As Americans have taken to the streets to protest racism and allegations of police violence, they have been hit by motor vehicles more than 100 times in the process, reports the Wall Street Journal. Between George Floyd’s killing in police custody in May and Sept. 5, motorists drove into demonstrators at least 104 times, killing at least two people, says University of Chicago graduate student Ari Weil. Several have occurred since Sept. 5, when Weil stopped collecting data. The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, a global crisis-mapping initiative, counted eight such cases in the week of Sept. 20, and three the first week in October. Many are accidental and appear to have happened when motorists were confused. In some cases, drivers have said they acted in self-defense after having their car damaged by protesters and fearing for their safety.
Authorities have charged 39 drivers with crimes ranging from reckless driving to vehicular homicide. Videos of some incidents appear on TikTok and elsewhere. Some feature people showing off their trucks and saying they don’t stop for demonstrators. Others show individuals directly threatening Black Lives Matter protesters or display shirts, hats or car decals with the slogan “All Lives Splatter.” Melina Abdullah of the Black Lives Matter chapter in Los Angeles said she and fellow protesters typically opt not to seek prearranged protection from the police, largely because the demonstrations are often aimed at the police. More typically, protest organizers themselves try to arrange road closures and escorts. Bennett Clifford, who studies violent extremism at George Washington University, said extremists have sometimes used vehicles to cause harm because it is more difficult for authorities to prove motive or intent than when a bomb or gun is involved.