Big thread: Today a heavily armed coalition of activists including right-wingers, "boogaloo bois," Proud Boys, a self-proclaimed "New Black Panther" and militia groups converged for a rally against laws mandating people wear masks for #COVID19 spread prevention. 
A coalition of leftists including #BlackLivesMatter and #Antifa showed up to counter-demonstrate. Police formed a line between the two sides.
I'll dive into this more with video in this thread (which takes longer, be patient!), but when police split right-wingers from leftists, the "#BoogalooBoys" largely stood in the middle or on the leftist side.
Some right wingers condemned them as "siding with the left."
Some right wingers condemned them as "siding with the left."
Some leftists were not fond of the boogaloo people. This sign and tee-shirt were specifically cited by antifa as evidence that the boogaloo and people were originally willing to stand on the same side as this guy, who was part of the original anti-mask rally.
To be clear by the way, the left had their own firearms as well. While certainly less, I don't want to discount that element at the event.
As those who follow politics outside the R's and D's, leftists (not liberals, not Democrats, leftists) tend to be pro-gun.
As those who follow politics outside the R's and D's, leftists (not liberals, not Democrats, leftists) tend to be pro-gun.
Afterwards, the antifa side held a sort of victory rally because the right wingers dispersed before they did.
Some boogaloo guys joined them to "protect" it. This was appreciated by some antifa, but others told the boogs that they aren't welcome.
I'll be working on video next.
Some boogaloo guys joined them to "protect" it. This was appreciated by some antifa, but others told the boogs that they aren't welcome.
I'll be working on video next.
I spoke to Hank Steward, who leads the militia group "III% Ohio Patriots."
He says he's here to protect the rally. I asked him how he feels about armed Black Panther groups here, and he says "we're all good with it... we're all on the same side in the end."
He says he's here to protect the rally. I asked him how he feels about armed Black Panther groups here, and he says "we're all good with it... we're all on the same side in the end."
A man wearing three handguns spoke to the anti-mask folks.
He encouraged unity, despite noting that he "may have supported Obama" while people in the crowd largely support Trump.
He says, "The only one that's bothering us is the government" for COVID-era restrictions on work.
He encouraged unity, despite noting that he "may have supported Obama" while people in the crowd largely support Trump.
He says, "The only one that's bothering us is the government" for COVID-era restrictions on work.
One woman with "Black Lives Matter" and "Blue Lives Murder" entered the rally, and militia people along with Proud Boys tried to push her away.
The loan BLM activist refused to leave, and then ran up the steps of the Capitol (an area forbidden by cops to civilians). They didn't arrest her, but did make her go back into the crowd.
Things got more physical when an apparent Proud Boy pushed her sign down because "you put it in my face."
The cops scolded the Proud Boy.
A journalist (who also had an @iww card he showed me later) tried to step in against the Proud Boy.
Militia guys separated them.
The cops scolded the Proud Boy.
A journalist (who also had an @iww card he showed me later) tried to step in against the Proud Boy.
Militia guys separated them.
It was shortly after that when the large Black Lives Matter / Antifa / Anti-Racist Action "ARA" crowd showed up to confront the right wingers.
As police formed a line between the two sides, Boogaloo guys largely marched with / physically sided with the left.
As police formed a line between the two sides, Boogaloo guys largely marched with / physically sided with the left.
A BLM protester challenged a Proud Boy on their use of "All Lives Matter."
"You feel like all lives matter... But are y'all the ones getting shot?"
The Proud Boy claims "more of us get killed than you," apparently referring to white people versus Black people.
"You feel like all lives matter... But are y'all the ones getting shot?"
The Proud Boy claims "more of us get killed than you," apparently referring to white people versus Black people.
A #BlackLivesMatter holds up a rubber penis and tells a Proud Boy, "these are old man balls. These are your balls."
"My balls are bigger!" replies the Proud Boy.
Ok, moving on.
"My balls are bigger!" replies the Proud Boy.
Ok, moving on.
Boogaloo guy and right-winger argue over whether police represent tyranny.
I think the distinction between the conservative and libertarian mindset, and why the boogaloo people tend to not think of themselves as "on the right" is demonstrated here.
I think the distinction between the conservative and libertarian mindset, and why the boogaloo people tend to not think of themselves as "on the right" is demonstrated here.
After most of the right-wingers left, a BLM activist confronts boogaloos about the guy who was wearing a "white history month" t-shirt.
Boogaloos make fun of the guy, and say he's probably confused. One says he stood with BLM on the front lines during recent protests in Detroit.
Boogaloos make fun of the guy, and say he's probably confused. One says he stood with BLM on the front lines during recent protests in Detroit.
When the right-wingers left, BLM was able to take the State House area. They declared victory given that they held out longer during the heat especially.
Some boogaloo activists stuck with them, raising their fists in solidarity with one speech.
Some boogaloo activists stuck with them, raising their fists in solidarity with one speech.
Later (these are highlights; I encourage you to watch the livestreams for uncut context):
Antifa guy: "We all really want the same thing-"
Boogaloo guy: "We do."
Antifa: "The fucking government gone."
Boog: "And a better one in its place."
"Exactly."
"One that protects us all."
Antifa guy: "We all really want the same thing-"
Boogaloo guy: "We do."
Antifa: "The fucking government gone."
Boog: "And a better one in its place."
"Exactly."
"One that protects us all."
Here’s my full HD video summary of what happened today in #Columbus Ohio.
As always, all raw footage available for license.
#columbusprotest
Armed Right Wingers, Antifa, Police, and BLM face off in Columbus, Ohio
As always, all raw footage available for license.
#columbusprotest
Armed Right Wingers, Antifa, Police, and BLM face off in Columbus, Ohio
