With the threat of right-wing violence on the rise, some activists on the left are taking a page out of the 1960s civil rights movement: armed self-defense.
At Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge Women’s March in January, Ross Eliot brought up the rear, more concerned with what might be happening behind the group than keeping pace with the many chants from the roughly 250-person crowd.
Eliot was there as security. He was looking over his shoulder for anyone who might attack the group.
With the threat of right-wing violence on the rise, Eliot is among a growing number of activists on the left who are taking a page out of the 1960s civil rights movement: armed self-defense.
That threat was on Eliot’s mind at the march. Tucked under his army green jacket was a Springfield Armory XD-S 9 mm handgun.
