Peaceful Vancouver Freedom March
| Date | September 10, 2017 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Vancouver Landing Amphitheater |
| Location | Vancouver, Washington, United States |
| Organized by | Patriot Prayer |
| Participants | Approximately 100 |
| Arrests | 2 |
The Peaceful Vancouver Freedom March (PVFM) was a rally held on September 10, 2017, along Vancouver, Washington's waterfront, in the United States. The event was organized by local conservative activist Joey Gibson, who founded the organization Patriot Prayer, and was originally scheduled to take place in Portland, Oregon.[1] PVFM's relocation to Vancouver was announced on Facebook just one day prior to the event, in order to "split and disorganize antifa, or anti-fascist, protesters, and allow for a smaller, more intimate venue", according to Gibson, who wanted to avoid large groups of counter-protesters in Portland.[1][2] Demonstrations were held in downtown Portland's Terry Schrunk Plaza and Tom McCall Waterfront Park the same day, in which seven people were arrested. Approximately 20 Patriot Prayer supporters, described as the groups's "inner circle",[2] showed up in Portland but were outnumbered by hundreds of counter-demonstrators.[1]
Description and incidents[edit]
Rally participants began gathering at the Vancouver Landing Amphitheater around 1:30pm, and counter-protesters assembled at Esther Short Park around the same time. The march began around 2pm and lasted for approximately two hours.[1] An estimated 100 people attended, including members of 3 Percenters and the Proud Boys, who listened to speeches by Gibson and others. Police officers outfitted for riot control surrounded the amphitheater, keeping counter-protesters gathered outside the venue's east side.[1] Some counter-protesters wore masks and displayed flags supporting anarchism and the Antifa ("anti-fascist") movement. Counter-protesters also reportedly taunted rally attendees, spraying Silly String at them and sprinkling at least one person with glitter.[1]
Following the rally, counter-protesters made their way back toward Esther Short Park, where one person's "Make America Great Again" hat was set on fire. March attendees and counter-protesters clashed in front of the Vancouver Convention Center.[1] Protesters reportedly kicked and threw objects at a truck being driven by a man, who responded by driving erratically before being detained by police. The Vancouver Police Department confirmed he was not arrested.[1] In a separate incident, counter-protesters reportedly threw rocks at men driving a truck along Columbia Street after being sprayed with pepper spray. Overall, two people were arrested, one for reckless endangerment and another for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. No injuries were reported.[1]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Matarrese, Andy (September 10, 2017). "Protesters clash in Patriot Prayer demonstration on Vancouver waterfront". The Columbian. Columbian Publishing Co. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Harshman, Marissa (September 9, 2017). "Patriot Prayer rally moved to Vancouver". The Columbian. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
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