The police introduced violence into the mix with their riot gear and chemical weapons.

I decided to attend a Black Lives Matter protest at the Allen County courthouse lawn. I was hesitant because I have been trying to practice social distancing according to CDC/health professional guidelines, but I knew that I could not sit back and do nothing. As a white person, I knew that I would be safer, and my presence at the protest would hopefully provide some additional safety for the black and brown people there. I arrived around 6pm and tried to maintain 6 feet of distance between me and other protesters. I was able to do this successfully until police arrived in riot gear and began to shoot tear gas into the crowd without provocation or warning. Until that moment, when the police arrived (I think it was about 8pm, but I am not sure) there had been no violence, no destruction of property. Demonstrators were shouting – we’re raising our voices because we’re angry. Demonstrators walked in the street – we’re trying to get your attention. This was not my first protest, and it was no different than a demonstration like the Women’s March or other actions I’ve participated in over the years. What changed was the police response. They introduced violence into the mix with their riot gear and chemical weapons. When they began shooting tear gas, I was not able to get out of the area to get home. Police began to corral protesters up against the courthouse, coming from the northeast and northwest sides of the courthouse. I managed to flag down friends who were getting into their car and get away before they began arresting people. But if I had not caught their eye, I very well could have been among those who were arrested because I could not get away. Once I got inside, I heard the pandemonium for hours afterwards. I could hear it the next day too, even though I wasn’t present. To this day, I can hardly stand being downtown without feeling in danger.