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Hi, it's @1misanthrophile live from the Justice Center! Switching from live-tweeting on my own account to tweeting over here. As the sun sets and the fences go down, the mood begins to change. What does tonight have in store?
#PortlandProtests
#PDXprotest https://twitter.com/1misanthrophile/status/1284317382865858560?s=19
#PortlandProtests
#PDXprotest https://twitter.com/1misanthrophile/status/1284317382865858560?s=19
The Hardesty event has wrapped up and the crowd shifts. Some of the less regular participants--the families in jeans and t-shirts--mill about. Some of them leave
An activist begs them to stay. "When you leave, you put me at risk!"
They're not wrong
- @1misanthrophile
An activist begs them to stay. "When you leave, you put me at risk!"
They're not wrong
- @1misanthrophile
As hip hop plays I've the speakers by the JC, the activist leads people in chanting the names by the ex-Elk
Meanwhile, a tiny fire in Chapman keeps us warm while the sun sets
- @1misanthrophile
Meanwhile, a tiny fire in Chapman keeps us warm while the sun sets
- @1misanthrophile
The LRAD has just informed us that Chapman and Lownsdale are closed and to leave
My efficiency at donning goggles has, if I may say so, become impressive
- @1misanthrophile
My efficiency at donning goggles has, if I may say so, become impressive
- @1misanthrophile
As the LRAD continues to tell us to leave or else, a group chants by the elk and hip hop plays over the sound system used by the speakers earlier
I cannot emphasize enough how much criminal activity is not taking place
- @1misanthrophile
I cannot emphasize enough how much criminal activity is not taking place
- @1misanthrophile
Fed line forming up on 2nd and Main
"It's not too late to miss the Nuremberg Trials!"
" Your goose step is terrible!"
- @1misanthrophile
"It's not too late to miss the Nuremberg Trials!"
" Your goose step is terrible!"
- @1misanthrophile
The protest moves out of the now-toxic park up Main Street. Drivers blinded with tear gas attempt to negotiate the roads
A lot of people here came for the earlier event, I think. They aren't used to this treatment
- @1misanthrophile
A lot of people here came for the earlier event, I think. They aren't used to this treatment
- @1misanthrophile
Didn't get a chance to post this noble knight earlier but here's something cheerful between the last shit and whatever horrible thing happens next
The crowd moves west. It's worth noting that we weren't told where to disperse or even given warning
Because, you know. Feds
- @1misanthrophile
Because, you know. Feds
- @1misanthrophile
"Shout out to all the new people!"
Seriously, new people: welcome to the tear gas club. They didn't even try to wait until you went home. They wanted to make sure you felt this
Because they no longer give a fuck about PR
This does not bode well for the future
Seriously, new people: welcome to the tear gas club. They didn't even try to wait until you went home. They wanted to make sure you felt this
Because they no longer give a fuck about PR
This does not bode well for the future
Getting nostalgic for PKAZ as we hang out at our boy Ted's house. The group has thinned out: maybe 100 people here. No signs of the cops yet
I hear most people are at JC, and we might find out. I'll keep you posted!
- @1misanthrophile
I hear most people are at JC, and we might find out. I'll keep you posted!
- @1misanthrophile
Marching down the streets, screaming "WAKE UP" in time to the drums
"I saw you turn your lights off!! See you at the revolution!"
- @1misanthrophile
"I saw you turn your lights off!! See you at the revolution!"
- @1misanthrophile
Omg for the first time since these protests began the crowd screamed "join us!" at someone AND THEY NODDED AND JOINED US!!!
- @1misanthrophile
- @1misanthrophile
I just realized that I take it totally for granted now that these marches go smoothly. Even pace, hand signals, most people well-equipped
- @1misanthrophile
- @1misanthrophile
The comforting smoke of @riotribs. The faint tang of lingering gas. Fences in roads and people in parks
We're back at the JC, baby!
- @1misanthrophile
We're back at the JC, baby!
