User:Darkness Shines/pprewrite
Patriot Prayer are a conservative[1][2] advocacy group based in Portland, Oregon, America. They have held rallies in support of free speech[3] as well as the presidency of Donald Trump.[4] The group have been described as being 'anti-government',[5] however Joey Gibson, the founder of Patriot Prayer, has said he espouses 'small government'.[6] The group have also been described as being 'right wing' though Gibson identifies as 'conservative-libertarian'.[7] They have held rallies in predominantly modern liberal areas such as Portland, Seattle, and San Francisco.[8] Patriot Prayer has been connected to the alt-right,[9] a charge Gibson denies.[10] Some of the rallies have drawn controversy due to the attendance of white nationalists, which has lead to violent confrontations with counter-protesters,[11] however Gibson, a Japanese-American,[12] has repeatedly disavowed them and denounced racism.[13][14] The group describes itself as free speech advocates,[15] who are exercising their first amendment rights.[16]
Background
[edit]Gibson says he has always been passionate about politics, but would be "sitting in my house, complaining like everyone.” He says he got into activism after seeing supporters of the Trump presidency brawling with counter protesters. Gibson says of the incident that what he saw was "people being discouraged from participating in politics."[17] Gibson identifies as conservative libretarian and says he voted for Donald Trump.[18]
Reception
[edit]The Southern Poverty Law Centre(SPLC) does not list Patriot Prayer as a hate group, nor list Gibson as an extremist. [16] David Neiwert, writing for the SPLC's blog Hatewatch has accused Patriot Prayer of 'trolling' the northwest with the intention of provoking a response from far-left antifacists. Neiwert also commented on Gibson's denunciation of neo-Nazis and white supremacists at a rally held in Seattle on 13 August and that there had been no white nationalist members at that venue.[19]
Valerie Richardson writing in the Washington Times has said that critics of Gibson have argued that his rallies, even though they are not sponsored by white nationalists do attract those with racist outlooks. The SPLC have noted that the organizers of the 7 August 2017 rally had “promised the critics who talked with them that racist elements had been denounced and uninvited from the rally.” but that the Proud Boys, and members of Identity Evropa (IE) as well as local IE leader, Jake Van Ott were seen at the event. Gibson says that people who are affiliated with IE have appeared at his events, but has made it clear they were unwelcome and has ejected them when possible. Gibson also says “It’s a constant problem because we get these random people that are trying to provoke and they’re trying to agitate,”[20]
According to the BBC Patriot Prayer have been connected to the alt-right as well as other far-right groups,[9] Gibson denies this saying the group is neither white nationalist or alt-right, saying they support “freedom, love and peace".[21]
Rallies
[edit]A rally which was to be held at Crissy Field on 26 August 2017, and which was cancelled by Gibson who cited 'safety concerns' was to have African Americans, Samoan American's, Latinos and a transgender speaking at the event.[22][23] The rally caused controversy as it was scheduled one week after the killings of two men by Jeremy Christian in an alleged racially motivated attack. Christian had attended an earlier Patriot Prayer rally, from which he was ejected.[24] [25] The mayor of Portland, Ted Wheeler had requested the federal authorities revoke the permit saying he was concerned over increasing tensions in the city due to the stabbings. The manager's of the park denied the request, stating that the permit had been lawfully obtained weeks beforehand.[26] The Oregon chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union's legal director, Mat Dos Santos, said it was unconstitutional of Wheeler to attempt to prevent the demonstration based on the political and personal viewpoints of those who organized the event.[27] Gibson said of allegations that the event was a 'white supremacist rally', "For those of you who believe we are seriously going to throw a white nationalist supremacist rally in San Francisco, it’s time for logic,” In a video posted to his Facebook page Gibson said, “We have a black speaker, two Hispanic speakers, we’ve got an Asian, a brown speaker right here (referring to himself) — we got a transsexual, and we aren’t talking about race.”[28]
Following the cancellation of the rose parade due to threats of violence against the Multnomah County Republican Party who were to take part in the rally, allegedly from anti-fascist groups,[29] Gibson organized a 'March for Free Speech' to occur on the 29th of April 2017.[30] Gibson told the Guardian, "We are going to continue with our rally. There is no way that we will stop. It is even more important that we come out with a strong message of love.”[24] There were an estimated 60 counter protesters and police said there had been three arrests.[31]
References
[edit]- ^ Bhattacharjee 2017.
- ^ O’Sullivan 2017.
- ^ Steinmetz 2017.
- ^ Hansen 2017.
- ^ Schweigert 2017.
- ^ Katu 2017.
- ^ Matarrese & Dake 2017. sfn error: multiple targets (2×): CITEREFMatarreseDake2017 (help)
- ^ Zilber 2017.
- ^ a b BBC 2017.
- ^ Vercammen 2017.
- ^ Weise 2017.
- ^ Associated Press 2017.
- ^ CBS News 2017.
- ^ Elias & Gecker 2017.
- ^ Kelly 2017.
