Heschy Tischler, the right wing radio host leading the Orthodox anti lockdown protests, is greeted in Borough Park to a hero’s welcome. Children standing on light poles try to get a glimpse. Older men jostling for selfies. Heschy declines a supporter’s offer of a mask

NYPD agrees to block off a portion of 13th Avenue for tonight’s event. Trump and Thin Blue Line flags abound

Right now it’s basically a pro-Trump dance party. Lots of media here after last night’s violence, but no sign of similar chaos (though someone was chucking eggs a few minutes ago)

At Heschy’s urging, the crowd just surrounded and attacked journalist @jacobkornbluh. They pinned him against a wall and shouted “moyser” (“snitch”) as NYPD lost control of the situation. Really scary scene. Jacob is a pro

Here’s Heschy egging then on. “He’s lucky time be alive,” one of the protesters told me after.

A few yards away, cops agree to close more streets, joking around with same men who just beat up a reporter

For those just tuning in, a photojournalist was assaulted at last night night’s protest. A different so-called “snitch” was knocked unconscious (video below). Now Jacob. Not one arrest

The scene on 13th Ave currently. Police are attempting to clear the streets. Not happening

Cops are pulling out. “We stayed way too fucking long,” one of them says. “No way we were breaking that up.”

“Were not coming over there so go over there. You wanted space we gave you space.”