I'm deeply immersed in volunteering for Bernie and had 2 bad incidents in 24 hours

[riderinthestorm]

1. A partially burned Bernie sign was left at the Batavia IL campaign office (yes police were called) yesterday morning.

2. Today while canvassing (ugh in the rain), I knocked on a door and waited a bit and finally turned away. As I'm on the way down the front stoop stairs, the guy I'm ostensibly looking for opens the door in his pajamas but wearing a fucking gun strapped in a waist belt holster. He's raging that he was at the Chicago Trump rally and Bernie had directed and organized his supporters to shut down Trumps 1ST AMENDMENT RIGHTS!!!

He was @ 8 inches from my face, very angry. Kept blaming Bernie and how Trump had "proven" it was the Sanders campaign behind it all....

Things are getting very ugly out there folks. I'm sure his delay in opening the door was to grab his gun to intimidate me as he had a glass front door and I was wearing a hat festooned with a Sanders pin and several pins on my jacket. I was clearly visible and labelled from a distance which was my purpose. I just kept saying I was sorry as I backed down his steps but it obviously wasn't enough.

Be careful out there folks. It's getting very weird

[JFKDem62]

1. This makes me sick. Please be careful and stay safe. nt

[riderinthestorm]

4. In the recent past I've worked for Tammy Duckworth and Barack Obama

On their campaigns, in deeply red Wheaton IL - a Republican stronghold of national importance.

This was a first.

It was a lovely area of Batavia as well.

White older guy, my sheet said he was 62 fyi.

[JFKDem62]

7. Trumps' demographics sounds like. :(

[Jopin Klobe]

91. Don't fall into that trap ...

... there are supporters of all ages on all sides ...

... Bernie's are Americans of all ages ...

... tRump's are Goons of all ages ...

... now THAT'S what you call your demographics ...

[JFKDem62]

102. Very true.

[certainot]

108. his demographics are people who listen to rw talk radio.

today limbaugh used most of his show to attack the protestors- they were paid goons from bernie, hillary, the left, OWS. BLM, obama, move-on etc

rw radio is full of it and will continue

the absurd thing is that the university of illinois supports 7 limbaugh stations- if the uni of illinois was protested to look for apolitical alts those stations would lose major advertising- even discussing it would send advertisers fleeing.

and even more absurd is that 260 limbaugh stations depend on 90 major unis for advertising draw the same way.

[Joe Chi Minh]

112. Demographics ? Should be Neo-Nazigraphics ?

[Dustlawyer]

44. Ditto!

[SamKnause]

2. Please stay safe !!!!!!!!!

Thank you for your hard work !!!!!!!!!

Sending positive vibes your way.

[riderinthestorm]

8. I was so flustered I dropped my info brochures all over his stoop dammit

He's raging as I'm trying to retrieve a half dozen brochures stuck on his rain soaked steps. I'd put them in a ziplock bag but hadn't sealed it as I was distributing them. Damn things took my herky jerky movements and decided to depart their baggie (wry laugh).

All's I could think was there was no way in hell I could leave them there but what if he worked himself into such a rage to shoot me while I took those few seconds to grab them.

[PatrickforO]

3. Sadly it is going to be this way up until and through election day.

Trump's movement is basically a white supremacist neo-Nazi movement. These are the same people who drove gun manufacturer stocks way up in both 09 and 13 because hey, Obama's gonna take your guns. So they are basically low class, low educated, heavily armed white male thugs and they will get more and more violent as the Trump attracts more followers.

He's turning his evil eye on Bernie because he correctly sees that the battle for America will be fought by the left anti-establishment against the right anti-establishment.

It's gonna get worse.

If the left wins, we have a good chance at recreating a strong middle class and ushering in an era of peace and prosperity.

If the right wins, the oligarchs will try and control them, but we'll have war and it will cost millions of lives to stamp them out. Just as it did Hitler and his original Third Reich. Trump is the Fourth Reich, guys. Make no mistake.

[certainot]

109. like most things republican, his power comes from 1200 ignored radio stations

that is the only advantage they have and it is an advantage because the left ignores it

and 260 limbaugh stations, many of the loudest in the country, depend heavily on 90 major universities for advertising dollars- ain't that amazing

without talk radio getting a free speech free ride from the left trump's got nothing

so before the fourth reich, maybe the left should try something different, go on the offensive first, protest just about everything at those universities, and destroy the fascist invisible 2x4 that's been kicking left ass for 25 years.

