Have any of the protesters who were kidnapped spoken publicly/been on the news?

[mr_lebowski]

Because I don't personally know of any, I'm starting to develop some wacky theories like 'they're all still being held' and 'maybe they're actually all plants' ...

But the one theory I have that really ISN'T paranoid?

Forcing the people to sign NDA's as a condition of release.

Full of language like 'National Security' and 'Felony', etc.

That would be very par for the course, wouldn't it?

[LizBeth]

1. At the start of publicity last week, we heard from two tell the story. Both said I want a lawyer

and they were released. one did much faster after the other. SO then, that seemed to be the thing. Now though, I am not hearing from anyone that is released so I am curious myself.

[Budi]

2. The whole thing leaves a lot of questions unanswered

Wherever Barr has his dirty hands is rightfuly suspicious, tho.

[Nululu]

3. Several on local news

Video of them taken away.

Some are hooded, not told their rights, driven around, taken to federal courthouse then released.

A couple were confused because they got no paperwork or charges.

[Bayard]

5. Hooded?!

Why in the world would they be hooded? So they can't identify their captors?

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. So they're not sure where they've been taken

to make them worry more, when they are questioned. It increases the chances of panic and waiving their rights to a lawyer etc.

[mr_lebowski]

10. Also a possibility, yup ...

I'm curious whether any of them HAVE been questioned.

And then in turn, whether they're made to sign an NDA saying they won't discuss what they were asked.

[mr_lebowski]

9. Can't think of any other reason offhand ...

That or the captors are doing something (dunno what) that they don't want the captured person to see.

Taking pics with their dicks out next to the captives heads? Who knows ...

This shit needs to STOP.

NOW.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

15. Standard operating procedure with prisoners of war. To disorient them, increase fear. . . . nt

[GReedDiamond]

16. "Why in the world would they be hooded?"

It is a terrorism technique. These Trump Gestapo assholes are terrorists, plain and simple.

[mr_lebowski]

6. Interesting, thanks ...

They say whether they were questioned at all?

This whole thing is shaping up to look like testing the boundaries of fascist tactics.

I'm wondering whether the end game isn't a strategy to combat the inevitable massive protests that would occur if IQ45 loses the election, and refuses to step aside.

His cabal are trying to figure out 'what would happen if' ... in advance of actually needing to use the tactics.

[muriel_volestrangler]

11. One was read his rights, then asked if he wanted to waive them

“I am basically tossed into the van,” Pettibone said. “And I had my beanie pulled over my face so I couldn’t see and they held my hands over my head.”
...
Blinded by his hat, in an unmarked minivan full of armed people dressed in camouflage and body armor who hadn’t identified themselves, Pettibone said he was driven around downtown before being unloaded inside a building. He wouldn’t learn until after his release that he had been inside the federal courthouse.
...
Pettibone said he was put into a cell. Soon after, two officers came in to read him his Miranda rights. They didn’t tell him why he was being arrested. He said they asked him if he wanted to waive his rights and answer some questions, but Pettibone declined and said he wanted a lawyer. The interview was terminated, and about 90 minutes later he was released. He said he did not receive any paperwork, citation or record of his arrest.

https://www.opb.org/news/article/federal-law-enforcement-unmarked-vehicles-portland-protesters/

I think they were hoping to get him to become an informer.

[mr_lebowski]

12. Maybe that ... or maybe Trumpie is desperate to find himself a real-life ANTIFA (nt)

[gristy]

13. What would have happened it he refused "his release"?

Pettibone declined and said he wanted a lawyer. The interview was terminated, and about 90 minutes later he was released.

What would have happened it he refused "his release"? If he had demanded the ability to call a lawyer? Once reached, would the lawyer then have been able to enter the federal courthouse and start asking his own questions and getting paperwork? Turn it right back on them? That could be sweet.

My guess is they would say "sure you can call your damn lawyer, but not until you get your ass out of this building". But maybe not?

[unblock]

4. They are operating in an extralegal capacity

They may or may not have day jobs at ice or dhs or whatever, but they're not acting in that capacity.

They have no legitimate business arresting people for graffiti, that not a federal crime. Maybe a misdemeanor if federal property was damaged, but certainly nothing that merits violent arrest.

But they're not interested in enforcing laws. They're interested in intimidation and provoking a violent reaction. Maybe beating up the people they kidnap, too, who knows.

But they don't charge them with anything because they have no authority to do so.

They might as well be private mercenaries, and may very well be.

[mr_lebowski]

7. Thanks UB ... check my post #6 above if you'd like (nt)

[Bernardo de La Paz]

14. I heard one and know another has spoken. But has any kidnappee been charged? . . . nt