hotair--2020-06-01--Seattle Mayor: You know, white men are behind the violence at these riots

Seattle hasn ’ t been hit quite as hard by the riots as some other cities , particularly New York , Minneapolis , Atlanta and Chicago .
But it ’ s seen its fair share of mayhem to be sure .
Now , Mayor Jenny Durkan has come forward to identify the root cause of all these problems .
You likely won ’ t be surprised that most of the problems are being caused by white men .
What evidence does the Mayor offer in support of this theory ?
Well… none .
But that ’ s not going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan asserted Sunday night that “ white men ” are responsible for much of the widespread destruction across the country during protests against the death of George Floyd , a black man who died after an officer kneeled on his neck for several minutes .
“ I want to acknowledge that much of the violence and destruction , both here in Seattle and across the country , has been instigated and perpetuated by white men , ” she wrote Sunday night on Twitter , adding that they “ experience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peaceful demonstrations.
” To be sure , there are some white people ( both male and female ) showing up at both the protests and the riots .
It ’ s also worth remembering that the members of Antifa who show up to disrupt conservative events are almost uniformly white , and there are probably some of them mixed in with the rioters .
But with that said , the Mayor may want to take a look at some of the most recent news coverage coming out of her own city .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lots of footage of mobs setting fire to emergency response vehicles , smashing windows and emptying out stores .
As I said , if you look closely you can find pretty much all races and both genders represented in the mob .
But it also doesn ’ t exactly look like a Klan rally if you take my meaning .
Trying to describe the rioters as being composed primarily of white men is unsupported by the graphic video evidence .
So why is Durkan saying these things ?
Because it ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t afford to give the appearance of even suggesting that some of the Black or Hispanic protesters are heading out after the sun goes down to commit arson , assault , destruction of property and robbery .
She would immediately be branded as a racist , despite the plethora of video evidence available to contradict her claims .
The Mayor wasn ’ t the only person making claims like this .
As the Daily Caller points out , MSNBC ’ s Joy Reid was quick to jump on the bandwagon , repeating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were forming up brigades to head to Minneapolis to “ get their loot on.
” And , of course , the Mayor of Minneapolis was one of the early adopters of this theory , also without evidence .
So there you have it .
White supremacists are clearly behind all of this , right ?
Because , you know… white supremacists are precisely the sort of people who would be really upset about a Black man being killed by a white cop .
It ’ s really quite obvious when you stop to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just the worst .
But hey… who are you going to believe ?
Me or your own lying eyes ?

Seattle hasn’t been hit quite as hard by the riots as some other cities, particularly New York, Minneapolis, Atlanta and Chicago. But it’s seen its fair share of mayhem to be sure. Now, Mayor Jenny Durkan has come forward to identify the root cause of all these problems. You likely won’t be surprised that most of the problems are being caused by white men. What evidence does the Mayor offer in support of this theory? Well… none. But that’s not going to slow her roll. (Daily Caller)
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan asserted Sunday night that “white men” are responsible for much of the widespread destruction across the country during protests against the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after an officer kneeled on his neck for several minutes. “I want to acknowledge that much of the violence and destruction, both here in Seattle and across the country, has been instigated and perpetuated by white men,” she wrote Sunday night on Twitter, adding that they “experience the height of privilege and are co-opting peaceful demonstrations.”
I want to acknowledge that much of the violence and destruction, both here in Seattle and across the country, has been instigated and perpetuated by white men. — Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) May 31, 2020
To be sure, there are some white people (both male and female) showing up at both the protests and the riots. It’s also worth remembering that the members of Antifa who show up to disrupt conservative events are almost uniformly white, and there are probably some of them mixed in with the rioters. But with that said, the Mayor may want to take a look at some of the most recent news coverage coming out of her own city. This lengthy report from King 5 News contains lots of footage of mobs setting fire to emergency response vehicles, smashing windows and emptying out stores.
As I said, if you look closely you can find pretty much all races and both genders represented in the mob. But it also doesn’t exactly look like a Klan rally if you take my meaning. Trying to describe the rioters as being composed primarily of white men is unsupported by the graphic video evidence.
So why is Durkan saying these things? Because it’s a rather blatantly political tactic. She can’t afford to give the appearance of even suggesting that some of the Black or Hispanic protesters are heading out after the sun goes down to commit arson, assault, destruction of property and robbery. She would immediately be branded as a racist, despite the plethora of video evidence available to contradict her claims.
The Mayor wasn’t the only person making claims like this. As the Daily Caller points out, MSNBC’s Joy Reid was quick to jump on the bandwagon, repeating claims that “white supremacist groups” were forming up brigades to head to Minneapolis to “get their loot on.”
He adds that white nationalist groups are posting messages promoting going to Minneapolis to “get our loot on” and cause mayhem. He says they will investigate those using the outrage over the murder of George Floyd as a “cover” for illegal activity — Joy-Ann Pro-Democracy & Masks Reid 😷 (@JoyAnnReid) May 30, 2020
And, of course, the Mayor of Minneapolis was one of the early adopters of this theory, also without evidence.
We are now confronting white supremacists, members of organized crime, out of state instigators, and possibly even foreign actors to destroy and destabilize our city and our region. — Mayor Jacob Frey (@MayorFrey) May 30, 2020
So there you have it. White supremacists are clearly behind all of this, right? Because, you know… white supremacists are precisely the sort of people who would be really upset about a Black man being killed by a white cop. It’s really quite obvious when you stop to think about it. White people are just the worst. But hey… who are you going to believe? Me or your own lying eyes?


hotair--2020-06-01--Minnesota rodeo: National Guard and police round up 150 curfew violators -- and find caches of arson

Minnesota rodeo: National Guard and police round up 150 curfew violators -- and find caches of arson materials

It took several days for Minnesota to assert itself in the face of rioters , but they finally took some steps toward restoring order yesterday .
Rather than the retreats that characterized the police and National Guard response for most of a week , last night the combined forces began arresting people en masse for curfew violations .
Around 150 got hauled into custody last night , while police and National Guard used some of the intelligence gleaned to seize materials for use in more arsons : About 150 protesters were arrested near I-35W and Washington Avenue in downtown Minneapolis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 p.m. curfew .
“ Even peaceful protesters who are breaking curfew are subject to arrest .
Please go home and stay there .
Curfew is in effect in Minneapolis and St. Paul until 6 a.m. ” said a tweet from the state Department of Public Safety .
The large influx of arrests had one notable effect on another prisoner .
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin had to get relocated to state prison rather than jail out of concern for his safety in more than one way : Chauvin will need special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his trial runs , and not just for COVID-19 .
They got him out of the jail to keep protesters and agitators from ripping him to shreds , and Chauvin will have the same problem from the prison population if put in normal confinement .
The newly assertive posture from police and National Guard deployments appeared to have a salutary effect .
No major riots took place , thanks to quick dispersals of gatherings and the sudden discovery of arrest powers by the Walz administration .
That doesn ’ t mean that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ materials found overnight show that agitators are planning more : In St. Paul , police received numerous reports of suspicious vehicles without license plates parked and driving around the city , according to department spokesman Steve Linders .
Officers also spotted some of those vehicles .
They investigated an abandoned pickup truck loaded with construction equipment .
Callers reported that people had gone to and from the truck , taking items from it .
“ Our officers were also encountering vehicles with no plates driving in our city , ” Linders said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicles , they fled .
We did not pursue them .
Safety is a big concern in these situations.
” Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said Sunday that authorities also spotted cars without license plates , their lights off and windows blacked out .
When stopped , some of the occupants fled .
Others were arrested .
Some cars , including some stolen in Minnesota , were filled with rocks and weapons , Harrington said .
Authorities also discovered caches of incendiaries near the sites of fires that may have been transported in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
We Minnesotans have been discussing the cars-with-no-plates phenomenon for a few days now .
Some have claimed to see the cars casing the suburbs , perhaps looking for softer targets .
Those would have significant problems for rioters and agitators , especially a lack of cover and a populace that might be more inclined toward acts of self-defense , perhaps even proactively .
Police in the suburbs are now on alert for this kind of activity , and it ’ s not likely to get much farther than the recon that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Star Tribune reports now that state and local officials are at least recognizing the organizing behind all of these events .
“ The fact that we ’ ve seen so many of them in so many places , ” said public safety commissioner John Harrington , “ now makes us believe that this is part of that pattern that shows that this in fact an organized activity and not some random act of rage.
” They ’ re also backing off the claim that it ’ s all coming from outsiders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bookings also showed that 13 Minnesotans and two people from out of state were arrested before Saturday ’ s curfew when a massive law enforcement force , which was beefed up by thousands of National Guard soldiers , swept across the city to push curfew violators off the street and stymie violence .
It appears more Minnesotans than out-of-area protesters also were arrested on Friday — a night of mayhem when businesses , cars and dumpsters were set on fire .
Of those booked in Hennepin County after the 8 p.m. curfew , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have come from outside the state .
Earlier in the day , 12 Minnesotans were arrested compared with five with out-of-state addresses .
That was a strange position for Walz and the mayors to take from the start .
Some of this may be coming from outside agitators , but there have always been some willing to get violent here in the Twin Cities .
The looting clearly was a local phenomenon , crimes of opportunity rather than an organized pillaging of businesses .
For now , it appears that the state government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposing order .
It will take several days of cracking down to get this back under control , however .
We will likely have curfews remain in place and perhaps even the nighttime highway closures that took place over the weekend for a few more days until the agitators either get arrested or fade into the background .
We can hope for the former , but I ’ d bet on the latter .

