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I didn’t get the time to write anything up last night because of the sheer brutality, so indulge me a bit of writing.
The only thing different about last night’s ICE protest began was that it was larger than usual, and it was Inauguration Day.
The only thing different about last night’s ICE protest began was that it was larger than usual, and it was Inauguration Day.
About 200-250 protesters in bloc, medics, and press. Protesters marched up with strongly, a few drums beating, and stood in the street.
FedRad warnings started within a few minutes. I saw two incidents of graffiti, a few eggs get splattered on a door.
FedRad warnings started within a few minutes. I saw two incidents of graffiti, a few eggs get splattered on a door.
Then federal officers stormed down the train tracks, they’d come out the side door. Then they spilled out another door. There were so many. I thought they were all DHS, but after further review BORTAC was there too. I saw pepper balls, FN303s, M4s.
Tear gas arced overhead. So much tear gas. It was white and... yellow. The wrong color and smell. I saw smoky black too. I still don’t know what was wrong with it, no proof of HC was found. People are very ill. They used strobes and caused a seizure.
A disturbing moment came when the feds caused a seizure with their strobe light. I am in a position of privilege as a press member, I get to speak about my issues and put my face out there. People know I am epileptic. When strobes come out, comrades help me automatically.
Another epileptic in the crowd was not so lucky. When they began seizing, comrades pleaded for the feds to stop. Demanded. Shielded them while medics kept them in rescue position. The strobe never stopped. They eventually bull rushed to prevent our aid.
Later in the night PPB showed, and violently arrested a Black protester. They knelt on his neck, ground his face into the ground, and maced him in the face after he was restrained. PPB prevented me from filming the end of the arrest.
Some of us wryly admit missing Fed Wars. It was a time of routine, comradeship, purpose. Last night was a touch of Fed Wars II. Just a constant barrage of violence for the hell of it. Yesterday had a total of 8 arrests, including the daytime action.
Given the lack of arrests one can only deduce that the multi hour assault by DHS and BORTAC was not about protection, it was about power.
Correction: 8 people were arrested in the afternoon, 6 people were arrested at night for a total of 14.