- @1misanthrophile
HUGE group here. I'm bad at numbers but well north of 500
Congregating at 3rd and Main, between the District Courthouse and the JC. Wonder who we'll get this time
(My money's on the feds again)
- @1misanthrophile
Congregating at 3rd and Main, between the District Courthouse and the JC. Wonder who we'll get this time
(My money's on the feds again)
- @1misanthrophile
Activists try to distribute shields to the people willing and able to carry them on the front lines
Everyone knows what time it is. No chanting. No actions or graffiti. Just waiting
We know they're coming. The only question is when
- @1misanthrophile
Everyone knows what time it is. No chanting. No actions or graffiti. Just waiting
We know they're coming. The only question is when
- @1misanthrophile
It saddens me to inform you that the preacher is back. It seems God sent him. God, if you follow DefendPDX: please come get your boy
- @1misanthrophile
- @1misanthrophile
District Court shenanigans
If anyone bet against my fed prediction earlier get your wallet out
- @1misanthrophile
If anyone bet against my fed prediction earlier get your wallet out
- @1misanthrophile
While we wait for the feds to fuck us up here are some signs
The feds murderhole closes
And then this happens! The fence blocks the murder hole, making it far harder to hurl gas. Protesters quickly grab sandbags to brace the barricade
- @1misanthrophile
And then this happens! The fence blocks the murder hole, making it far harder to hurl gas. Protesters quickly grab sandbags to brace the barricade
- @1misanthrophile
True confessions: not a huge Rage Against the Machine fan
But FUCK is it hitting good right now
This is incredible
- @1misanthrophile
But FUCK is it hitting good right now
This is incredible
- @1misanthrophile
We have an LRAD announcement from the JC. Can't make out the words but does it really matter? We all know what it's mean s
- @1misanthrophile
- @1misanthrophile
Probably they were trying to lure us away from the District Courthouse and unfortunately it was partially successful
- @1misanthrophile
- @1misanthrophile
(I say unfortunately because it will be far easier for the feds to emerge now)
LRAD again. There is criminal behavior. Non-criminals told to leave or be subject to use of force, "including but not limited to..."
My friend points out that this is new wording
- @1misanthrophile
LRAD again. There is criminal behavior. Non-criminals told to leave or be subject to use of force, "including but not limited to..."
My friend points out that this is new wording
- @1misanthrophile
At 3rd and Madison. Braced for impact
Protesters move the fence into one thick barricade. But a lot of us are in front of it
- @1misanthrophile
Protesters move the fence into one thick barricade. But a lot of us are in front of it
- @1misanthrophile
Fireworks overhead. Two weeks ago the loud noise bothered me. Reminded me of flash bang. Tonight? It's beautiful. There's defiance in the air. They'll have to fight for every inch tonight
- @1misanthrophile
- @1misanthrophile
A first for me: messing with the federal building to the south of the courthouse
A PPB officer cautiously opens the door, kicks the fence leaning against the JC side door, and retreats instantly. Protesters replace it, and a moment later they kick it over again. Protesters brace but again, instant retreat
Fear?
It's a big group
- @1misanthrophile
Fear?
It's a big group
- @1misanthrophile
Abruptly, billowing purple smoke obscures the door. The drums reach a fever pitch as we wait for them to emerge but they do not. Big group. Riled up. I think maybe they don't want any of this
More smoke
- @1misanthrophile
More smoke
- @1misanthrophile
2 huge fireworks expose directly against the side door. Cheering
No response yet but it won't be long now
- @1misanthrophile
No response yet but it won't be long now
- @1misanthrophile
Holy fuck y'all. Fence directly against the door, then a fence barrier just outside. Rage Against the Machine playing again. You love to see it
- @1misanthrophile
- @1misanthrophile
"No Justice, No Peace!!"
