Thread by @realNateSnyder, YOU SHOULD BE ALARMED ON WHAT'S HAPPENING IN #PORTLAND/#PDXLong #thread: background/analysis on [...]

YOU SHOULD BE ALARMED ON WHAT'S HAPPENING IN #PORTLAND/ #PDX

Long #thread: background/analysis on what is happening, policymakers & the media are getting the story confused

Pls share this w/ whomever needs to be informed, this is anything but normal
#DHSinPDX #PortlandStrong
1/n

1st some terminology on #DHS Law Enf:
CBP & ICE SRT - Special Response Teams
FPS - Federal Protective Service
BORTAC - Border Patrol Tactical Unit
TSA VIPR - Visible Intermodal Prevention & Response
TSA BDO - Behavior Detection Officer
TSA FAM - Fed Air Marshals

2/n

2nd what #DHS Law Enf does:
#CBP/ #ICE SRT - SWAT for CBP/ICE
FPS - protect fed buildings & property/infrastructure
BORTAC - like CBP SRT also does intel/surveillance
TSA VIPR - visual deterrents at TSA check points
TSA BDO - detect suspicious behavior
TSA FAM - on the planes

3/n

3rd the #DHS mission statement:
"striving to prevent future [terrorist] attacks against the US & our allies, responding decisively to natural & man-made disasters, & advancing American prosperity & economic security long into the future"

i.e. DHS isn't a state police force

4/n

Ok, still with me? This is a lot but critical it will all come together, it's important for the immediate and long term, now a key statement:

What's going on in #Portland/ #PDX started in #DC & w/ the #Trump Admin attempting to label Antifa/protesters terror threats

5/n

#Trump Admin efforts to connect #Antifa w/ protesters was to justify use of counterterrorism authorities for Fed Law Enf & capabilities, this fell flat bc while a criminal threat Antifa was not a Nat Sec threat, White Supremacist Extremists were/are

6/n https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/01/dhs-domestic-terrorists-protest-294342

'Domestic terrorist actors’ could exploit Floyd protests, DHS memo warns

The memo cites “previous incidents of domestic terrorists exploiting First Amendment-protected events” as one reason for DHS’ concern of additional targeted violence.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/01/dhs-domestic-terrorists-protest-294342

#Trump Admin has more authority in #DC (bc DC is not a state, but needs to be) & was able to get further justification from AG #Barr, collectively they were able to deploy approx 770 DHS Law Enf Officers in DC

This led to the infamous church photo-op

7/n https://news.yahoo.com/exclusive-leaked-document-reveals-details-of-federal-law-enforcement-patrolling-washington-amid-protests-154138680.html

This deployment risked the safety of peaceful DC protesters & officer safety bc it was an escalation, having supported DHS Law Enf, I know they have special training NONE of which equips them for de-escalation or qualifies them for policing a community
8/n https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/18/us/portland-protests.html?smtyp=cur&smid=fb-nytimes

Federal Officers In Portland Face Rising Opposition On Streets and In Court

Rather than tamping down persistent protests in Portland, Ore., a militarized presence from federal officers seems to have reignited them.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/18/us/portland-protests.html?smtyp=cur&smid=fb-nytimes

All the 2/n listed DHS Law Enf in addition to DEA, BOP, and others were thrown into an environment w/out relevant training, they have other specializations such as force protection, they are not police

It's like asking a plumber to fix your car, sure they both have wrenches

9/n

We thought #Trump Admin over reach was over w/ infamous photo-op, nope, now Act #DHS Sec #Wolf provided #Trump w/ justification to abuse DHS Law Enf authorities to replicate the clearing at #BLM Plaza: The DHS Protect American Communities Taskforce

10/n https://www.dhs.gov/news/2020/07/01/dhs-announces-new-task-force-protect-american-monuments-memorials-and-statues

DHS Announces New Task Force to Protect American Monuments, Memorials, and Statues

Today, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, Chad F. Wolf, announced the establishment of the DHS Protecting American Communities Task Force (PACT), a special task force to coordinate Departmental...

