From an outside perspective it is very easy to look at a protest and criticize the every move based on reports in the media.

People parading in the streets and expressing their grievances and demands often unsettle those who are uncomfortable with that type of outward expression.

But instead of blatantly denouncing the actions of angry, sad and emotional citizens, people must realize the importance of protest as a social movement.

Take the civil rights march of Martin Luther King Jr. from Selma to Birmingham, Alabama. The full impact of the protest was not realized until much later when its long-term goals had strongly impacted society.

The same should be realized of all protests. Rather than a public disturbance, protests should be seen as crucial events that influence societal change.

Naturally, the struggle between the protestors from Black Lives Matter and the police will result in hostility and commotion between the two sides.

However, because of social media, views on this relationship are often skewed by misinformed and biased sources.

We forget protesters are abiding by their First Amendment rights while the police attempt to fulfill their duty to keep the peace.

However, it is the act of violence and opposition by outside groups and political leaders that  cause people to fear the consequences of protest.

These actions sever the otherwise peaceful and non-aggressive confrontation between protestors and police, leading many to believe there are safety concerns that outweigh the benefits of protesting.

The public should not allow groups like the white supremacists who shot five protestors Nov. 23 at the 4th Precinct to soil its perception of social action that benefits society.

People should value protests for their lasting impact on society, rather than see them as safety concerns due to acts of violence intended to put an end to the very causes the protestors rally for.

For over two weeks, protesters stationed themselves outside the 4th Precinct in North Minneapolis and City Hall following the shooting of Jamar Clark Nov. 15. Since then, the violence continues.

White supremacists shot five protesters Nov. 23 purely for attending the protest. People should not risk their lives because they want to show support.

Protests that arouse violence must stop. Public safety or safety of protesters should come first. The longer protests continue, the more chance there is for continued loss and suffering.

In Ferguson, Missouri the protests after the shooting of Michael Brown continued well after the Aug. 9, 2014 tragedy. Two police officers were shot March 12, 2015 outside of a protest near the police station. Nearly seven months later and shots were still being fired.

The protests need to end in order to prevent the loss of any more lives: protester or police officer. Rep. Keith Ellison (D) and Minneapolis mayor Betsy Hodges have both called for an end to the protests.

Although escalating violence necessitated an end to the protests, Clark’s investigation should continue. It is important that what happened to Clark be fully uncovered, but it shouldn’t come with the risk of losing more lives at a protest.

The goal of Justice for Jamar is very legitimate, but would be more effectively reached through a federal investigation instead of an increasingly dangerous protest.

Police data recently collected by the Star Tribune showed a  decrease in police response times throughout Minneapolis during the height of the protests. Clearly, the protest also endangers those uninvolved in the matter.

There are other ways to show support for these causes besides protesting, such as lobbying local representatives and senators, speaking to local police and voicing support on social media.

It is important to stand up in the face of injustice, but safety cannot be overlooked in these cases.