While "peaceful protests" are a critical form of demonstration for citizen rights, we must be aware of opportunists that exploit peaceful demonstrations at these gatherings by inciting vandalism and violence. It is important to not let opportunists overshadow the message of peaceful protests and demonstrations. This happened in Los Angeles in June 2025 when peaceful protests were infiltrated by opportunists who caused vandalism and violence. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) dispersed protesters and opportunists on the first night. The violence from opportunists came the following day, and the Trump administration used this as an excuse to deploy 2000 members of the National Guard. However, as the media widely reported, the LAPD and Los Angeles County Sheriff had the situation under control. Had they needed it, local law enforcement could have asked the governor to call in the National Guard to assist. Taking this action is the governor's purview; the President does not have this right. Learn more below about "peaceful protests" and the impact of "opportunists". Then, Take Action - Contact Congress Now!
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Peaceful ProtestsA peaceful protest is a crucial form of demonstration that enables individuals to express their opinions, grievances, and advocate for change without resorting to violence or harm. In democratic societies like the United States, such protests serve as a fundamental mechanism for civic engagement, protecting freedoms of speech and assembly, and holding authorities accountable (Tilly, 2004). Participants typically employ non-violent methods such as marches, sit-ins, rallies, or signage to raise awareness and influence public opinion or policy. These peaceful demonstrations uphold democratic values by allowing citizens to voice concerns openly and safely, fostering social change through constructive engagement (Tilly, 2004).
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Opportunists and Their ImpactOpportunists—often referred to as "agents provocateurs" or "agitators"—sometimes exploit these gatherings to incite violence and cause destruction. During protests for justice and reform, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened concerns over police violence, many demonstrators in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills participated peacefully to voice their grievances. However, opportunists infiltrated these protests to provoke clashes with law enforcement, vandalize property, and spread chaos, which shifts focus away from the movement’s core messages and damages public support (Gould-Wartofsky, 2020). For example, following the killing of George Floyd in 2020, reports indicated that some acts of vandalism and looting were carried out by outside agitators seeking to capitalize on the unrest, leading to increased tensions with police and harm to local businesses (Hochschild & Kroll, 2020). Such actions not only disrupt peaceful demonstrations but also undermine efforts for meaningful reform by fostering division and eroding community trust.
Historically, similar patterns have been observed. During the 2011 London riots, some groups took advantage of the chaos to loot and vandalize shops, with evidence suggesting external agitators aimed to escalate violence (Hallsworth & Lea, 2011). Likewise, in the 2020 protests following George Floyd’s death, some property damage and confrontations were attributed to opportunists seeking to benefit from the disorder (Gould-Wartofsky, 2020). These actions can justify harsh law enforcement responses and weaken social movements by overshadowing peaceful advocacy with violence and destruction. |
References
- Tilly, C. (2004). *Social Movements, 1768–2004*. Paradigm Publishers.
- Gould-Wartofsky, M. (2020). *The chaos of protests: How opportunists undermine social movements*. Journal of Social Movements, 12(4), 215-230.
- Hallsworth, S., & Lea, J. (2011). The London riots: An analysis of the causes and consequences. *Sociology Today*, 7(3), 45-60.
- Hochschild, A., & Kroll, A. (2020). The impact of outside agitators during protests. *Los Angeles Times*.
