Thread by @IwriteOK

This will be my thread covering the demonstrations in Portland today.

So far it is sunny, fair, and peaceable. A great day for literally anything else. We will see how it developes.

Here we see Pop Mob's dance party.

In recent months Pop Mob has taken to responding to Patriot Prayer / Proud Boy rallies by holding their own demonstrations.

The goal is to drown out and draw attention away from the other side, rather than focus on confrontation.

Here we see a vegan milkshake station, mostly for the purposes of hydration although I have heard tell they have other uses.

Ooop. And a milkshaking has occured.

Across from Pioneer Square we see a squadron of bike cops and a sizable group of Rose City Antifa. Again, mood is peaceable and as relaxed as these things get.

Please note that the Devil has arrived.

Rose City Antifa has moved into the square.

Meanwhile, Quillette's Andy Ngo has cleaned the milkshake off his scalp.

I've moved to Pioneer Square. Proud Boys and Patriot Prayer are in attendance. People are arguing, but so far no fighting.

This guy is ready to take heavy fire. Super curious as to what that dump pouch is for.

Please note that the Pop Mob event is NOT at Pioneer Square. I got that wrong. The Proud Boys have rallied there.

I am new to Portland and, generally, bad at directions.

The Proud Boys have gathered.

It appears to be speech time. Their bullhorn skills leave a lot to be desired compared to Alex Jones and his Tyranny Crusher 4000.

This fellow claims to have been assaulted by antifa last year.

He believes conservatives cannot get a fair shake in Portland, and the solution is to "come out in small groups with our flags, looking like Patriots...reach out and shake people's hands."

"The citizens of Portland are tired of having to look over their shoulder for antifa..." He compares Antifa to the red guard and calls them indiscriminate terrorists.

Meanwhile, Antifa is not present. The Proud Boy gathering continues unmolested.

Antifa, he says, are "trying to enact communism" through doxing, assault, etc.

"We do not promote violence but we will defend ourselves...I will die for this cause."

As soon as he finishes, another speaker ads "Political correctness is the new fascist."

I'm always interested by the things people bring to these gatherings.

A chunk of Patriots have separated and started marching.

We have heard tell of fighting at the Waterfront and are on our way.

I overheard Russel of Patriot Prayer say "to be honest we have as much to fear from the Proud Boys".

Here we go.

MAJOR march happening.

Lots of people. Mood seems to be good. We will see what happens.

Portland Police have the March kettled on three sides.

Police have ordered dispersal.

400 to 500 marchers estimated on their way to the waterfront, where the Proud Boys are rumored to be.

A surprisingly small number of police in evidence in the bridge. Police presence said to be fairly light and the route to the waterfront appears open.

Ah, there they are.

Portland gets such interesting trarfic.

No Proud Boys in evidence but the city turned on the sprinklers. People seem to be enjoying it.

March is headed back to Pioneer Square where Proud Boys are now rumored to be. Some antifa created lazy mans barricades.

"Proud boy scum off our streets" is the chant.

Elsewhere activists have made admittedly effective use of rental trucks.

The Proud Boys / Patriots have been located.

Aaaaaaand we got us a standoff.

Lot of anger here.

On the upside, a dog!

Police reinforce the line and prepare to move in.

This is one of those moments that could go any way. Bike cops have pulled back and riot cops are holding position.

The standoff continues.

And just as things seemed darkest a dance party arrived.

I too keep grenades on the dashboard of my car.

The police have a vehicle too.

Now it's a truck standoff

Police are ordering the driver of the Uhaul truck to shut off their sound equipment and leave.

I am always impressed and surprised by the diversity one finds on the front lines of these engagements.

The Soi Boi dance truck has backed off.

There might be some anger towards police in this city.

We are on the move once more. Folks still seem intent on locating the elusive Proud Boys.

For how things with the cops seem to have deescalated

Both sides met again outside of starbucks. Cops maced a protester pretty heavily. You can see it here.

And another standoff begins.

The police have told us we are no longer allowed to use the sidewalk. Quite a lot of shoving by cops to journalists who are taking photos on public sidewalks.

Moderate symbolism here.

Some group of armored "journalists" from an outfit called "Cold Front" are explaining the Proud Boy masturbation rules. They got milkshaked as I typed.

They were very excited to be milkshaked.

I found a member of the 40%.

This guy asked the crowd of antifascists, "Are any of you nationalists?"

"You should eat a red pill. It tastes like freedom."

After a long stand off, a crowd of antifa ran in and began milk shaking. The police ran in to protect the crew of right wing journalists, and several minutes of heckling ended in a shove fight and silly string.

Portland is an incredible city for battle jackets.

Police just rushed in, shot off tons of pepperballs. Wind blew it into the crowd. We are all sniffling now

Things seem to have calmed down. Normalcy returns to the streets. The Battle of Portland has fizzled out.

There are rumors that antifa milkshakes included concrete today. I can say that this one was just coconut and cream.

Also antifa brands their cups.