By SJ Otto
Just last nighta group of protesters, here in Wichita,who were protesting in solidarity with the protesters in Portland , Oregon
On a personal note: I hate right-wing jerks that try and run us over and/or stick guns in our faces. I live to confront ass holes like that. I'm not a peace freak. I own a gun and can legally carry it on me, here in Kansas. Years ago I gave up running from people who try to walk all over me. I don't run from a fight. I've been avoiding the marches because I really can’t afford to get the coronavirus. That will almost certainly kill me, since I am 65 years old and I have diabetes. But now I’m considering attending these local rallies anyway. I can always take pictures from a distance of the marchers. If I get the opportunity to confront right-wing ass holes I will do it. I own a gun, as many leftists do and I can legally carry it in my pocket here in Wichita
The following statement was released on Facebook, from Project Justice ICT:
Last night as we were marching down the street a white man in a Dodge Ram truck with a “Don’t Tread On Me” sticker on his front windshield intentionally ran into our protesters. After nightfall our numbers had dwindled by more than half to about 20 people, probably less, but still we continued our march around the Downtown Wichita area. As we were walking down Market near 2nd, we saw the man in the vehicle accelerate toward us before briefly tapping on his brakes right before he reached our crowd. He ended up clipping one of our signs/shields as he ran into us, which is the sound you hear on impact in the video (click on Project Justice ICT to see the video). A few of us, including myself, ran after the truck to try to get his plates. We were a good 40-50 feet away from him when he exited his vehicle and pointed his gun at us. We immediately stopped running toward him and put our hands up as he continued to point his gun. We were lucky enough that a fellow comrade was also armed, and drew his own firearm on the aggressor in defense of us. After the man saw our armed comrade, he returned to his vehicle and retreated. After triple checking to see that everyone was okay we continued marching with extra vigilance. The man in the truck returned, drove past us again and pointed his firearm at us again while most of us had our backs toward him. We are very lucky that no one was hit. We are very lucky that no one was shot. And we are very lucky that we had an armed comrade with us who was able to scare the threat away.
This IS Wichita
Over the past two days that we have been consistently protesting, there has not been one instance of any of our marchers instigating violence or aggression. Yet last night, a man was prepared to take our protesters’ lives without a second thought. And for what? Blocking the street? Chanting? Slowing his drive time by 30 seconds? Standing in solidarity with protesters in Portland
We must be prepared. We must be vigilant. We must be ready to defend and protect each other in the face of violence and aggression. We are no longer willing to take chances.
Tonight we will protest for our third night in a row, and it will not be our last night in a row. We hope that you will stand with us against the fascist violence which desires our permanent silence. Come even more prepared. Bring a shield. Bring protective gear. Dress in Black Block. Cover your face, hair, and any distinguishable tattoos and features. We will meet at Century 2 at 7PM.
If you have a bike please bring it and show up early, or if you are a medic please show up early. 6:30 PM.
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I think we have to consider the possibilities that right-wing ass holes are ready to declare war on us. If so, we need to answer the call. Many of us on the left have guns. We are armed. Maybe the right-wingers are so stupid they think everyone on the left hates guns and refuses to use them. They will find they are wrong and that is THEIR problem.
Some members of Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) have told me they are concerned that people on the right tend to be more likely to be armed. They told me that many Liberals tend to support gun control and many oppose using guns. They were concerned that so many people on the left have allowed the right-wingers to arm themselves and most of the guns in America
Pix by KWCH.com, CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Truck drives into protesters in downtown Wichita.