[MissDeeds]

5. Bless your heart

Last edited Mon Mar 14, 2016, 09:41 AM - Edit history (1)

Thanks for volunteering for Bernie...I am so sorry you had to endure that. My husband and I have been phone banking for Bernie in Missouri and the response has been very good; but of course we're given a list of likely Democratic voters.

Maybe you should ask your coordinator if you could switch to phone banking...?

Take care and be safe. This election cycle is bizarre, to say the least.

[riderinthestorm]

12. The last week here in IL, it's been intensive canvassing

Ive been phone banking as well but now, the campaign needs face time in the community.

I'm not a shy willow and while initially very intimidated, Im not backing down.

Thanks though!

[Howler]

6. Holy shit!

Please stay safe Riderinthestorm. And thank you for busting your butt for all of us. I appreciate you and what you do.

[tazkcmo]

9. Please never go alone!

Always, always, always the buddy system. Please!

[enlightenment]

10. I'll second this, rider!

There are too many whackadoodles out there for you to go 'cold calling' solo. Please.

[riderinthestorm]

17. No one else to go with

whats interesting is I've mostly been assigned East Aurora IL, deeply Hispanic and with some real gang activity, because I'm fairly Spanish conversant. This was my first time in a Republican area in Kane Co.

We've had incredible weather in N IL for the past week and I've happily headed into the "danger" Aurora zones where everyone's on their front stoop, hanging in back yards drinking and having a blast - it's been Incredible in those areas. Lots of tequila. laughs and fun. I accost anyone playing outside, working on cars, getting a jump start on gardening, it's just been fun.

Today though was crazy.

[GoneFishin]

43. Damn. You friggin' rock. Keep up the incredible work, but stay safe.

[truedelphi]

97. Maybe you should avoid any of the "R's" on yr list?

And thank you for what you are doing; it is so needed.

But if you have a list that tells you the political party designation, maybe just call up the "R"s on the phone, rather than knocking on their door.

Moderate Republicans are not gonna be unhappy with you, if you phone them. For instance, my RW nutjob of a neighbor voted enthusiastically for Obama in 2008. And people are just as unhappy abt politics now as then. So you will find a lot of nice Republicans - it is the fringe that supports Trump that is the problem.

On edit: And the Far RW radio talking heads are all over the new meme that the Left is depriving poor lil Trumpy Wumpy of his First Amendment Rights. "And why are folks on the Left so hatefully distorting Truth and calling us fascists," these Talking Heads say. (Of course, often we on the Left are not called "folks," we're called depraved idiots and worse.)

[Le Taz Hot]

119. Then don't go.

Seriously, we NEVER send out just one person. At minimum we send out two or a complete team to canvass one area. Trust me, I know of what I speak. These people a nuckin' futz.

[daleanime]

33. Definitely......

[retrowire]

11. Why is the gun necessary when you're being visited by a canvasser?

Why?

Why?

Why?

[LiberalElite]

13. You haven't noticed? Guns are necessary all the time to some people.

But that's another thread altogether.

[Doctor_J]

15. In truth Trumpsters will probably shoot many canvassers this year.

They can invoke SYG and if there is one Trumper in the jury or the DA's office,...

OTOH this has been swelling since Limpballs took over the airwaves 24 years ago, so it might be time to have it out.

[villager]

52. Unfortunately, it *has*, inexorably, been building to all this since the 80's....

Stay safe, Rider.

[Doitnow]

56. I wonder if Donald will pay for the legal fees like he said

[WhiteTara]

83. No. He's a liar.

Welcome to DU btw

[Ferd Berfel]

32. The worst of them are insecure, paranoid, emotional children and violent

ANd you need to act towards them that way.

The best of them are insecure, paranoid, emotional children and just act out with volume and attitude.

Sadly I am not kidding. Flame me for it if you want

[winter is coming]

55. Because ideas are threatening?

Because you're more likely to be arrested for flaunting your meat dick than a metal one?

[Kalidurga]

14. What tazkcmo said,

The buddy system it could become very important. Trump supporters are a twitchy bunch.

