The violence continues in Portland, Oregon
The violence continues in Portland, Oregon. A group of Black Lives Matter and Antifa members were caught on camera harassing, beating, and stealing from a man they thought to be a Proud Boy, only he wasn’t a Proud Boy at all.
Eli Richey, also known as ‘Son of Hightower’ on Youtube, is a live streamer who has been capturing protests, riots, and police interactions in and around Portland since 2016. Richey’s website also showcases his work with folders labeled “liberals,” “patriots,” “politics,” “Trump,” and “uncategorized.” He is an equal-opportunity streamer and also happens to be bi-racial. There is absolutely no indication of his social media footprint that he is affiliated with any political organization.
Richey was in front of the Justice Center in downtown Portland Friday afternoon when someone in the crowd pointed him out and said he is a Proud Boy. People familiar with the Portland situation know that the Proud Boys are believed to be white supremacists by BLM and Antifa members. Pointing him out and labeling him a Proud Boy immediately put a target on his back and drew the ire of the crowd congregating in the area.
A videographer, Brandon Farley, was present at the scene and caught the violent incident on video. The trouble began when an unidentified man dressed in black bloc pointed at Richey and said, “This guy’s a Proud Boy. This Proud Boy’s got to go.” followed by inaudible dialogue. Farley stepped in and said, “You’re giving out false information. He’s not a Proud Boy, I know him. You’re giving out wrong information. Don’t say that. Don’t say that s**t.”. Richey then said, “Black lives matter, right? Until you’re allegedly a Proud Boy, right?” but it was too late.
The edited video skips ahead to show Richey on the ground in the middle of the street wrestling with another man as a mob of people scrambles around them. The men separate, and bystanders try to help them to their feet while a man in an orange safety jacket randomly punches another man in the crowd in the face. It appears that Richey’s video equipment gets scattered in the street as he makes it to his feet and walks toward the mob, shouting at them. The next scene shows Richey going to the street again on his knees, arms protecting his head as a man repeatedly slams his knee into Richey’s head. At the same time, a man in black bloc approaches Richey from the other side and kicks him in the midsection. Richey makes it to his feet yet again, yelling, “give me my s**t!”. Richey does not back down and continues shouting at the crowd to give him his equipment back. A man in black-bloc is seen pointing a paintball gun at Richey as he storms through the crowd, shouting and collecting his things.
Richey walks away from the mob and his attackers, fist in the air. Farley follows by saying, “This man has bled for this city of Portland tonight, today, at the Justice Center. He was attacked by a violent mob, several against one. They had weapons. They tried to beat the s**t out of him, but he walks today. He walks through Portland.” Farley catches up with Richey, who says they did not hurt him, but Farley points out that his left eye looks injured. Richey reiterates that they did not hurt him.