It took several days for Minnesota to assert itself in the face of rioters, but they finally took some steps toward restoring order yesterday. Rather than the retreats that characterized the police and National Guard response for most of a week, last night the combined forces began arresting people en masse for curfew violations. Around 150 got hauled into custody last night, while police and National Guard used some of the intelligence gleaned to seize materials for use in more arsons:
About 150 protesters were arrested near I-35W and Washington Avenue in downtown Minneapolis Sunday after they failed to heed the 8 p.m. curfew. “Even peaceful protesters who are breaking curfew are subject to arrest. Please go home and stay there. Curfew is in effect in Minneapolis and St. Paul until 6 a.m.” said a tweet from the state Department of Public Safety.
The large influx of arrests had one notable effect on another prisoner. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin had to get relocated to state prison rather than jail out of concern for his safety in more than one way:
At a news conference Sunday night, Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell noted that Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis officer accused of murder in George Floyd’s death, had been moved from the Hennepin County jail to Oak Park Heights state prison. He said concerns included COVID-19 and the expectation that a large number of people could be booked into Hennepin County jail tonight. He’s scheduled to appear in court June 8.
Chauvin will need special custody for at least as long as his trial runs, and not just for COVID-19. They got him out of the jail to keep protesters and agitators from ripping him to shreds, and Chauvin will have the same problem from the prison population if put in normal confinement.
The newly assertive posture from police and National Guard deployments appeared to have a salutary effect. No major riots took place, thanks to quick dispersals of gatherings and the sudden discovery of arrest powers by the Walz administration. That doesn’t mean that the trouble is over, and caches of materials found overnight show that agitators are planning more:
In St. Paul, police received numerous reports of suspicious vehicles without license plates parked and driving around the city, according to department spokesman Steve Linders. Officers also spotted some of those vehicles. They investigated an abandoned pickup truck loaded with construction equipment. Callers reported that people had gone to and from the truck, taking items from it. “Our officers were also encountering vehicles with no plates driving in our city,” Linders said. “When officers attempted to stop the vehicles, they fled. We did not pursue them. Safety is a big concern in these situations.” Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said Sunday that authorities also spotted cars without license plates, their lights off and windows blacked out. When stopped, some of the occupants fled. Others were arrested. Some cars, including some stolen in Minnesota, were filled with rocks and weapons, Harrington said. Authorities also discovered caches of incendiaries near the sites of fires that may have been transported in some of the stolen vehicles, he said.
We Minnesotans have been discussing the cars-with-no-plates phenomenon for a few days now. Some have claimed to see the cars casing the suburbs, perhaps looking for softer targets. Those would have significant problems for rioters and agitators, especially a lack of cover and a populace that might be more inclined toward acts of self-defense, perhaps even proactively. Police in the suburbs are now on alert for this kind of activity, and it’s not likely to get much farther than the recon that may or may not be taking place.
The Star Tribune reports now that state and local officials are at least recognizing the organizing behind all of these events. “The fact that we’ve seen so many of them in so many places,” said public safety commissioner John Harrington, “now makes us believe that this is part of that pattern that shows that this in fact an organized activity and not some random act of rage.” They’re also backing off the claim that it’s all coming from outsiders, too:
The Hennepin County jail bookings also showed that 13 Minnesotans and two people from out of state were arrested before Saturday’s curfew when a massive law enforcement force, which was beefed up by thousands of National Guard soldiers, swept across the city to push curfew violators off the street and stymie violence. It appears more Minnesotans than out-of-area protesters also were arrested on Friday — a night of mayhem when businesses, cars and dumpsters were set on fire. Of those booked in Hennepin County after the 8 p.m. curfew, 17 were Minnesotans and two appeared to have come from outside the state. Earlier in the day, 12 Minnesotans were arrested compared with five with out-of-state addresses.
That was a strange position for Walz and the mayors to take from the start. Some of this may be coming from outside agitators, but there have always been some willing to get violent here in the Twin Cities. The looting clearly was a local phenomenon, crimes of opportunity rather than an organized pillaging of businesses.
For now, it appears that the state government has taken a few belated steps toward imposing order. It will take several days of cracking down to get this back under control, however. We will likely have curfews remain in place and perhaps even the nighttime highway closures that took place over the weekend for a few more days until the agitators either get arrested or fade into the background. We can hope for the former, but I’d bet on the latter.


hotair--2020-06-01--NYC Mayor's daughter arrested during riots

The people of New York City are rightly looking to their Mayor to come up with an answer to the riots and destruction that ’ s sending the Big Apple up in flames this week .
But how ’ s he supposed to contain the mayhem if he can ’ t even keep his own family out of the melee ?
Bill de Blasio ’ s 25-year-old daughter Chiara was arrested last night shortly before midnight , along with a group of other rioters who were shutting down traffic in an area where police were being attacked .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who they were loading into the squad car at the time .
( NY Post ) New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio ’ s daughter was arrested at a Manhattan protest on Saturday night , law enforcement sources told The Post on Sunday .
Chiara de Blasio , 25 , was taken into custody around 10:30 p.m. after cops declared an unlawful assembly at 12th Street and Broadway in Lower Manhattan , the sources said .
She had allegedly been blocking traffic on Broadway and was arrested after refusing to move , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a real hotspot , police cars were getting burned there , people were throwing and yelling , fighting with cops .
There were thousands of people in that area at that time , ” the source said .
Hizzoner ’ s daughter was allegedly part of a mob of people who were blocking traffic on Broadway , including police vehicles and ambulances .
Some NYPD cars were on fire nearby and rioters were physically attacking the police in the area .
Chiara de Blasio may not have been one of the people actively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the cops , but she was part of the overall effort .
Rather than speaking out against the violence , she was an active participant in spreading it .
Granted , she ’ s not an elected official , even though she lives in the Governor ’ s mansion .
But that ’ s a pretty poor message to send .
City Hall hadn ’ t returned a request for comment as of this morning .
Significant portions of New York City ’ s infrastructure are being destroyed .
The fire department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fires to try to fight them because of the justifiable fear that they will be attacked by the mob when they reach the scene .
This is the sort of damage that will take years or even a generation to repair .
That ’ s part of an observation that one of my Twitter followers who is a former resident of Gotham shared with me this morning .
He raises a good point .
New York City was already bleeding off its population under the combined burdens of high taxes , excessive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and then the pandemic .
But once it becomes unsafe to even walk that streets and the police appear unable to protect them , combined with the fact that many of their employers ’ places of business are now burned-out husks , those with the ability to flee will likely try to do so .
And who could blame them ?

