The activist points out that peaceful protest depends on the target having a conscience I'm gonna repeat that Peaceful Protest Depends On the Target Having a Conscience
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These battles for the narrative aren't surprising. Black people aren't a monolith. There are a wide variety of opinions. Yet I often see tremendous pressure for a united black voice to speak back to the system It's a horrible bind
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The activist is arguing that police are necessary to keep her safe There are arguments that could address this point but I don't think anyone is making them. They're mostly sort of giving her a wide birth
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A car engine revs loudly and protesters jump to the sidewalk. It's nothing, but the instinct is ingrained at this point
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Crowd starting to thin out slightly. Still lots of people here If the police don't escalate, I predict a very mellow night. Portland is tired, y'all. We've been going all out for so long. I don't think anyone is looking to antagonize the cops tonight
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This is not exactly must-hear news but a couple of protesters are very sweetly making out and I think that's nice and I hope it makes you happy too
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A black activist talks about the inportance of continuing this fight for as long as necessary: "another 400 years if we have to!" "Are we gonna pack up and go just because the feds are gone?! Hell no!!"
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He talks about PTSD. About jumping when he hears leaf blowers. About our shared trauma and our strength
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He talks about being part of that statistics: 1 of 3 black men have been to jail and he's one of them "The systematic oppression has to stop!"
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He then goes on to say that this is supposed to be peaceful, that anything that isn't peaceful isn't about black lives, it's just a sideshow "no it isn't!" a quiet, solitary voice retorts
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Meanwhile, about 30 feet away, someone is burning what I assume is one of the free Bibles a group was giving away earlierpic.twitter.com/wnjM54IiLA
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Protesters throwing a few bottles over the fence. Somehow the cement courthouse continues to stand despite this onslaught
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A roof cop has been spotted in the District Courthouse. Protesters chant: "Jump!" This is the first cop/fed presence we've seen all night
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Small newspaper fire in the street. Can't get a picture without the firestarters in it so just...I mean it's 2020. You know what a street fire looks like Chant: "Every City! Every town! Burn that precinct to the ground!"
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Mostly I think the fire is a hit cuz it's weirdly cold out here
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Someone burns a flag against the fence An activist accuses protesters of trying to burn the building down, says it isn't about black lives matter, and tells the protesters to grow up
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Can we talk about this narrative where people think protesters are trying to destroy the courthouse? The District Courthouse is a brutalist monstrosity made entirely of concrete We'd need to go full Fight Club to even touch this I promise you, the building is fine
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An activist is angry about the flag burning. "What the fuck does that have to do with Black Lives Matter?! Nothing! Stop burning shit!!"
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Peace police everywhere. Someone has tagged the courthouse and a person is furious about thispic.twitter.com/I8lq92Y76R
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The situation is, I think, that people are terrified of escalation. Of Trump following through on that National Guard shit It's a rational fear Its important, though, not to allow fear of violence to quell a movement
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The protest is thinning out and getting more raucus. More small fires. I hear a firework. Banging The moms have left
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A group of protesters circles the District Courthouse. Piles trash in front of the garage entrance. I've been told they already emerged to clear a pathpic.twitter.com/ejpSNp5tzn
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Protesters banging on the garage door behind the District Courthouse. No sign of activity
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An activist comes up furious. "How does this save my life?! Answer me!! Are you a person of color?! They're gonna shot me first! Who led you over here to do this?"
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Crowd now standing quietly in front of the garage door
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Meanwhile, in front of the District Courthouse, the fire has grown significantlypic.twitter.com/bPl3DaOyPj
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An activist speaks to the crowd. Proud of us for continuing to show up. The feds are gone but we're still here. We know it's a longer fight. We know it isn't over
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"first time we got tear gassed, e were scared. Look at us, day 60" Cheers " You showed the fuck up! Look at you right now, burning a fire in the street, waiting to be attacked. I just wanna thank you for showing up for the revolution. Being part of the chosen few"
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And with that, I'm taking off. Gonna get some sleep and enjoy this new sensation of skin unburnt by gas Solidarity to everyone still out here!
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End of conversation
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