50501 SC and partner orgs remain committed to non-violence

Any claims to the contrary are lies.

This morning, WIS in Columbia reported on the South Carolina Attorney General issuing a statement warning of “reports indicating potential coordinated protests and acts of civil disobedience” this coming Saturday, June 14.

Local Republican lawmakers around the state are also making similar claims, and some are going so far as to ask their followers to report lawful protests to the police.

Let us be clear:

These claims are unfounded. There are no credible reports of this nature from 50501 SC or any of our partner organizations, and the AG and other representatives have not provided any basis for their claims.

---

Like so many of you, members of 50501 SC and our partner organizations have been closely watching the events unfolding in Los Angeles and other cities around the country.

We’ve seen community members disappeared by supposed ICE agents (though this is hard to substantiate given many of these supposed agents are not wearing any identifying markers, coordinated uniforms, or any way of determining whether they are even law enforcement). We’ve seen nonviolent protestors tear-gassed by law enforcement, and we see an administration hell bent on instigating violence for an excuse to illegally send in an occupying military force.

---

50501 SC volunteer organizers have planned and held dozens of Constitutionally-protected protests, rallies, marches, and sign-waving demonstrations across the state this year. We are a non-violent movement, and we remain committed to the values of non-violence.

We do not know of any threats or plans of violence this weekend. If there are actually any credible reports, they aren’t from 50501 or our partner organizations.

We encourage people across the state of South Carolina to find a 50501, No Kings, or Kick Out The Clowns event happening near them this weekend and make a plan to attend.

Our dissent must be loud and it must be clear.

Seeing how the federal government is responding to events across the country, we also encourage community members to attend de escalation trainings and learn the best ways to protect themselves while protesting.

It is essential that we continue standing up to lawless authoritarians who shred our Constitution, attack our communities, and ignore the rule of law.

They fear our momentum and they cannot conceive of what a peaceful movement of millions can accomplish.

We will not give in to fear, and we will not be cowed by threats.

See you Saturday.