There are valid reasons to be concerned about mass protests emerging during an ongoing pandemic, but the discourse must shift to recognize the systematic violation of public health mandates by police, even in the absence of violence and arrests, as well as harm reduction practices within the protest movement.
Author: Naomi Braine
Naomi Braine is a professor in the sociology department at Brooklyn College. Her work has primarily focused on harm reduction, gender, sexuality and collective action. Prior to joining the faculty at Brooklyn, she worked in the non-profit health research sector, and consulted for community-based organizations and the New York State Department of Health.