I see NO GOOD REASON to counter protest on 1/6.

[garybeck]

Counter protesting the Westboro Baptists Church when they're at a military funeral is a great idea and appropriate.

But 1/6 is different. There will be idiots and assholes in the streets with guns. I see absolutely zero benefit to counter protesting or engaging with these people in any way.

Let them have their rally. Let them show their faces on TV so their workmates and family will see who they are. If they want to use their guns, they can shoot each other, or the cops.

Some of these people actually think this is the beginning of a revolution or a civil war. Although they are mistaken on that account, it is still a very dangerous situation because these people are assholes, idiots, they have guns, and they think this is "the big one".

Yes, it is only because the asshole in the whitehouse called for it, but that is besides the point.

Counter protesting will only escalate the situation. the asshole idiots are just looking for a reason to shoot someone. there are people planning on inciting violence and making it look like counter-protesters started it. On the other hand, if there is no counter protest, these people will just look like rabid assholes looking for someone to shoot.

If the assholes are alone, they crash and burn and look like the assholes they are. If there is counter protesting, it will likely escalate and someone will get hurt and who's fault it was will be the discussion, and nothing good will come of it. nothing.

Every sane person, every Democrat, every person who loves democracy and our country, and values their own health and safety, should just stay home and watch the lunatics on TV.

STAY HOME.
FIGHT THIS ONE ONLINE.

There is zero benefit to counter protesting on 1/6. ZERO.

Like this thread if you agree counter-protesting is a bad idea in this case.

[soothsayer]

1. It never occurred to me that anyone would bother

[garybeck]

5. just watch. i hope you're right.

i also wouldn't put it past them to have fake counter-protests

[soothsayer]

13. Well true, and I was a bit surprised last time when they found people to scuffle with

I hope it’s just a big nothing burger like most times — as long as the authorities protect the black churches this time.

[StClone]

107. Good point

Big Religion gets a lot of protection with its scam model of ripping off donations in a tax free-zone. Because it is pro-big money Republicans see a lot of benefit for mind control and big money donations out of mega-churches.

Small Black Churches burn, and are left to themselves without big money and commercial exposure. If Republicans really believe in Religious Freedom protection, Protect our Black Churches from burning, looting and graffiti.

[erronis]

22. For a $50 promise a lot of very hungry people might agree to play like pro or con

If I were them, I'd get that $50 up front. Otherwise they might end up on the losing end of a club, knife, tear-gas canister, and no way to collect.

[OhNo-Really]

42. Masochists on the payroll 🤷🏻‍♀️

[SammyWinstonJack]

37. Me either.

[TheBlackAdder]

2. Nothing good. They will find any excuse to vent anger, even wearing masks will trigger them.

[LakeArenal]

3. But they pay people to protest to make protesters look bad.

[erronis]

24. They pay actors to be protestors to make their brown-shirts look good.

[LakeArenal]

36. Either way, staying away is best but still be blamed for trouble.

[Vivienne235729]

4. I agree with you 100%. Jan 21st will be here before we know it.

After we are in, start making moves and making waves. Don't give these blood hungry bastards what they want. Make them fight their own ghosts. It just frustrates them even more.

[Wounded Bear]

6. Yeah, counter protests would probably increase the likelihood of violence...

sad, but true.

[FakeNoose]

7. The Antifa Association of America agrees with you

[SergeStorms]

64. And as a Four Star General....

in the Antifa People's Army, I approve of this message.

[Progressive Jones]

87. Excuse me, but you people in the Antifa People's Army

will not be staying home in as large of numbers as

We of The Antifa Marxist Regime People's Front !!!

Long Live Lord Soros !!!

[Marcuse]

92. The AMRPF is but a running dog lackey of the APA.The Radical Libertarian Front speaks truth to power

[SergeStorms]

95. Splitters!

[Progressive Jones]

104. LMAO !!!

[klook]

85. I've gotten two mailers from Antifa World HQ confirming this!

Fortunately our Deep State infiltrators will take care of things.

[OverBurn]

108. Cool, glad my monthly Antifa payments are doing some good! ;-)

[klook]

109. I have mine deducted from my Soros stipend.

Have a good day in the United States of Socialist America, comrade!

[OverBurn]

110. LoL

[Fiendish Thingy]

8. So there can be no confusion, The anti-democracy fascists should stand alone.

I hope local Dems in DC area heed this message.

[True Blue American]

96. The DC Mayor

Has asked citizens to stay home.

Guns have been banned, they already are in DC and the National Guard has been called in.

