Breadth of rightwing Portland protest network reveals energized Trump base
Organizers able to draw support from mainstream Republicans and extremist groups – including some prepared for violence
Organizers able to draw support from mainstream Republicans and extremist groups – including some prepared for violence
www.theguardian.com
The recent deadly protest in
Portland, where a far-right supporter was killed, was just one of many organized in recent weeks with the help of a network of pro-Trump, pro-police and anti-Black Lives Matter activists in a local Facebook-powered pro police network in Oregon.
That network’s ability to draw the support of far-right groups and more mainstream Republicans alike reveals an increasingly energized and militant grassroots Trumpist movement, which includes some members who are prepared to engage in violence, experts say.
The network is comprised of a network of like-minded activists in two overlapping groups, “Back the Blue PDX”, and “COPS NW”. Those activists are planning future events, and given the high tensions following the shooting death of one of its supporters – with the suspected shooter reportedly supportive of local leftwing anti-fascist groups – the prospect of more unrest is high.