by Just Is

The leftists known as “ANTIFA” were ready. They were cloaked in black, wearing complimentary helmets and gas masks. Their shields were constructed in DIY fashion from plastic barrels and trash cans. The front lines frequently dissolved into fistfights and beatdowns. People relentlessly heckled each other until a projectile was thrown (usually by a Trump supporter) and the opposing side returned violence via fists and boots. Trump’s supporters sprayed mace and foolishly hurled tear gas at demonstrators, who had become seasoned political warriors. Antifascists returned the tear gas canisters with skill acquired from months of facing off with various police forces. Chemical agents streaked overhead. Fireworks occasionally exploded in the crowd. One detonated on someone near me. This happened for hours until the right-wing finally retreated after being engulfed by their own tear gas.

 

During their retreat “Trump’s Army” fired paintballs and indiscriminately discharged mace. I witnessed another Proud Boy, Tusitala Toese (aka “Tiny”), being followed by demonstrators who were throwing garbage at him and shouting, “Leave and never come back!” Tiny, who is an American Samoan and evangelical Christian, walked backward and yelled at the crowd, “Check your people!” Someone in the crowd yelled back, “Check your internalized racism!” A young woman took a futile swing at Tiny just before his equally massive Proud Boy comrade punched her square in the face. This assault happened in front of the local police. Law enforcement watched and did nothing while that woman bled through her mask. Later Police claimed it was “too dangerous” to arrest Tiny that day.

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The Proud Boys escaped angry demonstrators when officers intervened and prevented mob retaliation on behalf of the woman who was punched. She held her nose while someone provided first-aid. When the last of the right-wingers fled an “unlawful assembly” was declared. Police and Homeland Security agents arrived in full regalia, looking like storm troopers. Demonstrators have made a habit of playing the imperial march theme from Star Wars whenever they arrive. The crowd was appalled that law enforcement allowed the far right to tear through Portland only to declare an “unlawful assembly” when it was all over.

 

Police eventually decided not to enforce their own dispersal order and left into a nearby precinct building. Alan Sweeney, the Proud Boy documented pointing a gun that day, held a flag-waving event in a suburb of Portland the following week. On Twitter Swinney said that event was a response to Saturday’s throwdown. He referred to both pro-Trump events as “victories”. The fact Alan Swinney was allowed to organize a political event near Portland less than a week after pointing a gun at protesters there should be a clear indication that law enforcement has a strong bias in his group's favor. In fact, the Portland Police Bureau has a proven history of cooperation with far right extremists.