[redstatebluegirl]

9. I totally agree!

They are just itching to start a civil war and shoot a lib. Let them shoot at each other, my guess is they are lousy shots. The proud boys are saying the will wear black and act like antifa. We need to get face shots and ID these terrorists.

I notice online when I see one of them they do not show a workplace or hometown on their facebook or twitter profile. They have learned how to try to avoid detection. Or at least make it harder to let their employer know what they do after work.

[SWBTATTReg]

10. And if we counter protest, we just give the thugs / trump an excuse to use the insurrection act,

call for suspension of constitutional rights, etc., possibly opening a can of worms that trump can somehow say that election results are voided etc. I wouldn't give trump and his thugs any excuse, not until Mr. Biden is in office.

[gratuitous]

11. I disagree

I'm almost always in favor of pushback, if for no other reason than to stop the talking point that an unopposed mob of knuckleheads, yahoos, and simpletons represents any more than the yobs who show up for them. The counterdemonstrators don't have to engage with the nitwits. It's enough to point, laugh, and hold up signs with a responsible, opposing viewpoint.

[wnylib]

47. That's an invitation to get the signs

shot right out of their hands, and the laughter shot out of their throats.. The thugs who will respond to the orange fascist's call to DC do not need an excuse to kill or maim. All they need is the presence of someone who is not one of them.

These fools believe that they are on a righteous mission.

[gratuitous]

56. On a scale of 1 to 10

Getting shot by these cowardly punks is about a negative 2.

[wnylib]

65. There were people in Kenosha who

would disagree with you if they were still alive to speak.

[gratuitous]

66. And there are people in Portland who

faced down these cowards - both in and out of uniform.

[wnylib]

68. Well, if you feel destined to be a

big hero target practice, then I guess you must follow your destiny.

But, regardless of how it turns out for you, it will be a shame that the Trump zealots will get what they want from the opposition that shows up. Plus it would be much more entertaining for the rest of us to see the Trump zealots strutting around for nothing if nobody showed up.

[David__77]

111. In this situation in particular, caution is really important.

It's definitely not like "normal protesting" by any means. I support those who speak and act against the fascists, and I also hope that people are smart and prepared. That means having proper defensive equipment, plans for safe exit, and support of a group. The fascists particularly like to target individuals and small groups.

I am not aware of there being an actual, public counter-protest.

[Sucha NastyWoman]

94. Bad idea

These guys are not joking. They are obsessed. And armed and, in many cases, practiced shooters.

You’d be giving them exactly what they want -a target.

[cwydro]

12. I agree.

No reason to interact with these assholes.

[Towlie]

14. Never wrestle a pig in its own sty because you'll get covered with pigs**t and the pig will love it.

 
?

[grumpyduck]

15. I agree.

Stay home, safe, warm, and with a cup or glass of whatever you drink.

Popcorn would be nice too.

[David__77]

16. Counterpoint.

Link to tweet

?s=20

Link to tweet

?s=20

That said, this is a not a matter of protesting so much as defending.

[LizBeth]

18. Ah, so what, more posturing on territory? That is what you pay the cops for.

[Bradshaw3]

19. Defending what, exactly?

Democracy? By getting into shouting matches and street battles with thugs?

In an earlier post you justified this by writing that the counter protesters were there to document and for surveillance. Who appointed them to do that? Now it's the homeless and commuters who will be there so that makes it ok to engage with the goons. From what I've seen much of the counter protesters seem to be engaging in behavior that makes violence more likely, which helps the other side.

The officials in D.C. have already called in the National Guard to help with the inauguration and I don't think they need help from private citizens who have questionable motives for this week.

[garybeck]

21. yes!

we don't need vigilantes. we don't need citizens going there to film protesters. that is just plain stupid. whoever is suggesting that is wrong.

[Bradshaw3]

26. I'm sorry to question motives but I have to

I've seen articles about the Portland protests where BLM activists also weren't happy with the counter right (mostly white) taking over the narrative, and where a RW goon was killed. I'm sorry but I see many of these people on the left taking to the streets are just playing at revolution, with real negative consequences a definite possibility. We win when the majority of the voters are on our side, and adding to the violence hurts that cause.

[Blue_true]

77. Some people are addicted to street action, it makes them feel alive.

Irregardless of the logic of it. Some will make up their own logic and use moving target justifications.

I say let the rightwing thugs on the streets alone, if they attack innocent people and cops don’t do their job, then fire cops. There is no place for left wing, citizen “protectors” in that equation.

