Meet the Americans 'standing by' for possible election violence

By Andrew Hay and Katie Paul

 

A demonstrator carries a placard during a protest against police violence and racial inequality in Portland, Oregon, U.S., September 26, 2020. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart/File Photo

 

(Reuters) - Some Americans worried about possible violence after the U.S. presidential election are forming community watch groups, others are working on conflict de-escalation and still others are purchasing guns, according to two dozen voters, online groups and data surveyed by Reuters.

 

A common fear is that the Nov. 3 contest between President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden remains undecided, leading to protests that could escalate into civil unrest, or even sectarian conflict.

 

An illustration of those concerns came in Michigan on Thursday, with the announcement that 13 people had been arrested in alleged plots to kidnap the state's governor and attack the state capitol building.

 

For Americans like financial adviser David Powell, the greatest worry is that they could be forced to take sides to protect civil rights, private property and even lives.

 

"I'm not part of any group, don't want to be part of a group, I'm your regular guy who is watching the news and is getting really concerned," said Powell, 64, of Raleigh, North Carolina. He said he worries about "antifa thugs," a term U.S. conservatives use to describe left-wing anti-fascist activists. He said he is prepared to "stand guard" in his community, if necessary.

 

Some people are planning foreign vacations around Election Day or heading to rural retreats. Others have bought guns for defense. Firearm sales hit a monthly record of 3.9 million in June, according to FBI data. Ammunition for AR-15-style rifles is on back order in states like Washington and Colorado.

 

"I bought an AK-47," said a Denver-based lawyer who identified himself as Ewing, and asked that his full name not be used. "The ammo is inexpensive and I can still get it."

 

Some communities and groups are trying to deescalate tensions, often with the knowledge that many people have firearms and are prepared to use them.

 

In Portland, Oregon, left-wing activist Dre Miller has reached out to leaders of the right-wing Proud Boys to set up an open line of communication to resolve conflicts.

 

"We need to be able to call a cease fire when things get out of hand," said Miller, 37, an organizer with black rights group J.U.I.C.E. "As a black man I cannot stand back right now. I'm standing up and standing by," echoing words Trump used about the Proud Boys.

 

The primary "terrorist threat" facing the United States, according to an Oct. 6 Department of Homeland Security report, are lone offenders and small domestic extremist cells who may act out grievances.

 

An October poll by political scientists including Lee Drutman of the New America think tank published in Politico found around a third of Americans justified violence to advance political goals, double the number in December 2019.

 

"The most likely outcome is the election happens, there's no major violence, but the risk of serious or even low-level violence is probably higher than it's been in a very long time,” said Drutman.

 

FACEBOOK VIGILANTES

 

Would-be vigilantes have organized using Facebook groups and other online platforms, where members share videos of violence and property damage by political opponents alongside misinformation.

 

Facebook Inc expanded its rules to ban militia groups that celebrate violence in August and pulled down 6,500 pages and groups over the next month, but less explicitly militarized communities of hundreds of thousands of people remain online.

 

"That's what is galvanizing and driving militia groups and other armed individuals to think that they have a role to play in this moment of sweeping social change," said Joan Donovan, a misinformation expert at Harvard.

 

In Colorado Springs, business owner Michelle Morin has taken self-defense classes and is organizing with fellow conservative neighbors to protect each others' homes and send a message to left-wing "thugs" that they are not welcome in her community.

 

"There's more to self-defense and more to pushing back than guns," said Morin, 51, a registered Republican and firearm owner.

 

Stephanie Porta is educating people in Orlando, Florida that an election result is unlikely on Nov. 3 and not to panic. She is teaching poll workers and voter protection workers to defuse confrontations should they occur.

 

"We're training people in de-escalation," said Porta, 41, executive director of social-justice group Organize Florida, who identifies as being "anti-fascist."

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-10-09

 

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A whole nation gone mental...thanks to.......????

Thanks to the left who wouldn't accept the results four years ago because Hilary thought it was her turn.  Then instead of getting their act together and  bringing new policies forward that would be acceptable to the voting public, they spent 4 years trying to discredit Trump by one stupid method or another.  And finally, after four long years, the best they could come up with was another elderly rich white man.  And I'm English, so I do not even have a horse in this race.

1 minute ago, lungbing said:

Thanks to the left who wouldn't accept the results four years ago because Hilary thought it was her turn.  Then instead of getting their act together and  bringing new policies forward that would be acceptable to the voting public, they spent 4 years trying to discredit Trump by one stupid method or another.  And finally, after four long years, the best they could come up with was another elderly rich white man.  And I'm English, so I do not even have a horse in this race.

 

In what meaningful way were election results not 'accepted'? Trump supporters seem to be unable to address this point, and it's been almost four years now...

 

As for policies - another old chestnut. There's a whole lot of them, check out the Democratic Party's website or Biden's.

 

The voting public voted Democrat. In 2016 and 2018. Only in Trump supporters' minds did Trump win a majority.

 

Discrediting Trump is a lot to do with how the man himself acts and carries on. You want to imagine all these 'attempts' have nothing to do with real stuff? Go right ahead.

