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'We're preparing for the worst': 'alt-right' rally draws opponents to Portland 'We're preparing for the worst': 'alt-right' rally draws opponents to Portland
(35 minutes later)
Tension was high in Portland on Sunday as “alt-right” and opposing “antifa” activists gathered around a planned rightwing rally, a little over a week after two men were killed and one wounded in a stabbing attack on city transportation.Tension was high in Portland on Sunday as “alt-right” and opposing “antifa” activists gathered around a planned rightwing rally, a little over a week after two men were killed and one wounded in a stabbing attack on city transportation.
Jeremy Christian, 35, was charged in the attack, in which Rick Best, 53, and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche, 23, were killed after they intervened to help two young women who were the target of racial abuse. Christian was found to have expressed far-right views and to have attended a similar “free speech” rally in the city in April.Jeremy Christian, 35, was charged in the attack, in which Rick Best, 53, and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche, 23, were killed after they intervened to help two young women who were the target of racial abuse. Christian was found to have expressed far-right views and to have attended a similar “free speech” rally in the city in April.
The Portland mayor, Ted Wheeler, sought to block Sunday’s event but on Saturday the leader of the heavily armed Oath Keepers militia organisation told the Guardian members of his group were on their way to the city, to support and if necessary defend the rightwing protesters.The Portland mayor, Ted Wheeler, sought to block Sunday’s event but on Saturday the leader of the heavily armed Oath Keepers militia organisation told the Guardian members of his group were on their way to the city, to support and if necessary defend the rightwing protesters.
As activity increased around Terry Schrunk Plaza, the site of the rally, and the adjacent Chapman Square where “antifa” protesters gathered, members of the Oath Keepers and another militia group, the Three Percenters, were in evidence. Identifiable by their insignia, they were unwilling to talk to the press.As activity increased around Terry Schrunk Plaza, the site of the rally, and the adjacent Chapman Square where “antifa” protesters gathered, members of the Oath Keepers and another militia group, the Three Percenters, were in evidence. Identifiable by their insignia, they were unwilling to talk to the press.
Preparations by authorities were evident. Barricades were stacked on corners and blocks surrounding the venue for the rally were closed to parking. Around 11.20am, as riot police began to gather, scuffles broke out. Initially, police did nothing to intervene as rally attendees seeking to enter Chapman Square met with physical resistance. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers then tackled a man who had been passing along SW Madison Street, between the two gatherings, on a skateboard.Preparations by authorities were evident. Barricades were stacked on corners and blocks surrounding the venue for the rally were closed to parking. Around 11.20am, as riot police began to gather, scuffles broke out. Initially, police did nothing to intervene as rally attendees seeking to enter Chapman Square met with physical resistance. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers then tackled a man who had been passing along SW Madison Street, between the two gatherings, on a skateboard.
Two members of the Rose City Antifa group, wearing masks, spoke to the Guardian. “We’ve got hopes for what we want to happen and we’re preparing for the worst,” one said, adding that their goals were “being here, being a visible opposition”.Two members of the Rose City Antifa group, wearing masks, spoke to the Guardian. “We’ve got hopes for what we want to happen and we’re preparing for the worst,” one said, adding that their goals were “being here, being a visible opposition”.
“These guys are mostly not interested in free speech, they’re interested in fighting us,” the activist said. “If they come over here, we’re going to respond in self-defense, but our plan is not to take that path. Our main goal is the defense of the community, and to reveal their actions for what they are: fascist street violence.”“These guys are mostly not interested in free speech, they’re interested in fighting us,” the activist said. “If they come over here, we’re going to respond in self-defense, but our plan is not to take that path. Our main goal is the defense of the community, and to reveal their actions for what they are: fascist street violence.”
On the fringe of Schrunk Plaza, Pat “Based Spartan” Washington, a so-called “alt-right” celebrity, held an impromptu press conference.On the fringe of Schrunk Plaza, Pat “Based Spartan” Washington, a so-called “alt-right” celebrity, held an impromptu press conference.
