Laura Jedeed (Misanthrophile)

Good crowd for a Thursday--maybe 500? Mostly gathered around the District Courthouse. National press reports at the peripheries as protesters chant by the fence. No sign of feds. I'm told it's been pretty mellow so far

As many have already pointed out, Bizarro Riot Ribs has been cleared out and not replaced. As sad as I am about it, it's kind of a relief not to see the corpse of something that had once been so beautiful continue to shamble forward May the true Riot Ribs return soon

It gives me great pleasure to report that Trumpet Viking is here

A speaker talks about the need to take the fight to the feds. "I'm not afraid! Let's take our street back and let's fuck this fence!" They talk about the injuries they have sustained at the hands of the police: kicked, shot with munitions, shot in the head

Most of tonight's speakers have been either white or white-passing so far

A black activist discussed the funeral of John Lewis. The most enthusiastic applause as of yet "All lives can't matter until black lives matter! Malcom X said in 1965: get your knee off my fuckin neck. 1965! It stops now!"

"I am here for my 15-year-old daughter! For her future!" He urges peaceful protest "That building didn't do anything to anybody here! This isn't about that building! And if you're here to do stuff to that building you need to leave now! He talks about the need for unity

Reports that the feds are coming down the street. Goggle time The activist, who has introduced himself as Gareth Floyd, continues to emphasize peaceful protest

An activist I believe is affiliated with RevCom steps forward and begins advocating for revolution again. Applause. Seems to me you kind of have to pick one: peaceful protest or revolution? At any rate, it's cool we can have different opinions without fighting

A black activist takes the mic and agrees: this system does not have our best interests at heart and we shouldn't be willing to be a part of it "I completely understand why people want to throw bottles at the cops, but if we're gonna d that we have to organize!"

"We don't need to get shot again to know that these are some evil motherfuckers!" He urges self-democracy and elected leaders within the movement RevCom leads a chant: "How do we get out of this mess? Revolution: nothing less"

Rumors of feds appear to have been greatly exaggerated, which means I put on this respirator for nothing. Can't be too careful these days, though Fun fact: to properly fit a respirator, tighten it until your face is as uncomfortable as possible

Someone sets off a couple fireworks near 3rd and Salmon

"John Lewis was about nonviolence. Martin Luther King was about nonviolence. Malcom X was not. But you know what? All of them gave their lives to the cause"

A hip hop artist begins t perform as the sound of glass breaking echoes. Someone threw a bottle over the fence "Peaceful protest!" a group of activists begins to scream, drowning out the performance A chant of "Black Lives Matter" drowns out the rest Weird energy tonight

Speakers continue to talk, interrupted by chants on the periphery. I think it's because they can't hear out there? I dunno In front of me, a white guy asks a person of color to ask whether the leaders of the group speaking are black

RevCom urging people to follow them on social media. Tries to lead a chant. Lukewarm response I think I'm done with the speeches for now. Gonna wander around and take pictures or something