Minneapolis riots umbrella man (nonfiction)
An anonymous "umbrella man" smashed windows during the riots following the death of George Floyd.
Analysis
Whoever umbrella man is, he is a methodical operator, swift yet unhurried, smartly breaking a series of windows.
He wears a full-face gas mask and is careful to use the umbrella to shield his face.
(There is a second tall masked figure; possible accomplice? Look into this.)
Umbrella man then makes a swift smooth exit, giving pushback when the camera man gets in his face.
Umbrella man is athletic, he works out, his motion shows strength and confidence, he moves like a dancer, like close-quarters combat training.
This is not some child playing at violence, not some citizen overcome by riot fever. This is a planned act by a skilled operator.
The Tweet alleges that umbrella man is a Saint Paul Police officer. Saint Paul Police issued a statement denying the allegation.
Motives? We can only speculate, but provocateur seems the obvious motive.
What else could it be: a grudge against that particular property, some private vengeance? I think not.
This is a planned militant act by one or more agents for purposes disruption, discrediting, distraction, etc.
We have no evidence who these people are (I'm reasonably sure there will be several agents, a team).
But we do know what they are: disciplined agents of social chaos.