“I believe in freedom of speech,” he said. “Our speakers have a right to say what they want, and not be exposed to this shit across the street. I was gonna speak, but today it’s so violent I’m gonna stay on the front lines.“I believe in freedom of speech,” he said. “Our speakers have a right to say what they want, and not be exposed to this shit across the street. I was gonna speak, but today it’s so violent I’m gonna stay on the front lines.
“I am definitely willing to use violence to make sure my family is safe and my patriot family is safe. But do I want it? Not necessarily. Until antifa learns not to use violence … God, I hate them. I look over there and I just want to smash.”“I am definitely willing to use violence to make sure my family is safe and my patriot family is safe. But do I want it? Not necessarily. Until antifa learns not to use violence … God, I hate them. I look over there and I just want to smash.”
“As long as people continue to use violence, I am gonna use my violence. In fact, if you look at my videos, I’m pumped up and happy about the whole situation. It excites me when there are explosions and they have rap music, they stab me, they mace me, and it just made me feel good about the whole day.”“As long as people continue to use violence, I am gonna use my violence. In fact, if you look at my videos, I’m pumped up and happy about the whole situation. It excites me when there are explosions and they have rap music, they stab me, they mace me, and it just made me feel good about the whole day.”
Another focus of anger was Brian Fife, who walked up to Chapman Square in an attempt to speak. He was surrounded and drowned out with air horns. Earlier, on the grass at Schrunk Plaza, Fife, who said he ran a small business in Salem, Oregon, said Jeremy Christian “did everything right up until the point he started killing people”.Another focus of anger was Brian Fife, who walked up to Chapman Square in an attempt to speak. He was surrounded and drowned out with air horns. Earlier, on the grass at Schrunk Plaza, Fife, who said he ran a small business in Salem, Oregon, said Jeremy Christian “did everything right up until the point he started killing people”.
“I do not support killing people,” he said, “I don’t think anyone does. But calling out the changing elements of our culture, I think that’s something I wish more of us would do.”“I do not support killing people,” he said, “I don’t think anyone does. But calling out the changing elements of our culture, I think that’s something I wish more of us would do.”
A massive contingent of Portland police and DHS officers dressed in riot gear kept the protests apart. As the “free speech” rally began, police announced that any movement between Chapman Square and Schrunk Plaza would be considered a criminal act. The plaza was cordoned off with yellow tape and police SUVs partially blocked traffic.A massive contingent of Portland police and DHS officers dressed in riot gear kept the protests apart. As the “free speech” rally began, police announced that any movement between Chapman Square and Schrunk Plaza would be considered a criminal act. The plaza was cordoned off with yellow tape and police SUVs partially blocked traffic.
Police said they confiscated makeshift weapons and shields from protesters in Chapman Square, and said that at around 2pm protesters in the square launched marbles and other projectiles towards Schrunk Plaza.Police said they confiscated makeshift weapons and shields from protesters in Chapman Square, and said that at around 2pm protesters in the square launched marbles and other projectiles towards Schrunk Plaza.
There, around 300 people rallied. The Chapman Square crowd was separate to an event across Fourth Avenue, outside City Hall, where more than a thousand attended a Portland United Against Hate Rally organized by labor unions. That rally had an at times festive atmosphere, as a brass band played and protesters drowned out those in Schrunk Plaza with cries of “we can’t hear you”.There, around 300 people rallied. The Chapman Square crowd was separate to an event across Fourth Avenue, outside City Hall, where more than a thousand attended a Portland United Against Hate Rally organized by labor unions. That rally had an at times festive atmosphere, as a brass band played and protesters drowned out those in Schrunk Plaza with cries of “we can’t hear you”.
There were also counter-protesters across Third. The alt-right activists were outnumbered, perhaps by as many as 10 to one, and surrounded.There were also counter-protesters across Third. The alt-right activists were outnumbered, perhaps by as many as 10 to one, and surrounded.
At 3.30pm, however, police began pushing the counter-protesters out of Chapman Square, discharging stun grenades and tear gas to a response of missiles thrown. Portland police said on Twitter that they had closed the park due to “criminal behavior” including the use of “bricks, motors and other projectiles”.
As antifascists were pushed out, the “alt-right” contingent interrupted their schedule of speakers to rush to the edge of Schrunk Plaza and taunt them.