Juan Gonzlez: "Make No Mistake: This Country Is Edging Closer to Neo-Fascist Authoritarianism"

[BeckyDem]

April 21, 2020


( excerpt ) But, Amy, I wanted to talk about something else which I think is very important. We’re seeing a lot of it now, which is these protests around the country of people demanding an end to the shutdowns that were aimed to stop the spread of the pandemic. And what troubles me most about this is how right-wing extremists are brandishing automatic weapons, and they’ve become regular features of these protests, and with the man in the White House saying nothing to condemn this form of intimidation. And obviously, most of them are Trump supporters.

And I’d like our viewers and listeners to ask themselves a question: If hundreds of African Americans or Latinos showed up in cities around the country brandishing automatic weapons, what would be the response of the country to this? Why is this being almost accepted and normalized now as a method of protest? And my fear is that this will become normalized over the next few months as we head toward a bitter national election. And we should make no mistake, that this country is edging closer and closer to neo-fascist authoritarianism.

AMY GOODMAN: And, Juan, you say the issue of it being almost accepted. It’s not almost. The president, from the bully pulpit of the White House, is encouraging it — right? — saying these are his people.

https://www.democracynow.org/2020/4/21/juan_gonzalez_coronavirus_update

[LastDemocratInSC]

1. California implemented more strict gun control laws

When Reagan was governor only after the Black Panthers started protesting on the state house steps with weapons in their hands.

[appalachiablue]

2. Democracy Now! Juan Gonzales, U.S. Is Edging Closer To Neo-Fascist Authoritarianism

7:50 min. mark, co-host Juan Gonzales describes right wing protesters, many armed with weapons that are demanding an end to coronavirus shutdowns in number of states and the impact this could have on the upcoming presidential election in November. (In the video, conservative radio host Alex Jones is in one scene riding in an open SUV and speaking to crowds on a microphone).

We get an update from Democracy Now! co-host Juan González about his mother and wife, who were infected with COVID-19, and discuss how right-wing Trump supporters are brandishing automatic weapons at protests to demand an end to coronavirus shutdowns and are being egged on by the president. “We should make no mistake, that this country is edging closer and closer to neo-fascist authoritarianism,” says González, expressing concern these actions will become normalized in the lead-up to a bitter national election in November.
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- (Austin) Statesman, 'Chanting 'Let Us Work!,' 'Fire Fauci,' Protesters at the Capitol Decry Weapons Restrictions,' Ap. 18

Chanting, “Let us work!”, “Put this on TV!” and “Fire Fauci!” about 300 protesters swarmed together, defying health experts’ warnings about social proximity, Saturday at a “You Can’t Close America Rally” on the south steps of the Capitol. The rally against stay-at-home orders, like those imposed by Gov. Greg Abbott, was heavily promoted by InfoWars — Alex Jones’ Austin-based conspiracy website — and one of its hosts, Owen Shroyer. Attendees came from as far away as Corpus Christi and Fort Worth. “We thought it was going to be a lot bigger than this,” said Lisa Ray, 52, who was there with her husband, John Ray, 59, and their daughter, Shanti, 8, who wore a snugly pink bunny outfit.
https://www.statesman.com/news/20200418/chanting-rsquolet-us-workrsquo-rsquofire-faucirsquo-protesters-at-capitol-decry-virus-restrictions