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I’m on the ground here in Marion. Thread from here. Hardly any police presence on I-81 — super rare on a holiday weekend — presumably bc they’re all here.
Lots of motorcycles, lots of rebel battle flags, few if any masks.
Lots of American flags, & press here too.
This speaker by the Confederate monument in front of the Smith County courthouse just started, saying he wants to say “846 words”
He’s talking about disparate police & school funding in the country. “I was in Harlan County Kentucky the other day.” Says he saw homeless people sleeping there.
He’s getting a mostly negative response, some people audibly agreeing here & there, but most others yelling back. “You are the problem. Get off your ass and get a job!" yells back a woman with a megaphone.
Dueling megaphones
The scene here in downtown Marion, Va, at the counterprotest ahead of the Black Lives Matter/LGBTQ+ rally scheduled for later this afternoon
Someone blasting Lee Greenwood& #39;s "God Bless the USA" across the street, which was ubiquitous at Republican rallies during Virginia& #39;s brief run as a presidential battleground state, 2008-2012ish
Spoke to a couple of attendees at this rally, both of whom dismissed Travon Brown, the 17-year-old who organized the first Black Lives Matter rally here a couple of weeks ago, as a "troublemaker."
That night after the first rally, someone burned a cross in a barrel next to Brown& #39;s house. One of Brown& #39;s neighbors was arrested last week & charged with a federal crime in connection with the cross burning. https://www.wdbj7.com/2020/06/30/virginia-man-charged-in-connection-with-cross-burning/">https://www.wdbj7.com/2020/06/3...
One other link I& #39;ll share involves changes to the BLM rally once this counterprotest was scheduled. Brown moved the BLM rally back 2 hours to avoid conflict with the counterprotesters. But everyone I& #39;ve talked to so far says they& #39;re here for the duration. http://wcyb.com/news/local/new-marion-rally-route-causing-concern-for-local-police-department">https://wcyb.com/news/loca...
The scene in Marion. No speakers or program -- just a lot of people hanging out on the street around the Confederate statue. Lots of motorcycles, US & rebel battle flags, pretty much no masks except for on reporters from regional media
I take it back. I do see a few masks here & there. A few Trump flags, but I& #39;ve yet to see a red MAGA hat. Tons of Confederate imagery on hats & clothes tho https://twitter.com/masonatoms/status/1279104930276691971?s=21">https://twitter.com/masonatom... https://twitter.com/masonatoms/status/1279104930276691971">https://twitter.com/masonatom...
Lots and lots of motorcycles
Afnan Beauti, a student who lives here in downtown Marion, is standing in front of the Lincoln Theatre, holding a "Black Lives Matter" sign. She says a lot of people have told her "All lives matter," and some have been Rider, cussing or flicking her off.
Walk-through
Afnan Beauti, a student who lives here in downtown Marion, is standing in front of the Lincoln Theatre, holding a "Black Lives Matter" sign. She says a lot of people have told her "All lives matter," and some have been ruder, cussing or flipping her off.
Sorry for the double tweet w/ Beauti--wanted to repost without the typo
Three Percenters on the corner of Main & Signal, by the courthouse. They declined to be interviewed.
Gatherings on the street beneath the Lincoln Theatre& #39;s Song of the Mountains mural
Guy in a "Heritage Not Hate" is blasting Tom Petty& #39;s "I Won& #39;t Back Down" the same megaphone used to shout down the "846 words" fellow earlier.
Talked to a man from Grayson County in an American flag t-shirt who brought his family here today because Fourth of Jy events have largely been canceled due to the pandemic.
This vehicle got some cheers as it drove by.
I& #39;m bad at crowd estimates, esp spread out over a couple of blocks like this, but I& #39;d guess there& #39;s 150-200 people here for this counterprotest.
The BLM/LGBTQ+ event doesn& #39;t begin until 4, & I think even these counterprotesters consider that the main event. I& #39;ve seen a lot of calls for support among western Va activists, so expect a big crowd.
I& #39;m taking a break to rehydrate and brush up on actual Civil War history in this part of Virginia. Recommended reading
Related, but closer to home for me, see: https://twitter.com/masonatoms/status/1278640397108068353?s=21">https://twitter.com/masonatom... https://twitter.com/MasonAtoms/status/1278640397108068353">https://twitter.com/MasonAtom...
"actual" used here to contrast against the version of history perpetuated by these statues placed around the South by the Daughters of the Confederacy https://twitter.com/masonatoms/status/1279124030382133251?s=21">https://twitter.com/masonatom... https://twitter.com/masonatoms/status/1279124030382133251">https://twitter.com/masonatom...
People beginning to gather at the Marion Regional Farmers Market for the Black Lives Matter/LGBTQ+ rally, scheduled to begin in a half-hour
Different scene here from the counterprotest, obvs. More diversity, more masks, & hip hop instead of country music.
Tatiana Durant, with No Justice No Peace -- Roanoke, is among those who traveled here to lend support
The Vaccarino family, from here in Marion, said they& #39;re here today to March for Black lives, the LGBTQ+ community, and Native Americans. "Today, our crop is love," said Stephanye Vaccarino, left.
Here& #39;s Travon Brown, the 17-year-old who organized the first rally & who then has someone burn a cross next to his house that night. Rally about ready to start
A LOT of people are showing Travon Brown love. He& #39;s clearly inspired people at this gathering
New Panthers group is up. Said they& #39;ve come in peace, and not retaliation (for the cross burning). Addressed Marion police chief and asked, if pro-Confederates confront them, that "y& #39;all stand with your backs to us, facing them."
New Panther to crowd: If we& #39;re approached, and we probably will be, we& #39;re not going to be confrontational, not going to say anything.
Truck with big Confederate flag drives by, and New Panthers raise their fists in response.