[Gregorian]

16. I read it on this forum, that calling the police as well as the press is the thing to do..

I don't know if that's for all situations, but it sounds good to me.

God how frightening. You must be rather timid right about now. It is very discouraging to see the ignorance and anger coming at you.

[bvar22]

99. What laws were broken?

If some idiot wants to strap on a gun in his own home while wearing pajamas....

The best thing to do is apologize for disturbing him, and leave the area as fast as possible.
However, the Media might be interested, but probably not.
I would have left the rain soaked Bernie Brochures where they had fallen.

KUDOS to you, riderinthestorm, for working the trenches.

I live in a very RED, rural area of The South, and I just assume that every car & truck driver has a gun close at hand, and every front door has a loaded shotgun behind the door.

[Duckfan]

18. I just think it's really a sad state of affairs that we have

such unintelligent morans with little or no education like this dude. Clearly so ignorant he had to have his gun with him at the door to make him feel good.

The good news is the next generation coming up now will be more educated and aware than this dim bulb. Must only get his info from Cluster Faux while having a few brewski's.

[intersectionality]

19. Big hugs from here in NYC...

I canvassed for candidates over the years who are very anti-gun and only managed to knock on one gun nut's door. He must have registered Dem to vote opposition because he sure as hell attempted to intimidate me. And this was in the East Village in NYC. Lots of aggressiveness, too - very similar demographic to what you described.

Stay safe!

[renate]

20. oh my god

I'm so sorry that happened--that must have been absolutely terrifying. I'd have had to go home to change my pants.

Bless you a million times. Stay dry and be careful!

[riderinthestorm]

23. I admit, I still had @ 15 names to go and thought @ quitting right then

I actually called my husband (whose in SC) to talk me down. Sat in my car for a while.

Thought some more and decided Karma wouldn't be kind if I didn't finish the precinct. So bucked it up and finished. Last person was an RF (refused to answer the door or refused to discuss) - this guy peeked at me through his side door windows and didn't answer the door. Kinda anti-climactic.



Like I said, I'm pretty much blinged out in Bernie swag...

[Duval]

21. Thank you for letting us know.

We all need to be careful because of the "hate" talk coming from Trump. He is inciting those who follow him to go ahead and "do violence" and he'll bail them out. Good grief.

[zentrum]

22. Always thought

…Trump was an unpleasant clown, but had no idea these obsessions built on racism has driven him.

Always saw him, in fact, as a man with no ideology at all—except himself. The Id of Trumpness.

[OldRedneck]

24. Someone will be killed . . .

. . . at a Trump rally.

And even that won't stop him because whoever is killed will have . . . according to Trump . . . deserved it.

[bernbabe]

25. He needed to put on his gun.

What does that tell you?

Don't worry about these people, just walk away.

[riderinthestorm]

28. I'd already marked him "NH", "not home", and turned to leave

my worksheet has that implicitly. There was just that much time before he finally answered the door....

When I got back to the office, I told them @ the episode but said my reflexive response to that guy was that the Sanders campaign had already determined this wasn't a Sanders coordinated effort (I'm combative that way!) When he escalated after I said that, I went quiet and backed away.

The Sanders office staff went NUTS - "don't argue with them!", "just walk away!", "never engage !!!"

So yeah, I definitely learned a lesson. Just back away....

[roody]

26. You should go out in pairs.

[azretired]

27. Thanks for telling us your experience

I hope everyone canvassing for any person remains safe.

Politics should not be dangerous.

Still, we are an armed nation.

This story reminds me of my experience in the summer of 1970 when I was a very young lawyer. After being denied a police escort by the Mississippi Attorney General, I drove into a rural Mississippi county to file a request for a Temporary Restraining Order to stop racists in that community from burning people out of their homes. As we (I had other folks with me) crossed the county line about 30 "good old boys" greeted us, each standing next to a pickup truck while holding a shotgun or rifle. They followed us into town and waited outside the courthouse and then followed us as we drove out of the county. The Judge signed the TRO.

The Mississippi Attorney General had cautioned us to be sure to obey all traffic laws. I took that as a threat, which it was. I was very careful never to speed, fail to give a turn signal, etc. Ultimately we left the county safe and sound.

This was only a few years after the infamous murder of three civil rights workers in Mississippi and, as you can imagine, we were all terrified.

