Read on Twitter
It's interesting that Baca is apparently unaffiliated with the militia that was present. It's even more interesting that the militia's leader is a Boogaloo boi. Here's a short thread thinking through some implications. /1 https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/06/16/albuquerque-militia-shooting-protest/
O’Rion Petty's group, New Mexico Civil Defense, formed in Curry County as recently March around Covid-19 stuff, and re-emerged in the last week and a half. Petty says he is a Boog but doesn't speak for others in the militia. /2 https://www.easternnewmexiconews.com/story/2020/06/07/news/boogaloo-supporter-its-about-freedom-for-all/165836.html
The Boogs are vehemently anti-police, and members have been implicated in the murder of police. Their "Law and Order" pose, along with the claims to "protecting" protestors stems from opposition to looting, and also helps disguise a far-right agenda. /3 https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/second-man-arrested-in-oakland-cop-killing-linked-to-far-right-boogaloo-movement/
The militia currently disassociates itself from Baca, but here's the thing: if you call for people to join you, you're a new org without a lot of rigor in membership protocol, and you announce you're organizing something... would u not expect supporters to join you there? /4
At best, we're seeing tremendous irresponsibility common to other Open Carry demonstrations. Even if you can account for your own responsibility, accountability is at a group level, and that doesn't percolate to others who join at the site. However... /5
The Boogs are preparing for a second Civil War, and even hope to bring it about. This also is the staging of a toxic situation in which tensions flare out of control and, if something happens, the militia gets to wash its hands of it, while the "the Boogaloo" surges forward. /6
Armed counter-protests and vigilante activity in opposition to anti-racist demonstrations should not be allowed, if only for this simple fact: it gives opportunists who want to escalate violence in civil society a perfect chance to ply their trade. /Ends