The people of New York City are rightly looking to their Mayor to come up with an answer to the riots and destruction that’s sending the Big Apple up in flames this week. But how’s he supposed to contain the mayhem if he can’t even keep his own family out of the melee? Bill de Blasio’s 25-year-old daughter Chiara was arrested last night shortly before midnight, along with a group of other rioters who were shutting down traffic in an area where police were being attacked. It’s unclear if the cops even knew who they were loading into the squad car at the time. (NY Post)
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s daughter was arrested at a Manhattan protest on Saturday night, law enforcement sources told The Post on Sunday. Chiara de Blasio, 25, was taken into custody around 10:30 p.m. after cops declared an unlawful assembly at 12th Street and Broadway in Lower Manhattan, the sources said. She had allegedly been blocking traffic on Broadway and was arrested after refusing to move, the source said. “That was a real hotspot, police cars were getting burned there, people were throwing and yelling, fighting with cops. There were thousands of people in that area at that time,” the source said.
Hizzoner’s daughter was allegedly part of a mob of people who were blocking traffic on Broadway, including police vehicles and ambulances. Some NYPD cars were on fire nearby and rioters were physically attacking the police in the area. Chiara de Blasio may not have been one of the people actively setting the fires or taking a swing at the cops, but she was part of the overall effort. Rather than speaking out against the violence, she was an active participant in spreading it.
Granted, she’s not an elected official, even though she lives in the Governor’s mansion. But that’s a pretty poor message to send. City Hall hadn’t returned a request for comment as of this morning.
Significant portions of New York City’s infrastructure are being destroyed. The fire department can’t even reach most of the fires to try to fight them because of the justifiable fear that they will be attacked by the mob when they reach the scene. This is the sort of damage that will take years or even a generation to repair. That’s part of an observation that one of my Twitter followers who is a former resident of Gotham shared with me this morning.
https://twitter.com/nhconserve/status/1267426092299751425
He raises a good point. New York City was already bleeding off its population under the combined burdens of high taxes, excessive regulation, an unsustainable cost of living, and then the pandemic. But once it becomes unsafe to even walk that streets and the police appear unable to protect them, combined with the fact that many of their employers’ places of business are now burned-out husks, those with the ability to flee will likely try to do so. And who could blame them?


hotair--2020-06-01--Trump: I'll declare Antifa a terrorist organization

They ’ re not already ?
Not exactly , no , and questions remain as to whether that can change .
Yesterday afternoon , Donald Trump responded to riots breaking out all over the US by promising to classify Antifa as “ a terrorist organization , ” a designation that usually only applies to international groups : From what we ’ ve seen over the last few years , the label fits — generally and philosophically speaking , if not legally .
Antifa uses street violence to intimidate its critics and opponents and to press its political agenda , classic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back at least as far as the 1999 WTO riots in Seattle , which looked not all that dissimilar to what we are seeing in the Twin Cities and other states around the country at the moment .
Legally , however , Trump has one problem with this pledge — the designation doesn ’ t exist , at least domestically .
The US designates foreign groups and networks as terrorists as a means of using extrajudicial force against them , such as military and diplomatic power and seizing assets .
None of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without going through a criminal process that would have to specify charges for each individual involved .
The ACLU pointed out that flaw almost immediately : ACLU ’ s first point is nonsense ; Antifa has earned that label in every sense but in the narrow way Trump suggested yesterday .
They ’ re right , though , that the federal government has no way to use the State Department process Trump apparently cited against domestic groups of any kind .
Any pursuit of such groups would have to be through the criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” would be purely rhetorical .
That doesn ’ t mean that the FBI can ’ t treat the specific individuals or even groups in the US as terrorists , of course , but there ’ s no need for a “ designation ” to do that , either .
One has to suspect that Antifa has already been on their radar for quite some time , at least in this administration .
Attorney General William Barr announced Saturday that the FBI and its Joint Terrorism Task Force would go after anyone crossing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Department of Justice already has .
That ’ s not the only authority it has , a point to which we ’ ll return in a moment .
The issue of “ designation ” might just be Trump ’ s way of shaping the election as a law-and-order referendum , NPR suggests : In 2016 , Trump declared himself the “ law and order candidate.
” Expect him to try and exploit that again as a wedge issue in an effort to win over moderate whites upset by the video of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the violent demonstrations .
He said as much Sunday .
He called for “ Law & Order in Philadelphia , NOW !
” and announced that the United States would be designating Antifa a terrorist organization .
Expect Biden and other Democrats now to have to answer if they agree or disagree with the Antifa designation .
Indeed .
Biden ’ s already getting criticism for taking too long to speak out against the riots and looting taking place around the country .
Trump ’ s tweet forces that issue into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps on Biden ’ s silence a bit , too .
Besides , the DoJ has a more powerful tool than a “ designation ” anyway .
They have RICO — the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act .
It has been routinely used to break up criminal syndicates , and Antifa certainly qualifies .
If the DoJ can prove any kind of coordination to commit felonies , then suddenly anyone in the organization becomes criminally liable for all of the felonies committed , at least in theory .
If Trump and Barr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s their best bet , not an essentially meaningless “ designation .
”

They’re not already? Not exactly, no, and questions remain as to whether that can change. Yesterday afternoon, Donald Trump responded to riots breaking out all over the US by promising to classify Antifa as “a terrorist organization,” a designation that usually only applies to international groups:
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1267129644228247552
From what we’ve seen over the last few years, the label fits — generally and philosophically speaking, if not legally. Antifa uses street violence to intimidate its critics and opponents and to press its political agenda, classic hallmarks of terrorism. Its roots go back at least as far as the 1999 WTO riots in Seattle, which looked not all that dissimilar to what we are seeing in the Twin Cities and other states around the country at the moment.
Legally, however, Trump has one problem with this pledge — the designation doesn’t exist, at least domestically. The US designates foreign groups and networks as terrorists as a means of using extrajudicial force against them, such as military and diplomatic power and seizing assets. None of that can be done against US persons domestically without going through a criminal process that would have to specify charges for each individual involved. The ACLU pointed out that flaw almost immediately:
Terrorism is an inherently political label, easily abused and misused. Let’s be clear: There is no legal authority for designating a domestic group. Any such designation would raise significant due process and First Amendment concerns. https://t.co/SJpT7sHs4p — ACLU (@ACLU) May 31, 2020
ACLU’s first point is nonsense; Antifa has earned that label in every sense but in the narrow way Trump suggested yesterday. They’re right, though, that the federal government has no way to use the State Department process Trump apparently cited against domestic groups of any kind. Any pursuit of such groups would have to be through the criminal code, and any other “designation” would be purely rhetorical.
That doesn’t mean that the FBI can’t treat the specific individuals or even groups in the US as terrorists, of course, but there’s no need for a “designation” to do that, either. One has to suspect that Antifa has already been on their radar for quite some time, at least in this administration. Attorney General William Barr announced Saturday that the FBI and its Joint Terrorism Task Force would go after anyone crossing state lines to organize riots, authority that the Department of Justice already has. That’s not the only authority it has, a point to which we’ll return in a moment.
The issue of “designation” might just be Trump’s way of shaping the election as a law-and-order referendum, NPR suggests:
In 2016, Trump declared himself the “law and order candidate.” Expect him to try and exploit that again as a wedge issue in an effort to win over moderate whites upset by the video of Floyd’s death, but disapproving of the violent demonstrations. He said as much Sunday. He called for “Law & Order in Philadelphia, NOW!” and announced that the United States would be designating Antifa a terrorist organization. Expect Biden and other Democrats now to have to answer if they agree or disagree with the Antifa designation.
Indeed. Biden’s already getting criticism for taking too long to speak out against the riots and looting taking place around the country. Trump’s tweet forces that issue into a higher profile, even if it also steps on Biden’s silence a bit, too.
Besides, the DoJ has a more powerful tool than a “designation” anyway. They have RICO — the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. It has been routinely used to break up criminal syndicates, and Antifa certainly qualifies. If the DoJ can prove any kind of coordination to commit felonies, then suddenly anyone in the organization becomes criminally liable for all of the felonies committed, at least in theory. If Trump and Barr really want to take down Antifa, that’s their best bet, not an essentially meaningless “designation.”


hotair--2020-06-01--Trump rushed to bunker during riots

Trump rushed to bunker during riots

How serious are the riots getting in Washington , DC ?
Serious enough that the Secret Service hustled the President down to the bunker for an hour last night .
Keep in mind that the area inside the fence surrounding the White House , as well as the airspace above it , is one of the most heavily protected places on the planet outside of Fort Knox and some of our nuclear installations .
And yet the rioters , looters and vandals managed to get close enough that precautionary measures were deemed necessary on Sunday night .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frustrated at the inability of governments around the country to bring this mayhem under control , undermining his image of keeping a firm hand on the tiller and managing events in the public square .
( Associated Press ) Secret Service agents rushed President Donald Trump to a White House bunker on Friday night as hundreds of protesters gathered outside the executive mansion , some of them throwing rocks and tugging at police barricades .
Trump spent nearly an hour in the bunker , which was designed for use in emergencies like terrorist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the White House who was not authorized to publicly discuss private matters and spoke on condition of anonymity .
The account was confirmed by an administration official who also spoke on condition of anonymity .
The abrupt decision by the agents underscored the rattled mood inside the White House , where the chants from protesters in Lafayette Park could be heard all weekend and Secret Service agents and law enforcement officers struggled to contain the crowds .
It ’ s unclear how much support the White House can expect from the DC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curfew last night from 11 pm to six o ’ clock this morning , but the rioters clearly ignored those orders .
The District police were out in force once again , but they mostly held their lines and observed as the destruction continued .
( There were 18 arrests reported , as compared to countless acts of violence and mayhem . )
For her part , Bowser is continuing to claim that she will ensure the safety of everyone in the District , though she had previously gotten in a shot at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of the cities across the country are obviously disturbing in the extreme , the situation in Washington , DC is one to keep an eye on .
If we ’ re reaching the point where we can ’ t even keep the streets surrounding the White House secure , the republic is in serious danger .
Washington is the scene of regular protests , frequently drawing people in the tens or even hundreds of thousands .
It ’ s practically a daily event and local law enforcement is used to it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are riots , featuring thousands of people who are looking to institute mob rule .
Just the other day we saw reports indicating that more than sixty members of the Secret Service were injured during standoffs with the mob .
The training and equipment available to the Secret Service are significantly more advanced than what you see with the average cops on the beat .
If they can ’ t hold back this tide of violence , then we ’ re in serious trouble .
So who is supposed to address this situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country have been out there issuing nearly identical messages of solidarity with those exercising their freedom of speech to protest the death of George Floyd while demanding that the destructive rioters disperse .
They ’ re not listening .
They ’ re not complying .
They are flagrantly breaking pretty much every law in the book with the confidence of criminals who believe they can ’ t be detained or held accountable .
We ’ re quickly reaching the point where our elected leaders are going to have to decide whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to domestic terrorists or do something to restore order .
And a “ calming conversation ” obviously isn ’ t going to get the job done .

