Oh, yeah. Those people can't be trusted around anything of value, barely human, they are. It's a good thing we have a system of gun licensing laws and punitive enforcement practices to make sure as few of those scum can carry weapons legally as possible. And then when one of them carries a gun
illegally...
Of course, I'm speaking sarcastically. While a greatly disproportionate number of the urban poor, and the black urban poor specifically, have been debarred the right to bear arms through the legal system, a far greater number have been conditioned or pressured to believe they
cannot carry weapons legally, open, at home, or concealed. To say nothing of the cost associated with doing so. To say that OCT has nothing to offer the 5th Ward or any other poor and/or minority neighborhood is simply untrue. I do think it would require some changes on the part of OCT for them to have a positive impact, though. Simply invading others' space with guns, at this time is not productive or helpful. Throw poor race-relations, class beefs, and recent civil unrest in the mix and its a poorer (I wouldn't say
bad, since I still doubt anything untoward would have happened, and that aside from some angry words, the area around the protest would have likely experienced a decided
lack of flagrant criminal activity) opportunity.
What I would suggest:
-Since Quannel has supposedly stymied you here (I'm sure he actually hasn't, but he will most certainly take credit for driving you guys off this time), you
will have to seek his approval if you wish to reattempt this event. As I said before, if he can't be seen to discuss with you directly, find someone lower in his organization you can talk to, and set some ground rules for each others' collaboration on this project*
-Figure out how to present absolutely, positively, absolutely (again) the best face of your cause for something this controversial and public. The nation
will be watching as gunnies stride through that ghetto and...nothing bad happens. Find out what you can do to make sure that that is the only conceivable outcome of your adventure; no out of context quotes, no out of context photos, no straying off message, no mean faces/clothing, no intimidating swagger, no shouting, no brandishing, just shiny happy people holding hands --with guns.
-Work with everything and everybody resembling a leadership/authority in the community for a good, solid month at least before trying this again. They don't know you, they don't trust you, a good many of these folks fear you for very logical (not emotional) reasons. Respect and accept that, then do what you have to do in order for them to let you in.
-As I said before, a stunt like this (and it is a stunt; a 'perilous' one at that) will have the whole nation's attention for
days before (probably only one, after
). This is the big-times. Hire/recruit a real PR consultant, or enlist the help of a group that knows what they are doing (I'd look elsewhere than Quannel, though he most certainly does know how to work the media).
-Just this once, at least for the first group outing in such a foreign and hostile place, it (ironically) might be a good time to forgo carry of actual rifles and just use banners to get the message out. The message is what's important; not the show of force/solidarity. Unlike most of your protests, no one's expecting the
police to bust you guys; they're (sadly) expecting the community to eat you alive like a pack of zombies. You aren't there to protest the
community's distaste of firearms, but to educate them on their rights, aren't you? Police response is a secondary topic, here, and you should adjust your tactics to reflect this; non-LEOs badly disturbed by firearms displays will not show the same restraint as even over-zealous LEOs, and unlike most OC displays where you almost
want to be accosted by police to illustrate their overreaction,
you cannot afford a violent response with average citizens. Ditch the open-carry guns, for just this first march. Call it a trial run.
TCB
*Ground Rules for dealing with the Panthers or whomever might be representing a neighborhood you want to visit and march through;
-Let
them determine the route/logistics of the march; it's their home after all, you let them show you around instead of randomly poking around
-Clearly and firmly establish what you wish to promote and educate people about (gun-law injustice, how widespread gun-deterrent can reduce crime and even police injustice, how to apply for CC, how to buy a gun for home defense, and that open carry of long arms is legal, but not pistols). Be willing to tailor (as in trim, but not add) the scope of your message to something they are willing to promote in the community
-Likewise, be firm about their group limiting its message to something your membership is comfortable with (promoting violent resistance to police, religious proselytizing, off-topic items like drug, tax, or welfare policy would obviously be things to draw the line on)
-Determine what each side is to provide for the event; refreshments, transport, security (self-policing for agent provocateurs), media coverage (dedicated folks taking flattering pictures/reporting & dispersing them before the opposition can do the opposite), etc.
-Get the local police involved, or at the very least, an on-the-record blessing of the event. Their assistance may or may not be advisable depending on the locals' relationship at the time
-Get all this stuff in writing, and preferably stage a pretty photo-op with both sides' leadership signing shortly before the march
Sounds like a lot of work, and it is, but getting gunnies in with the ghettoes is the perfect way to subvert decades, no
centuries of urban disarmament effort. We've always been afraid of what happens to our gun rights if the metro area gets too large --
this is how we combat that inevitability. Our message seems so in tune with what is sought by urbanites that I don't see why we can't compliment one another, but one side needs to engage the other first. If activist gun owners have more resources on the whole by virtue of their social station, the onus is on us to make the first move. I think once a few neighborhoods are opened up to our ideas diplomatically, the job will get easier and easier.