Everyday Antifascists use Proud Boys to raise $36,017.69 for Immigrant Rights

The fascists of Patriot Prayer and the Proud Boys reportedly say they are going to keep going to Portland and try to bankrupt the city unless they eradicate antifa or whatever. Seems like that will work in the other direction for antifa.

PopMob

This August Portland was faced (yet again) with fascists descending on the city. In response, we formed a large coalition with other community groups to counter hate with solidarity. In addition to a public counter demonstration on Aug. 17th, we organized another opportunity for engagement: Resist fascism by raising money for immigrant rights. Organizers invited the community to pledge a donation for every far-right agitator who showed up to intimidate Rose City. the Pledges flooded in from all over the country, and even as far away as the UK, ranging from two cents to five dollars a fascist. 
Approximately 300 fascists showed up, and to date, Causa has received $36,017.69 to support their work with Latino immigrants and their families.

On August 14, 2019 PopMob partnered with Pacfic Northwest United Against Hate and announced a fundraiser for immigrant rights organization Causa — in direct opposition to the Proud Boys, Patriot Prayer, and other hate groups marching in Portland, Oregon on August 17th. This fundraiser was a way for everyone and anyone to support immigrant rights in Oregon. We knew our community opposed the nationalist and xenophobic messages of these far right groups, and their generous donations make that very clear.

Popular Mobilization was started by a group of concerned Portlanders united around a single, common goal: inspiring people to show up and resist the alt-right. Pacific Northwest United Against Hate is a coalition of individuals, faith communities, and other groups committed to social justice. These groups joined together to support Causa — founded in 1995, Causa works to improve the lives of Latino immigrants and their families in Oregon through advocacy, coalition building, leadership development, and civic engagement.

PopMob also promoted this fundraiser as an opportunity for community members to engage if they weren’t able to attend The Spectacle, the counter demonstration we hosted with a broad coalition on August 17. The Spectacle was a joyful display of antifascist community resistance to counter the public threats of violence made by members of the Proud Boys, Patriot Prayer, and other far right hate groups, the majority of whom flew in from out of state. The Proud Boys and Patriot Prayer have instigated and promoted political violence at their events in Portland and nationally over the past three years, with attendees, members, and leadership making public anti-immigrant statements at their events, in videos released online, and drawing participation of known white supremacists, and anti-LGBTQ hate groups. The Spectacle provided an opportunity to participate in novel ways — from interfaith meditation and Shabbat services, to costumes, to a dance party with a full brass band, as well as online engagement through this fundraiser.

Over a thousand everyday antifascists showed up to The Spectacle, vastly outnumbering the far-right agitators. Those who couldn’t be there in person, came together to raise a massive donation to a community organization in direct opposition to the anti-immigration rhetoric of the far-right and the current administration that emboldens them, showcasing the resilience and strength of a community coming together against hate.