How serious are the riots getting in Washington, DC? Serious enough that the Secret Service hustled the President down to the bunker for an hour last night. Keep in mind that the area inside the fence surrounding the White House, as well as the airspace above it, is one of the most heavily protected places on the planet outside of Fort Knox and some of our nuclear installations. And yet the rioters, looters and vandals managed to get close enough that precautionary measures were deemed necessary on Sunday night. It’s not hard to imagine Trump becoming increasingly frustrated at the inability of governments around the country to bring this mayhem under control, undermining his image of keeping a firm hand on the tiller and managing events in the public square. (Associated Press)
Secret Service agents rushed President Donald Trump to a White House bunker on Friday night as hundreds of protesters gathered outside the executive mansion, some of them throwing rocks and tugging at police barricades. Trump spent nearly an hour in the bunker, which was designed for use in emergencies like terrorist attacks, according to a Republican close to the White House who was not authorized to publicly discuss private matters and spoke on condition of anonymity. The account was confirmed by an administration official who also spoke on condition of anonymity. The abrupt decision by the agents underscored the rattled mood inside the White House, where the chants from protesters in Lafayette Park could be heard all weekend and Secret Service agents and law enforcement officers struggled to contain the crowds.
It’s unclear how much support the White House can expect from the DC government. Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a curfew last night from 11 pm to six o’clock this morning, but the rioters clearly ignored those orders. The District police were out in force once again, but they mostly held their lines and observed as the destruction continued. (There were 18 arrests reported, as compared to countless acts of violence and mayhem.)
For her part, Bowser is continuing to claim that she will ensure the safety of everyone in the District, though she had previously gotten in a shot at the President.
My police department will always protect DC and all who are in it whether I agree with them (such as those exercising their First Amendment Right) or those I don’t (namely, @realdonaldtrump)… — Muriel Bowser (@MurielBowser) May 30, 2020
While the riots in most of the cities across the country are obviously disturbing in the extreme, the situation in Washington, DC is one to keep an eye on. If we’re reaching the point where we can’t even keep the streets surrounding the White House secure, the republic is in serious danger. Washington is the scene of regular protests, frequently drawing people in the tens or even hundreds of thousands. It’s practically a daily event and local law enforcement is used to it. But these are not protests. These are riots, featuring thousands of people who are looking to institute mob rule.
Just the other day we saw reports indicating that more than sixty members of the Secret Service were injured during standoffs with the mob. The training and equipment available to the Secret Service are significantly more advanced than what you see with the average cops on the beat. If they can’t hold back this tide of violence, then we’re in serious trouble.
So who is supposed to address this situation and wind it back down? Mayors across the country have been out there issuing nearly identical messages of solidarity with those exercising their freedom of speech to protest the death of George Floyd while demanding that the destructive rioters disperse. They’re not listening. They’re not complying. They are flagrantly breaking pretty much every law in the book with the confidence of criminals who believe they can’t be detained or held accountable. We’re quickly reaching the point where our elected leaders are going to have to decide whether they are willing to surrender the streets to domestic terrorists or do something to restore order. And a “calming conversation” obviously isn’t going to get the job done.


hotair--2020-06-01--Who had Dennis Rodman as a voice of reason on their bingo card?

Not me .
Dennis Rodman hasn ’ t entered my thoughts at all as many of us continue to try to find some sanity during some insane times .
Until today .
Today I read a piece about Rodman ’ s thoughts on the rioting and looting going on under the guise of protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
After doing so , I thought how good it is for some real talk to be emerging among all the usual support from the woke crowd for the protesters .
It ’ s fine to support protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not make a distinction once the protests turn into violent , destructive riots .
The far left and their cohorts in the entertainment industry and in political leadership across the country are so afraid of offending someone that they offer up support for protests while ignoring the anarchy that is coming with them .
That includes Joe Biden ’ s campaign staffers who are openly supporting the rioters and contributing money to bail them out of jail .
Rodman said what many of us are thinking – rioters and looters are acting like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the protesters but “ we have enough issues with ” the coronavirus , among other things .
“ I think someone needs to come out and say , ‘ Hey , guys , why are we looting ?
Why are we stealing ?
Why are we creating more issues , more problems ?
” the 59-year-old Rodman said in an Instagram video , titled “ Rest in Power George Floyd.
” “ This is a bad , bad situation .
But the fact that you ’ re gon na protest , protest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have to go and burn down things , steal things , burn things and stuff like that.
” “ Please understand … we have to live together , ” Rodman said .
“ We ’ re human beings , we ’ re not f–king animals.
” Say what you will about some of the crazy things Rodman has done in the past , as I have , but at least in this instance , he is the one making sense .
You can contrast that with another NBA legend , Michael Jordan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for peaceful protests without specifically calling out the anarchy .
He sounds like the politicians .
Jordan is not one to speak up about political issues , as a general rule , but he did begin to do so in 2016 .
It ’ s no coincidence that he suddenly found his voice once Donald Trump was elected president .
He ’ s a part of The Resistance , too .
Actor Robert Patrick ( “ Terminator 2 ” , “ True Blood ” ) is speaking out , too .
Like other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voice his outrage at the killing of George Floyd , but unlike most celebrities , he is also a small business owner .
He is the co-owner of Harley Davidson of Santa Clarita .
Realty bites fast once it ’ s your business that ’ s on the line .
It ’ s a start .
We ’ ll see if any others with a platform find the spine to speak up against the violence .
Our elected officials are failing us with their incompetence , especially the Democrats controlling the big cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come forward and say enough is enough .
I continue to be a supporter of the First Lady .
She ’ s doing a good job in her position and she ’ s been tweeting about the protests , too .
I ’ ll end with this video of a black woman schooling a car full of Antifa instigators .
The white Antifa people were giving bricks to black protesters .
Antifa means violence .
It ’ s as simple as that .
Kudos to this woman for speaking out .
Warning @ @ @ @ @ @

