Trump’s “Good People” Brandish Weapons of War in Michigan
Wannabe Brownshirts Also in San Diego
Armed thugs paraded outside and inside the legislature in Lansing on Thursday, demanding an early end to restrictions, despite the COVID-19 epidemic that has taken 3,800 lives and infected more than 41,000 people in Michigan.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1256202305680158720?s=20
“We remain in a state of emergency. That is a fact,” Whitmer said during a Thursday night virtual town hall hosted by local news stations. “For anyone to declare mission accomplished means they’re turning a blind eye to the fact that over 600 people have died in the last 72 hours.”
https://twitter.com/SenPolehanki/status/1255899318210314241?s=20
The armed entourage was led by the Michigan Liberty Militia, the group previously participated in Operation:Gridlock protests in Lansing (along with the Proud Boys). One leader’s Facebook page openly calls for violent insurrection against the government, displaying memes and graphics supportive of the so-called boogaloo, the second civil war targeting liberals and law enforcement.
https://twitter.com/DWPippy/status/1256009885952737280?s=20
The MLM Facebook page features pictures of firearms, warnings of civil war, celebrations of Norse paganism and memes ultimately sourced from white nationalist groups like Patriot Front.
From the Washington Post:
On Thursday, protesters raised signs that said, “Stop the tyranny!” and “Freedom over fear!” while conservative activists gave speeches that included false or misleading information, such as that covid-19 is like the flu. Before long, the protesters crammed inside the capitol building.
Some taunted the police, getting inches from their faces as they demanded to be let into the House chamber. The police, appearing stoic, with masks covering their mouths and noses, did not budge.
“Blue lives matter? What about our lives!” one yelled.
“Traitors!” others said.
In case you haven’t figured it out, these protests have little to do with ending stay-at-home type orders. They have continued in states even as elected officials --often against the advice of scientists-- have relaxed restrictions.
https://twitter.com/DocKimResists/status/1256053692874272771?s=20
What this movement is really about is galvanizing Trump supporting extremists in advance of the fall election. Expect them to “spontaneously” disrupt Democrat party organized and events (provided there is even such a thing by November). And if Dear Leader loses in the general election, they will be instruments of his revenge.
So who are these people? Again, it’s no secret. If only local media organizations would pay attention when covering their protests.
The ads on Facebook sounded populist and passionate: “The people are rising up against these insane shutdowns,” they said. “We’re fighting back to demand that our elected officials reopen America.”
But the posts, funded by an initiative called Convention of States, were not the product of a grass-roots uprising alone. Instead, they represented one salvo in a wide-ranging and well-
financed conservative campaign to undermine restrictions that medical experts say are necessary to contain the coronavirus — but that protesters call overkill and whose economic fallout could damage President Trump’s political prospects.
A network of right-leaning individuals and groups, aided by nimble online outfits, has helped incubate the fervor erupting in state capitals across the country. The activism is often organic and the frustration deeply felt, but it is also being amplified, and in some cases coordinated, by longtime conservative activists, whose robust operations were initially set up with help from Republican megadonors.
https://dai.ly/x7tnfkv
Look closely and you’ll find the names of the usual gang of extreme and wealthy Trumpanistas; the Mercers, DeVos, Koch, etcetera, etcetera.
In San Diego, the May 1st protests against health-related restrictions are organized by the Southern California American Guard. Individuals associated with this group have previously been identified as members of the Proud Boys, Vanguard America, the United Patriot National Front, and Bordertown Patriots, all of which are racist and/or white supremacist organizations.
They have been involved in violent encounters at demonstrations in Otay Mesa, Chicano Park, and downtown San Diego.
They’re being joined throughout California by the pro-plague (anti-vaxxer) activists who disrupted California legislative sessions in Sacramento last year.
https://twitter.com/Stonekettle/status/1256212985057509376?s=20
https://twitter.com/Deoliver47/status/1255991559822204928?s=20
Meanwhile in the real world...
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