I’m late but not too late to what has become AR-15 Thursday in downtown Portland. Again
Maybe 30 BLM protesters blocking the intersection at 3rd and Main. A few paintball guns in the crowd
Meanwhile about 10 Blue Lives Matter stand on the sidewalk. One AR-15 and lots of mace
Correction: there is one BLM protester also with an AR15. No magazine, in a case
“It sends a message,” he says to me
We discuss the 2nd amendment and how it applies to everyone
Another AR-15 on the BLM side. This is an interesting development
He tells me he decided to come armed in part because of that video of the AR-15 threat. That his aim is to keep things de-escalated
BLM chants. Blue Lives Matter stand quiet
Things actually feel pretty calm. The far right is outnumbered and they seem content to simply wave their flags
A chant:
“Back the blue? Who the fuck are you?!
Back the black! We are ready to attack!”
Chandler Pappas (a far-right activist) over the megaphone: “You guys talk about freedom, but then you try to make me wear the mask. What’s up with that?”
Laughter
A car attempts to get through
“Pretty sure the road isn’t closed,” the driver says
“Nope, but you aren’t getting through!”
She eventually leaves
That Trump truck at the end of the last clip just drove past at great speed on Morrison, revving his engine
The street is somewhat more clear than it was a moment ago
It’s that tense period where they seem to be about ready to go
This is when the violence tends to happen, if it’s gonna happen
I have to leave for an appointment on about 10 minutes; it would be very considerate of them if they’d leave quickly right now
Jahdi is on the ground streaming on IG
https://instagram.com/jahdi_?igshid=1xujh3m2qeqcv
I’m afraid I have to take off–I’m going to find out whether the tingling sensation in my fucked-up toe is anything to worry about
If this is still going after it’s over, I’ll be back. Hopefully they just, like…leave
Solidarity with everyone still out here!
Aaaand the urgent care X-ray machine is broken so I guess I’m back. God clearly wants me to film the far right. Who am I to question His terrible plans?
Things appear to be winding down. Many of the BLM protesters have left. The far right remains here. Roughly even numbers
An unusual occurance: the Blue Lives Matter protesters turn and leave. Wave goodbye. No one follows
Could it be…over?
Nope
BLM protesters follow
One of the far right protesters accuses one of the BLM protesters of breaking his car
“Yeah? What’s the next step?”
Tense standoff. Hands on guns. All the guns are on the far right side now
Hand on gun. Not cool, man
An argument about whether the police are right or wrong to use tear gas. What’s gonna happen next week. Etc
Lot of shouting
Meanwhile a cop and a man in a suit watch from next to the District Courthouse
A BLM protester tells me they’re pretty sure the cop just spoke into his radio
Blue Lives Matter on the move again
“Move back! Move back!” the BLM protesters chant as they follow
Omg, gun guy has opened the JC door and standing inside
With his gun
I’m like, 90% sure that’s illegal
Gun guy claiming he called the cops
A police car drives past. Gun guy gestures. The cop does not turn his head
Omg someone inside the JC asked Gun Guy to leave the doorway, then locked the door behind him
The 4 Blue Lives Matter folks go to their parking garage, enter the elevator, and leave
It is ACTUALLY over
A few celebratory shouts of “MOVE BACK!” as the protesters leave
Nope, it’s never over in Portland
Protesters wait at the parking garage exit for the far right to emerge
One of them speeds by with a “fuck you!”
A few more to go
One of the far right cars now barricaded in
This doesn’t seem likely to end super well for anyone
Got a couple far right activists looking down…
A few cops watching from across the street
An undercover car orders the protesters to clear the way
Black Rebel peels out like a madman
The undercover car turns, sirens on, and gives chase. Cheers
Somehow I get none of this on film goddamn it. I’m rusty
Looks like the police stopped giving chase immediately. Dejected, the protesters return to the garage, where a police car is now parked by the garage
Apparently Black Rebel sprayed bear mace out of his window. Two protesters being treated now. Video incoming–I didn’t get it, but an intrepid protester got some extremely good footage
One of the people who got maced was press: @R3volutionDaddy, who is a bear mace magnet. Not fair 🙁
Omg it’s finally over
That’s it that’s the tweet
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