Not me. Dennis Rodman hasn’t entered my thoughts at all as many of us continue to try to find some sanity during some insane times. Until today.
Today I read a piece about Rodman’s thoughts on the rioting and looting going on under the guise of protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. After doing so, I thought how good it is for some real talk to be emerging among all the usual support from the woke crowd for the protesters. It’s fine to support protests, it isn’t fine to not make a distinction once the protests turn into violent, destructive riots. The far left and their cohorts in the entertainment industry and in political leadership across the country are so afraid of offending someone that they offer up support for protests while ignoring the anarchy that is coming with them. That includes Joe Biden’s campaign staffers who are openly supporting the rioters and contributing money to bail them out of jail.
Rodman said what many of us are thinking – rioters and looters are acting like animals. He said he sympathizes with the protesters but “we have enough issues with” the coronavirus, among other things.
“I think someone needs to come out and say, ‘Hey, guys, why are we looting? Why are we stealing? Why are we creating more issues, more problems?” the 59-year-old Rodman said in an Instagram video, titled “Rest in Power George Floyd.” “This is a bad, bad situation. But the fact that you’re gonna protest, protest in the right way. You don’t have to go and burn down things, steal things, burn things and stuff like that.” “Please understand … we have to live together,” Rodman said. “We’re human beings, we’re not f–king animals.”
Say what you will about some of the crazy things Rodman has done in the past, as I have, but at least in this instance, he is the one making sense. You can contrast that with another NBA legend, Michael Jordan’s statement.
“I am deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry. I see and feel everyone’s pain, outrage and frustration,” Jordan said in a statement the Hornets released Sunday. “I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of color in our country. We have had enough.”
Michael Jordan chimes in pic.twitter.com/2E80TdUbwx — Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) May 31, 2020
He spoke up for peaceful protests without specifically calling out the anarchy. He sounds like the politicians. Jordan is not one to speak up about political issues, as a general rule, but he did begin to do so in 2016. It’s no coincidence that he suddenly found his voice once Donald Trump was elected president. He’s a part of The Resistance, too.
Actor Robert Patrick (“Terminator 2”, “True Blood”) is speaking out, too. Like other celebrities, he used social media to voice his outrage at the killing of George Floyd, but unlike most celebrities, he is also a small business owner. He is the co-owner of Harley Davidson of Santa Clarita. Realty bites fast once it’s your business that’s on the line.
Prayers for America this morning. George Floyd’s murder is a horrible tragedy committed by a bad cop. His death is not honoured by this rioting and looting. We must come together as a nation. In the words of the late Rodney King “Can’t we all just get along?” — Robert Patrick 🇺🇸 (@robertpatrickT2) May 31, 2020
As a business owner my sympathy is not with rioters, but the innocent people who have invested their life’s earnings into their businesss only to see them destroyed by angry mobs! — Robert Patrick 🇺🇸 (@robertpatrickT2) May 31, 2020
It’s a start. We’ll see if any others with a platform find the spine to speak up against the violence. Our elected officials are failing us with their incompetence, especially the Democrats controlling the big cities. It is the responsibility of individuals to come forward and say enough is enough.
I continue to be a supporter of the First Lady. She’s doing a good job in her position and she’s been tweeting about the protests, too.
Our country allows for peaceful protests, but there is no reason for violence. I’ve seen our citizens unify & take care of one another through COVID19 & we can’t stop now. My deepest condolences to the family of George Floyd. As a nation, let's focus on peace, prayers & healing. — Melania Trump 45 Archived (@FLOTUS45) May 29, 2020
Saddened to see our country & communities being damaged & vandalized. I ask everyone to protest in peace & focus on taking care of one another & healing our great nation. — Melania Trump 45 Archived (@FLOTUS45) June 1, 2020
I’ll end with this video of a black woman schooling a car full of Antifa instigators. The white Antifa people were giving bricks to black protesters. Antifa means violence. It’s as simple as that. Kudos to this woman for speaking out. Warning: NSFW (language).
https://twitter.com/redwins3_first/status/1267374064231948288


hotair--2020-06-02--AP: Say, are the media encouraging the riots with our coverage?

If it bleeds , it leads — and these riots have plenty of bleeding to report .
The Associated Press does some navel-gazing today about the coverage of the protests and unrest following the George Floyd homicide in Minneapolis , and raises a few uncomfortable questions .
Has the national media ’ s focus on violence crowded out attention on legitimate protests ?
Is cable news fueling a cycle of violence by essentially glorifying it in prime time ?
The nation ’ s unrest has made for an unprecedented nightly action show on television , with control rooms that switch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advancing on demonstrators and ransacked stores in cities across the country .
… Floyd ’ s brother , Terrence , publicly asked Monday for those people outraged by how George died last week after a Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee to his brother ’ s neck to make their feelings known peacefully .
When darkness falls and prime-time television begins , earnest activism is replaced by tense scenes of conflict unique in their breadth .
Scenes of urban unrest have been visible before in the nation ’ s history — the 1968 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but not in so many cities at the same time , with so many cameras to observe .
Again , if it bleeds , it leads .
Both the protests and the riots are news , after all , but the destruction of the riots are probably much more acutely news .
Combine that with the fact that the riots have taken place mostly at night , where agitators can work under cover of darkness , and it ’ s tough to blame the media for its prime-time focus .
Al Sharpton argues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than focusing on more important issues : “ If you only display that , in this whole ‘ if it bleeds , it leads ’ media obsession , than in many ways you are hurting George Floyd all over again , ” said Sharpton , an MSNBC host .
“ Because he becomes a side story to the tragedy of what happened and to the pursuit of justice.
” What ’ s happening in the cities need to be covered , but not at the expense of losing Floyd , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” ?
There is still a great deal of attention being paid to the case , especially where it matters in Minnesota .
Keith Ellison was on national television this morning to discuss potential charges against other police officers ; Joe Biden made national headlines discussion police reform .
In our state legislature , the DFL proclaimed that police reform will now be the “ centerpiece ” of their special-session state legislature agenda , along with COVID-19 .
If anyone ’ s to blame for “ losing Floyd , ” it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for their own political ends .
Add in the looters who are exploiting the chaos to pillage their own communities , and we have plenty of people to hold responsible for the distraction .
The media ’ s coverage might incentivize some of this , too , but the solution for that would be to choose to deliberately refuse to inform the public by crafting a more desirable narrative .
We already have too much of that from the media , Andrew Malcolm wrote earlier today : Trump supporters will say he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with substance-free messages that consume the well-paid time of these Eastern elites .
There is an element of truth to this claim about the man who brought the mentality of a successful reality show executive producer into the White House .
But inadvertently , the Capitol media ’ s willingness to be so manipulated also reveals a disturbing , little-noticed change in the idea of what is journalism today .
There has always been bias and subjectivity in the daily news business , not just in what was written or said by those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more importantly , in what was ignored or dismissed derisively and briefly .
Speaking from some decades of personal experience , in bygone times , each individual story was generally constructed to recount the who , what , when , where and why of the subject at hand , including select background as necessary .
It was a stand-alone story .
No longer .
Today , there is a narrative , a story template that each report must fit into .
Those that don ’ t fit , like your high school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One has to ask these questions about the coverage : Is it news , and does it matter ?
If the answers to those questions are yes and the media is covering it , then it ’ s tough to complain .
If the answers to those questions are no and the media isn ’ t covering it , then that ’ s not really a problem either .
It ’ s when the media makes the irrelevant or false into a self-serving narrative or when they deliberately ignore or downplay actual news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becomes part of the problem .
Frankly , I ’ d be more inclined to call social media a bigger threat , except that it occasionally comes in handy to expose and trap the truly stupid .
For now , however , let ’ s blame the actual malefactors rather than the content-hungry media that is presently covering them .

If it bleeds, it leads — and these riots have plenty of bleeding to report. The Associated Press does some navel-gazing today about the coverage of the protests and unrest following the George Floyd homicide in Minneapolis, and raises a few uncomfortable questions. Has the national media’s focus on violence crowded out attention on legitimate protests? Is cable news fueling a cycle of violence by essentially glorifying it in prime time?
Literally, even?
The nation’s unrest has made for an unprecedented nightly action show on television, with control rooms that switch quickly between cars ablaze, police officers advancing on demonstrators and ransacked stores in cities across the country. … Floyd’s brother, Terrence, publicly asked Monday for those people outraged by how George died last week after a Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee to his brother’s neck to make their feelings known peacefully. That’s daytime television, however. When darkness falls and prime-time television begins, earnest activism is replaced by tense scenes of conflict unique in their breadth. Scenes of urban unrest have been visible before in the nation’s history — the 1968 riots were more frightening and deadly — but not in so many cities at the same time, with so many cameras to observe.
Again, if it bleeds, it leads. Both the protests and the riots are news, after all, but the destruction of the riots are probably much more acutely news. Combine that with the fact that the riots have taken place mostly at night, where agitators can work under cover of darkness, and it’s tough to blame the media for its prime-time focus.
Al Sharpton argues that the coverage is setting a narrative rather than focusing on more important issues:
“If you only display that, in this whole ‘if it bleeds, it leads’ media obsession, than in many ways you are hurting George Floyd all over again,” said Sharpton, an MSNBC host. “Because he becomes a side story to the tragedy of what happened and to the pursuit of justice.” What’s happening in the cities need to be covered, but not at the expense of losing Floyd, he said.
Who’s “losing Floyd”? There is still a great deal of attention being paid to the case, especially where it matters in Minnesota. Keith Ellison was on national television this morning to discuss potential charges against other police officers; Joe Biden made national headlines discussion police reform. In our state legislature, the DFL proclaimed that police reform will now be the “centerpiece” of their special-session state legislature agenda, along with COVID-19.
If anyone’s to blame for “losing Floyd,” it’s the agitators who have hijacked the controversy for their own political ends. Add in the looters who are exploiting the chaos to pillage their own communities, and we have plenty of people to hold responsible for the distraction. The media’s coverage might incentivize some of this, too, but the solution for that would be to choose to deliberately refuse to inform the public by crafting a more desirable narrative.
We already have too much of that from the media, Andrew Malcolm wrote earlier today:
Trump supporters will say he’s a genius at distracting D.C. media with substance-free messages that consume the well-paid time of these Eastern elites. There is an element of truth to this claim about the man who brought the mentality of a successful reality show executive producer into the White House. But inadvertently, the Capitol media’s willingness to be so manipulated also reveals a disturbing, little-noticed change in the idea of what is journalism today. There has always been bias and subjectivity in the daily news business, not just in what was written or said by those men and women and their editors but, more importantly, in what was ignored or dismissed derisively and briefly. Speaking from some decades of personal experience, in bygone times, each individual story was generally constructed to recount the who, what, when, where and why of the subject at hand, including select background as necessary. It was a stand-alone story. No longer. Today, there is a narrative, a story template that each report must fit into. Those that don’t fit, like your high school jersey, get dismissed or ignored.
One has to ask these questions about the coverage: Is it news, and does it matter? If the answers to those questions are yes and the media is covering it, then it’s tough to complain. If the answers to those questions are no and the media isn’t covering it, then that’s not really a problem either. It’s when the media makes the irrelevant or false into a self-serving narrative or when they deliberately ignore or downplay actual news to preserve those narratives that the media becomes part of the problem.
Frankly, I’d be more inclined to call social media a bigger threat, except that it occasionally comes in handy to expose and trap the truly stupid. For now, however, let’s blame the actual malefactors rather than the content-hungry media that is presently covering them.


