Patriot Prayer is a right-wing group based in the Portland, Oregon region. Patriot Prayer describes himself as an advocate in favor of free speech, and opposes the big government. The group has organized pro-Trump demonstrations and other protests in liberally-dominated areas, where it has met a large number of counter-protesters. White nationalists have attended several rallies organized by Patriot Prayer, sparking controversy. In August 2017, behind the unite the Right rally, Joey Gibson, founder of Patriot Prayer, denounced racism and denied that the Patriot Prayer was connected to the right.
Video Patriot Prayer
Overview
Patriot Prayer was founded in 2016 by Joey Gibson, a Japanese-American. Gibson said he became an activist after seeing supporters of the Trump presidency fighting with counter protesters. Patriot Prayer is a right-wing group, and holds a rally in an area known as the center of liberal politics. It has also been described as anti-government. The San Jose Mercury News describes Patriot Prayer as a "right-wing group... [events]... have attracted white supremacy and ended in violent confrontations among the demonstrators on both sides." In 2017 Gibson describes himself as a conservative Libertarian.
According to BBC , Patriot Prayer has been connected to right and right as well as other right wing groups. Gibson denies this, saying the group is not a white or right-wing nationalist and that they support "freedom, love and peace". The group's goals are the support of the First Amendment, freedom of speech and to "liberate the conservatives on the West Coast".
The Seattle Times and The Washington Post have described the Patriot Prayer as a "pro-Trump group". According to Weekly Standards , "In the early days, demonstrations [Gibson] openly had pro-Trump themes. These days, the mention of Trump has largely been removed from his own rhetoric, for he knows even begs his name to alienate. "
David Neiwert, writing for the blog of the Southern Poverty Law Center Hatewatch describes Patriot Prayer as a "trolling" Pacific Northwest with the intention of provoking a response from a far-left antifasis. Neiwart notes that Gibson denounced white and neo-Nazi supremacy during the August 13 rally in Seattle a day after United Rally Right in Charlottesville, and that Gibson also believes he has taken steps to exclude the white supremacist group. During 13 August in Seattle, such groups had no clear presence; However, a week earlier at another rally in Portland, Oregon, led by Gibson, a member of Identity Evropa was present. SPLC does not list Patriot Prayer as a hate group, or lists Gibson as an extremist.
Valerie Richardson, writing at The Washington Times, has said that Gibson critics argue that the meeting, even though they are not sponsored by white nationalists, does attract those with a racist view. SPLC has noted that the organizers of the August 7, 2017 rally have "promised critics who talked to them that racist elements have been criticized and not invited from rallies," but that Proud Children, and members of Identity Evropa (IE) as well as local IE leaders , Jake Van Ott, was spotted on the show. Gibson said that people affiliated with IE have appeared on his shows, but have made it clear that they are not welcome and have issued them if possible. Gibson also said "It's a constant problem because we get random people trying to provoke and they're trying to interrupt".
Maps Patriot Prayer
Rallies
On April 29, 2017, Gibson organized "March for Free Speech" in Portland, Oregon after organizers canceled a planned parade because of fears of violence between opposing political groups. Jeremy Joseph Christian, who was later arrested for two fatal stabbings in a seemingly racially motivated attack, was seen in a parade shouting racial insults. Gibson denounced the Christian act and said he expelled Christians from April 2, 2017, an event due to his "strange behavior".
The June 4th "Trump Free Speech Rally" in downtown Portland drew a massive counter-protest and 14 people were arrested, after Portland mayor Ted Wheeler failed to get the show permitted. which has staged a rally from the San Francisco Bay Area According to The Washington Post, this demonstration provides "a clear illustration of the city division". The rally sparked controversy as scheduled one week after the stabbing by Jeremy Christian. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has called for federal authorities to revoke the permit by saying he is worried over rising tensions in the city from stabbings. The Federal Park Service rejected the request, stating that the license had been obtained legally weeks earlier. Oregon's round of legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union, Mat Dos Santos, said it was not Wheeler's constitution to try to prevent a demonstration based on the political and personal views of those who organized the event. Gibson canceled the event on the grounds of security issues.
The demonstration took place amid a national debate on the First Amendment, which has witnessed violent clashes between right-wing and left-wing groups over appearances by frequently debated public figures, often in liberal cities such as Portland. The atmosphere in Portland also became tense after a recent arrest by Christian for a train attack.
A rally to be held at Crissy Field in San Francisco on 26 August 2017 was canceled by Gibson. Responding to accusations by Nancy Pelosi that the event was a "white supremacist rally", Gibson said "For those of you who believe we are serious about holding a nationalist white supremacy rally in San Francisco, it's time for logic," In Video posted to his Gibson Facebook page said, "We have black speakers, two Hispanics, we have an Asian, a brown speaker here (referring to himself) - we got transsexual, and we are not talking about races." Security for the event should be handled by the Oath Guard.
