The fluorescent lights of Fairway supermarket flickered overhead as a gentle middle-aged man slowly shuffled down the isles filling up his shopping cart. The cart was already filled to the brim with cans, vegetables, pasta, and chicken breasts, each item carefully picked out to ensure the best possible quality. To the average onlooker, it seemed he was planning a sizable feast for himself and his family, but those who knew the man knew the truth. This was a daily occurrence. The food bought out of pocket was for hungry strangers at a food pantry the man volunteered at—and the man was no average man, his name was Gabriel. 

Gabriel for over twenty years had volunteered at a food pantry on 2nd Avenue, donating hundreds of dollars of food, every day. Gabriel helped to cook food, clean dishes, and talk to the homeless, forming friendships with each and every one. When temperatures were too extreme outside, knowing homeless shelters were not always an option for some, Gabriel would open up his home to many, offering safe shelter. Gabriel never asked for anything in return and would share his wisdom of life with whoever cared to listen. Gabriel was not a man of religion, he believed in helping and loving the less fortunate. He had left his church after his wife and children had perished in a fire caused by poor building maintenance. 

One day, Noah, a volunteer at the food pantry, who greatly admired Gabriel, reached out to the local news stations, asking someone to write a human-interest story on Gabriel. After some time a reporter stopped by the pantry, asked Gabriel some questions, took a few photos, and left. The story was printed on a small paper, on the back page. While the platform was small, the story spoke volumes to readers. Word of mouth spread and Gabriel became a neighborhood celebrity.

After a week or so the food pantry grew exponentially in popularity. People of all races, genders, and classes came through, some to eat, but all to listen to Gabriel speak. He spoke of sharing, loving, community, and forgiveness. Through his low-level fame, Gabriel remained humble, not asking for donations or help. That’s when the reporters started showing up. Journalists from the New York Times, Washington Post, ABC News, and more came through, writing their stories, and spreading the stories and wisdom Gabriel shared. 

Daily, thousands of people lined up outside of Gabriel’s food pantry just to get a glimpse of the man. People would skip work to see him shopping or entering the pantry. He would make attempts to speak to all of them but merely did not have the time to. 

There came a point where the food pantry could no longer contain the masses of people showing up. Gabriel knew he needed to contain this flow, while also still being able to speak to the groups. It started in Freedom Plaza on the East River, where he would stand and talk to groups of people for hours before going to the pantry. While Gabriel still did not accept donations for any of his charities, the incoming flow of gifted money was too much to return. He would receive thousands of dollars in donations a day and needed a way to redistribute it. He started by giving the homeless at his food pantry money, but it kept accumulating. 

Soon after, Gabriel’s followers started live-streaming his speeches, labeling them “his talks.” Now Gabriel had a nationwide following. People would travel from all over the country to see him, some even traveling internationally. Gabriel had once again outgrown his current location and moved to Central Park, where he could accommodate many more. 

Every day he would speak at Central Park, taking questions afterward for hours. He still held the same humility and would still get the idolization of the media and others. 

Across the country, but especially in New York City, crime rates had gone down, mental health issues started to fizzle out, and people were happy. Gabriel’s philosophy changed society. Donations rained in the millions to Gabriel, and he would redistribute it to his followers through his food pantry, which had expanded and become kin to a charitable organization. Gabriel’s close followers would volunteer to manage Gabriel’s finances and support him in any way he needed. Gabriel had become a national symbol of love and community. 

Although society had fallen in love with Gabriel, there were some negative aspects. His followers had begun skipping work, many even quitting their jobs completely. People stopped relying as much on consumerism and other core qualities of America’s society. Fewer people relied on politicians or big businesses, and would rather support Gabriel or small businesses. The economy started to take a hit. 

Talks began in government offices that Gabriel might be starting to destabilize the economy. Although he never preached against consumerism or America, his followers began to show more faith in him than in any institution. It had almost been a year since Gabriel’s popularity started to grow and politicians, including the President, labeled Gabriel as a potential “dangerous force.” Government officials started to view Gabriel as a cult leader, causing the media to start to turn on him. 

After getting wind of his new perception, Gabriel was considering stepping down and returning to his humble life as a volunteer. The only problem was the people relying on him, he felt as if he could not leave his following and his preachings were providing people with positivity and love. Gabriel ultimately decided to continue speaking, redistributing his donations, and building a stronger community. 

Gabriel now had support from a group larger than ever. Millions flocked to see him weekly. This was when the government completely turned on him. Washington officially said, “This man is destabilizing the economy. He’s turning people against the system.” Telling the media that Gabriel and his followers could lead to civil unrest. Conspiracy theories sprouted. Government officials said he was a fraud, claiming he was part of a cult, while some even suggested he was sent to undermine the very fabric of American life. The media was now accusing Gabriel of luring people away from work and the obligations of life. The government labeled Gabriel’s gatherings as illegal assemblies, disrupting the flow of daily life.

But Gabriel’s followers held strong, continuing to spread his word of love. Masses would meet every day, live-streaming Gabriel’s talks internationally. Celebrities endorsed Gabriel along with religious leaders. 

One rainy winter morning, Gabriel addressed possibly his largest crowd yet. He stood on a stage and spoke through a microphone that was projected to millions. As Gabriel spoke of prosperity through community the government forces started to move in. The group was made up of riot police and military officers. They started dissembling the groups, forcing people to leave Gabriel’s gathering. Gabriel pleaded with the crowd to remain calm, but his efforts were not enough. People started to fight back, throwing rocks and garbage at the police.

A shot was fired. Many started to flee, but most remained to defend Gabriel. Those remaining were rounded up, many of which were arrested. The forces made their way onto the stage where Gabriel stood alone. A soldier grabbed Gabriel and forced him to his knees. The military hit and kicked Gabriel. He did not fight back. Once in handcuffs for “inciting a riot,” Gabriel was slowly escorted off the stage, trembling in fear, his head hung low. 

Bang

Another shot was fired. This time it hit Gabriel in the chest. He fell to the ground as the police gathered around him. While they tried to protect him, nobody, not the police or his supporters tried to save Gabriel. 

 The riots continued, not just through the day but for months. They were called the Gabriel riots. Gabriel’s followers still supported him. His name was still in the news every day. It is also still heavily debated who fired the shot that killed Gabriel. Was it a misfire from either one of his supporters or an officer? Was it intentional? 

In my eyes, I don’t know.