hotair--2020-06-02--Park Police issue statement on clearing of Lafayette Park

CNN and other outlets have been beating the drum about President Trump ’ s walk to a nearby church yesterday , specifically claiming that peaceful protesters were hit with tear gas in order to move them out of the way .
But today the Chief of the US Park Police issued a statement saying his officers didn ’ t use any tear gas , only smoke canisters .
The United States Park Police ( USPP ) is committed to the peaceful expression of First Amendment rights .
However , this past weekend ’ s demonstrations at Lafayette Park and across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not part of a peaceful protest , which resulted in injuries to USPP officers in the line of duty , the destruction of public property and the defacing of memorials and monuments .
During four days of demonstrations , 51 members of the USPP were injured ; of those , 11 were transported to the hospital and released and three were admitted .
Multiple agencies assisted the USPP in responding to and quelling the acts of destruction and violence over the course of the weekend in order to protect citizens and property .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ USPP worked with the United States Secret Service to have temporary fencing installed inside Lafayette Park .
At approximately 6:33 pm , violent protestors on H Street NW began throwing projectiles including bricks , frozen water bottles and caustic liquids .
The protestors also climbed onto a historic building at the north end of Lafayette Park that was destroyed by arson days prior .
Intelligence had revealed calls for violence against the police , and officers found caches of glass bottles , baseball bats and metal poles hidden along the street .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the USPP , following established policy , issued three warnings over a loudspeaker to alert demonstrators on H Street to evacuate the area .
Horse mounted patrol , Civil Disturbance Units and additional personnel were used to clear the area .
As many of the protestors became more combative , continued to throw projectiles , and attempted to grab officers ’ weapons , officers then employed the use of smoke canisters and pepper balls .
No tear gas was used by USPP officers or other assisting law enforcement partners to close the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fence was installed .
There were widespread reports on television and in print yesterday that tear gas was used .
Here ’ s the NY Times : That story does confirm that multiple warnings were issued .
Here ’ s a separate story at the NY Times making the same claim .
Was tear gas used ?
WTOP reporter Neil Augenstein got the same story from the Park Police , however there were other agencies there yesterday including the DC Police and the Secret Service .
The former denied using tear gas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t say .
Hunter Walker , a reporter for Yahoo , took issue with Laura Ingraham for claiming no tear has was used .
Walker was approaching the park just as the police began pushing people out .
You can see exactly what happened in his clip .
At 7:00 minutes both he and others complain their eyes are burning from the gas and he turns back down the street to get away from it .
I do see a couple of different colors of gas in this clip ( near the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using something the Park Police were not ?
The tear gas issue is a proxy fight between people who don ’ t think Trump should not have cleared the park of protesters for any reason and those who think clearing the protesters ( who had injured dozens of police officers and set the church on fire the night before ) was appropriate as a symbolic act of restoring order .
And even that debate is part of an even larger debate about how to deal with the riots and looting we saw around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is going to continue and may shift depending how out of control things get tonight .

CNN and other outlets have been beating the drum about President Trump’s walk to a nearby church yesterday, specifically claiming that peaceful protesters were hit with tear gas in order to move them out of the way. But today the Chief of the US Park Police issued a statement saying his officers didn’t use any tear gas, only smoke canisters.
The United States Park Police (USPP) is committed to the peaceful expression of First Amendment rights. However, this past weekend’s demonstrations at Lafayette Park and across the National Mall included activities that were not part of a peaceful protest, which resulted in injuries to USPP officers in the line of duty, the destruction of public property and the defacing of memorials and monuments. During four days of demonstrations, 51 members of the USPP were injured; of those, 11 were transported to the hospital and released and three were admitted. Multiple agencies assisted the USPP in responding to and quelling the acts of destruction and violence over the course of the weekend in order to protect citizens and property. On Monday, June 1, the USPP worked with the United States Secret Service to have temporary fencing installed inside Lafayette Park. At approximately 6:33 pm, violent protestors on H Street NW began throwing projectiles including bricks, frozen water bottles and caustic liquids. The protestors also climbed onto a historic building at the north end of Lafayette Park that was destroyed by arson days prior. Intelligence had revealed calls for violence against the police, and officers found caches of glass bottles, baseball bats and metal poles hidden along the street. To curtail the violence that was underway, the USPP, following established policy, issued three warnings over a loudspeaker to alert demonstrators on H Street to evacuate the area. Horse mounted patrol, Civil Disturbance Units and additional personnel were used to clear the area. As many of the protestors became more combative, continued to throw projectiles, and attempted to grab officers’ weapons, officers then employed the use of smoke canisters and pepper balls. No tear gas was used by USPP officers or other assisting law enforcement partners to close the area at Lafayette Park. Subsequently, the fence was installed.
There were widespread reports on television and in print yesterday that tear gas was used. Here’s the NY Times:
As Mr. Trump delivered a speech in the Rose Garden vowing to send the military to states where governors could not bring rioting under control but calling himself “an ally of all peaceful protesters,” the sound of explosions and the yells of demonstrators could be heard. After receiving repeated warnings to disperse before the city’s curfew, the crowd was tear-gassed.
That story does confirm that multiple warnings were issued. Here’s a separate story at the NY Times making the same claim.
…police fired flash-bang explosions and tear gas and used officers on horseback to drive away peaceful protesters as Mr. Trump appeared in the Rose Garden and threatened to send the United States military into states where governors could not bring protests under control.
Was tear gas used? WTOP reporter Neil Augenstein got the same story from the Park Police, however there were other agencies there yesterday including the DC Police and the Secret Service. The former denied using tear gas.
..later in the evening, when protesters had gotten "very aggressive" near Judiciary Square. — Neal Augenstein (@AugensteinWTOP) June 2, 2020
However, the Secret Service wouldn’t say.
Just got an answer to my question to the US Secret Service about whether the agency used tear gas: "For operational security reasons, the U.S. Secret Service does not discuss our protectees or our protective means and methods." Clearly, that didn't answer my question. — Neal Augenstein (@AugensteinWTOP) June 2, 2020
Maggie Haberman calls this a bizarre distinction.
One of more bizarre episodes is Trump campaign making stand on whether it was tear gas or another agent > https://t.co/KvvvQ7YlPc — Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) June 2, 2020
Hunter Walker, a reporter for Yahoo, took issue with Laura Ingraham for claiming no tear has was used. Walker was approaching the park just as the police began pushing people out. You can see exactly what happened in his clip. At 7:00 minutes both he and others complain their eyes are burning from the gas and he turns back down the street to get away from it.
Hi Laura. Park Police are the ones with the blue helmets in this clip, part of a clearly coordinated advance. You can also see the many colors of gas and people reacting in real time. Please have more respect for your audience than this. https://t.co/ybbEQD0Fl8 — Hunter Walker (@hunterw) June 2, 2020
I do see a couple of different colors of gas in this clip (near the end). Perhaps the Secret Service was using something the Park Police were not?
The tear gas issue is a proxy fight between people who don’t think Trump should not have cleared the park of protesters for any reason and those who think clearing the protesters (who had injured dozens of police officers and set the church on fire the night before) was appropriate as a symbolic act of restoring order. And even that debate is part of an even larger debate about how to deal with the riots and looting we saw around the country last night. That debate is going to continue and may shift depending how out of control things get tonight.


