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Hundreds of Trump supporters still rallying at Freedom Plaza in D.C. tonight--the earlier sleet storm has stopped.
Jack Posobiec leading a chant of, "turn them off!" (referencing the media)
"Tomorrow we are gonna fight like hell for Trump, and for America!"
I'm hearing that Alex Jones, someone many in the crowd were excited to see speak today, didn't make it. Not sure why/how up-to-date that info is.
We've got staffs and at least one bat, but also a light saber
Jan Morgan of Muslim-free gun club fame tells a story about the Founding Fathers that my fingers are too frozen to transcribe
( http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article192535829.html)
( http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article192535829.html)
"There is no pandemic clause in the Constitution!"
Pastor Brian Gibson calling for every church to be open
Pastor Brian Gibson calling for every church to be open
Crowd is absolutely enthralled by Gibson (featuring trumpet)
Chanting "lock her up!" now in reference to Pelosi
Aaaaaand Alex Jones is here after all
(This is the most excited I've seen everyone in the few hours I've been here)
(This is the most excited I've seen everyone in the few hours I've been here)
Alex Jones: "We have turned the tables against the Satanists. We have turned the tables against the globalists."
"Less people died...in 2020...than in 2019!"
Alright, I can't handle being near the loudspeaker anymore.
Pastor Mark Burns is up now, and technically the rally is supposed to start breaking down around 8
"USA! USA! USA!"
Pastor Mark Burns is up now, and technically the rally is supposed to start breaking down around 8
"USA! USA! USA!"
Roger Stone: "Donald Trump is the greatest president since Abraham Lincoln!"
Rally prepping to disperse after one more speaker. It is frigid and extremely muddy, many beer cans crushed underfoot
Rally prepping to disperse after one more speaker. It is frigid and extremely muddy, many beer cans crushed underfoot
Over at BLM Plaza, police are standing between local activists and wandering groups of MAGA rally-goers.
A few have asked to be let through, but aren't having success.
Quiet scene right now otherwise
A few have asked to be let through, but aren't having success.
Quiet scene right now otherwise
More press trickling in as "discussions" occur outside the police line
This man in the goggles asks why Black people don't adopt white babies
This man in the goggles asks why Black people don't adopt white babies
"Be a man, get a job, buy land like everybody else!"
"Don't be a victim!"
After this, one of the Trump supporters quotes MLK
Police allowing the debate (argument?) to continue. It's a few small groups scattered who keep stepping back and coming back to argue
After this, one of the Trump supporters quotes MLK
Police allowing the debate (argument?) to continue. It's a few small groups scattered who keep stepping back and coming back to argue
I truly cannot tell which "side" the man who just offered me liquor from his water bottle to "warm me up" is on but needless to say, I declined
Somebody's got wine! Are open containers allowed in DC? I feel like I already know the answer to this
Look, I'm not going to narrate every part of this ongoing argument. It's all being livestreamed anyway. Everyone can probably imagine how it's going. No one has been violent since I've arrived.
Not a ton of people here; everyone has to be up early, and it's COLD
Not a ton of people here; everyone has to be up early, and it's COLD
They've moved on to Bitcoin, which I think is as close to de-escalation as we're gonna get
They're telling each other to hold the line
Another group is trying to head to the next block
Another group is trying to head to the next block
They (Proud Boys/MAGA activists/etc etc) just tried to outrun the bike cops.
Arguing with them now.
Arguing with them now.
They're accusing the cops of being antifa.
Seems to be an emerging theme lately.
Seems to be an emerging theme lately.
They just harassed some ppl on the street, not sure who started it, everyone held their breath and then both sides de escalated and walked away.
It's 10pm. Getting colder. Lots of booze in this roving group
It's 10pm. Getting colder. Lots of booze in this roving group
Just after 10 in D.C.
MAGA crowd (including militants, PBs, etc) still marching around BLM Plaza
They're headed back to the plaza now after realizing they can't outrun the bike cops
MAGA crowd (including militants, PBs, etc) still marching around BLM Plaza
They're headed back to the plaza now after realizing they can't outrun the bike cops
Police line pushing forward a bit. Some of the crowd have pulled back for fear of pepper spray
Pepper spray.
Woman with a face wound.
Woman with a face wound.
A lot just happened all at once.
This woman is claiming a BLM activist punched her. I did NOT see a thing.
Multiple PBs pepper sprayed.
This woman is claiming a BLM activist punched her. I did NOT see a thing.
Multiple PBs pepper sprayed.
Anyway, now a woman is here on the megaphone. Something about Soros. Crowd chanting, "fuck BLM!"
Clarification re: the punch
Numbers have dwindled a bit, but they're still going.
I might have to cut out very soon, but broadcast and other media are still here.
They really want access to BLM Plaza, which...doesn't look likely tonight.
I might have to cut out very soon, but broadcast and other media are still here.
They really want access to BLM Plaza, which...doesn't look likely tonight.
I'm out. I don't predict much more will happen out here tonight, could be wrong, and would link to anyone still otg if I knew but I don't keep up with streamers, who it mostly seems to be? Apologies
I'd ask for tips but as we all know, "real" journalists work for free
I'd ask for tips but as we all know, "real" journalists work for free
(This is a joke. The links are pinned.)
Tomorrow will be...a day. I haven't had a chance to look at or edit photos yet and probably won't til tomorrow but here are some crappy selections to cap off whatever this has been
Tomorrow will be...a day. I haven't had a chance to look at or edit photos yet and probably won't til tomorrow but here are some crappy selections to cap off whatever this has been
