FreeHugsProject: A Movement That Works | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

FreeHugsProject: A Movement That Works

The meaning of a peaceful protest

9
FreeHugsProject: A Movement That Works
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi1qoSolabPAhVq74MKHUMRAoYQjB0IBg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Ffree-hugs-charlotte-protests-police-2016-9&psig=AFQjCNFsiS_TmTMAjhFau0hrbzYIDVBHDQ&ust=1474743114168772

If you pay attention to the news, you know this past week protests broke out in Charlotte, North Carolina. Riot's started this Wednesday night after police analyzed video footage of the shooting of Keith Lemont Scott and came to the conclusion they couldn't figure out what Scott was holding in his hands when he was shot and killed by a Charlotte police officer. Scott's family demanded that the video be released to the public, and when Police Chief Putney denied the request, and since then the community has been at an uproar.

While this isn't the point of the article, it leads to my topic. When scrolling through Facebook the other day, I came across a video of guy who was at the Charlotte riots on Wednesday night.The guy in the video's name is Ken, he runs the FreeHugsProject video page on Facebook. While I've seen these videos before of him at Trump rally's and other places trying to get hugs from people, this video really stood out to me. He was on the front line of the protests in Charlotte speaking to both sides, getting both sides feelings. While he had a lot of negative things said to him, he also had a lot of people who joined him in his mission to create peace.

He makes many good arguments throughout the video, there's a certain part at the beginning that really made me cheer him on. He spoke to police officers, and they thanked him, a few even gave him hugs. Then he say's "he hugged me" pointing at a police officer in riot gear, "and he wanted to fight me because of it," pointing back to a man who called him horrible names because of his actions, "how does that makes sense? Spreading more hate into the world, that's whats frustrating me." This part of the video really stuck out to me because he's right. There's horrible things that happen everyday in this world, and I believe you should stick up for what you think is right, but hatred doesn't come with peaceful protest.

In the video you can plainly see that the "peaceful protest" claiming to be happening is not peaceful at all. There's graffiti all over nearby store windows, there's fires burning in the streets, a man is bashing a police car window, store windows are shattered, reporters being attacked and even a young man lost his life after being shot. What is the purpose of all of this damage? All it does is create ore conflict, its creating issues for other peoples lives. Destroying your home to "protest" is not a protest at all, its stupidity.

I applaud this man for trying to make a change and for trying to create peace, instead of sitting during the national anthem or destroying an entire city to try and prove a point. I think what this man is doing is awesome, and I think he could have a great effect on many communities. If you wanna check out the video and many others, go to FreeHugsProject on Facebook.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

442800
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

16294
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

41410
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

21158
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

321587
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments