Ford Fischer Profile picture
Oct 26, 2021 8 tweets 5 min read Read on X
THREAD: Today, three activist chained themselves to construction equipment at the historic McMillan Reservoir site in Washington DC to prevent construction crews from developing on it.

Police attempted to negotiate them down while saying they had no authority on the subject.
I interviewed @RosinaPhoto from through a hole in a fence while her hands were chained together in a lockbox connecting her to a piece of equipment.

She expressed doubt that the stunt will cause Mayor @MurielBowser to reconsider the development at McMillan Park, but had to try.
Activist @aeidinger talked to me about the history at McMillan Park.

It used to provide all the water to the city, and then became DC's first integrated park, before being fenced off in the 60s.

The city now plans to develop it into retail/apartments/parking.
Ultimately, the three activists who chained themselves to equipment at the historic McMillan Reservoir site in DC allowed themselves to be unlocked with a key after being told by MPD that they'd be allowed to walk away without arrest, but only if they didn't have to be cut out.
Activist Jim Shulman, who was chained to equipment at the historic McMillan Reservoir site, told me afterwards that his primary concern about the project is asbestos.

He called out Councilman @TommyWells in particular for accepting what he sees as non-thorough test results.
Kerry Kemp - who chained herself to a bulldozer at the McMillan Reservoir site - says the development project planned there including luxury housing is "an entirely inappropriate use of this land."

"Don't build it on this jewel of land that is a historic site."
Here is the full @N2Sreports footage of today's direct action by local DC activists against construction at the historic McMillan Reservoir site in Washington DC.

As always, all footage available to license.

CC: @nbcwashington @fox5dc @wusa9 👀

Former DC Councilman and now director of the District Department of Energy & Environment @TommyWells responds:

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More from @FordFischer

Oct 30
Just now: Attendees of Vice President Kamala Harris’s rally at the Ellipse resort to climbing over the “scale proof” fences surrounding the event after exit gates were closed, apparently due to pro-Palestine protesters on the other side.
2) "Push it down!"

During some of the confusion as police wouldn't allow people to leave the Harris Ellipse speech, some pushed over a small plastic fence that divided them from other people also trying to exit.

It didn't make a difference.
3) "You say it's open but where's it open?" crowds frustrated attempted to confront police as they had difficulty leaving the Harris rally.

"No! No! No!" a cop said as a man jumped, leaving a woman with him behind, who would have had to find a not-closed gate.

Meanwhile, police attempted to confine the pro-Palestine protests outside.
Read 7 tweets
Sep 11
VIDEO THREAD: Tonight, police and protesters clashed outside the presidential debate in Philly.

I want to detail how that happened.

All was at peace until one person lit a flare, waving it around for the cameras.

Police pushed in in force, arresting him and angering the crowd.
2) A handful of frustrated protesters linked arms and pushed into a line of bike cops, mimicking them by shouting "move!"

"CPD, KKK, IOF you're all the same!" they chanted as a shoving match ensued.

Additional police arrived in riot gear and the scuffle spread and intensified.
3) With police assembling in riot gear including shields now, the remaining pro-Palestine protesters called to "disperse!"

Officers ended up facing off with a mostly empty street consisting of a handful of stragglers as well as remaining news cameras.
Read 12 tweets
Sep 8
VIDEO THREAD: "Queers love Palestine! HRC loves the war machine!"

Protesters rallied against the Human Rights Campaign dinner tonight featuring Tim Walz in DC to condemn their relationship with weapons manufacturers, which they say enable genocide.

"We're not interupting!" they chanted. "Pink washing is disgusting!"
2) Protesters put red paint on their hands to symbolize what they say is the Human Rights Campaign's support for the killing of Palestinians.

"HRC is using our name to pinkwash an administration committing genocide, burning children under rubble but those children are not human enough for the Human Rights campaign, shame!"
3) "We are here, we are queer! Zionists not welcome here!"

Protesters banged on the windows overlooking the escalator and lobby that HRC guests went through to get to the gala with Tim Walz.

Police stepped in, forcing them away from the glass.
Read 6 tweets
Jul 24
This is my 4K footage of how the violence outside the United States Capitol began today.

You can see the first mace deployed (over the heads of officers, toward the activists) which angers the pro-Palestine crowd, who begins throwing water bottles as officers continue using mace.

A little over a minute into the clip is a flash grenade, one of only a couple I saw used today.

My understanding is this occurred after Netanyahu arrived but before he spoke to Congress.
2) As police engaged the crowd, a man scolded police and was maced as well.

The crowd continued marching, taking a wider route around the Capitol and avoiding most confrontations during the march itself.
3) "Smack Netanyahu in the head with that billy club!"

Activists continued a wide march around the United States Capitol from the West side to the East side clockwise.

Some pro-Israel, anti-Netanyahu activists stood along the path and were mostly ignored. Police blocked off streets heading close to the Capitol complex.
Read 9 tweets
Jul 24
VIDEO THREAD: Protesters gathered Tuesday night in front of the Watergate Hotel (the second night in a row) for a noise demonstration against Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who is staying inside.

"From DC to Palestine, Netanyahu's out of time!" chanted protesters using red and green smoke bombs. "Shut, shut, shut it down, no Zionism in this town!"
2) "Allahu Akbar! Hamas!" yelled one man through the fencer outside the Watergate at Israel supporters counter-protesting them from inside.

"Jewish motherf***ers!" he yelled. "We're gonna kill all of you!"

"We're gonna burn you!"

It should be noted that it was one lone individual, not the wider protest, using this specific rhetoric.
3) One man dawning an Israeli flag confronted the pro-Palestine protesters directly outside the Watergate.

"You're a coward, you should join the IDF and kill kids yourself, because you're a p***y," he was told.

The man says he's from Jerusalem, but he donates, rather than being in the IDF.
Read 7 tweets
Jun 29
VIDEO THREAD: Police clashed with pro-Palestine protesters Friday night in New York City as President Biden visited Stonewall for an "LGBTQ+ Gala" and protesters demanded "No war criminals at pride!"

All video in thread by @olgafe_images for @N2Sreports
2) NYPD's Strategic Response Group forcefully pushed back pro-Palestine activists and made several arrests throughout the evening both attempting to keep protesters away from the event featuring President Biden and off of the streets.
3) Pro-Palestine protesters trying to reach the Biden event ran through the James A. Farley Building, but encountered both police and Israel supporters when they exited.
Read 4 tweets

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