Notes: I am not affiliated with Floyd, BLM, Black Panthers or Police. This story is fictional based loosely on some true incidents regarding protests and NY. Any hate speak is meant to illustrate not to spread actual hate out there.

"Stop Gregory," Goren tried to catch up to him, visibly becoming out of breath. Goren motioned to the protesters to stop Gregory in chase. They did the opposite, letting him go through and reassembling themselves to block Goren's pursuit.

"I just want to talk to you," Goren tries again. Finally, he is able to maneuver through the crowd catching up to him, putting his foot out to trip him and catch him with his outstretched arms. "Why are you running, Gregory?"

"Please. I don't want to die."

"Why would you think you are going to die?"

"You have to ask that? Look at where we are. They killed Floyd in public and didn't bat an eye."

"It's alright Gregory, I'm not here to hurt you." Goren pats his shoulder and pulls him aside, "just don't run again. I have some questions. Were you aware your name came up threatening this protest?"

"Kierra told me But I haven't done anything wrong."

"That's okay. And let's hope it stays that way. I know it's not an easy time right now. Do you know anything about this threat that could help us?" Goren was soft spoken not to alert others into a panic.

"I don't. This is a lie. I don't want to hurt anyone. The threat is made up. It has to be."

"What about anyone who may have a grudge against you? If they are setting you up, this is serious. We have to look into this."

"I just want justice."

"And there are ways to get that without violence."

"You aren't hearing me. I just want justice. I'm not trying to exert justice. You feel me?"

"So you came to support the protest. That's good, keep talking Gregory and we can work this out together. I don't think you are involved. No, my partner and I think someone else is pulling the strings."

"And, I am telling you, whoever that person is, I don't know them."

"I understand but you may know something that can help us lock this threat away. I know you don't want to see people die today. Especially, not with the message of justice."

"We are peaceful. We just want change and no I don't want anyone to die. Please tell me how I can help?"

Meanwhile, the crowd had begun to take a turn. People were visibly frustrated grabbing tear gas canisters the cops tried to use against them and tossed them back to the cops patrolling. Several were yanked from the crowd, pushed on the floor, and cuffed and tossed into awaiting police vehicles.

Eames had just gotten people to settle on her side when officer Dunne returned to antagonize the crowd further. He was greeted to chants of "Fuck you. Fuck the police"

Eames put herself between Dunne and protesters to mitigate the tension. Officer Dunne moves forward to attack a protester yelling, "Fuck the police!" with a baton. "That's it Dunne I have your badge." She pressed her hand square into his chest and her arm stopped his from swinging.

"Is that supposed to scare me, honey?"

At that point Goren appeared to share intel with Eames. "Is there a problem here?"

"You tell me, Dunne? You're gonna stand down? And don't call me honey it's misogynistic"

"Gregory doesn't know anything. I mic'd him up see if he runs across anything interesting. But, I'm starting to agree with them. This threat may just be made up as a diversion." There was a flash of light and loud boom near Gregory's post.

"Shit Gregory," Goren shouted.

Both ran towards the explosion where EMTs were signaled toward the affected area.

Morning of the Protest

"You sure about keeping Jayden home? It may be good for him to see civic action in progress. Hands on learning."

"No Gregory. Those cops came by asking about a threat against the police. Your name in connection. I know you aren't a terrorist but those cops they need a scapegoat."

"And it isn't going to be me. They aren't going to control my life. I am protesting because it's the right thing to do. And no one is going to stop me from doing so."

"But if there is a threat? No, the whole point is coming home safe, can you guarantee that Jayden will have a father?"

Gregory didn't answer.

"I didn't think so. Yet, you are still willing to take that risk?"

"You wanted to go to this protest too less I forget."

"Yes but after I spoke to those cops. I just have a bad feeling about this. You can't blame me for wanting to protect my family, my son."

"Fine. But, I am going. Brave in the face of adversity. Isn't that the whole point?"

"Yes...but."

"No buts. This is a good thing. There is no change if we can't hold the people killing us accountable no matter what rank."

"Just promise me you make it home alive. For Jayden."

"and for you too," Gregory grabbed her hands in his and looked in her eyes, "you are my reason for fighting. You and my boy."

Gregory left to meet with organizers before the protest.

BLM Meeting

"Don't give them a reason to arrest you or worse for you to end up in a body bag. The whole purpose is to make it home alive. Especially, for those of us who aren't able to keep that promise. So, yes protest and hold them accountable but remember that."

Gregory was approached by an organizer, ""Here. Pass these flyers out."

Then to the group, the coordinator spoke. "There's information to help you not only stay safe but prepared. Everyone, there's still this 'Rona out there so mask up. Keep your body covered, no loose clothing, earrings. You don't want anyone to be able to grab onto you. Read the part about defending yourself against tear gas, rubber bullets, and pepper spray. Keep your head mobile. You want to be able to spot kettling or if a situation is turning violent because what is your duty...?"*

"To make it home alive," The group responded.

"Know your rights. It is your right to protest. It is civic duty. However, they can control where those perimeters are so make sure you know ahead of time what the limits are. In order for this protest to be successful, we need to keep it peaceful. Do not antagonize the cops or other protesters. Do not engage in looting, destroying property. Make them see us, hear us, then make it home."

"Any questions?"

Gregory spoke up, "What about this threat the police say is out there. Is it safe to protest?"

"Honey, it's never safe to protest. No matter what role we take. No matter how peaceful we are, there is a risk of danger, arrest, and possibly injury or death. There's no predicting outcomes here. Have I heard of a threat? Yes but do I think we should protest anyway. Yes."

"But isn't that dangerous, irresponsible even. You know Kierra isn't here because of that threat. Shouldn't we focus on keeping the people safe first? Be sure about the threat before the protest?"

"If you want to play investigator be my guest but the protest is happening. Just protect yourselves and each other," then turned back to the group "and another thing. This protest is in a public place so that means you can record so make sure you make use of that option to protect yourselves and to show the truth out there before the media tries to twist it for views."

Gregory left the meeting a little less confident about the threat. He didn't know of a threat but hearing there may be made him nervous. He was sure he would be fine. But what if the cops weren't psyching them out? What if the threat was real? Or worse what if he was the target all along. Why else would they use his name? Either way he had to show Isaiah to be brave and to fight for what is right. He was his role model.

As a black man, Gregory has never felt safe but it tore him up when his son was born because he knew he would be passing that cross to Isaiah to bear one day. He had to teach him to speak and say hi first to not scare others walking nearby. He knew to shrink himself or pass himself off as small thereby not a threat. He knew to speak confidently but not too confidently that you come across angry and appear uncontrollable. He had to know his place and thread the line of what it meant to be a black man in America. For that reason, he had to do better for Isaiah so that he would not know that burden.

Gregory returned to the Black Panthers to see if they had any news about the threat. "Did you hear anything about a threat or have cops been by?"

"Yes, those cops stopped by and asked about a bomb or something. Truth be told I think this threat was made up. The cops were talking about a letter and I said we never communicated by letter. Convenient isn't it? That this would appear right before the protest. They are trying to scare us away from joining in on the protest."

_ Footnotes

* /human-civil-rights/preparing-to-protest-a-beginners-guide was used to come up with protesting info