https://static.mk.ru/upload/entities/2020/06/01/17/articles/detailPicture/cb/5f/73/54/9b2964cb90029f5e01f706e6743d32ea.jpg

the United States covered the riots because of the death of a black George Floyd with the arrest by the police. What began as a local revolt in one city has grown into a nationwide protest across the country. Who is behind this? When will the protests? How will this affect the presidential race in the United States and what does “fifty-year cycles”? These questions are answered by the expert.

– To date, the protests have covered a good half of the territory of the United States, says chief researcher of the Institute of USA and Canada studies, Vladimir Vassilyev. Mostly they spread to major States and major cities. But in General cover the entire territory of the country from California to the East coast, from Minnesota to Texas, and part of the southern States of the country.

You could say that at some point the situation got out of control. Now it’s turned into mass demonstrations, mostly by ethnic minorities for their rights. They are against police brutality, the murder of a police officer of African-American George Floyd was the impetus for the beginning.

How protests are covered in the American media?

– In the USA there are several approaches to covering these events. One approach is to support a protest.

Some media believe that this is a real social protest, which reflects the struggle for basic American values.

Others believe that it is rebellion, riots and looting, i.e., violation of public order and basic human rights.

and the third one is considered as a political spectacle, when the people took to the streets, but behind this lurks nothing special.

Pro-Democracy media in General are now defending the position that it is a legitimate form of protest and fight for rights. In General the official version supports: police officer Derek Savin was dismissed, he was charged with murder. This all suggests that law enforcement, at least with exceeding his authority. Therefore, the media viewed the riots as an attempt to protect rights and freedoms. Such coverage contributed to the fact that America was also on fire.

As protests concern the regional authorities?

– today the regional authorities in most of the States took such a position: in the current environment need to give people a chance to speak. Couples should be lowered. Now rising unemployment, deteriorating economic situation, there are problems with the coronavirus, there is irritation from the isolation… And in such a situation it is necessary to give people the opportunity to get out and blow off some steam.

in addition, the protests are supported��e democratic media. And the local authorities decided to turn a blind eye to what is happening. Especially in those States where power is held by the Democrats – we must remember that they have the elections on the nose and there is an active election campaign.

– How did these protests affect the upcoming U.S. elections?

– In this case, this form of mobilization of the electorate. These people should be armed, should know their civil rights and be ready to participate in the elections. Or Vice versa in mass protests if the result will be unsatisfactory.

if you Can call it a rehearsal for American independence on the eve of elections? I would not exclude this option. In this case, such a policy can be seen – not just affected the whole country. The elements of coordination of these protests were clearly. Moreover, these communications occurred at the National Democratic Committee, campaign headquarters and so on.

as for Republicans, trump has taken a tough stance. He believes that all these performances must be stopped and order must be restored, but also, it protects more and the honor of the uniform, showing that he is on the side of law enforcement.

the President sends a simple message: if you want to be burning, can elect Democrats. If you want to nix it – extend my mandate for a second term.

– it is believed that trump is in a losing position: suppress protests too harshly – declared tyrant and will act too softly – accused, that did not deter the situation. Is that so?

It really was. But the reality is somewhat more complicated.

the President of the United States of America is not responsible for the actions of the police. The cops on the ground are the responsibility of local authorities, the national guard reports to state governors. A President has no authority to interfere in the activities of law enforcement agencies. So it is not directly responsible for the crackdown.

However, trump directly makes it clear that if the case goes to Federal government and to litigation at the highest level, the Federal government will stand on the side of law enforcement, not on the side of the protesters. It is also an important factor.

– How the current situation can affect the outcome of elections?

– There are two historical analogies. In America there is a theory of fifty-year cycles. According to this theory, every 50 years in America there is a sharp wave of violence and uprisings.

This situation was in the late 1960’s – early 1970-ies. Then, too, ethnic minorities demanded their rights (and by then America already has laws on equal civil rights, and equal voting rights). Against them were people calling for the rule of law.

And that’s when America swung in a conservative direction. In 1968, against this background, was elected President Richard Nixon, who promised to restore order in the American States. And I must say that with his election the protest wave subsided.

Another 50 years before, in the 1920’s America was gripped by mass unrest. Then they were bound with the end of the First World war and the October revolution in Russia. Then there were terrorist acts, and mass demonstrations. Over the country under “red menace”. I must say that then, in 1920, the victory was won by the Republicans. The United States and then swung to the right.

As you know, history repeats itself not twice, and especially three times, but given that America has now more than the poor, the Republicans can win now.

we must Not forget that over the past three years, trump has focused on the development of small and medium-sized businesses. These people have something to lose. But there are those who believe that trump is a dictator and he is trying to build its own concentration camp. They are convinced that we must at all costs prevent the re-election trump. What kind of balance will prevail – today is very difficult to predict.

– When and how to end these riots? They will fade on their own or they will suppress power?

– it is difficult to make accurate predictions. America comes in “hot summer” against the background of deteriorating economic conditions which can contribute to increase in conflict situations. While more and more money will be spent on the election campaign.

the Theme that trump exceeds the authority and this must be countered, can become a major in the rhetoric of the Democrats. It can support the protests for a long time.

However, there are factors that contribute to the cessation of the riots – for example, the coronavirus. There is an understanding that public meetings can lead to a new outbreak and it can affect the behavior of the protesters.

But most likely this situation will continue at least for a while. When people do nothing, the Outlook is not very clear, but the energy is there, and financial support is, it becomes a fertile ground for such protests.