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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's "God Bless the USA" across the street, which was ubiquitous at Republican rallies during Virginia'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's house. One of Brown'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/
One other link I'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've talked to so far says they're here for the duration. http://wcyb.com/news/local/new-marion-rally-route-causing-concern-for-local-police-department
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'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/masonatoms/status/1279104930276691971
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's Song of the Mountains mural
Guy in a "Heritage Not Hate" is blasting Tom Petty's "I Won'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'm bad at crowd estimates, esp spread out over a couple of blocks like this, but I'd guess there's 150-200 people here for this counterprotest.
The BLM/LGBTQ+ event doesn't begin until 4, & I think even these counterprotesters consider that the main event. I've seen a lot of calls for support among western Va activists, so expect a big crowd.
I'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/MasonAtoms/status/1278640397108068353
"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/masonatoms/status/1279124030382133251
@Tim_Dodson is out in Marion today too. Check out his thread too. https://twitter.com/tim_dodson/status/1279100527159250944?s=21 https://twitter.com/tim_dodson/status/1279100527159250944
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're here today to March for Black lives, the LGBTQ+ community, and Native Americans. "Today, our crop is love," said Stephanye Vaccarino, left.
Here'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's clearly inspired people at this gathering
New Panthers group is up. Said they've come in peace, and not retaliation (for the cross burning). Addressed Marion police chief and asked, if pro-Confederates confront them, that "y'all stand with your backs to us, facing them."
New Panther to crowd: If we're approached, and we probably will be, we'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.