[David__77]

27. I think surveillance and defense are both good reasons.

I also think that people are likely being particularly careful, and that's a good thing. For instance, I see that an anti-fascist action at a hotel was closed today due to likelihood of violence relating to specific fascist threats that were made.

The problem of fascist street mobilizations will not go away on 1/6 or on 1/20.

[Bradshaw3]

30. Except they do more than that and they are not trained or vetted for doing so

I didn't see a lot of careful people in protests at Portland and other places. I saw a lot of them engaging in shouting matches and violence, leading to escalation. That hurts the mission to change things democratically.

And just because the fascists continue doing street demonstrations in the coming years doesn't justify engaging with them. I believe a federal government under Biden and DC officials and other Democratic-run cities can do the job just fine. Certainly better than self-appointed vigilantes.

[wnylib]

59. A smart person chooses their battles

Last edited Tue Jan 5, 2021, 03:56 AM - Edit history (1)

for good strategic reasons and to avoid wasting resources on unnecessary battles.

Counter protesting on Wed, the 6th, is playing right into the hands of people who WANT an opposition to show up in order for the fascist thugs to make themselves look like defenders of the people. Why would anyone allow themselves to be used that way in a pre-conceived fascist scenario?

OTOH, when you don't show up, they look like a bunch of idiots strutting around over nothing.

[StarfishSaver]

83. Counterprotesting is a tactic

And tactics need to be used wisely and shouldn't be used all the time in every situation.

[garybeck]

20. disagree.

there is a difference between being homeless and/or going to work and counter protesting. the difference is pretty obvious. and NO, it is not our job to get film of the protesters.

[IronLionZion]

28. Pro-Trump protesters are looking to fight with liberal protestors

not to randomly beat up homeless people or essential workers.

[David__77]

29. There's plenty of video of non-protesters being assaulted by fascists recently.

Sometimes it was just that they "mouthed off," or even due to just wearing a mask or driving the wrong car. A fascist mob will find a target.

[Dorian Gray]

39. and a group

of protestors is going to fix this problem? How? How exactly are they trained to do that?

[Blue_true]

78. Then stopping them is the job of police officers.

If those officers fail to do their job, discipline them. It is that simple.

What do you expect, that a left person is going to fight it out with armed rightwing thugs because they pushed a homeless person around? So you say video tape them, they see you with a phone or video camera in your hands, then you become their target, what then?

Let the police do their jobs and punish the ones that refuse to do it properly.

[orangecrush]

35. STAY HOME

The National Guard will do a fine job of defending citizens in the area.

[StarfishSaver]

82. Saying "stay at home" does not equate with being insensitive to the homeless

[LizBeth]

17. Agreed on not countering, didn't read reason... But ya. No mess. Let the rw fight cops.

[Joe Nation]

23. I think it would be a good idea to just sit back with some popcorn

There is no point to a counter-protest. Make it all about the MAGA crowd.

[smirkymonkey]

25. Agree 100%

Let them tear each other apart and show the world who they really are. We should all stay far away.

[cp]

31. Stay home.

Let the tiny-penis boys fight among themselves. They just want attention. Don't give them any.

Work for democracy where you live.

[Ferrets are Cool]

32. STAY HOME!!!!

[orangecrush]

33. The National Guard

Has been called up.

I agree 100%.

[nolabear]

69. Yeah, let them handle it. I'll make the popcorn.

Let’s see how proud they are facing urban warfare weaponry.

[orangecrush]

84. ...

[bucolic_frolic]

34. Let them take it out on each other

They destroy their image and reputation, why give them an excuse

[Larissa]

38. Exactly!

It gives them less oxygen to feed on if they've got no one to rally against except their own impotency. Leave the clowns to the clowns.

[Miigwech]

40. Perfect, no one needs to mix it up on the streets with the crawling vomit cult

that are the trump losers all perfumed up with COVID and hate.

[OhNo-Really]

41. Knowing Republicants, they will hire masochists to be pretend BLM AntiFarts

[garybeck]

54. guaranteed.

still not a reason to engage.

[kacekwl]

43. There will be counter-protestors because

that's how a lot of folks spend their time, apparently.

[David__77]

44. Something that people can do instead of protesting

Link to tweet

[lagomorph777]

46. Um, I think these folks are more the Motel 6 / Super 8 type.

Don't leave the lights on for 'em.

[David__77]

52. Could be for the most part. Certainly not all.

I'm very glad that one of the major Proud Boy hangouts closed.

There's lot of ways that people can oppose fascists.

