There’s a group of guys near me who all look like bikers, body builders, ex-cons (pretty much just imagine “large and imposing”), some with more ink than a printing press, several with huge beards, and a couple clearly do piercings as part of their job… So basically, about 3/4 look like a stereotypical 80s gang. Not all are large, not all are muscley, not all are men. But they’re all intimidating, for sure.
When called, they gear up in pads, vests and plate carriers, arm themselves (gotta say, I never thought I’d see a Trans flag on an AR-9 but it looked rad AF) , and they escort women to nearby clinics and stand guard outside if anyone if protesting that day.
Oddly, the MAGAts are a lot quieter when they show up and never get in anyone’s faces…
Theres a surprisingly large “WoKe” market for firearms and accessories. I’m all for it. And armed minority is harder to oppress. It’s the reason why cops don’t break up MAGAt protests like they do with others (that and they wouldn’t want to potentially hurt your fellow officers).
100% they were the best collection of men and women I’ve ever met. Very “gay neighbors protect their weed plants with guns” type people for the most part.
Given my upbringing in deep red country, it’s still a bit weird (as in “I’m not used to seeing this”, not “ew gross”) to see gay couples arming up and being affectionate. Bet you’ve never seen a blue-haired NB with a rifle slung over one shoulder kissing their rainbow-clad girlfriend (also with a rifle and sidearm)before.
There were two trans women who joined, and they LOVED it when the rebublicunts called them female-gendered slurs. I mean, I’m not a fan of calling women gendered slurs, but I can see why they might take a little satisfaction in it. You wouldn’t know anything was different about them unless they told you, and of course that just can’t compute to a right-wing cultists.
Sorry I’m rambling, I’m enjoying a smoke on my day off and I don’t get to talk about them often. Great group, but we just didn’t really keep in touch as we moved away.
Honestly next time I’m in town, I may drive by to see if they’re there, and ask if they’d be okay with me getting a picture with faces blocked out
I’m certain there’s plenty all over, especially in purple areas.
The guys I know of don’t have any official affiliation as far as I know.
Most of the group I accompanied a few times has moved out of state, but a couple still have a strong group going.
I don’t think they even have a name for themselves, I know the vibe was more “nah no need to name us, then we become a structured target for the alphabet squad” a few years ago.
I just moved to a new area, but I get the feeling it’s still pretty purple here too. I know of a few clinics nearby that get protesters, and I might try to see if there’s a similar collection of people here.
Honestly I don’t see what’s so far-fetched about the idea of a group of people wanting to protect a vulnerable demographic from rabid cultists.
No, that’s why it’s okay to st and up and be a human barrier between the people using violence and intimidation against women trying to receive healthcare.
You get that’s what the point is here, right?
The people going along as guardians aren’t doing the intimidation (and I’ve never seen any reports of them using violence, only standing up and being present. If there are cases where it has come to co-operative violence, please correct me), it’s the people harassing women trying to obtain healthcare that are doing the intimidation. The guardians are providing a service so that intimidation is less successful.
Also, that has nothing to do with your original comment. Maybe you aren’t aware, but the whole “and then they applauded” meme is used to say that the thing is bullshit, that it didn’t happen.
There’s a group of guys near me who all look like bikers, body builders, ex-cons (pretty much just imagine “large and imposing”), some with more ink than a printing press, several with huge beards, and a couple clearly do piercings as part of their job… So basically, about 3/4 look like a stereotypical 80s gang. Not all are large, not all are muscley, not all are men. But they’re all intimidating, for sure.
When called, they gear up in pads, vests and plate carriers, arm themselves (gotta say, I never thought I’d see a Trans flag on an AR-9 but it looked rad AF) , and they escort women to nearby clinics and stand guard outside if anyone if protesting that day.
Oddly, the MAGAts are a lot quieter when they show up and never get in anyone’s faces…
Sounds like a lovely group of people that have some great stories to tell.
(Now I want an AR-9 with a pride flag.)
Theres a surprisingly large “WoKe” market for firearms and accessories. I’m all for it. And armed minority is harder to oppress. It’s the reason why cops don’t break up MAGAt protests like they do with others (that and they wouldn’t want to potentially hurt your fellow officers).
100% they were the best collection of men and women I’ve ever met. Very “gay neighbors protect their weed plants with guns” type people for the most part.
Given my upbringing in deep red country, it’s still a bit weird (as in “I’m not used to seeing this”, not “ew gross”) to see gay couples arming up and being affectionate. Bet you’ve never seen a blue-haired NB with a rifle slung over one shoulder kissing their rainbow-clad girlfriend (also with a rifle and sidearm)before.
There were two trans women who joined, and they LOVED it when the rebublicunts called them female-gendered slurs. I mean, I’m not a fan of calling women gendered slurs, but I can see why they might take a little satisfaction in it. You wouldn’t know anything was different about them unless they told you, and of course that just can’t compute to a right-wing cultists.
Sorry I’m rambling, I’m enjoying a smoke on my day off and I don’t get to talk about them often. Great group, but we just didn’t really keep in touch as we moved away.
Honestly next time I’m in town, I may drive by to see if they’re there, and ask if they’d be okay with me getting a picture with faces blocked out
And everyone stood and applauded.
Nah, it’s a thing. Can’t recall the name of the organization, but it’s out there
I’m certain there’s plenty all over, especially in purple areas.
The guys I know of don’t have any official affiliation as far as I know.
Most of the group I accompanied a few times has moved out of state, but a couple still have a strong group going.
I don’t think they even have a name for themselves, I know the vibe was more “nah no need to name us, then we become a structured target for the alphabet squad” a few years ago.
I just moved to a new area, but I get the feeling it’s still pretty purple here too. I know of a few clinics nearby that get protesters, and I might try to see if there’s a similar collection of people here.
Honestly I don’t see what’s so far-fetched about the idea of a group of people wanting to protect a vulnerable demographic from rabid cultists.
Are violence and intimidation of others in real life ok with you, if it’s people you disagree with?
No, that’s why it’s okay to st and up and be a human barrier between the people using violence and intimidation against women trying to receive healthcare.
You get that’s what the point is here, right?
The people going along as guardians aren’t doing the intimidation (and I’ve never seen any reports of them using violence, only standing up and being present. If there are cases where it has come to co-operative violence, please correct me), it’s the people harassing women trying to obtain healthcare that are doing the intimidation. The guardians are providing a service so that intimidation is less successful.
No. No, I think I missed that, what with the fantasizing about big dudes wearing plate carriers and how intimidating they are to “magats”.
Also, that has nothing to do with your original comment. Maybe you aren’t aware, but the whole “and then they applauded” meme is used to say that the thing is bullshit, that it didn’t happen.
Yes, that is what I was implying with my first comment.
Well, now you know it does exist.