After the cancellation of the rose parade due to the threat of violence against the Republican Party of the District of Multnomah who will take part in the rally, allegedly from the anti-fascist group, Gibson organized the 'Free Speech Parade' which will occur on April 29, 2017. Gibson told the Guardian, "We will continue our rally.No possible we will quit.More important is we come out with a strong love message. " There were about 60 counter-protesters and police said there were three arrests.
Rally Portland
On April 2, 2017, about 300 of them, supporters and refusers of President Donald Trump exchanged words, during a pro-Trump rally in Vancouver's Esther Short Park on Sunday afternoon, near Portland, but relatively peaceful. Security for the Patriot Prayer Rally, "Rally for Trump and Freedom" is given by 3 Percenters (often spelled III%).
On May 11 and 13, 2017, Patriot Doa organized a dozen "antifa watchdog" attendees in a protest at a Southeast Portland grocery liquidator. Interviewed by The Oregonian , Gibson said the group was there to watch the protests and report any property damage, and that he attended "to start a conversation".
At the end of the month, Patriot Prayers gather for their 'Freedom March' on June 30, 2017, at the Portland Waterfront near the annual Blues Festival, and are met by counter protesters. Heated duel exchanges ended with minimal violence and no arrest reports.
On August 6, 2017, it was a much smaller crowd for their "Freedom March" in Salmon Street Springs, Portland, but followed a well-established pattern with multiple arrests of counter protesters and lots of shouting and screaming from both the Patriot Group prayer and counter protesters. Before the violence at the Unite the Right Rally in Charlotteville, Patriot Prayer's demonstrations featured "right-wing nationalists". Since Charlottesville, the group has tried to distance itself from the right, saying that they are victims of unprovoked left-wing violence.
For September 10, 2017, Portland, "Peaceful Portland Freedom March", Joey Gibson called on followers to take a new nonviolent approach even though not all seemed willing to go. and counter-protests also seem to settle on a number of different sizes depending on the organization. In an attempt to out-maneuver the counter-demonstrators, Patriot Prayer diverted their plans to Vancouver, Washington, just across the river from Portland and changed the time of the show; but a small group of followers intend to go to the original parade site to provoke the counter protesters. In another change, the once pro-Trump organization, will now collect charitable aid for the recent Eagle Creek fire victims at Columbia River Gorge, and the new rally is named, "Peaceful Vancouver Freedom March". Small rallies drew a large counter-protest crowd in Portland and Vancouver with multiple arrests and detention of pickup drivers who drove through the counter-demonstrators crowd, no injuries were reported. Among those interested in the rallies were the three Percenters in militia style, and Proud Boys, a white nationalist group.
Rose City Antifa has organized opposition to the Patriot Prayer demonstration in Portland.
Seattle area rallies
On May 1, 2017, Patriot Prayer went to a counter-protest at the Seattle May Day parade with their Stand Against Communism rally. The event was largely peaceful with the arrest of counter protesters.
On June 15, 2017, members of the Patriot Prayer held a rally at Evergreen State College, timed to coincide with one by the Evergreen Anti-Fascist Community Defense Network. The former promotes solidarity with Bret Weinstein, whose critical comment about an event for racial awareness has sparked campus protests. One arrest was made on the show after the vehicle group leader Joey Gibson and one other man were torn apart by a tire, allegedly by an antifa member.
On August 13, 2017, the group held "Freedom Rally Seattle" at Westlake Park with a large police presence to keep thousands of protesters away. The concurrent incident took place one day after death and injuries in Charlottsville and heightened tensions with the arrest of counter-protesters by police.
On February 10, 2018, Patriot Doa was invited by University of Washington College Republic to speak at their "Freedom Rally" on Red Square. Some groups organize counter-protests, leading to a dispute. Five people were arrested.
Rally area San Francisco Bay
On August 26, 2017, news from the planned Patriot Prayer press conference at San Francisco Alamo Square Park drew more than 1000 counter-demonstrators to the neighborhood. The group, which had canceled a protest rally at Crissy Field due to security concerns, held a press conference in Pacifica instead. Prior to the event, group leader, Joey Gibson, lashed out at white supremacy before the rally in August 2017, saying "Do not show up, you're not welcome." The group organizers arrived at Crissy Field that afternoon to talk to the counter protesters.
September 26, 2017 The Patriot Prayer demonstration near Sproul Plaza resulted in violence between the group and left-wing activists, including By Any Means Necessary (BAMN). Demonstrations continued in the parade to the People's Park, where Kyle "Stickman" Chapman, a self-described American nationalist claimed there were "wars against whites" and "battles for Berkeley". Police conducted three arrests, including Yvette Felarca.
References
Bibliography
- Steinmetz, Katy (August 25, 2017). "The Right Plan of Right Speech Planned for San Francisco Has Been Canceled." Time . Retrieved September 26, 2017 . < span>
- O'Sullivan, Joseph (June 16, 2017). "The protesters clashed with the pro-Trump Patriot Prayer group at Evergreen State College". The Seattle Times . Retrieved September 24, 2017 .
Source of the article : Wikipedia
0 Comments