hotair--2020-06-02--Two more NYC Molotov throwers (both attorneys!) identified

A couple of days ago we looked at the case of Samantha Shader , the young New York City woman who has been charged with four counts of attempted murder after throwing a lit Molotov cocktail into an NYPD van with officers inside .
Thankfully she failed in her attempt when the bomb refused to explode .
But some of her fellow travelers were more successful , using the incendiary devices to destroy other emergency response vehicles .
Two of them have now not only been identified , but significant evidence is building up that should ensure they are taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
Jonathan Turley has all the details of this dynamic duo on his website .
Colinford Mattis , 32 , and Urooj Rahman , 31 , are both attorneys in the Big Apple .
Or at least they were until very recently .
Mattis was the driver of the van seen pulling up near at least one NYPD vehicle and Rahman was the woman who ( with apparently more skill than Shader ) threw a lit Molotov into it , whereupon it exploded and destroyed the car .
That would be enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but as Turley reports , new video evidence has emerged showing that the pair was attempting to distribute Molotovs to other rioters in the area .
That may be why the feds are involved and why the pair could be facing charges of domestic terrorism I would expect that additional charges might be sought now that authorities are saying that they were trying to distribute the Molotov cocktails .
The criminal complaint now includes the allegations that “ Rahman attempted to distribute Molotov cocktails to the witness and others so that those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in furtherance of more destruction and violence.
” The use of the federal system is also likely to produce a longer sentence in a case of this kind , particularly if they can show a broader conspiracy or interstate movements or communications .
The new allegation reflects premeditation and planning to unleash multiple fire bombings .
The FBI is likely looking at the ownership of the van and anyone who may have rendered material support .
The case is framed perfectly as a test case of the Administration treating defendants as domestic terrorists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 U.S.C .
2331 : The definition of domestic terrorism as used in United States legal code is still being hashed out over time , but these two certainly seem to fill the bill .
It looks like the paper trail may exist to get them acquiring and assembling all of the components required to create firebombs .
And they “ conspired ” to do it together .
They then were seen attempting to enlist others to make use of the bombs .
And the purpose of their activities looks like a slam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ definitions .
One of those is activities that “ appear to be intended— ( i ) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population ; ( ii ) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion ; or ( iii ) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction , assassination , or kidnapping.
” Sadly , these two are ( allegedly ) only one pair out of thousands upon thousands of thugs that have been terrorizing New York City under the guise of protesting the death of George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proving impossible for law enforcement to significantly slow them down , to say nothing of being able to put them all behind bars .
But if these two manage to wind up pulling decades in prison for their schemes rather than getting a slap on the wrist , it might start sending a message to the rest of them .

A couple of days ago we looked at the case of Samantha Shader, the young New York City woman who has been charged with four counts of attempted murder after throwing a lit Molotov cocktail into an NYPD van with officers inside. Thankfully she failed in her attempt when the bomb refused to explode. But some of her fellow travelers were more successful, using the incendiary devices to destroy other emergency response vehicles. Two of them have now not only been identified, but significant evidence is building up that should ensure they are taken out of action for a very long time.
Jonathan Turley has all the details of this dynamic duo on his website. Colinford Mattis, 32, and Urooj Rahman, 31, are both attorneys in the Big Apple. Or at least they were until very recently. Mattis was the driver of the van seen pulling up near at least one NYPD vehicle and Rahman was the woman who (with apparently more skill than Shader) threw a lit Molotov into it, whereupon it exploded and destroyed the car. That would be enough for some serious charges to start with, but as Turley reports, new video evidence has emerged showing that the pair was attempting to distribute Molotovs to other rioters in the area. That may be why the feds are involved and why the pair could be facing charges of domestic terrorism
I would expect that additional charges might be sought now that authorities are saying that they were trying to distribute the Molotov cocktails. The criminal complaint now includes the allegations that “Rahman attempted to distribute Molotov cocktails to the witness and others so that those individuals could likewise use the incendiary devices in furtherance of more destruction and violence.” The use of the federal system is also likely to produce a longer sentence in a case of this kind, particularly if they can show a broader conspiracy or interstate movements or communications. The new allegation reflects premeditation and planning to unleash multiple fire bombings. The FBI is likely looking at the ownership of the van and anyone who may have rendered material support. The case is framed perfectly as a test case of the Administration treating defendants as domestic terrorists under the definition in subsection 5 of 18 U.S.C. 2331:
The definition of domestic terrorism as used in United States legal code is still being hashed out over time, but these two certainly seem to fill the bill. It looks like the paper trail may exist to get them acquiring and assembling all of the components required to create firebombs. And they “conspired” to do it together. They then were seen attempting to enlist others to make use of the bombs.
And the purpose of their activities looks like a slam dunk in terms of the terrorism code definitions. One of those is activities that “appear to be intended—(i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or (iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping.”
Sadly, these two are (allegedly) only one pair out of thousands upon thousands of thugs that have been terrorizing New York City under the guise of protesting the death of George Floyd. It’s thus far proving impossible for law enforcement to significantly slow them down, to say nothing of being able to put them all behind bars. But if these two manage to wind up pulling decades in prison for their schemes rather than getting a slap on the wrist, it might start sending a message to the rest of them.


hotair--2020-06-02--One New Yorker's sleepless night as lawlessness and disorder took over the city

I didn ’ t sleep very well last night .
After spending several hours watching the looting and attacks on police , I tried to go to bed but was still up until almost 2 am .
I wasn ’ t worried about my family ’ s safety I was just wound up .
This morning I read a story written by Sohrab Ahmari , an editor at the NY Post .
His restless night was , shall we say , somewhat different than mine .
He spent a lot of it downstairs with the doormen , watching and hoping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the glass front doors and , perhaps , make their way upstairs to where people including Ahmari ’ s children were sleeping : I felt the insecurity of lawlessness and disorder more acutely than I ever had before — and I ’ ve filed datelines all over the Middle East , including from the front line of the Iraqi Kurdish war against the Islamic State .
But I wasn ’ t the hero of these four hours .
That role belonged to our two doormen , whom I will call Alfonso and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people of color who were all that stood between the families in our building and the savagery of a depraved mob below… They won ’ t come to our block , I thought .
We have no sexy stores to loot .
My optimism was misplaced .
When I went downstairs that second time , Alfonso looked alarmed : “ Unless you absolutely have to go out , ” he said , “ please stay inside.
” He needn ’ t have said anything : Instantly , I spotted more of those roving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ block , some heading west , some east — and some staying put and observing us through our glass entrance before moving on .
After a break to head upstairs and check on his family , Ahmari returned to the front door at 2 am .
At 2 in the morning , it couldn ’ t be denied that one particular roving gang was roving no more ; its members were obviously staking out our building .
Now cackling , now going ominously silent .
Should I race upstairs and bring a kitchen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out ?
Would they just smash our lobby and leave ?
What could stop them if they wanted to take the elevators up to our homes ?
… Johnny was frozen to his chair .
I could feel him holding his breath .
Then , after a beat , one of the youths waved his hand contemptuously at our lobby , as if to say , This isn ’ t worth it .
And then he said out loud : “ Nah , f–k this place.
” And that was it .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with their loot .
But they clearly thought about it .
And that makes me wonder if this is really over or just getting started .
Mayor de Blasio has vowed New York won ’ t tolerate this and Gov .
Cuomo has called him a failure but that doesn ’ t guarantee a peaceful Tuesday night .
Will the looters return to the already looted stores , many of which have been stripped of everything of value ?
Probably not .
Maybe they ’ ll find new part of town to rob @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there be more of them tonight or fewer ?
Not just in New York , but everywhere .
A lot of people saw thieves get away with a lot of free merchandise last night .
They also saw how few of the looters were arrested .
How many more gangs out there are planning to try their luck tonight , maybe on Rodeo Drive or the local mall or wherever the shops are open to anyone with a hammer and a prybar .
It will matter a lot what the police are doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stunned and outnumbered .
But in the midst of the George Floyd protests , getting tough with lawbreakers has its own risks .
However many of us had sleepless nights last night , I think it ’ s fair to say that police around the country had it far worse .

