Stand Down, Soldier.

Matt Sullivan
Jun 5, 2020

National Guardsmen with machine guns is a bit much.

Photo by Stephanie LeBlanc on Unsplash

This morning during my walk, I saw something disturbing. A portion of the street around Philadelphia’s City Hall was blocked off. At least ten military vehicles were parked close by, and soldiers wearing sand-colored camo, helmets, and holding large machine guns stood a few feet from the barricade.

Last weekend, the citizens of this city overwhelmed the local police as cop cars were burned, and businesses were looted as well as torched. The mayor, governor, or both determined that reinforcements in the form of the National Guard were necessary.

Calm has been restored. Daily nonviolent protests continue, and the Guardsmen maintain their presence. Worry not, soldiers. We see you with your fatigues and menacing weapons. It is overkill. Go home.

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