First off, read The Oregonian if you want to learn about the federal goon squads operating in our nation, first in DC for Trump’s bible thumping photo op and now in Portland Oregon. But while you do, take a look at this video posted to twitter from last night.
An unknown man in a Navy sweatshirt stands up to anonymous federal goons outside the courthouse. As they beat him repeatedly with truncheons, he “holds fast” in the grand tradition of sailors from the US Navy, unflinching until the pepper spray is let loose upon him from close range. As he turns, you can see him stomp his foot, shake his head slightly as if to say ‘damn,” not because he has been sprayed, but because he wasn’t ready to turn away from his defiant stance, to give ground to these traitorous dogs, these ICE-holes and prison guards, these kidnappers, these goons. He’s angry AT HIMSELF for retreating so soon. Amazing bravery.
As the goons visibly tire from the exertion of beating him, he strides proudly away, giving them the one finger salute they deserve with both hands.
I can tell you this, he’s not the only one who might be crying tears. I’m proud to even witness this much bravery.
Sunday, Jul 19, 2020 · 7:39:12 PM +00:00 · willisnewton
UPDATE: He’s an Officer and a Gentleman. Wrestled for the Navy at the Academy in Annapolis. He has a badly shattered hand but street medics stayed with him after he was blinded by the noxious spray and drove him around to find an ambulance. He thanks them first and is modest about his own actions. He’s resting now after not getting sleep for over 24 hours, he reports, and will have to have surgery, likely pins and plates and screws, etc. But he says he is going back out on the streets TONIGHT.
Sunday, Jul 19, 2020 · 8:34:43 PM +00:00 · willisnewton
A note here about the shirt he’s wearing. People are saying it is from the Academy and has their symbol or seal on it. It may also reference the wrestling team, I’m not sure yet. But it looks like this:
It features a hand holding a trident, a galley ship moving under sail into action, and an open book symbolizing knowledge. “Ex Scientia Tridens” means “from knowledge, seapower.”
The Naval Academy’s mission, culture, and curriculum is built around its Honor Concept. The Naval Academy expresses this rather simply:
“Midshipmen are persons of integrity: they stand for that which is right. These Naval Academy ‘words to live by’ are based on respect for human dignity, respect for honesty and respect for the property of others.”
Monday, Jul 20, 2020 · 12:18:02 AM +00:00 · willisnewton
pamplinmedia.com/…
The original reporter has filed a story identifying the man attacked by federal goons. He’s 53, a commissioned officer and a graduate of Annapolis, the US Naval Academy. It was his first night at the Portland protests.
He deserves some manner of privacy because he was not seeking attention for himself here. He went there in hopes if being able to talk to these goons, whom he felt he could reason with by virtue of his military service and a potential shared culture resulting from that experience he assumed many had. Sadly, he was mistaken. Proudly, he stood his ground anyway.
He’s also a human being, not an object of curiosity. Please be respectful when speaking about him. He deserves our respect and if you were to talk to him, he may not agree with you on every subject. But his actions as seen in this video speak for themselves.