Protests, Riots and Insurrection

My quote for the day, quoting me. “There is a hell of a lot of difference between a Protest and an Insurrection.”

There are three words that are bandied about interchangeably, but are different in meaning.

Protest

Riot

Insurrection

What protest means? Something said or done that shows disagreement with or disapproval of something. An event at which people gather together to show strong disapproval about something.

What riot means? A violent public disorder specifically. A tumultuous disturbance of the public peace by three or more persons assembled together and acting with a common intent. Public violence, tumult, or disorder.

What insurrection means? A violent uprising against an authority or government.

Protests and Insurrections require planning. Riots? Not so much. You prepare for a Protest with signs, food, water, permits, discussion, rules for staying safe and medics in case anything unexpected happens. You prepare for an insurrection with weapons, tear gas, and a plan to overcome authority physically and with force. Riots? Those don’t need planning.

Why was what happened Wednesday an insurrection and not a protest or a riot? It was planned, for months. It involved bringing weapons and was intended to overcome authority by force. It was incited by one particular authority who disagreed with the law and existing authority that went beyond his ability to manipulate.

It was an insurrection.