Old ‘Boy’ Threatens, Chases Chalking Activist

“You takin’ my photo…boy?” asserted an upset man who arrived on Central Square yesterday afternoon and proceeded to utter profanities at several individual chalkers while in the presence of small children. Arriving once to futilely smudge chalkings with his feet, the man left to return several minutes later to try further smudging before threatening and chasing a videographer. During his activity, he even blurted out egotistically, “My sidewalk!” What would inspire someone to behave so entitled and unneighborly?

What is surprising about this encounter is that visually, this man does not appear to represent the dregs of society. He was dressed reasonably well, despite his ugly behavior and his propensity for profanity. He also cannot be dismissed as misled youth, as he is clearly advanced in age to such an extent that one would expect an individual to know better. Perhaps foreign to the area, the man acted either out of ignorance or disregard for criminal laws in New Hampshire as he issued a verbal threat to commit violence countered with a declaration that photography was illegal, which he enunciated as he extended and pointed his arm in the direction of the camera. Usually, false declarations that photography is illegal source from police officers.

It is unclear what prompted the man’s disdain, though many of the chalkings that day were associated with promoting peace in occupied Palestine, which has been victim to heavy civilian casualties in recent weeks. He also approached a man making a visual art piece, and tried to smear those designs as well, so his opposition may have been non-ideological opposition to the messages and may more specifically be opposition to all form of chalk messaging. Chalk messages read, “SOLIDARITY WITH GAZA”, “END OCCUPATION OF PALESTINE”, “WE WILL NOT BE SILENT”, “POWER TO THE PEOPLE”, “SHARING IS CARING”, and “FREE CHELSEA MANNING”, included amongst smiley faces and hearts.

To how many people would this man’s behavior be considered appropriate? Is the character captured on film that afternoon demonstrative of a trend amongst upset individuals in the area, or should his actions be taken as anomalous? Perhaps he may find peace by focusing on what he appreciates in life rather than by acting out against what he perceives as negative, especially if he cannot express himself without feeling impelled to compose threats of violence.