https://www.dhs.gov/news/2020/07/01/dhs-announces-new-task-force-protect-american-monuments-memorials-and-statues

This is why DHS Law Enf have set perimeter around the Fed Court House & Fed buildings, they're using DHS PACT as justification to unlawfully detain/interdict & use force on peaceful protesters

THIS IS NOT WHAT DHS DOES

DHS mission is to stop terrorism NOT "protect" statues
11/n

I remind you, actual #NatSec threat is still violent right wing extremism & violent white supremacism, there is active #Telegram chatter how these group will exploit #DHSinPDX

#PortlandMoms/ @wallofmoms are NOT a threat, seriously get real, man
https://wkzo.com/news/articles/2020/jun/05/explainer-who-are-antifa-the-boogaloo-movement-and-others-blamed-in-us-protest-violence/1026328/

12/n

Explainer: Who are Antifa, the 'boogaloo' movement and others blamed in U.S. protest violence?

By Ted Hesson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump and his allies have sought to blame left-wing extremists for the violence and looting at U.S. protests over police brutality while local...

https://wkzo.com/news/articles/2020/jun/05/explainer-who-are-antifa-the-boogaloo-movement-and-others-blamed-in-us-protest-violence/1026328/

Instead #DHS Law Enf should be protecting communities & peaceful protesters from right-wing extremists, DHS Intel products clearly say are a threat, #Trump Admin is making Anarchists the new boogeyman, I would love to see info that shows an active anarchist threat stream

13/n

To further bolster the point of DHS Law Enf misuse, these officers are trained to take down cartels, human traffickers, transnational crime cells, force protection from terror attacks on fed bldgs, terror deterrents/interdiction

They are not trained to protect communities

14/n

This isn't the #DHS I swore to serve/support, DHS leadership has overlooked its true mission to instead politicize the Dept & its Law Enf for cable news coverage, this will further erode the trust of the American people, who DHS is supposed to protect
15/n https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jul/19/portland-police-federal-agents-protest

Portland: protesters' outrage grows over federal officers' 'blatant abuse'

Trump tweets ‘we are trying to help Portland, not hurt it’ but the presence of militarized federal agents has prompted shock and anger

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jul/19/portland-police-federal-agents-protest

*throws on political hat*

#Trump sees his polls numbers tanking, he's made our #COVID19 response the American #Chernobyl, & has looked to re-create the #BLM Plaza clearing to spread disinfo that #PDX is under siege, but instead of a photo-op he's using cable new coverage

16/n

#Portland/ #PDX/ @WallOfMoms & America this is what you can do:

Your safety & law enf safety first

Record everything & make sure it's geo-tagged

Amplify, amplify, amplify

Educate yourself on DHS hopefully this will help

Call your congressional delegation more on that
17/n

Here are the Congressional oversight committees you should engage:

@HomelandDems @HomelandGOP (House Homeland)

@HSGAC @SenRonJohnson (Senate Homeland)

@HouseJudiciary @JudiciaryGOP (for ICE & CBP)

Demand congressional hearings & DHS Inspector General investigation

18/n

Here are the key #DHS officials you should note:

@DHS_Wolf (Acting DHS Sec)

@CBPMarkMorgan (Acting CBP Commish)

#MatthewAlbence (Acting ICE Dir)

#RandolfTexAlles (Acting U/S Management oversees FPS)

Also notice they are ALL ACTING!

19/n

As I said this should concern EVERYONE, if the #Trump Admin can do this in #Portland/ #PDX it can & will find a way to replicate it in other cities

My old boss #JanetNapolitano used to say homeland security starts with hometown security

What's happening is against that

20/n

Elections have consequences, #Trump & his Admin may be doing irreparable harm to #DHS & its true mission, they're throwing gas on the flames of division/hate, I assure you there are DHS public servants who feel the same, to ensure this never happens again we need @JoeBiden

21/n

Yes, this has consequences, it will take years to re-build trust, to bring needed 21st century police reform, rebuild oversight over misuse & abuse of authority, & to ensure that the beginnings of #Trump using Fed Law Enf as his own state police force ends #PortlandStrong
n/n

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