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Proud Boys, Patriot Prayer, and other violent white nationalists are gathering in Portland today. They are threatening to murder BLM and anti-fascist activists. This thread is for anyone w/ questions why Portland is ground zero for far-right violence.
First, some journos to follow today's events in Portland. Many have done excellent reporting on far-right extremism for years: @jason_a_w @alex_zee @shane_burley1 @_jlevinson @DavidNeiwert @IwriteOK @misstessowen @MrOlmos (and I will be on the ground as well).
For context on "Why Portland?" this article, "Riotlandia," puts far-right violence in context. The nut: Oregon's history as a white supremacist state means police collaborate w/ far right and politicians are afraid to challenge cop power. https://theintercept.com/2019/08/16/portland-far-right-rally/
This article by @_jlevinson adds another important facet. Anti-militia laws enable city to easily arrest Proud Boys and Patriot Prayer the second they step foot in Portland bc they openly threaten violence and murder. But mayor @tedwheeler won't. https://www.opb.org/article/2020/09/25/progressive-activists-police-agree-blame-protests-elected-leaders/
As to threats, @jason_a_w and @IwriteOK exposed chat logs where Patriot Prayer, Proud Boys, and others plotted ways to kill anti-fascists in Portland. State and feds could arrest them on terrorism and conspiracy charges. But they won't. https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2020/09/23/patriot-coalition-far-right-chat-logs-violence/
Last year, Proud Boys/Patriot Prayer, incldng organizer Joe Biggs, threatened to kill antifascists in Portland. They went quiet when FBI cracked down a bit after Patrick Crusius massacred 23 Hispanics in El Paso. But now he is at it again. https://jacobinmag.com/2019/09/andy-ngo-proud-boys-antifa-rally-portland-infowars
The Guardian's @jason_a_w is one of best reporters on far-right extremism. He wrote early profile of Proud Boys. He's also exposed collusion between Portland police and Proud Boys/Patriot Prayer, as has @alex_zee and @katemshepherd https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/14/proud-boys-far-right-portland-oregon
Southern Poverty Law Center designates Proud Boys as a hate group. They have done a lot of good reporting on their links to extremists. https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2020/09/25/moment-proud-boys-have-been-waiting
The Proud Boys try to paint themselves as a "men's drinking fraternity," and lots of MSM journos fall for it. Except they and Patriot Prayer are thick as thieves w/ all sorts of neo-Nazis, neo-Confederates, and white nationalists. https://www.rawstory.com/2018/10/exclusive-heres-truth-pro-trump-proud-boys-connections-neo-nazis/
The FBI also designated the Proud Boys as an extremist group in documents. The FBI tried to retract after @jason_a_w broke the story, but that's what they told police in Washington State. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/19/proud-boys-fbi-classification-extremist-group-white-nationalism-report
There are many elements in far-right violence in Portland. First generation of violent actors was Joey Gibson and Patriot Prayer. They are a "bloodthirsty front" for many violent groups. https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2018/11/opinion_joey_gibson_is_a_front.html
A more recent element is "Boogaloo Bois," these are largely far-right accelerationists who want to use protests to spark a civil war. This is the best dive into them, by @jason_a_w and @IwriteOK. https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2020/05/27/the-boogaloo-movement-is-not-what-you-think/
Even more bizarre than the Boogaloo Bois is QAnon cult that's spread like wildfire on the desiccated synapses of the far right. Expect to see signs for them in Portland, but it's just warmed-over Nazi anti-Jewish conspiracism. https://www.justsecurity.org/72339/qanon-is-a-nazi-cult-rebranded/
The fact Portland has become the main staging ground for far-right violence is a product of right-wing propaganda led by FOX News that has branded the city an antifa haven, as @katemshepherd explains. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/07/21/portland-feds-protests/
Don't forget about Portland police. While Trump's secret federal police was headline news over summer for violence against protesters, the main perpetrators of violence during four months of BLM protests is Portland police. https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2020/07/23/28668234/mayor-wheeler-condemns-feds-indiscriminate-use-of-tear-gas-despite-portland-police-using-identical-tactics
The Portland police have gone so far as to spread false rumors, of "concrete milkshakes," that resulted in hundreds of death threats. But the real power is the police union, which is true in many cities, according to @NigelJaquiss. https://www.wweek.com/news/city/2020/06/24/for-nearly-80-years-the-portland-police-association-has-wielded-power-in-a-town-that-doesnt-like-cops-that-power-is-now-under-siege/
Speaking of milkshakes, last and least is Andy Ngo, who says he suffered brain damage from a vegan milkshake. He uses social media to foment stochastic terrorism. He paints target on activists. Then his followers threaten them, including stalking IRL. https://jacobinmag.com/2019/08/andy-ngo-right-wing-antifa-protest-portland-bigotry
Ngo's tied to violent far-right actors. In his presence, gang of Patriot Prayer members readied weapons and plotted to attack antifascists at a bar. They cracked a woman's spine, but he never warned police of imminent assault, which is a crime. https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2019/08/26/27039560/undercover-in-patriot-prayer-insights-from-a-vancouver-democrat-whos-been-working-against-the-far-right-group-from-the-inside
This is far from comprehensive, but it's a good start to understand the complexities of the far-right and police violence happening in Portland. I may add more later, but that's all for now. I'll be on the streets, so follow me here.
Oh, one of the most important articles! The rise of "multiracial white supremacy." Trump has created a rainbow coalition of white nationalists. Joey Gibson is half-Japanese, Enrique Tarrio is Afro-Cuban, and Andy Ngo is Vietnamese. https://www.thedailybeast.com/why-young-men-of-color-are-joining-white-supremacist-groups
