I am very conflicted about what to do with what I saw and documented last night. As some of you may have heard on social media or read here in Leslie and mdmslle’s diaries, a terrible person called for supporters of legalizing rape to meet in a number of locations around the world.
Please sign the petition to asking that Amazon stop carrying the books of the “rape rally” organizer.
No protest or media report about the planned event was mentioned for Atlanta, but Atlanta was on the list provided by mdmslle. I decided to set up and try to record any who showed up at the time and place that appeared to be part of the event.
Truthfully, I was hoping to join protesters, or for it to be a nonevent with noone evil showing up.
Unfortunately, there were no protesters and I had more success than I expected. I am now faced with a question of what to do with the photos, license plate number and descriptions that I recorded.
The location was Piedmont Park, 10th and Charles Allen, at 8:00PM Feb 07 2016. When I arrived in sight of the intersection, there was already a male sitting on a wall at the NW corner. There is usually foot traffic in that area at most times, but someone sitting there is pretty odd, especially a 30-40 something suburban looking white male. I was able to get clear pictures of that individual and waited to see what would happen.
A second very sketchy looking male walked up to the SW corner about 8:05 and stood in shadows. I have pictures of that individual, but they are poorly lit. I have noted what I think is a good description of him, but it would take a sketch artist to convert it into something concrete. Disturbingly, after the incident I kept thinking I'd seen a police sketch very similar to that individual, but I haven't been able to find any relevant news stories with the sketch I remembered.
A couple with a dog seemed to confront the second one ~8:10, talked for about five minutes and then got into their car. Both suspicious characters remained at the corners for another two minutes until the first walked across the street to the second, exchanged words, then walked back to his spot on the wall. The second one walked off shortly after the exchange of words. The first stayed another two minutes until 8:20 and then walked off.
Shortly thereafter, a third man came out of a parked truck (that I think had just pulled up), walked up to the corner somewhat jerkily, nervously looking back and forth as he walked to the corner. He only remained outside for a couple minutes and then returned to his parked truck. I didn't get a photo of him and have a somewhat vague description of him, but I was able to take a picture of the truck and license plate.
So, I'm left with a dilemma and a guilty conscience. The fact that two were able to exchange information is upsetting to me. I wish I had picketed the corner, made clear that womens rights are human rights to those individuals, and prevented their sharing information. However, I do have some record of what occurred. Unfortunately, despite the very clear timing and appearance of their behavior, I do not have any confirmation that they are criminals.
I have since looked up a number of news reports that included sketches of rapists. There is possibly one that could match the first person.
I'm conflicted about what to do with the information that I gathered. Contact the police and give them the photos and descriptions along with my suspicions? Add the photos, descriptions and license plate to this diary? Keep the information until I see a report that clearly matches one of them?
I'm also upset that there did not appear to be any other counteraction being done to stand up against these evil bastards when they fucking announce shit like this. I wish I'd tried to organize something, but I'm only now starting to get socially active and haven't gotten near to the point of organizing protests.
I have alot of shoulda's (for instance, I should have diaried the Atlanta specific plans and called for people to show up and protest; I should have made signs and stood at the corner instead of avoiding direct action; I should have confronted those that seemed to be passing information in the way clearly described by the bastard who called for this; I should have kept track of the first guy (who seemed to be the “leader”) to id his car and photograph his license plate; ...).
I have a very strong feeling that the first two are definitely part of the sick group the rally organizer was trying to collect. I also have an incomplete set of identifying pieces to go on.
Any advice would be welcome.
I want to become more active and stand up against shit like this.
I want to know what to do with the information I have.