Thread/
Ya'll I'm not much of one for pasting tweets to the walls in my house and stringing them together with red yarn (conspiracy theories), but hear me out on this fact pattern I’ve seen over the last week and come to your own conclusions (I'll point out where I'm stretching)
Ya'll I'm not much of one for pasting tweets to the walls in my house and stringing them together with red yarn (conspiracy theories), but hear me out on this fact pattern I’ve seen over the last week and come to your own conclusions (I'll point out where I'm stretching)
1/
On June 25th (the night of #J25), per @GoadGatsby, @RichmondPolice occupied the planned protest meeting site (Monroe park)
On June 25th (the night of #J25), per @GoadGatsby, @RichmondPolice occupied the planned protest meeting site (Monroe park)
2/
Per @socialistdogmom, @RichmondPolice threatened arrest for those in the park. (They would of course go on to make good on those threats the next night June 26 with the arrest of several journalists & activists)
Per @socialistdogmom, @RichmondPolice threatened arrest for those in the park. (They would of course go on to make good on those threats the next night June 26 with the arrest of several journalists & activists)
3/
Per reports from @socialistdogmom just before 9:30 (when the march was scheduled to begin), a coalition of boogaloos led by Mike Dunn (@MDfreedombooms) and @BLM757 entered the park in defiance of this police order.
Per reports from @socialistdogmom just before 9:30 (when the march was scheduled to begin), a coalition of boogaloos led by Mike Dunn (@MDfreedombooms) and @BLM757 entered the park in defiance of this police order.
4/
@BLM757 is well known for being disowned by the National BLM movement in part for its hateful rhetoric including examples of anti-women, transphobic, homophobic posts. They're also known to collaborate with police & III%ers.
imgur.com/a/C3I41tZ
@BLM757 is well known for being disowned by the National BLM movement in part for its hateful rhetoric including examples of anti-women, transphobic, homophobic posts. They're also known to collaborate with police & III%ers.
imgur.com/a/C3I41tZ
5/
@MDfreedombooms is best known for losing his job over his right-wing activities, organizing the July 4th gun rally which welcomed openly racist participants, and his recent de-platforming from Facebook for his threat to murder the governor.
@MDfreedombooms is best known for losing his job over his right-wing activities, organizing the July 4th gun rally which welcomed openly racist participants, and his recent de-platforming from Facebook for his threat to murder the governor.
6/
At least for a little while, this group (Dunn + BLM757) were able to direct the crowd who, per @socialistdogmom, likely didn't know at the time who was leading this march.
At least for a little while, this group (Dunn + BLM757) were able to direct the crowd who, per @socialistdogmom, likely didn't know at the time who was leading this march.
7/
Conspiracy time, if I wanted to help a group co-opt an event, I might consider closing the meeting venue and then allow my chosen co-opting party to "defy me" and "lead" the larger group into that space (setting them up to be seen as "leaders" in that group).
Conspiracy time, if I wanted to help a group co-opt an event, I might consider closing the meeting venue and then allow my chosen co-opting party to "defy me" and "lead" the larger group into that space (setting them up to be seen as "leaders" in that group).
8/
Local activists do not believe that @MDfreedombooms or @BLM757 organized the march, sent the flier, or (beyond those initial minutes of confusion) led the march & its actions that night.
Local activists do not believe that @MDfreedombooms or @BLM757 organized the march, sent the flier, or (beyond those initial minutes of confusion) led the march & its actions that night.
9/
Shortly after the march began, those aware of the background of the march's "leaders" called them out for what they were. Per @Jaaavis' video, those "leaders" then verbally attacked dissenters and threatened them with physical violence
Shortly after the march began, those aware of the background of the march's "leaders" called them out for what they were. Per @Jaaavis' video, those "leaders" then verbally attacked dissenters and threatened them with physical violence
10/
@socialistdogmom confirms both the anti-boogaloo chants & the threats of violence @BLM757 levied in response.
@socialistdogmom confirms both the anti-boogaloo chants & the threats of violence @BLM757 levied in response.
11/
Per @GoadGatsby, the march would eventually take back its autonomy and continue under its own steam.
Per @GoadGatsby, the march would eventually take back its autonomy and continue under its own steam.
12/
The next night (June 26th) per @edace2936, a small group attempted to take control of a march that it wasn't clear they had organized.
The next night (June 26th) per @edace2936, a small group attempted to take control of a march that it wasn't clear they had organized.
13/
The larger protest group expressed its autonomy and continued without these "leaders"
The larger protest group expressed its autonomy and continued without these "leaders"
14/
As the march continued, per @itskatie171, the march was trailed by the small group that initially wanted to lead the march. They would become the peace police for the night and would use threats of violence to influence the actions of the protest.
