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Ford Fischer

19 Jan, 10 tweets, 10 min read

PHOTO THREAD from past two days: In Columbus, Ohio, "Boogaloo" activists marched to their state house for what they called a "unity rally" against gun control and gov't overreach Sunday.

This was one of about six events that materialized after calls for rallies in all 50 states.

"Boogaloo boys" pet the horses of mounted police officers outside the Ohio state house in Columbus.

All photos in this thread are available to license.

Here's video of the full event:

On Monday, a variety of armed groups rallies in Richmond, Virginia, defying local laws that ban firearms at demonstrations and a ban on 20+ round magazines.

Video:

@RonPaul

Members of a group of anarcho-capitalists who called themselves the "Ron Paul militia" rallied in Richmond while holding a portrait of @RonPaul.

Signs were posted throughout the city declaring specific areas gun-free zones at the risk of being arrested and charged with a misdemeanor.

The "boogaloos" led by Mike Dunn brought a similar sign from a previous event with bullet holes in it, and tossed it over a barricade.

After a couple Proud Boys questioned an armed transgender rights activist who had showed up on his own, he ended up marching with the boogaloos for the rest of the event.

He carried a trans rights flag and wore a "he/him" badge on his plate carrier.

Members of a coalition of Black Panthers, the Huey P Newton Gun Club, and BLM757 also defied the local gun ordinance in Richmond, Virginia on Monday.

They specifically spoke of the value of Black gun ownership as a deterrent to police violence and hate crimes.

One rally participant shows off a rifle he 3D printed the lower for himself.

He explains to media that it is legal to build unregistered firearms for oneself.

"Boogaloo boys" stood with their backs turned to police toward the end of the Richmond rally to demonstrate their confidence that the police would not enforce the statute banning guns at demonstrations.

Japharii Jones and Earl Lewis of Black Lives Matter 757 speak to Proud Boys following the armed rally in Richmond, VA on Monday.

Video of this interaction here:

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More from @FordFischer

Ford Fischer

@FordFischer

21 Jan

@T_Jones_Media

THREAD: @T_Jones_Media, @StringerBoston and I filmed throughout the day for @N2Sreports in DC as #Inauguration2021 occurred.

The presence of thousands of troops in the city dwarfed all others.

All footage in thread available to license. Much of it is 4K resolution and/or 60FPS.

@TerryMcAuliffe

I spoke to Former Virginia Governor @TerryMcAuliffe who told me “I cannot tell you how excited I am that we finally have this day.

“Number one, Trump is finally gone. Number two, peace, unity, the speech today was spectacular. It’s a new start for America.”

@T_Jones_Media

Notably, many other police agencies were present in DC. This footage by @T_Jones_Media shows some of the 200 reported NYPD officers who patrolled Washington DC today.

Read 9 tweets

Ford Fischer

@FordFischer

20 Jan

On the eve of Joe Biden's Inauguration, 25,000 National Guard troops and thousands of police officers including many from outside agencies protect Washington DC.

A dozen troops were removed from the security detail Tuesday due to alleged affiliation with "far-right" groups.

While most of downtown is totally blocked, there are checkpoints to get into some areas of access.

In addition to prohibited items sign, press are told that they will not be allowed to wear protective gear such as gas masks, bulletproof vests, or helmets inside the secure area.

It's worth noting that agencies beyond the National Guard are present.

For example, this U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent is standing alongside the National Guard outside the Men's Wearhouse and Sephora at L and Connecticut.

Read 4 tweets

Ford Fischer

@FordFischer

19 Jan

@BLM757

After today's rally in Richmond, @BLM757 leader @JaPharii757 spoke to a few Proud Boys, including the leader of their Northern Virginia chapter.

It was certainly unusual for both anyone in the BLM movement and for the Proud Boys alike.

Full video:

https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1316918910957113345

I do think it's worth noting that BLM757 is considered a controversial chapter among other BLM organizers, particularly for their willingness to rally with groups like the boogaloos.

I suspect this interaction will be similarly disavowed by some.

https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1316918910957113345

https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1338004715456573440

On that same note, the conversation was certainly unusual for the Proud Boys, who only a month ago burned a Black Lives Matter banner taken from a church.

https://twitter.com/FordFischer/status/1338004715456573440

Read 4 tweets

Ford Fischer

@FordFischer

19 Jan

A variety of armed groups marched today in Richmond, VA to advocate against gun control and defy local ordinances that ban guns at protests and 20+ round magazines.

"Boogaloo Boy" Mike Dunn brought weapons prohibited signs with bulletholes in them and tossed them to the cops.

@RonPaul

Anarcho-capitalist Kal Molinet led a group into Richmond that identified themselves as the "Ron Paul Militia."

In addition to firearms, they carried a framed portrait of libertarian former GOP congressman @RonPaul.

Some Proud Boys attended, and one accused a man wearing a "he/him" patch and carrying a rifle and transgender rights flag of it being a "minor attracted person" flag.

"I hate pedophiles just as much as anyone else," said the armed trans rights activist.

Read 15 tweets

Ford Fischer

@FordFischer

18 Jan

THREAD: Activists gathered in Austin, Texas Sunday afternoon for an armed pro-gun rights rally that had been billed as occurring in all 50 states.

"Together we rise" said a rainbow banner held by some of the armed group.

@Jorgensen4POTUS

A speaker described that the "boogaloo" movement is multi-ethnic and includes progressives, libertarians, and ancaps.

"Fuck Trump, fuck Biden, I don't really care who the president is," the speaker told media.

He says he voted for Libertarian @Jorgensen4POTUS.

One speaker explained that in addition to gun rights, he stands against "self-annihilation" through domestic conflict and the drug war.

Read 4 tweets

Ford Fischer

@FordFischer

18 Jan

THREAD: Armed "Boogaloo" activists showed up at the state house in Salem, Oregon yesterday amidst calls for armed rallies in all 50 states.

Among the grievances they expressed were the overwhelming show of state force in DC, mandatory COVID restrictions, and gun control.

@MaranieRae

My freelancer @MaranieRae asked a couple of "boogaloos" dressed in full black-bloc why they weren't wearing the signature Hawaiian shirts associated with the movement.

"Just misplaced them," they said. "Ya, ya, no, for real."

Asked about a solid black flag one was carrying, another boogaloo explained that "this is war. They're not going to listen, we will raise this black flag, put our foot down, and say 'no more.'"

"This is a reaction, it's not inciting anything," another adds.