#portlandprotests #pdxprotest #blacklivesmatter
#police #acab
- @1misanthrophile
#portlandprotests #pdxprotest #blacklivesmatter
#police #acab - @1misanthrophile
LRAD has instructed the crowd to stop barricading the doors. Nog a single fuck given. I don't think I've seen this few fucks since the protest began
It's not because they don't k ow the stakes
It's because the world needs to see exactly what's happening here
- @1misanthrophile
It's not because they don't k ow the stakes
It's because the world needs to see exactly what's happening here
- @1misanthrophile
Because they're disappearing people. Because the head of the PPA met with the DHS secretary without the police chief. Because Trump's private army is here
Because it's time to take a stand
Because, in the words
of RATM:
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
- @1misanthrophile
Because it's time to take a stand
Because, in the words
of RATM:
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
- @1misanthrophile
Part of the crowd begins to drift down to First and Madison for no good reason. We were much stronger when we were raging against the Justice Center
"This is how they get us," a friend comments and yet here we are
- @1misanthrophile
"This is how they get us," a friend comments and yet here we are
- @1misanthrophile
I am receiving credible reports that some people just led that 1st Street group to "get more barricade materials" and then tried to lead them across the bridge
That is so June. No one fell for it
- @1misanthrophile
That is so June. No one fell for it
- @1misanthrophile
This attempted swoop, combined with a single explosion that may or may not have been flash bang, has brought the group to its senses. Back at 3rd and Madison. Tight
I really do think the cops might be scared
- @1misanthrophile
I really do think the cops might be scared
- @1misanthrophile
I would like to clarify that earlier when I said that fucking with the federal building was a "first for me," I meant that it was the first time I have seen it and not that I personally fucked with said building
- @1misanthrophile
- @1misanthrophile
An activist tells everyone to be careful walking away after this. Not to go on the bridge. If you get arrested, don't say anything other than that you invoke your right to remain silent
NLG writing numbers on arms
- @1misanthrophile
NLG writing numbers on arms
- @1misanthrophile
Fences moving down Madison. We're splittong up again but at least barricades are going up? I dunno
Rumors swirling. National guard. Strykers inbound. I do not believe this
Next week maybe
- @1misanthrophile
Rumors swirling. National guard. Strykers inbound. I do not believe this
Next week maybe
- @1misanthrophile
Barricades rise on 2nd and Madison. Crowd begins to migrate to this new point
"Be mindful that you're blocking yourself in. Know where you're going to go"
- @1misanthrophile
"Be mindful that you're blocking yourself in. Know where you're going to go"
- @1misanthrophile
Unlawful assembly declared
"You have five minutes to remove all barricades and leave the area"
Even if the protesters were inclined to do this--which they are not--this would be impossible
- @1misanthrophile
"You have five minutes to remove all barricades and leave the area"
Even if the protesters were inclined to do this--which they are not--this would be impossible
- @1misanthrophile
One minute warning declared.. Instantly, two protesters begin to count down the seconds
Meanwhile, others begin obeying the command to dismantle the barricades and move them
They move them to 1st and Madison
- @1misanthrophile
Meanwhile, others begin obeying the command to dismantle the barricades and move them
They move them to 1st and Madison
- @1misanthrophile
Feds scattered us. I got shot in the leg with something wet, I'm ok
Got some hellish footage for later
Facing down a line of them, 3rd and Taylor
- @1misanthrophile
Got some hellish footage for later
Facing down a line of them, 3rd and Taylor
- @1misanthrophile
I just found out what the wet thing I got shot with was
I am wearing a press badge and a yellow press vest
#portlandprotests #pdxprotest #blacklivesmatter #police #acab
- @1misanthrophile
I am wearing a press badge and a yellow press vest
#portlandprotests #pdxprotest #blacklivesmatter
#police #acab - @1misanthrophile
The feds have retreated, leaving a line of what I assume are PPB. They look so much less scary than they did to me at the beginning of this exercise
- @1misanthrophile
- @1misanthrophile
Welp, I'm bleeding and it's 2 so I'm gonna call it a night
Solidarity to all you magnificent bastards still out here
- @1misanthrophile
Solidarity to all you magnificent bastards still out here
- @1misanthrophile
