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& #39;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& #39;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/">https://theintercept.com/2019/08/1...
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">https://jacobinmag.com/2019/09/a...
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">https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2...
Even more bizarre than the Boogaloo Bois is QAnon cult that& #39;s spread like wildfire on the desiccated synapses of the far right. Expect to see signs for them in Portland, but it& #39;s just warmed-over Nazi anti-Jewish conspiracism. https://www.justsecurity.org/72339/qanon-is-a-nazi-cult-rebranded/">https://www.justsecurity.org/72339/qan...
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">https://jacobinmag.com/2019/08/a...
This is far from comprehensive, but it& #39;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& #39;s all for now. I& #39;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">https://www.thedailybeast.com/why-young...
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