The self-proclaimed “Patriot Prayer” group was out again, this time in Oregon. Organizer Joey Gibbs originally planned the rally in Portland, but at the last minute, he moved it just across the river to Vancouver, Washington. That didn’t stop the far-right protesters and white nationalists from clashing with counterprotesters. One right-wing extremist drove his truck alongside counterprotesters and began engaging them before putting his truck in reverse and driving straight toward the crowd.
From Willamette Week:
A black Chevy Silverado with Oregon plates and two large American flags and several small flags hanging from its windows (along with a Confederate flag decal displayed on the back window of the cab) drove up to the marchers. It was driving slowly down a street flanked by people dressed in black bloc clothing.
As the crowd parted to clear the way for the truck to move forward, protesters filled the street behind it and started throwing rocks and water bottles at the truck.
The driver suddenly put his vehicle in reverse and accelerated toward the protesters. As he sped up, people jumped out of the street.
The driver, seen in the video below, drove through the crowd for a full block. Not once, but twice. You can hear his economic anxiety as he began blasting the Confederate song “I Wish I Was In Dixie Land” from his truck’s speakers.
Unbelievably, police only briefly detained him before letting him go with no charges.
Click the image to start the video and see how close Oregon protesters were to tragedy:
Here’s the truck that nearly mowed over protesters:
Another group of white nationalists allegedly assaulted protesters by driving their truck alongside the counterprotesters and spraying the crowd with pepper spray. They also were let go with no charges, but they did face a sort of hilarious karmic justice:
Police stopped the Proud Boys, but did not detain them. Fifteen minutes later they drove away.
But they didn't get far: Reporters nearby say the Proud Boys crashed into a police vehicle.
Why didn’t police arrest both the driver of the black truck and the men in the white truck who pepper sprayed counter protesters?
Seven people were arrested in Portland and two were arrested in Vancouver and the Oregonian reports one far-right protester was investigated for reportedly flashing a gun at protesters. No word on whether that person was arrested.
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