Thread by @andrewkimmel

I’m on the ground in Portland. Follow this thread for updates.

Currently at the location where Proud Boys are gathering.

Proud Boy “Tiny” Toese gives an impromptu press conference. Says Proud Boys have no plans on heading to downtown Portland.

The scene from the parking lot of an abandoned Kmart outside Portland. This is Flip Todd, the VP of the Portland Proud Boys

Someone just set off a smoke bomb

Proud Boys have dropped a banner off the roof of the Kmart that reads “Free Our Political Prisoners” - referencing those arrested in connection with the Capitol riot

Some stills

Left wing activists have just infiltrated the parking lot - pure chaos here - and as promised, no police

Proud Boys are on the defensive now

A black bloc demonstrator attempts to get away in his truck - Proud Boys only let him leave after assaulting him and destroying his truck

After returning back to the Kmart parking lot, Proud Boys flip over the van that black bloc initially drove into the lot in

Proud Boy “Tiny” Toese following the assault on a black bloc demonstrator and his vehicle

From earlier, black bloc retreat away from the Kmart lot as Proud Boys go on the attack. Mortars and fireworks were going off right by a gas station. Fights spilled in the streets. Not a single officer was seen during the 30+ minute melee.

One of the bullet holes

Propagandist Tomas Morales (a self-described conservative “journalist”) went on stage @ the PB event in an attempt to put a target on my back by pointing me out & calling me “leftist press.” Once again Tom, journalists don’t make speeches at rallies. You’re a fraud & a hypocrite.

Going through more footage now. Earlier in the day, another member of right wing “press” spoke at the PB rally and incorrectly stated Republicans passed “every piece of civil rights legislation” in America.

As at all of these rallies, Jesus is the common thread mentioned in every speech.

I asked Flip Todd, the VP of the Portland Proud Boys, why PB’s from out of state felt the need to travel from across the country to attend. “I call it the spirit of 1776. Nobody said ‘Hey, come out here.’ I think there is something happening in the country that is stirring.”

“We have approx 103 patriots from Jan 6 indefinitely detained. 51 of them… in Washington DC… these jailers are locking them down, putting them in the hole… totally unconstitutional… How many here are veterans?” <no one raises hand> -USAF Vet Randy Ireland, Co-Founder of CAPP

Shortly before the white van came into the Kmart lot. “Remember who we are. We’re Christians. We don’t hurt innocent people. Obviously these are not good people we are looking at. But they’re not hurting anyone or doing anything. The second they start attacking, we will unleash.”

Additional shots from yesterday