Thread by @jwcroxton

I'll be live-tweeting for the @DailyEmerald from the Federal Courthouse here in #EugeneOregon where a protest is planned for 8 p.m.

Not too many people here as of right now.

Just had our first "Trump 2020."

Audience for it: about seven

People are definitely starting to show up and that includes a #WallofMoms

Visual media for tonight will be limited unless anything happens.

EPD drone above. Otherwise, I haven't seen any law enforcement presence.

I'd estimate around 200 people here as of now

Loooooots of people dressed in all black.

Oh, and there's some free jazz being played and I'm living for it.

Growing very fast. Probably 400 now

Already some confrontation. These guys "came in hot" as one would say

Many are armed and they are not allowing press or anyone to go behind them.

"Fuck you, fascists" is being chanted towards them.

Now its "go home fascists"

Update: leafblower spotted

#WallofMoms in yellow

People just showing up, too. This is getting pretty big.

Taser just used

KEZI just confirmed to me that a gun went off

WASNT FUCKING READY FOR THAT

This is the scene now

The counter-protest has been pushed back across the street.

Marcus Edwards is here speaking to a small group of protestors

Some of the protestors are pleaders with others not to follow the counter-group as they leave.

Peotestors are yelling "cops are on the way — pass it back"

The group is now marching down 8th.

There's a massive group going down 8th back towards the courthouse

Still no sign of law enforcement

The group is back at the courthouse

Snow cones have arrived

The group is working to completely block off Mill St.

Chants of "fuck the state" on the courthouse steps.

Green lasers being pointed at a camera on top of the courthouse and the drones above

Lasers

The group is marching.

I'm decent at approximating crowds and this is the largest crowd I've seen for a relatively spontaneous event.

Maybe 800 people in total?

Maybe closer to 600

We are almost at the county jail

Just had a car drive on the side and thru the crowd. Hit one protestor.

They did not seem injured and got back up

Some sort of smoke contraption has been detonated at the entrance of the jail.

Smell of smoke and paint.

Goggles on.

The group has just been declared an unlawful assembly by the Lane County Sherriffs office.

Arrest, impact projectiles, and chemical weapons are being threatened.

The group is moving past the jail now.

Not going to lie — I haven't had this much adrenaline running thru me since the May 29 riot.

Not really sure where we are marching.

Currently marching against traffic

Construction signs and barriers are being gathered

Just got to Kesey Square (or however its spelled)

Barricades — including a @eugeneweekly box — have been constructed blocking Broadway.

One man says "you don't care about Black lives" towards the group.

No shit

My first trashcan fire in nearly two months.

Another protestor just knocked it upside down and said "we're not burning none of that

"This is NOT what Black people are all ahout" a man says

Wells Fargo is currently being vandalized.

Some protestors yell "stop" as people attempt to throw trashcan thru the door windows.

Going down what I believe is Franklin

Elk Horn Brewery is currently being smashed up.

Dumpster feat. smoke at the intersection of Broadway and Hilyard.

The group is being ordered to disperse immediately. Most have walked down the street.

One protestor just walked right through the cops

Police are hopping the sidewalk around barricades to get back to the group

We are a ways back from the group

Media is being told to stay away or we may inadvertently be hit with tear gas or projectiles

I've counted three arrests so far

It is being alleged that they arrested a minor

The protest is 50 yards away and being very quiet as EPD makes their announcements

Rocks are being thrown at EPD vehicles

Spicy air but I think it's pepper spray

@mgbelka and I were just ordered to disperse while holding our passes

I hear leafblowers

Going down Jefferson now. EPD being pelted with rocks

@mgbelka is live-streaming

@ChrisPietsch just tripped and broke a finger.

If there's a medic nearby, head to the very back. Could use some ice.

Looks like most have left and the group is less than a 1/6 of what it was.

Heading home to go wash my clothes three times and shower just as much.

/thread

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