 

Just to make it clear - you're whining about Biden being an 'elderly rich white man', when pitted against Trump? Are you for real?

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

Firearm sales hit a monthly record of 3.9 million in June, according to FBI data. Ammunition for AR-15-style rifles is on back order in states like Washington and Colorado.

Good for the NRA, one of the largest contributor to the Trump and GOP campaigns. At least about one issue, Trump can say: "mission accomplished!"

2 hours ago, Surelynot said:

A whole nation gone mental...thanks to.......????

... 20 years of accelerating decline and decadence...

 

...leading to the following set of equalities:

 

Trump victory on November 3rd = civil war 2

 

Biden (read Harris) victory on November 3rd = economic collapse

 

Ladies and gentlemen, place your bets! 

Troll post removed. 

 

8 hours ago, Morch said:

 

In what meaningful way were election results not 'accepted'? Trump supporters seem to be unable to address this point, and it's been almost four years now...

 

how about the FAKE russia gate stuff? the impeachment BS? From day1 ,dems have been fighting and unwilling to do their job..ONLY thing they thinking  is Trump bad man ...have they done ANYTHING but try undermine and go against current administration???? 

8 hours ago, Morch said:

 

As for policies - another old chestnut. There's a whole lot of them, check out the Democratic Party's website or Biden's.

 

-OHH...the website that clearly states BIDEN backs green new deal..BUT at debate he says he doesnt...or when he said he WILL get rid of fracking and fossil fuels but now says he didnt say that..its on video him saying it..Harris too...at vice pres debate ,Harris just lied and lied with that S eating grin on her face...

 

11 hours ago, Surelynot said:

A whole nation gone mental...thanks to.......????

jimmy clitheroe?

11 hours ago, Surelynot said:

A whole nation gone mental...thanks to.......????

Social Engineering...

“The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. ...We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. This is a logical result of the way in which our democratic society is organized. Vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in this manner if they are to live together as a smoothly functioning society. ...In almost every act of our daily lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons...who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind.”
― Edward Bernays, Propaganda

9 hours ago, lungbing said:

Thanks to the left who wouldn't accept the results four years ago because Hilary thought it was her turn.  Then instead of getting their act together and  bringing new policies forward that would be acceptable to the voting public, they spent 4 years trying to discredit Trump by one stupid method or another.  And finally, after four long years, the best they could come up with was another elderly rich white man.  And I'm English, so I do not even have a horse in this race.

Trump has had control of the WH and the congress for several years now, so how has the election not been accepted?

I am certain the GOP have denigrated other non GOP occupants of the WH between elections, it is called the rough and tumble of politics. However this person has been more divisive  and rallied more easily triggered and people with guns than any other President since the civil war. The comments by Trump on many subjects and about many people and the lies told shows the true nature of this person and the easily led supporters

To distill it down to a "left/right" argument lacks intellectual rigor and analysis 

 

Fault is on both sides, driven by narcissism of the WH occupant

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

"I bought an AK-47," said a Denver-based lawyer who identified himself as Ewing, and asked that his full name not be used. "The ammo is inexpensive and I can still get it."

Yee Haw! Americans protecting themselves against the enemy......................Americans! Stand by Proud Boys!

11 hours ago, Surelynot said:

A whole nation gone mental...thanks to.......????

Unfortunately he was only the catalyst for what has been simmering under the surface for a long, long time. Makes me sick to my stomach. 

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

An illustration of those concerns came in Michigan on Thursday, with the announcement that 13 people had been arrested in alleged plots to kidnap the state's governor and attack the state capitol building.

From what I've seen that has nothing to do with the election. I'm not surprised it was included though.

 

IMO the OP is just more stirring to try and discredit a Trump win in advance, along with all the other, in my opinion, alarmist claims such as Trump would refuse to leave the W H if Biden was confirmed as president.

Perhaps they are worried that if the police are de funded, they would not be available to protect people.

 

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Facebook Inc expanded its rules to ban militia groups that celebrate violence

Would that include Antifa?

28 minutes ago, RJRS1301 said:

Trump has had control of the WH and the congress for several years now, so how has the election not been accepted?

I am certain the GOP have denigrated other non GOP occupants of the WH between elections, it is called the rough and tumble of politics. However this person has been more divisive  and rallied more easily triggered and people with guns than any other President since the civil war. The comments by Trump on many subjects and about many people and the lies told shows the true nature of this person and the easily led supporters

To distill it down to a "left/right" argument lacks intellectual rigor and analysis 

 

Fault is on both sides, driven by narcissism of the WH occupant

Trump has had control of the WH and the congress for several years now, so how has the election not been accepted?

Seriously?

Muller "investigation" that resulted in no indictment of the president

Impeachment when it was bound to fail in the senate.

etc

etc.

3 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

From what I've seen that has nothing to do with the election. I'm not surprised it was included though.

 

IMO the OP is just more stirring to try and discredit a Trump win in advance, along with all the other, in my opinion, alarmist claims such as Trump would refuse to leave the W H if Biden was confirmed as president.

Perhaps they are worried that if the police are de funded, they would not be available to protect people.

 

Would that include Antifa?

