“Her identity is relevant to the story.”
Leftists commenters on social media expressed their outrage this week after conservative journalist Andy Ngo named an antifa member who was seen in a video being knocked unconscious after a confrontation with members of far-right group Patriot Prayer.
The woman was apparently involved in events related to May Day, an event in which protesters took to the streets of Portland to rally for the rights of marginalized groups.
According to Ngo, the woman, Heather Clark, is a “local activist who has been in media for violently sabotaging an event on PSU campus.”
“Her identity is relevant to the story,” Ngo said in a tweet.
The Quillette editor shared screenshots of Twitter accounts, which appear to belong to alt-left and antifascist members, criticizing him for revealing Clark’s identity. In one tweet, a user appeals to the Society of Professional Journalists’ ethics chairperson, Lynn Walsh.
People are angry I named the #antifa woman (Heather Clark) who got in a fight on May Day & was knocked out. She’s a local activist who has been in media for violently sabotaging an event on PSU campus. Her identity is relevant to the story. pic.twitter.com/iYHmOYPsZ4
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) May 3, 2019
Local outlet KATU News spoke to witnesses who were reportedly present at the brawl which apparently led to Clark being knocked unconscious.
“This guy pushed a girl to the ground, then she got up and rushed at him then she got maced and a guy swung and hit her in the head with a baton and knocked her cold out,” the neighbor told KATU News.
In a statement, Portland police characterized May Day events as peaceful and said no arrests were made.
“We asked participants to peacefully and safely demonstrate and they did,” said Portland chief of police Danielle Outlaw. “Those involved demonstrated the ability to exercise their rights in a peaceful manner, which we appreciate. Thanks to all those involved in the planning and collaboration on the law enforcement and partner side to make this a successful day.”
However, The Oregonian reported that antifa activists clashed with far-right protesters Wednesday evening at a Portland bar. The brawl was captured on video by freelance journalist Mike Bivins. Bivins also captured footage, purportedly from the May Day protests, of Clark being knocked unconscious.
In a Twitter thread, Ngo compiled the footage he captured at May Day protests, which he characterized as “a celebration of Marxism, socialism & communism.”
In one video, a masked speaker urges white protesters to use their unearned privilege to protect others. “Fuck the state!” the woman says. In another video, masked protesters – identified as antifa activists by Ngo – steal the hat of Patriot Prayer founder Joey Gibson. Gibson and the antifa members nearly come to blows.
In a photo taken by Ngo, protesters are seen holding signs that read “Abolish ICE” and “Abolish Work.”
Fight nearly broke out when someone with #antifa stole Joey Gibson’s (of Patriot Prayer) hat. Masked individuals surrounded & confronted him as soon as he showed up. #MayDay pic.twitter.com/CHSKveOVAU
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) May 2, 2019
Ngo captured footage of an antifa protester spraying his camera with silly string. The Quillette editor claimed he was the victim of an unprovoked attack by a masked protest attendee. Ngo said Portland police told him they would not pursue any action against the man who assaulted him because “it would be an ‘escalation’ for police to approach the individual.”
Via Pluralist