As the march continued, per @itskatie171, the march was trailed by the small group that initially wanted to lead the march. They would become the peace police for the night and would use threats of violence to influence the actions of the protest.
15/
Initial (now confirmed) speculation was that this small group was the same group from the previous night with @BLM757 affiliations
Initial (now confirmed) speculation was that this small group was the same group from the previous night with @BLM757 affiliations
16/
The peace policing effort from this group culminated when they discharged a firearm in a residential neighborhood to stop "rioting" by other protesters
The peace policing effort from this group culminated when they discharged a firearm in a residential neighborhood to stop "rioting" by other protesters
17/
No charges were filed & as far as I know @RichmondPolice made no comment on the incident despite responding for broken glass.
Not saying the police don't care, but if other protesters opened fire during a protest, I think RPD) would use it as an excuse to escalate.
No charges were filed & as far as I know @RichmondPolice made no comment on the incident despite responding for broken glass.
Not saying the police don't care, but if other protesters opened fire during a protest, I think RPD) would use it as an excuse to escalate.
18/
On 7/28 @JLJLovesRVA live tweeted a "community leader" press conference which was held in coordination with @RichmondPolice and did not include most of the activists who have been in the streets.
On 7/28 @JLJLovesRVA live tweeted a "community leader" press conference which was held in coordination with @RichmondPolice and did not include most of the activists who have been in the streets.
19/
In a photos captured by @JLJLovesRVA, @notmynypd recognized @RichmondPolice were speaking with a member of @BLM757. This member has been seen supporting @MDfreedombooms at multiple rallies his July 4th rally and the attempted co-opting of #J25
In a photos captured by @JLJLovesRVA, @notmynypd recognized @RichmondPolice were speaking with a member of @BLM757. This member has been seen supporting @MDfreedombooms at multiple rallies his July 4th rally and the attempted co-opting of #J25
20/
Following this series of tweets, @JLJLovesRVA attended a gathering with George Floyd's family at MDPC where a hologram of Floyd was projected.
Following this series of tweets, @JLJLovesRVA attended a gathering with George Floyd's family at MDPC where a hologram of Floyd was projected.
21/
Where he was accosted by the crew he tweeted about at Libby Hill.
Where he was accosted by the crew he tweeted about at Libby Hill.
22/
In addition to physical violence (shoving, hitting his phone, etc.) their go-to "insults" were about being a police collaborator and not from Richmond.
Irony here as @BLM757 projects their greatest insecurities at a rally centered on a projection.
In addition to physical violence (shoving, hitting his phone, etc.) their go-to "insults" were about being a police collaborator and not from Richmond.
Irony here as @BLM757 projects their greatest insecurities at a rally centered on a projection.
23/
Organizers have now called broadly for reigning in this group to support the rights of #RVA protesters as they continue to exercise their right to protest.
Organizers have now called broadly for reigning in this group to support the rights of #RVA protesters as they continue to exercise their right to protest.
24/
So in summary, we've got a group who:
-Is friendly with police
-Faced no police action for firing a gun in a residential neighborhood
-Supports know right wing activists
-Has tried (unsuccessfully) to co-opt 2 marches (1 with potential RPD support)
…(list continues)...
So in summary, we've got a group who:
-Is friendly with police
-Faced no police action for firing a gun in a residential neighborhood
-Supports know right wing activists
-Has tried (unsuccessfully) to co-opt 2 marches (1 with potential RPD support)
…(list continues)...
24/
...
-Does not show solidarity with other protesters
-Violently suppresses acts they don't approve of
-Is particularly sensitive to being called police collaborators
-Is particularly sensitive to being called out of towners
...
-Does not show solidarity with other protesters
-Violently suppresses acts they don't approve of
-Is particularly sensitive to being called police collaborators
-Is particularly sensitive to being called out of towners
25/
I'm not saying the police are actively working with this group, but when the narrative that the police want to push is that the movement has been co-opted to sew distrust among us you can bet they aren't doing anything that might hurt that narrative.
I'm not saying the police are actively working with this group, but when the narrative that the police want to push is that the movement has been co-opted to sew distrust among us you can bet they aren't doing anything that might hurt that narrative.
26/
This movement is autonomous.
Be wary about those who want to lead this movement unilaterally and for their own ends.
Think critically for yourself.
Look into the backgrounds of those who seek to lead, hold them to a higher standard.
Follow your own instincts.
This movement is autonomous.
Be wary about those who want to lead this movement unilaterally and for their own ends.
Think critically for yourself.
Look into the backgrounds of those who seek to lead, hold them to a higher standard.
Follow your own instincts.