Antifa is an ideology, not an organization.   

 

Just now, Credo said:

Antifa is an ideology, not an organization.   

 

So what? They could ban Antifa members posting on facebook.

26 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

So what? They could ban Antifa members posting on facebook.

Let me try to explain it again.   I can tell you, but I can't make you understand.   There is no Antifa.   It is NOT an organization, it does not have 'members'.   

 

10 hours ago, Morch said:

 

In what meaningful way were election results not 'accepted'? Trump supporters seem to be unable to address this point, and it's been almost four years now...

 

As for policies - another old chestnut. There's a whole lot of them, check out the Democratic Party's website or Biden's.

 

The voting public voted Democrat. In 2016 and 2018. Only in Trump supporters' minds did Trump win a majority.

 

Discrediting Trump is a lot to do with how the man himself acts and carries on. You want to imagine all these 'attempts' have nothing to do with real stuff? Go right ahead.

 

Just to make it clear - you're whining about Biden being an 'elderly rich white man', when pitted against Trump? Are you for real?

Are you?  Really four <deleted> years of cry babies and now just Biden? You should be embarrassed. 

11 hours ago, Morch said:

 

In what meaningful way were election results not 'accepted'? Trump supporters seem to be unable to address this point, and it's been almost four years now...

 

As for policies - another old chestnut. There's a whole lot of them, check out the Democratic Party's website or Biden's.

 

The voting public voted Democrat. In 2016 and 2018. Only in Trump supporters' minds did Trump win a majority.

 

Discrediting Trump is a lot to do with how the man himself acts and carries on. You want to imagine all these 'attempts' have nothing to do with real stuff? Go right ahead.

 

Just to make it clear - you're whining about Biden being an 'elderly rich white man', when pitted against Trump? Are you for real?

I gave you a 'thanks'. Just want to add, regarding Democratic policies you forgot to mention the thick stack of bills that went to Mitch McConnell's desk to die. 

13 hours ago, Surelynot said:

A whole nation gone mental...thanks to.......????

fron the extreme left wing Democrats, who else.  ???? 

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

So what? They could ban Antifa members posting on facebook.

Of course, the original antifa was the Allies in the Second World War who waged an anti-fascist war against the Third Reich.

1 hour ago, Credo said:

Let me try to explain it again.   I can tell you, but I can't make you understand.   There is no Antifa.   It is NOT an organization, it does not have 'members'.   

 

OK, then they could ban supporters.

32 minutes ago, LawrenceN said:

I gave you a 'thanks'. Just want to add, regarding Democratic policies you forgot to mention the thick stack of bills that went to Mitch McConnell's desk to die. 

Perhaps they were really bad bills that were written by lobbyists and would never get signed by Trump so no point wasting time on them.

13 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

OK, then they could ban supporters.

And who would be enforcing that?   The Thought Police?

 

Meet the Americans 'standing by' for possible election violence

 

"We're idiots, and he is the biggest idiot in the country, so that makes him our leader."

 

 

3 hours ago, caligula123 said:

 

how about the FAKE russia gate stuff? the impeachment BS? From day1 ,dems have been fighting and unwilling to do their job..ONLY thing they thinking  is Trump bad man ...have they done ANYTHING but try undermine and go against current administration???? 

 

 

Calling investigation relating to Russia's intervention efforts in US politics 'fake' is a choice. The facts are that numerous USA intelligence and security agencies see things differently than yourself, and that investigations into these matters resulted in convictions - some involving highly placed personnel close to Trump or to the Trump campaign. You wish to call it 'fake' and be taken seriously, you'll have to support your views with a bit more than capitalizing words.

 

The opposition is not supposed to role over and play along just because the other side won. I have no idea how Trump supporters got to hold this notion. It's all the more perplexing considering previous years of 'birther' BS from Republicans and Trump. Guess that was totally different....

 

And 'unwilling to do their job'? What, in your esteemed opinion, is their 'job'? To rubber stamp anything Trump wishes? To avoid criticizing him? How did that work out for Republicans during Obama's terms?

 

Going against the administration is in line with what opposition implies. As for 'undermine' - using legal means to counter the government is allowed in democracies.

1 hour ago, alex8912 said:

Are you?  Really four <deleted> years of cry babies and now just Biden? You should be embarrassed. 

 

Yeah, totally different than years of 'birther' nonsense, courtesy of Republicans and Trump. Totally different than endless Benghazi investigations coming up with naught. Totally different than obstructing legislation efforts by the other side. It's only bad when the other side does it, right?

 

I'm not a Biden fan. He's mediocre, unexciting, and past his prime. But, and that's the main selling point (for me, and I think many voters), is that he's normal, ordinary, sane. Embarrassed? Not so much, disappointed maybe. Embarrassed would be something I associated with Trump's presidency.

Maybe now they should be putting the stars and stripes on bananas 

1 hour ago, lockyv7 said:

fron the extreme left wing Democrats, who else.  ???? 

 

The so-called (and yet, whom?) extreme left wing Democrats do not posses quite the clout attributed. That is, unless Trump supporters wish to claim that the President and the party they support cannot match these supposed 'extremists'.