Thread by @jwcroxton

I'll be live-tweeting for the @DailyEmerald tonight from the #SpringfieldOregon Public Library where @Eblack_unity is holding a protest starting at 7 p.m.

I'll head outside in a few.
Currently vibing to Black Sabbath's 'Vol. 4' in the car 😅

There are a few small groups of people scattered throughout the little bits of shade there is.

There's a counter-protest across the street of about twenty people.

Noticeably, only some are wearing masks across the street.

Some dialogue between the two groups now. Sounds peaceful.

Another observation — a good number of folks in the counterprotest have guns.

"We need to come together" both the groups are agreeing.

Back to the BU side.

There will not be a march today and, instead, an open forum.

It sounds like the counterprotest is going to come over to this side and participate in the open forum.

The Bicycle Safety Crew has made a line separating the two sides.

BU is reiterating civility. No name calling.

Setting up on the steps

Some cheers and applause for the *small* Wall of Moms here in Springfield.

BU is claiming a victory in that the city of Eugene has created a task force — with two members of BU included — that will oversee some police activity (unsure what exactly)

Marcus Edwards is the first speaker.
First question — "what do you mean about the things you say?"

The crowd let's out an indescribable noise of confusion.

BU is responding and is sympathizing with the others that "ACAB" is triggering and that they are referring to the systems that were created to marginalize and oppress people of color.

"The person who's job it is to handle a terrorist in town is the same person to go to a mental health situation — and that's the problem" BU says.

The current speaker is saying he's "not behind" what's going in in Portland but is encouraging the crowd to come together to fight the incoming new world order.

"They [the police] need some correction" he says.

Claire: "we're tired of this same shit"

"The police is a weapon of white supremacy" a speaker is saying.

They bringing up the unchecked "unmarked militia" arresting people in Portland for being peaceful. He agrees there has been violence but its overall peaceful.

The counter-protest argues back with shouts of "bullshit."

They bring up that this is the "exact reason the 2nd Amendment exists"

"If you do that in OUR city, it isn't shit compared to what's going to happen here" a counter-protestor says.

Marcus: "if you're really about it, stop the bickering!"

Marcus is now blaming the media as the reason the counter-protest hasn't done anything.

Several shouts of "there is no white supremacy"

Both groups agreed that the Ku Klux Klan should be labeled a terrorist organization and then the counter-protest rescinded and said "there are no racists"

BU is reiterating their demands

Some counter-protesters are leaving as they claim they were "belittled"

I'm watching as counter-protestors attempt to rally their supporters back across the street.

Those that asked the last question have gone back across the street and refuse to listen.

Clea from BU just got here and said "sorry I'm late. I've been watching this live for 30 minutes and I've had enough."

Another speaker: "we've been defunding schools for how long? Its [defunding the police] the same thing

The crowd is chanting "meet our demands"

Marcus argues that the protest has to "drop the emotion"

BU says a "Starbucks can be easily replaced — a Black life cannot. "

The counter-protest is arguing that they are not a counter-protest despite BU explaining that they've repeatedly grouped up across the street and have not tried to be inclusive.

Fyi, I'm going to head out of here soonish

"This is not an anti-white lives matter movement"

Referring to Marcus, BU is saying that "he is wearing a Blue Lives Matter shirt, walking away from Black Lives Matter protestors with his friends and their flags while trying to claim he supports us."

BU is closing up the event now.

/thread