# So in Portland..."Free Speech Rally" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 4, 2017, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138 "2017-06-04T22:45:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138/21 "2017-06-05T14:16:27Z")
An amusing aside. We happened to be downtown while all this was going on. On the MAX train going home there was a young man loudly blathering on at length about “the fucking government” and how the government is involved in secret drug trade and how everyone is a racist except him, etc. Near the end of the excruciating 20-minute ride, he returned to the topic of politics, saying: “The purpose of politics is to polarize people! It’s right there in the word! P-O-L-O for ‘polarize’! Think about it, man! It’s not an accident!” :rolleyes: :smack: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138/22 "2017-06-05T14:54:06Z")
This was your post, with no links: > [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > Apparently the Antifa faction wasn’t getting enough attention and attacked some police. They’re being dispersed. I’m sure more info will come to light. > > Thank you again Antifa for showing the world your colors. Sounds like they just decided to get together and start ambushing police cars on traffic duty, doesn’t it? That is the impression your OP gives… and that impression is/was False. I posted link to show there were two sides with police in between. There were antagonists on both sides. Did violent people throw things? I don’t support that (show me where I do) > [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > LOL you think the Trump supporters are standing in the middle of the Antifa supporters and the cops are just moving them all back? Where did I say this? Talk about Delusions. > [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > And who was arrested has nothing to do with nothing. Priceless…! Thanks! > [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > So you have your own cite affirming my OP, My cite corrects your misleading OP, but keep digging… > [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > Your ridiculous FALSE post has been throughly debunked. … which evidently is DS that means ‘proved’… > [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > Just apologize and move on. Apply to my bill for educating you. Its “thoroughly” and “…has nothing to do with anything.” You’re welcome. 🙂 Before you reply, re read what I actually wrote to reply to you & show me were I supported violence from either side. I’ll wait. Because I didn’t… I don’t… and violent protesters deserve to be arrested. Let bail bondsmen sort them out. But there were legitimate counter protesters there who were not violent and who were responding to the group whose member stabbed three people (killing two) on a train last week. They have a legitimate grievance, they have legitimate concerns, and you lumping all of them in with some bumper-sticker label called ‘Antifa’ is Dishonest. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138/23 "2017-06-05T15:01:36Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > Q: Just how can you tell just Who is throwing what? So, all those NAZIs just stood there and the counter demonstrators did it all…? The police haven’t released who was arrested from what side or for what. But YOU magically know its all from one side? According to your linked article - _Tempers and shoving matches flared periodically, but law enforcement kept violence mostly in check. Late in the day, as the pro-Trump rally was ending, police ordered counter-demonstrators to disperse from two adjacent parks, prompting some in the crowd to hurl rocks and other projectiles at officers._ Apparently the counter-demonstrators/Antifa chose to throw projectiles at the police. Probably to attract attention to their pro-violence cause, entertain their pro-violence supporters, and to show their true colors. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138/24 "2017-06-05T15:11:21Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > Sounds like they just decided to get together and start ambushing police cars on traffic duty, doesn’t it? > That is the impression your OP gives… and that impression is/was False. Really? Some people decided to get together and start ambushing police cars on traffic duty? Is that what it sounded like to you? That’s not the impression I have. It sounds as if your impression/interpretation is the false one. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138/25 "2017-06-05T21:57:53Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Really? Some people decided to get together and start ambushing police cars on traffic duty? Is that what it sounded like to you? That’s not the impression I have. > > It sounds as if your impression/interpretation is the false one. Well, four sentences & no link to what he was talking about. Could be. _shakes magic 8-ball to guess what the next 4 sentence OP with no point of reference is about_ ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138/26 "2017-06-05T21:58:51Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > You’re pro-fascist, then? I’m opposed to violence in the street. What does that make me? ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138/27 "2017-06-05T23:19:24Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > Well, four sentences & no link to what he was talking about. Could be. > _shakes magic 8-ball to guess what the next 4 sentence OP with no point of reference is about_ (Looks at header)…I dunno. Maybe it’s about the “Free Speech Rally” in Portland. Just a wild guess. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Plutonium\_Kid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@The\_Plutonium\_Kid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Plutonium_Kid)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138/28 "2017-06-06T00:54:02Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > “Free Speech Rally” > ? > So the purpose of the rally was to demonstrate in support of free speech? > Psst, protest organizers, we already have that, you can go home now. Unfortunately, that right is under violent attack from the radical left, and the rest of us, not just pro-Trump right-wingers, need to show the anti-fas and their ilk that we will not be intimidated. Or maybe you approve of the [heckler’s veto.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heckler's_veto) ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138/29 "2017-06-06T00:59:08Z")
