Ford Fischer Profile picture
Oct 3, 2020 10 tweets 6 min read Read on X
I’m in #Lafayette, Louisiana where the all-Black #NFAC militia is planning to march at 4pm EST.

A number of opposing militia groups are also here, setting up across the parade route.

Here, the “Cajun Guard” forms up with officers near the beginning of the march route.
Under police guard, the #NFAC is forming up at Lafayette Public Library.

They are expected to march 3 hours from now, 4pm local time (apologies, in an earlier tweet I said 4pm est.)

For now, they don’t want press nearby. ImageImage
Police erected barricades that track the entire planned #NFAC march route. Theoretically, the group will march to Parc San Souci which is only a few blocks away.

After a rally there, they are expected to perform the same march in reverse back to the library.
Here at the park itself, folks who aren’t in the NFAC are gathering as well. Some are armed, but most are just hanging out.

A voter registration drive is taking place as well. ImageImageImageImage
Some militia guys are marching / standing outside the park where the #NFAC will expectedly end up.

The few I’ve spoken to today have all referred to themselves as “independent” rather than connecting themselves to a specific militia organization.
About 100 #NFAC members here gathered at library about 2 hours before their anticipated march.

Something usual: they’ve agreed to disarm.

None are carrying guns right now, and just before this clip, as one went to join his friends with a rifle, they made him out it away.
Near the park that the NFAC will show up at, militia groups are hanging out.

One sat down with his gun and his Bible and said a prayer.

I asked about their plans for the day:
As some NFAC members roll up with rifles, a member ran over to them to tell them “no guns, no guns!”

It seems this event will actually proceed unarmed.

Right wing militias and some Black Panther types outside the NFAC are still plenty armed around Lafayette.
NFAC’s “Grandmaster Jay” scolds some members of his group.
“Grandmaster Jay” checks members’ ID’s. Image

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More from @FordFischer

May 10
VIDEO THREAD: Barely a day after their encampment was raided, pro-Palestine activists set up another encampment in front of a George Washington University administrators' building.

In this uncut shot, you'll see the activists set up several new tents by surprise in minutes.
2) Pro-Palestine protesters at George Washington University linked arms after forming their new encampment.

Police formed a line facing them on one side (leaving the other side open) and pushed media and others with a vantage point significantly back.
3) One MPD officer took a quick selfie from the police line.
Read 10 tweets
May 8
VIDEO THREAD: Police cleared the pro-Palestine encampment at George Washington University early this morning in a pre-dawn raid, arresting dozens and apparently deploying pepper spray.

"F--- the pigs!" yelled activists as police swarmed a wide perimeter around the area.
2) Police and DC Department of Public Works could be seen dumping tents and other camping equipment where the encampment had been at GW.

This comes just hours before Mayor Bowser is set to testify before Congress.
3) As the sun rose near George Washington University, the activist who were not arrested regrouped.

Organizers recommended those who the police had pepper-sprayed go home, and others go to jail support for their detained comrades.
Read 7 tweets
Apr 15
THREAD: I was one of only two media I'm aware of in the courtroom today for a lengthy hearing where the federal government fought to hold Russell "Duke" Vane IV pre-trial.

This thread will be based on my notes and court documents.

No cameras, phones, etc were allowed inside.
2) U.S. Marshals brought Vane into Room 400 of the Eastern District of Virginia Courthouse in a green jumpsuit before Judge William B Porter.

FBI Special Agent Marc Gastaldo, who wrote the criminal affidavit, testified to "multiple positive tests for Ricin" in the past 3 days. Image
3) Defense attorney Geremy Kamens made arguments matching some in this filing.

He noted a relatively small amount of actual Ricin found in Vane's house, no fingerprints as of now, and no proof of when the Ricin was produced.

Judge found probable cause, shifting to detention.Image
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Read 39 tweets
Apr 12
BREAKING THREAD: On April 11, Russell Vane IV - the subject of my reporting who allegedly attempted to provoke a Virginia militia group into producing explosives - was arrested.

He is charged with "Attempted production of a biological agent or toxin."


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2) According to the criminal complaint, the FBI received multiple tips after I published the story about Vane - who went by Duke - on April 1.

He apparently tried to legally change his name on April 3, the same day a false obituary of him appeared.

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3) The feds cite my reporting, where I show unclassified government documents that the Virginia Kekoas militia members were allegedly handed by Duke, and he later appears to acknowledge giving them.






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Read 19 tweets
Apr 1
INVESTIGATIVE VIDEO THREAD: The Virginia Kekoas, a pro-gun prepper militia based in Eastern Virginia and formerly affiliated with the Boogaloo movement, tells News2Share that they recently kicked out a member they believe may have been plotting an explosives-related entrapment attempt against the group, or worse.

Russell Richardson Vane IV first made contact with the Virginia Kekoas in April 2022, according to the group's leader Eddie Ray, who goes by "ICE" and member Cody Beckner, who goes by "Sasquatch." Vane allegedly adopted the call sign "Duke."

The pair provided extensive screenshots and documents showing that since joining, Vane - as "Duke" - engaged in an escalating sequence of unusual behavior that included apparent provocations for the group to develop homemade explosives. Homemade explosives lacking an ATF registration are generally a federal felony.

"Sasquatch" and "ICE" spoke exclusively to News2Share to provide a thorough timeline of the events that led up to "Duke" being removed from their organization.

2) ICE and Sasquatch say that upon reaching out to the Kekoas in 2022, Duke identified himself as working for the CIA, but was allowed to remain a prospective member rather than being ejected because they believed he may have advanced knowledge of world-altering events.
3) Within two weeks of joining, the pair say Duke asked about a "group fund." They say no fund exists and members pay their own way, but such a fund could "fall under certain federal laws" like RICO.

ICE says Duke also asked about forming his own chapter and was denied.
Read 54 tweets
Mar 23
Here at Lancaster Public Library in Pennsylvania, both supporters and protesters had permits and planned to gather over a Drag Story Time.

The event, slated to start at 1pm, has now been cancelled after a “suspicious package” was reportedly found.
#Lancaster
Read 16 tweets

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