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Tomorrow, a myriad of armed groups from various factions are expected to gather in #Louisville amidst the #KentuckyDerby2020.
I am flying there this afternoon and will be live-streaming all day tomorrow, but I want to use this thread to introduce the various groups.
I am flying there this afternoon and will be live-streaming all day tomorrow, but I want to use this thread to introduce the various groups.
The "Not F***ing Around Coalition" aka "NFAC" was formed a few months ago.
About six weeks ago, they protested in Louisville, demanding Breonna Taylor's killers be arrested.
They were heavily armed, but violence was limited to one accidental discharge. https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1287155367152058369
About six weeks ago, they protested in Louisville, demanding Breonna Taylor's killers be arrested.
They were heavily armed, but violence was limited to one accidental discharge. https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1287155367152058369
I most recently filmed the NFAC a week ago in my home area of Washington DC, where they came armed only with knives and swords to the Al Sharpton-led "Get your knee off our necks" march.
They told the crowd they are the "new Black Panthers."
They told the crowd they are the "new Black Panthers."
The group's leader had previously said he'd "burn the city down" when they returned, but has walked that back. Still, the Georgia-based all-Black militia group plans to be out there tomorrow in Louisville: https://www.wave3.com/2020/09/03/ahead-derby-weekend-protests-nfac-leader-walks-back-claim-burn-this-city-down/
Separately, a local anti-racist militia has been forming over the past month in Louisville.
Two weeks ago, I interviewed and followed the "United Pharaoh's Guard" / "Louijihadeen" militia, which views itself as protection for protesters from police.
Two weeks ago, I interviewed and followed the "United Pharaoh's Guard" / "Louijihadeen" militia, which views itself as protection for protesters from police.
Following a confrontation with police two weeks ago, one member of the "United Pharaoh's Guard" reiterated to me that they will be out on September 5. https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1298477587686141952
A right-wing militia also plans to be there.
The newly rebranded "National Patriotic Defense Team" spent their Saturday two weeks ago standing by in a parking lot in case they needed to "back up law enforcement" in any confrontation with protesters. https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1297577020298272769
The newly rebranded "National Patriotic Defense Team" spent their Saturday two weeks ago standing by in a parking lot in case they needed to "back up law enforcement" in any confrontation with protesters. https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1297577020298272769
When I interviewed them, one member of the "National Patriotic Defense Team" militia was carrying a .50 BMJ rifle, which he explained as necessary because of the "BLM militia."
I later realized he meant the "United Pharaoh's Guard" / "Louijihadeen." https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1297577025545424903
I later realized he meant the "United Pharaoh's Guard" / "Louijihadeen." https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1297577025545424903
While this group is newly branded, they had called themselves III% as recently as six weeks ago.
This thread details their activity the last time NFAC came to town, although police kept them thoroughly seperated. https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1287202482914054147
This thread details their activity the last time NFAC came to town, although police kept them thoroughly seperated. https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1287202482914054147
Meanwhile, Until Freedom - a group led by Linda Sarsour and Tamika Mallory, both of whom are former co-chairs of the Women's March - also plans to protest.
Their group is gathering later in the afternoon for a #NoDerby146 rally.
Their group is gathering later in the afternoon for a #NoDerby146 rally.
When I filmed Until Freedom two weeks ago, police blocked their march and arrested more than 40 people who refused to leave.
The "United Pharaoh's Guard" / "Louijihadeen" stood guard but didn't interfere.
The "United Pharaoh's Guard" / "Louijihadeen" stood guard but didn't interfere.
My purpose in posting this thread is to provide some context for tomorrow.
If it turns chaotic, I suspect many journalists and others will be scrambling to understand what happened. I hope this will provide some clarity.
#Louisville https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1301907180531126273
If it turns chaotic, I suspect many journalists and others will be scrambling to understand what happened. I hope this will provide some clarity.
#Louisville https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1301907180531126273
