attica
New Mexico State Penitentiary Riot
Riots
P.S. Every registered author who shares their ideas and/or creative endeavors relating to or inspired by this week's topic will receive an exclusive trinket. I will retire this month's limited-edition trinket at 11:59 p.m. WDC time on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, when my next short stories newsletter goes live.
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I hope you enjoy this week's featured selections. I occasionally feature static items by members who are no longer with us; some have passed away while others simply aren't active members. Their absence doesn't render their work any less relevant, and if it fits the week's topic I will include it.
Thank you, and have a great week!
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#1916261 by Not Available. |
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#1397456 by Not Available. |
| |  | The Protest (13+)
2 college girls cross paths with protesters. One turns a blind eye, but the other wonders.
#1944503 by Tala Wolff  |
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The following is in response to "Conspiracy Theories" :
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eyestar~* writes: Wow! as usually you have uncovered some interesting and scary facts. I rarely take the news as totally true: asking questions is important as there are points of view, and motivations behind most of them. Mind control is freaky, yet easy done as we are a part of this collective media. and unless aware and questioning, can be seduced into the fray and fog of the matrix. Makes the question What is truth? interesting to consider. Thanks for bringing awareness.
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Mastiff  writes: I think this might be the closest thing I've written that would be considered mind control. I wrote another short story called "Vegas Skin" that deals much more in a government conspiracy, though! "Lyrics of The Lancers" [18+]
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MirandaCookies IS IN COLLEGE writes: I don’t write everyday, but I do try and journal or doodle something down in my blog. It helps me feel better, like I’m venting or letting everything out. To me, writing is a therapeutic practice.
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BIG BAD WOLF is Howling  writes: Can't say that I have anything involving mind control, but you might find a conspiracy or three.
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Jeff  writes: Mind control is not in my particular area of interest. I do enjoy a good conspiracy theory story, but not so much with the government mind control programs. I prefer conspiracy theories that are more rooted in traditional politics, business, economics, etc.
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Pumpkin Spice Sox   writes: I read a short story on this site about a vaccine that was deadlier than the disease it "treated" and it was forcibly administered to everyone. That scared me, what if they do that in real life as a population control measure. Make sure only the rich get the real vaccine and the rest get the fatal one? Now would be an opportune time for that kind of thing.
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willwilcox writes: You are a brave soul indeed to let people know you're against the GOV. But I believe the curtain must be pulled away to reveal what's been going on for years. Absolute power corrupts absolutely!!!
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Princess Megan Snow Rose  writes: I have always been nervous about conspiracy therories. Like JFK and Princess Diana's death. A well written newsletter that makes you think and gives you chills. Truth is stranger then fiction. I enjoyed reading this newsletter
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dragonwoman writes: I have a niece who fights government conspiracy tooth and nail to my not so silent cheering. She recently recited a poem about the current situation that included the line: "I will not wear a mask from China, I'd rather have crabs in my vagina." She is strong in her beliefs and shows it.
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ForeverDreamer writes: This was interesting. I knew about some of these conspiracies, but not all of them.
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mykel writes: Dear Shannon,
Always a stimulating read in your newsletters. They are becoming - how may I say this? - even more stimulating as time goes on! I assume that you are familiar with the Powell Memo, written back in 1971. Here is a link to that document in case it should interest you.
https://reclaimdemocracy.org/powell_memo_lewis/ . In disclosure, this is intended as information only. Yes, I am a progressive socialist but am not trying to influence your or anyone else's opinion on the WDC site. I just enjoy the Newsletters a lot, including the Spiritual editions.
Forgive my question regarding the trinkets: how are they collected? You click on one, it displays, then what is supposed to happpen? How does one "collect" it?
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with us...
Best Wishes,
Michael
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Lilli 🧿 ☕  writes: Woohoo! This is a wonderful newsletter filled with so much valuable info! Thank you!!! This is a keeper, for sure!
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KingsSideCastle writes: This was a great article. Conspiracy theories are always fun to read. I always found stories dealing with conspiracies to have a tense and exciting atmospheres. I really need to watch Wormwood. 
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LinnAnn -Book writer  writes: Very good article. I think most of us agree the govt. cant be trusted. lol
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sindbad  writes: Hi, Shannon. A mesmerizing account of events and neat follow through all this leaves a deep and unnerving experience. Great job..sindbad
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The following is in response to "For the Love of Writing" :
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lauradena writes: Well! I'm so relieved that I stopped and took the time to read your email! My mother is 86 years old and she and I have grown very close through the years. She has an interesting family (10 full sisters and 7 full brothers, raised in one of the poorest counties in the nation during the mid-1900's) and many stories she is passionate about passing on to my children. The problem is, both of my sons have moved away and won't be coming back to sit on the porch and listen to those wonderful stories. She and I have discussed and mulled over how we could pass those stories on. Your idea of writing them is my perfect answer! Thank you! Also, the quotes and bits of advice you gave struck not just cords, but cymbals with me. I've been drudging through my writing. I'm inspired again! Thank you again!!
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Short Stories: June 10, 2020 Issue [#10210]
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