Stacey Abrams’ Aide Defends Rioting: Says Burning Cars And Smashing Windows ‘Isn’t Violence’

During the summer of riots in 2020, American media outlets embarrassed themselves by standing in front of burning buildings and then saying on camera that the riots were “largely peaceful.”

An aide to twice-defeated governor candidate Stacey Abrams is now setting a new norm.

According to One America News, it was Marisa Pyle, a top adviser for Abrams, who claimed, on social media, “You cannot commit violence against a window or a car. Killing a human? Now that, that is violence. Shame on Atlanta’s leaders who fall into the same tired path of protecting property while our people are murdered by their police.”

Her comments came amid violence – such as burning cars and breaking windows – that developed recently in Atlanta. The original social media posting was being “protected,” but it already had been quoted in multiple other postings:

Burning police car, smashing windows isn’t ‘violence’ Stacey Abrams top advisor Marisa Pyle
Now this is in her own words, “You cannot commit violence against a window or a car. Killing a human? Now that, that is violence.
It’s called Destruction Of Property you nit wit ????‍♀️

— OurVoicesWILLNOTBeSilenced (@cgosselinaikens) January 26, 2023

The report explained Pyle is with Abrams’ Fair Fight Action, and “had rushed to the defense of anti-police protesters and the chaos that they had caused.”

OAN documented: “The tweet followed a Saturday full of protests in Atlanta which developed into riots as the day went on. Rioters had thrown rocks and lit fireworks in front of the building of the Atlanta Police Foundation, as well as shattered glass windows and lit a police car on fire.”

Multiple arrests were made, including some suspects described as “carrying explosives.”

The violence apparently was triggered by the death of Manuel Esteban Paez Teran, who was shot and killed when he opened fire on a Georgia State trooper.

It was during 2020 that media outlets mischaracterized the violent riots that were happening.

CNN decided that rioting in Kenosha, Wisconsin, was “fiery but mostly peaceful” in a chyron in front of burning businesses.

This is what a Biden Presidency will bring to your city.

Hats off to CNN for having the stamina to continue to carry water for democrats.

“Fiery but mostly peaceful protests” pic.twitter.com/hlnVX0dCZ9

— Senator Melissa Melendez (@senatormelendez) August 27, 2020

In response, Daily Caller investigative editor Peter J. Hasson deadpanned: “reporting to you live from Pearl Harbor, where America suffered a mostly peaceful surprise attack by the Japanese empire.”

Steve Guest recalled MSNBC’s Ali Velshi in May reporting from in front of a burning building in Minneapolis.

“I want to be clear on how I characterize this,” Velshi said. “This is mostly a protest. It is not generally speaking unruly but fires have been started.”

MSNBC’s Ali Velshi now has competition for the most ridiculous riot “reporting.”

Back in May, Velshi said, “I want to be clear on how I characterize this. This is mostly a protest. It is not generally speaking unruly but fires have been started.”pic.twitter.com/6K72kHHno1

— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) August 27, 2020

AP also fell into line with the manipulation of language to downplay the rioting.

The news wire issued a series of tweets advising that reporters should use care in using the term “riot.”

New guidance on AP Stylebook Online:

Use care in deciding which term best applies:
A riot is a wild or violent disturbance of the peace involving a group of people. The term riot suggests uncontrolled chaos and pandemonium. (1/5)

— APStylebook (@APStylebook) September 30, 2020

The AP said:

Focusing on rioting and property destruction rather than underlying grievance has been used in the past to stigmatize broad swaths of people protesting against lynching, police brutality or for racial justice, going back to the urban uprisings of the 1960s.

Unrest is a vaguer, milder and less emotional term for a condition of angry discontent and protest verging on revolt.

Protest and demonstration refer to specific actions such as marches, sit-ins, rallies or other actions meant to register dissent. They can be legal or illegal, organized or spontaneous, peaceful or violent, and involve any number of people.

Revolt and uprising both suggest a broader political dimension or civil upheavals, a sustained period of protests or unrest against powerful groups or government systems.