VIDEO: College students defend looting, say riots ‘justified’
Campus Reform asked students at George Washington University if they support the nationwide riots and looting.
Overwhelmingly, students said that the riots and looting are "justified."
"If change is gonna come there’s gonna be some violence," one student said.
As protests and riots continue nationwide, countless Americans are grappling with the impact of mass looting and property damage that’s accompanied many of the demonstrations. In Minneapolis alone, the riots could cost residents as much as $500 million in property damage.
Campus Reform has covered how many professors and politicians who have defended the looting, claiming that “insurance” would foot the bill.
Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors went so far as to tell students that looting was simply “people expressing righteous rage.”
[RELATED: WATCH: BLM co-founder shares thoughts on looting & capitalism with Penn State students]
Wanting to know what college students would think, Campus Reform headed to George Washington University in Washington, D.C. It quickly became apparent that students viewed the destruction of property in the name of social justice as justified.
“In my opinion, it definitely can be justified given that’s the only way we can get our message out there,” said one student, while another added, “I’m in support of the riots personally, whatever you need to do to be heard…”
One student called the riots “inevitable,” claiming that “if change is gonna come there’s gonna be some violence.”
Other students agreed, saying “Honestly, I think it’s justified. People in power have stolen so much more. Anything that any of them loot will never match up to what’s been stolen from them.”
“In the case of many white nationalist protests that have gotten violent, the conversation has never been about their looting or the violence they bring. It’s easier to characterize people of color as violent than white people I guess,” added another.
One student said looting is simply “all part of the healing process.”
Did any students denounce the looting? Watch the full video to find out:
[RELATED: Colleges, professors encourage students to donate to rioter bail funds]
Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @Cabot_Phillips