[lagomorph777]

45. Set your DVR, then do screen grabs and dox 'em.

[lilmamba]

48. Totally agree. There will be some who disagree..

...and will show up to counter-protest. That’s their prerogative and their call. I wouldn’t, specifically for the reasons you cited.

[Blue_true]

80. I noticed the usual people disagreeing.

There is nothing to be gained from facing armed thugs in the streets. Leave that to Police and the Press.

[Quixote1818]

49. Have been thinking the same thing too. nt

[Soxfan58]

50. Absolutely

Let them beat themselves!

[McKim]

51. Stay Home, It Would Be Beneath Our Dignity!

Stay home. It would be beneath our dignity to engage them since we are the legitimately elected party. Just brush it off. Let them look like asses on TV.

[coti]

53. I agree on very different grounds.

I actually don't agree with not confronting these assholes. Fascists and bullies very much need to be confronted, always.

However, a confrontation in this particular situation will bring a lot of media coverage. The media loves conflict. And these clowns need media coverage to expand their cult. It will be much more boring for the media if it's just the RWNJ yelling and screaming their nonsense and I imagine the coverage will be far less.

[Turin_C3PO]

57. That's how I feel too.

[EndlessWire]

55. Stay home.

This is the best tactic. Let the cops and Guard arrest people for obstructing the roads. There is nothing to protest. The 6th is about ceremonial vote counting, and the seditious aholes that are going to be present. There is nothing to do. Stay home and watch on TV.

Let's see what they do. We will hear about the voting, or maybe see it while it's happening. Don't waste your time in the street.

[relayerbob]

58. Counter protesting would just seem like spiking the ball in the endzone

We won. They need to get the fuck over it. Ignore the whiny bastards, don't give them the time of day, much less a "counter protest".

[DinahMoeHum]

60. Thanks for the Train Wreck Alert. . .

Please, folks, don't get in the middle of this one.

Thanks.

[SheltieLover]

61. Stay home, All!

K&R!

[TryLogic]

62. Absolutely agree. No benefit. Lots of downside risk.

[Aussie105]

63. Stay home.

Let the police and other forces deal with them.

Media presence? Don't bother!

Make it a non-event that makes them look puny and ineffective.

What exactly are the trying to prove anyway? Donald lost and they aren't happy? So sad, too bad!

[NoRoadUntravelled]

67. Agreed. Counter-protesting is a poor strategic move in this instance.

If Democrats exercise restraint by staying away and allow Democracy to unfold as it should on the Senate floor, none on the Right will be able to blame Democrats when things go awry. The unregulated militia will look to be nothing more than the fools they are.
There are people who make their living in the buildings in DC. There is no reason to participate in any activity that jeopardizes the hard work and livelihoods of these good people.

Let Congress do their job on that day and let the mobster's minions mill about looking for a fight. Chances are if Democrats aren't present they'll just start tearing at each other. You know THAT is something that will be seen around the world. Trump's fools foolishly kicking each others' asses for lack of impulse control just like their Kinky King.

I can think of no good reason for anyone on the Left to be in attendance unless it is their own yearning for confrontation. If Democrats are to find a winning strategy through unity, this is a good place to begin.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

70. @ShutDown_DC disagrees.

https://twitter.com/ShutDown_DC

Note: NOT https://twitter.com/ShutDownDC , the counterfeit site

Full disclosure: I'm not going over there. I do not speak for @ShutDown_DC.

[Trueblue Texan]

71. totally agree...

If there is nothing there for them to resist, they will wear themselves out and go home. Let them show up and make fools of themselves, reveal themselves, and look like morons. We can laugh at them from a safe distance. They want resistors to show up so they can have some fun. Deprive them. Bore them. Let them use up their gas and energy on nothing.

[soldierant]

72. Mayor Bowers most certainly agrees with you.

Going out there would only get in the way of the good guys she is mobilizing.

Whether or not you live in or near DC- STAY HOME - for Mayor Bowers.

[appleannie1]

73. I have been saying the same thing on facebook. Let them fight themselves or stand around looking

as stupid as they actually are all dressed up and no one to fight.

[Smackdown2019]

74. I have an employee this afternoon

I have an employee this afternoon put in leave for the remainder of the week, then inform me he going to the March in DC. At first thought he was joking, but then acknowledged he was indeed going. He is a very right wing hot head and will most likely get into trouble. He is 58 years old as well and he thinks I am a Republican. I smiled at him and told him to have fun. The thing of it is, he is a federal employee and in Missouri. So this idiot will travel 900 some miles in a pandemic, hole up in a hotel. Spend money along the way.