I’m showing my ignorance, but what is Antifa? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Plutonium\_Kid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@The\_Plutonium\_Kid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Plutonium_Kid)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138/30 "2017-06-06T01:09:30Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > I’m showing my ignorance, but what is Antifa? They’re a violent faction of the far left, and the word is shorthand for “anti-fascist.” They’re sort of the Western version of the Red Guard. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138/31 "2017-06-06T01:39:23Z")
for historical reference - > [@Dale\_Sams](#): > > **So in Portland…“Free Speech Rally”** > > Apparently the Antifa faction wasn’t getting enough attention and attacked some police. They’re being dispersed. I’m sure more info will come to light. > > Thank you again Antifa for showing the world your colors. > [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > Well, four sentences & no link to what he was talking about. Could be. > _shakes magic 8-ball to guess what the next 4 sentence OP with no point of reference is about_ It appears that it was about the “Free Speech Rally” in “Portland”. You were the one who chose to introduced the - "Sounds like they just decided to get together and start ambushing police cars on traffic duty, doesn’t it - twist. Mundane and pointless. Thanks for sharing. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138/32 "2017-06-06T16:33:57Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Mundane and pointless. Thanks for sharing. Anytime! Glad you were entertained. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138/33 "2017-06-06T19:36:32Z")
This started out pretty ranty and continued down that path so I’m going to move this to the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138/34 "2017-06-06T19:50:16Z")
Those poor, delicate, peace-loving Republicans who support having prisoners tortured and their families put to death. I feel so bad for the scumbags. I hope they recover soon so it can happen to them again. And again. And again. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138/35 "2017-06-06T20:18:06Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > It appears that it was about the “Free Speech Rally” in “Portland”. You were the one who chose to introduced the - "Sounds like they just decided to get together and start ambushing police cars on traffic duty, doesn’t it - twist. Mundane and pointless. Thanks for sharing. /snip It was? Nothing in the OP actually said anything about a free speech rally. There was no link to any news about a free speech rally. There was nothing except some excrement about Antifa, and no clarification until someone else dropped a link, hours later. Do keep up. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138/36 "2017-06-06T20:29:06Z")
I think “Free Speech Rally” is the cover term used to describe anything that would be awkward to refer to by its actual purpose. Not big on bravely stating the truth, are darling fascist bully boys. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138/37 "2017-06-06T20:41:05Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > /snip > > It was? Nothing in the OP actually said anything about a free speech rally. Right - apart from the title, it was a complete mystery. By the way, it was in Portland. Regards, Shodan PS - Portland is in Oregon. PPS - Oregon is a state. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138/38 "2017-06-06T20:50:19Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Right - apart from the title, it was a complete mystery. > > By the way, it was in Portland. > > Regards, > Shodan > > PS - Portland is in Oregon. > > PPS - Oregon is a state. Proposed Thread Title: “Going Back To School For My Master’s” Proposed Thread Text: "Apparently Shodan wasn’t being enough of a shitwit and derped. Dopers point it out. I’m sure more info will come to light. Thank you again Shodan for showing the world your colors." Almost as coherent as the OP. Please keep up. PS - You’re an idiot. PPS - An idiot is a bad thing. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138/39 "2017-06-06T20:58:30Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > You’re pro-fascist, then? Pro-fascist \<—\> Anti-fascist Pro-life \<—\> Anti-life ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2017, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138/40 "2017-06-06T21:01:36Z")
So… Were the anti-fascists protesting a “free speech rally”, presumably being held by pro-fascists? Is “free speech rally” the dog whistle for “fascist cook-out” or something these days? Just trying to piece this all together from the contextual clues in the discussion here. Or was it the anti-fascists who were holding the “free speech rally”, decrying how terrible fascism is and such? Really unsure whose side I’m supposed to be on, especially with “free speech rally” having been in scare quotes for the OP. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-in-portland-free-speech-rally/788138.md?page=3)