- ^ a b Wallace 2017.
- ^ Matarrese, Andy; Dake, Lauren (2 July 2017). "Joey Gibson aims to 'liberate conservatives' via his Patriot Prayer group". The Columbian. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- ^ Ho (26 August 2017). "Patriot Prayer leader ends up at Crissy Field after all". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
- ^ Neiwert 2017.
- ^ Richardson 2017.
- ^ Calandra 2017.
- ^ CBS News b 2017.
- ^ Associated Press b 2017.
- ^ a b Wilson 2017. sfn error: multiple targets (2×): CITEREFWilson2017 (help)
- ^ May 2017.
- ^ Sylvester 2017.
- ^ Katu News 2017.
- ^ Wildermuth 2017.
- ^ Mettler 2017.
- ^ Pein 2017.
- ^ Vespa 2017.
Bibliography
[edit]- Associated Press b (25 August 2017). "Rightwing group protests cancellation as San Francisco blocks rally venues". The Guardian. Associated Press. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
- Associated Press (26 August 2017). "San Francisco shuts down 'Patriot Prayer' rally by walling off city park". Fox News. Associated Press. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
- BBC (26 August 2017). "San Francisco rally is cancelled by right-wing group". BBC. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
- Bhattacharjee, Riya (25 August 2017). "Tomorrow Feels Like a Set-Up:' Conservative Group Patriot Prayer Cancels Free Speech Rally in SF". NBC. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
- Calandra, Lion (23 August 2017). "Adopt-A-Nazi is Jewish group's answer to 'Patriot Prayer' rally". No. 23 August 2017. Fox News. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
- CBS News b (23 August 2017). "Park Service OKs San Francisco Crissy Field Permit For Patriot Prayer, Counter-Protests". CBS News. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
- CBS News (27 August 2017). "Berkeley protests turn tense as right and left face off". CBS News. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
- Elias, Paul; Gecker, Jocelyn (28 August 2017). "Black-clad anarchists swarm anti-hate rally in California". ABC News. Associated Press. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
- Hansen, Kristen (4 June 2017). "14 arrested as pro-Trump rally draws massive counter-protests in Portland". Chicago Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- Katu, Staff (10 September 2017). "1,000+ expected at Portland protests Sunday; 'Patriot Prayer' leader changes location". Komo News. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
- Katu News (4 June 2017). "'Trump Free Speech Rally' set in downtown Portland a week after deadly MAX stabbing". Katu News. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- Kelly, Heather (27 August 2017). "San Francisco marchers celebrate canceled 'free speech' rally". CNN. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
- Neiwert, David (25 August 2017). "What You Need To Know About Saturday's 'Patriot' Rally In San Francisco". Southern Poverty Law Centre. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
- Matarrese, Andy; Dake, Lauren (2 July 2017). "Joey Gibson aims to 'liberate conservatives' via his Patriot Prayer group". The Columbian. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
- May, Patrick (23 August 2017). "Who's behind this weekend's right-wing rally at Crissy Field?". Mercury News. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
- Mettler, Katie (27 April 2017). "Morning Mix Portland rose parade canceled after 'antifascists' threaten GOP marchers". Washington Post. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- O’Sullivan, Joseph (16 June 2017). "Counter-protesters clash with pro-Trump group Patriot Prayer at Evergreen State College". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
- Pein, Corey (26 April 2017). "Right-Wing Group Plans "Free Speech" March In Wake Of East Portland Parade Cancellation". Williamson Gazette. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- Richardson, Valerie (24 August 2017). "Conservatives of color frustrated by 'white supremacist' label after Charlottesville". Washington Post. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
- Sylvester, Terry (4 June 2017). "Trump supporters confront counter-protests in Portland, Oregon". Reuters. Retrieved 30 September 2017.
- Schweigert, Keith (August 28, 2017). "13 arrested during clashes at dueling protests in Berkeley, California". Fox 43 News.
- Steinmetz, Katy (25 August 2017). "A Right-Wing 'Free Speech' Rally Planned for San Francisco Has Been Cancelled". Time. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- Vercammen, Paul (5 June 2017). "14 arrested as the many extremes of Portland collide in protest". CNN. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- Vespa, Maggie (30 April 2017). "Conservative march, counter protest forms in wake of canceled parade". KWh News. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- Wallace, Christopher (23 August 2017). "San Fran park braces for 'Patriot Prayer' rally amid fears of challenges from all sides". Fox News. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
- Weise, Elizabeth (27 August 2017). "'Patriot Prayer' organizers in San Francisco blame left for violence". USA Today. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
- Wildermuth, John (17 August 2017). "Crissy Field rally group has history of provoking fights". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- Wilson, Jason (29 May 2017). "Portland knife attack: tension high as 'free speech rally' set for weekend". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- Wilson, Jason (29 May 2017). "Portland knife attack: tension high as 'free speech rally' set for weekend". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- Zilber, Ariel (11 September 2017). "Portland protests turn violent". Daily Mail. Retrieved 25 September 2017.