On Monday the anti-mask, anti-vaccine, and anti-common health protocols moved to the legislature to continue their protest. Based on the video I saw, which included Max Bernier (of course), there were between 200 and 400 people. 1/17
Also present was Kevin Johnston who streamed the event on Instagram. Most of the speeches were boilerplate conspiracy woo so I won't bother repeating them. What was interesting was what happened as the event concluded. 2/17
We can look at this as another example of KJJ becoming increasingly unhinged having threatened AHS workers previously. I can be convinced that this is the case, but I hypothesize that there is something more deliberate. 3/17
Let's take a look at this rant within the context that it occurred.
He spends some time glad-handing supporters. His demeanor is cheerful, if also insincere and shallow. 4/17
As people ask to take pictures with him, we hear an older Native man who appears to have bought into the "vaccines are poison" narrative that is being disseminated by this movement. 5/17
The story is convoluted, though I don't doubt his genuine fear that has been stoked by bad actors. As I can make it out, he suggests a local Chief asked antifa and BLM to provide security so that vaccines can be distributed to elders. 6/17
It is after this story that KJJ goes off on his rant. 7/17
Unhinged? Sure, but also deliberate.
KJJ is playing to an audience that, despite his long history of lies, believes what he tells them and he knows this. It is performative. 8/17
First KJJ knows he won't win an election. Here however he is setting up the reason for his loss.
In short, he will likely claim to be the victim of election fraud because "they" are afraid of him and will do what they can to keep him out of power.
Sound familiar? 9/17
A second reason is perhaps darker.
Note how quickly his demeanor returns to the insincere charm he has been displaying before. 10/17
This is unsettling, but also rather instructive in that it suggests another truth about his performance.
I would argue that another aim is to gin up anger in his supporters while he himself can claim plausible deniability should anyone act on the rage he encourages. 11/17
I think KJJ wants the chaos that may result from his rhetoric, but he wants to watch it and benefit (if possible) from a safe distance.
Recall his attitude on Sunday when the fence came down. 12/17
13/17
It seems clear that KJJ knows how far to push things when HE is present. I suspect he would be fine with the fence coming down and would praise the act on video, but when he could be implicated? Then he's in favour of "law and order". 14/17
Finally, I can't help noting that his apparently newfound empathy for FNMI is at odds with this repulsive display. 15/17
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