I didn’t sleep very well last night. After spending several hours watching the looting and attacks on police, I tried to go to bed but was still up until almost 2 am. I wasn’t worried about my family’s safety I was just wound up. This morning I read a story written by Sohrab Ahmari, an editor at the NY Post. His restless night was, shall we say, somewhat different than mine. He spent a lot of it downstairs with the doormen, watching and hoping the looters would decide not to break in the glass front doors and, perhaps, make their way upstairs to where people including Ahmari’s children were sleeping:
I felt the insecurity of lawlessness and disorder more acutely than I ever had before — and I’ve filed datelines all over the Middle East, including from the front line of the Iraqi Kurdish war against the Islamic State. But I wasn’t the hero of these four hours. That role belonged to our two doormen, whom I will call Alfonso and Johnny — unarmed, upright, working-class people of color who were all that stood between the families in our building and the savagery of a depraved mob below… They won’t come to our block, I thought. We have no sexy stores to loot. My optimism was misplaced. When I went downstairs that second time, Alfonso looked alarmed: “Unless you absolutely have to go out,” he said, “please stay inside.” He needn’t have said anything: Instantly, I spotted more of those roving packs walking, sometimes running down our block, some heading west, some east — and some staying put and observing us through our glass entrance before moving on.
After a break to head upstairs and check on his family, Ahmari returned to the front door at 2 am.
At 2 in the morning, it couldn’t be denied that one particular roving gang was roving no more; its members were obviously staking out our building. Now cackling, now going ominously silent. Should I race upstairs and bring a kitchen knife? How would this scenario play out? Would they just smash our lobby and leave? What could stop them if they wanted to take the elevators up to our homes?… Johnny was frozen to his chair. I could feel him holding his breath. Then, after a beat, one of the youths waved his hand contemptuously at our lobby, as if to say, This isn’t worth it. And then he said out loud: “Nah, f–k this place.”
And that was it. The looters moved on and eventually went home with their loot. But they clearly thought about it. And that makes me wonder if this is really over or just getting started.
Mayor de Blasio has vowed New York won’t tolerate this and Gov. Cuomo has called him a failure but that doesn’t guarantee a peaceful Tuesday night. Will the looters return to the already looted stores, many of which have been stripped of everything of value? Probably not. Maybe they’ll find new part of town to rob.
And just as important, will there be more of them tonight or fewer? Not just in New York, but everywhere. A lot of people saw thieves get away with a lot of free merchandise last night. They also saw how few of the looters were arrested. How many more gangs out there are planning to try their luck tonight, maybe on Rodeo Drive or the local mall or wherever the shops are open to anyone with a hammer and a prybar.
It will matter a lot what the police are doing tonight. Last night the NYPD seemed stunned and outnumbered. But in the midst of the George Floyd protests, getting tough with lawbreakers has its own risks. However many of us had sleepless nights last night, I think it’s fair to say that police around the country had it far worse.


hotair--2020-06-02--In NYC, the riots have shown that the lockdown is over

An interesting bit of perspective on the shutdown situation in New York City comes to us this week from NY Daily News columnist Robert A. George , a resident of the Big Apple himself .
Along with the rest of us , the author has been watching as the various demonstrations have played out across the five boroughs for the past few days .
Some have been relatively peaceful with strong opinions being shared .
Far too many more have quickly devolved into violent riots featuring assaults , arson and looting .
But these events have brought one thing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missed .
At no point have either the Governor nor the Mayor taken note of the fact that there is little to no social distancing going on and the participants in these activities have already pretty much ended the novel coronavirus shutdown .
So why hasn ’ t the government gotten the hint ?
This thing is over , ready or not .
Yes , you both expressed worry Monday morning about infection spikes in the coming weeks due to the protesters ( though the mayor had to be prompted via a reporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both barely mentioned it in your weekend briefings .
By opting not to impose either citywide or statewide curfews over four nights — by waiting to announce a curfew for Monday evening — you essentially conceded the rules do not apply for the marching thousands .
That means you both made the decision that certain things — political protest — are more important than public health considerations .
Little more than two weeks ago , New Yorkers saw police officers throwing a young mother forcibly to the ground for the “ offense ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yet for four days , thousands marched and assembled close together , hardly any social distancing either with themselves or with the police ( many of whom were maskless ) .
The rules do not apply for mass protest .
It ’ s time to end them for everyone else who have been scrupulously altering their behavior for three months .
Rob points out that continued suppression of public activity and commerce likely isn ’ t going to produce much more of a decrease in COVID-19 deaths at this point .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state on Sunday . )
And if there ’ s going to be another spike of the virus coming , it won ’ t be brought by the people who were still sheltering in their homes or the workers and business owners impatiently waiting to get back to business but following the rules .
It will come from hundreds of thousands of people who have been flooding the streets day and night , some mostly peacefully , others with malice aforethought .
There wasn ’ t a curfew issued until last night .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , except for the non-criminal residents who were still following the rules and sheltering in place instead of rioting .
Continuing to keep them locked down is simply a punishment for those who have committed no crime at this point .
If the viral genie is back out of the bottle now , it ’ s because of those who were refusing to follow the rules to begin with , and we won ’ t be putting it back in that bottle anytime soon .
Also , Rob makes a good point of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the protesters and the police is almost certainly being exacerbated by the shutdown .
Everyone is on edge .
Their nerves are frayed to the breaking point .
It didn ’ t take much of a match to ignite this simmering situation into a bonfire… in the case of many of the rioters , literally .
This is New York .
The City that Never Sleeps .
And the government has forced it into a medical coma for three months .
The residents of Gotham are going stir crazy , and now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ valve for a lot of that built-up tension to explode .
And they ’ ve also shown the folly of the Governor and the Mayor trying to force the lockdown down everyone ’ s throats for additional weeks or months .
As of this morning , Mayor de Blasio was still insisting that religious institutions and small business owners must remain closed , despite the masses of people filling the streets .
You can read his nonsensical explanation for this at National Review .
But that ’ s going to need to change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ll close by quoting the introduction of Rob ’ s column , which I skipped past at the top of this article .
Take it to heart .

An interesting bit of perspective on the shutdown situation in New York City comes to us this week from NY Daily News columnist Robert A. George, a resident of the Big Apple himself. Along with the rest of us, the author has been watching as the various demonstrations have played out across the five boroughs for the past few days. Some have been relatively peaceful with strong opinions being shared. Far too many more have quickly devolved into violent riots featuring assaults, arson and looting. But these events have brought one thing to light for Rob that others may have missed. At no point have either the Governor nor the Mayor taken note of the fact that there is little to no social distancing going on and the participants in these activities have already pretty much ended the novel coronavirus shutdown. So why hasn’t the government gotten the hint? This thing is over, ready or not.
Yes, you both expressed worry Monday morning about infection spikes in the coming weeks due to the protesters (though the mayor had to be prompted via a reporter’s question), but you both barely mentioned it in your weekend briefings. By opting not to impose either citywide or statewide curfews over four nights — by waiting to announce a curfew for Monday evening — you essentially conceded the rules do not apply for the marching thousands. That means you both made the decision that certain things — political protest — are more important than public health considerations. Little more than two weeks ago, New Yorkers saw police officers throwing a young mother forcibly to the ground for the “offense” of not having her mask on incorrectly. Yet for four days, thousands marched and assembled close together, hardly any social distancing either with themselves or with the police (many of whom were maskless). The rules do not apply for mass protest. It’s time to end them for everyone else who have been scrupulously altering their behavior for three months.
Rob points out that continued suppression of public activity and commerce likely isn’t going to produce much more of a decrease in COVID-19 deaths at this point. (There were 54 deaths in the entire state on Sunday.) And if there’s going to be another spike of the virus coming, it won’t be brought by the people who were still sheltering in their homes or the workers and business owners impatiently waiting to get back to business but following the rules. It will come from hundreds of thousands of people who have been flooding the streets day and night, some mostly peacefully, others with malice aforethought.
There wasn’t a curfew issued until last night. And pretty much everyone ignored it anyway, except for the non-criminal residents who were still following the rules and sheltering in place instead of rioting. Continuing to keep them locked down is simply a punishment for those who have committed no crime at this point. If the viral genie is back out of the bottle now, it’s because of those who were refusing to follow the rules to begin with, and we won’t be putting it back in that bottle anytime soon.
Also, Rob makes a good point of noting that the tension on the streets between the protesters and the police is almost certainly being exacerbated by the shutdown. Everyone is on edge. Their nerves are frayed to the breaking point. It didn’t take much of a match to ignite this simmering situation into a bonfire… in the case of many of the rioters, literally. This is New York. The City that Never Sleeps. And the government has forced it into a medical coma for three months. The residents of Gotham are going stir crazy, and now these George Floyd protests have provided a valve for a lot of that built-up tension to explode. And they’ve also shown the folly of the Governor and the Mayor trying to force the lockdown down everyone’s throats for additional weeks or months.
As of this morning, Mayor de Blasio was still insisting that religious institutions and small business owners must remain closed, despite the masses of people filling the streets. You can read his nonsensical explanation for this at National Review. But that’s going to need to change, and sooner rather than later.
I’ll close by quoting the introduction of Rob’s column, which I skipped past at the top of this article. Take it to heart.