It is often difficult to express to people what creates a situation of White Privilege. Last night, in Ferguson, however, the Oathkeeper militia took to the streets as police pulled back and escalated affairs in Ferguson, prompting activists and others to point out: unarmed protestors bring police forces, but a white army strapping open carry rifles results in police retreat.
This isn't the first interaction with the government by the Oath Keepers, the right-wing gun activist organization that had previously confronted federal officials in defense of tax-dodger Cliven Bundy.
As protests were dying down last night and people were preparing to return home, the St. Louis police department backed away from the community.. and in came a series of white men with open-carry rifles across their sides.
Monday in Ferguson had been marred by what a friend present referred to as: "unwelcome outsiders" too advantage of elements of a planned protest. But while the peaceful protest had to worry about out of staters and a few drunks who had ice and water bottles they tossed, shortly after midnight most of the St. Louis area was barely more than people sitting, watching, and in some instances walking and praying.
It was not too long after midnight when my friends began to send texts:
"If you aren't checking twitter, get on now.. this could be very bad."
"Someone just walked by me with what looks like a semiauto with a scope on it, I am now freaked the fuck out"
The arrival of the Oath Keepers put everyone instantly on edge:
http://www.nbcnews.com/...
The Oath Keepers organization says its members — all former military, police and first responders — pledge to "defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic."
However, St. Louis County Police Chief Jon Belmar described their presence as "both unnecessary and inflammatory."
Protesters and police confirmed that a handful of Oath Keepers with assault rifles, bulletproof vest and camouflage gear were seen early Tuesday on the streets of Ferguson, which was under a state of emergency following demonstrations pegged to the anniversary of Michael Brown's death.
The Oath Keepers took time to lecture people standing on the sidewalks and inform them about not just Open Carry but a variety of issues.
In an interview available on Periscope from Yamiche Alcindor (USA Today) a member of Oath Keepers launched into their desire to protect the community without being asked, planned parenthood and other subject matters.
https://www.periscope.tv/...=
Because some are unable to get to this video, I've uploaded a copy to Youtube but have it unlisted. Please give Yamiche Alcindor, the creator behind this video love and follow her on twitter, etc. I will remove this video if it shows up available in any other format by the author
Protestors, who had contended that some who had shown up to protest had done so with ulterior motives that did not benefit the cause and were only their to cause trouble felt an immediate sea change.. While friends had complained about issues like public drinking and a few unruly out of staters who they felt were only in attendance because they wanted to be "part of the news" as one put it rather than affect any change, the level of escalation represented by a series of White Men with rifles was mindboggling.
"No way if a group of black men walked down here with AR-15s.. i just smdh"
By the end of the night more than 150 had been arrested since the beginning, including citizen reporters who were livestreaming via Periscope and sending Vines. There were arrests that were warranted; some issues with drinking, and a few who crossed the line or took opportunistic advantage of the event. The Oath Keepers, though, who took hold of an event to parade around with guns and terrify people though.. I'm unaware of a single Oath Keeper being arrested or even detained.