Why did I say have fun.... idiots do their best when their minds are weak. I am hoping for some more stupidity from him, perhaps a felony.... or.... atleast a quarantine when he returns next week. Oh the options awaits...

Either way, hoping he will learn a hard lesson from following a LOSER...

[Heartstrings]

102. Yup!

A guy on a “friends” Facebook page announced he had gotten clearance from his employer to go to DC from WI Rapids, WI. (I keep this guy as a “friend” on Facebook just to see what kind of crap he spouts, I never engage. It’s all bait and switch conspiracy theories of course). Anyway the DC guy had photos of himself with Ron Johnson and Scott Walker.....

[Smackdown2019]

112. Dont have any of them on my Facebook page

No telling what will come of the idiot. Who knows, may get a call over his actions... just let them screw their loves up over a loser.

[Initech]

75. Completely agree! They are setting up a trap.

And just waiting for someone to walk right into it. Let's not give them any fuel for the fire.

[leighbythesea2]

76. Let it be the land version

Of the boat parade. Swamp and sink each other.

[StarfishSaver]

79. None. Zip. Zero. Nope

Stay home, people.

[BobTheSubgenius]

81. I agree with you. I see a LOT of potential downside in a counter-protest.

However, it COULD be the start of a rebellion. In fact, it's not too early to call some of the GOP nonsense "sedition." How many people have to participate, or how violent do they have to be to be considered a "rebellion?"

It doesn't have to be even a credible threat, just a resistance to legitimate authority.

[Snarkoleptic]

86. Skip it! Don't take the bait.

[Sparky 1]

88. What these lunatic Trump protesters deserve is to be utterly ignored.

[Skittles]

89. but Soros is PAYING US

ya know???

[Sloumeau]

90. I have been thinking the same thing for a while now.

I have been reading some of the posts from places like Parler and TheDonald.win (the place where a lot of people from Reddit's The_Donald group went to when Reddit shut The_Donald down). Some of these people are gearing up for a civil war. Some of them are talking about how to sneak guns in. Some of these people think that the way to keep Trump in the White House is to cause so much chaos that trump will be "forced" to invoke the insurrection act. If Trump does that, he will start acting like a dictator. The Trump supporters will be looking for targets, and counter-protesters would give them just such targets. I say, if they want targets, let them shoot each other or shoot at the police, because then the police will come back at them in force.

Bringing a knife to a gunfight is dumb. Bringing no weapons at all to a gunfight is just asking to get slaughtered. The fewer liberal targets these Trump supporters have to attack, the better.

[DENVERPOPS]

91. Perfectly said

No question that NO ONE on the left should go and confront anyone in any city or state or in DC.......

Let their Bully Boys stand around with nothing to do except have circle jerks and pissing contests among themselves.....

[Gore1FL]

93. I would like to see it as Washington DC militia vs proud boys-- that assumes we have to have a "vs"

Stay home or sign up.

[augyboston]

97. Totally agree

These right wing nuts are looking for a fight as their temper tantrum comes to a head.

We all need to be smart and let them show themselves for what they are; a bunch of lawless violent vigilantes whose time is almost up. Do not give them a target. Let them stew among themselves and let the authorities deal with them.

[DIVINEprividence]

98. Wise advice

Could not agree more. Let them get 100% blame for whatever goes down.

[Bettie]

99. Now, mocking and otherwise laughing at them

as images and video of their sad little cosplay come out, that is an entirely different story!

[Hotler]

100. I think ignoring them and not showing up might piss them off, which would be a good thing.

They won't have anyone to show off to.

[Baclava]

101. LOL bunch of old white guys all geared up and nowhere to piss, they havent walked 2 mi in 20yrs!

Road closures beginning, metro outages tomorrow, watch them get trapped in the city with no way out, after dark, then the fun starts

[KG]

103. too late. already installed one of them cow catchers things on the front of my truck

[D23MIURG23]

105. Agreed. Let them have all the bad press to themselves.

It helps undercut the narrative that Antifa is the actual violent danger to democracy.

[bucolic_frolic]

106. Simply post TRUMP LOST signs in all the windows

That should keep them busy and get a few arrested.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

113. ⬆️This⬆️

They are looking for a fight, to spill blood. We have seen it before. Don't give them what they want!

[quakerboy]

114. Well.. This didnt age well

Today we got to see what happens when we let Fascist mobs roam our capitol unopposed.