In a recent eruption of chaos, riots broke out after an ICE officer shot Renée Nicole Good in self-defense. The response from some has been to place the blame squarely on President Trump, despite evidence suggesting it is the left that fuels such unrest. When the topic of violence arises, conservatives often find themselves countering the retort of January 6—a single day of protest condemned by many on the right. This, however, pales in comparison to the numerous riots sparked by leftist activism over the past several years.
Figures reveal a sobering reality: the left has set the stage for violence time and again, with over 2,000 documented riots leading to considerable property damage, injuries, and even deaths. While the left points fingers at isolated incidents like the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, they overlook the sheer scale of destruction associated with their own protests. The 2017 Charlottesville event saw conflicts between opposing factions but lacked the widespread vandalism, looting, and violence that marks many leftist demonstrations.
In sharp contrast, riots following the death of George Floyd in May 2020 stand as a stark example of left-wing violence. Reports show that these riots alone resulted in billions of dollars in damages and thousands of arrests—the most extensive civil unrest in U.S. history. The cities of Minneapolis, Portland, and Seattle faced particularly severe violence. In 2020, nearly 8,700 protests erupted nationwide, with approximately 574 declared riots due to criminal acts.
The ongoing anti-ICE protests since 2025 illustrate a continuous pattern of organized disorder. Activists, under the “ICE Out For Good” banner, mobilized in hundreds of events, leading to notable violence and arrests in cities like Minneapolis and Los Angeles. The scale of these demonstrations indicates a troubling trend—one where organized mob action disrupts cities and threatens law enforcement.
The left has also made headlines for its creation of autonomous zones, where activists seize parts of cities, claiming jurisdiction without law enforcement oversight. These so-called “protest zones,” such as Seattle’s Capitol Hill Occupied Protest (CHOP) and Minneapolis’s George Floyd Square, showcase a blatant disregard for public safety. Allegations of violence and crime consistently arise from these areas, further illustrating the dangers posed by unchecked extremist behavior.
Despite a mountain of evidence documenting left-wing riots, the left deflects concern by citing January 6. The emphasis on a single event serves to diminish the seriousness of sustained violence that has manifested across countless cities and states. While conservatives have consistently condemned the actions of those involved in the Capitol riot, the same cannot be said for the left when it comes to addressing the ramifications of their actions.
In conclusion, the ongoing dialogue concerning political violence often misses the mark. The stark contrast between individual events and the widespread, destructive actions taken by organized leftist groups presents a more complex narrative. If left unchecked, the cycle of violence may continue, overshadowing genuine discourse with chaos and destruction. The patterns observed meticulously reflect a broader trend of aggressive behavior becoming synonymous with certain activist movements, reminding society of the critical need to address these issues head-on rather than in deflection.
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