I am sure you felt much the same way when the guy came to the door armed.

I had hoped the legacy of intimidation and fear would be gone by now. So sorry to see it has not.

[riderinthestorm]

47. Welcome to DU!

[gregcrawford]

29. Trump is an evil piece of shit...

... and even other Republicans, whom I despise with every molecule of my DNA, are horrified by his rhetoric, but even more by the unspeakably malevolent actions of TOTALLY UN-American scum that lap up his malicious drivel like dogs eating their own vomit.

They are looking for any excuse to kill someone because that's the way they're hardwired; they were just waiting for a maggot like Trump to give them permission. Let's just hope it's not one of ours. Do NOT try to convert one of these assholes; it could cost you your life.

[nolabels]

35. Thrump is an invention of our own making

Every time you attempt to categorize, file or put something or someone in a place of your liking you feed what he lives off. To understand what you are looking at takes a much larger part of the brain. But if a raccoon, a rat or bear can do it, why not us?

[gregcrawford]

100. Please clarify your point.

What, precisely, does he live off?

"To understand what I'm looking at takes a much larger part of the brain?" My brain's pretty big ( I take 7 3/4 hat) and I'm having some difficulty making sense of anything you wrote.

[nolabels]

113. To understand the whole concept of what is going on and how we got here one must first observe.

If one works at the same level of the person that might be of a bother then a friction at some point will result. He is also a person that has just about most of everything he might want except one thing. The thing he is missing and or has been with held from him is praise and acknowledgement of his contributions. It seems that is the one thing he craves and probably could never admit it. This is kind of a dilemma or paradox for the man and is a strange one. Most in his position don't need that and the notoriety that goes with it. Though he might feel as if he deserves it, those he would want to give it will never.

In his position he can do just about what ever he wants (to a degree of course). Then if you also understand that, what do really think about him and what will happen when he doesn't get his way. The M$M has built a pretty big high horse for him to fall off of, do you think he also understands that? I am no way worried about any of it. Though i do wonder why rest of world cannot see through it as of yet.

[Ferd Berfel]

30. Proves my point: I've said it in other posts here today

Drumpf supporters are insane. I am personal friends with several of the not violent ones. But I do see there adolescent approach to most things.

That's why I was concerned when Bernie told Trump to "bring it on" - IT's going to be a mess. And some of these childish assholes are going to try and show up packing. YOu heard it here first

[agracie]

38. No. I heard it first inside my very own head. Very, very scary.

[Peace Patriot]

57. Sanders DIDN'T say that! It was a fake Sanders post.

Trump had said he might send his supporters to disrupt a Sanders' rally. And someone posted a fake Bernie response: "Send 'em." It was proven to be a fake. Don't know who did it or why. It's somewhere in today's DU Latest Threads.

[ellennelle]

31. do stay safe!

[tavernier]

34. I would say

You misunderstand. I'm not canvassing for anyone. I just happened to be walking past your house and noticed that the tree in your back yard is on fire.

When he steps out to look, I'd already be long gone.

Be careful, please. It's cloudy with a chance of lunatics out there this week.

[a la izquierda]

36. Oh my word!!

I'd have peed my pants, to be perfectly honest. So glad you're safe.

[agracie]

37. When I volunteered for Obama, we met at local campaign headquarters and paired up.

[riderinthestorm]

41. Yep, that's exactly true in the past. Bernie's primary campaign tho is in the final stage in IL

and it's stretched thin.

I'm a volunteer whose willing to go alone. I'm 100% unafraid as I've had many other decades of canvassing experience to draw upon and thought I'd drawn an upper middle class suburban neighborhood.

Also after a week of supposed "gang land" canvassing, I wasn't concerned.

I'm going out tomorrow alone if needs be.

(Raised fist)

[Wibly]

49. Mistake

In this climate that is a mistake. It is irresponsible of any campaign to have it workers canvassing alone. I'm shocked the Sanders campaign would allow it.
If you are in fact a register canvasser for the Sanders campaign, you should be reigned in on this one. Don't be a hero.

[riderinthestorm]

54. I'm done no matter what

my car is in the shop tomorrow. Tuesday is just hanging door hangers and getting folks to vote.

My Batavia office is on it. They're deeply concerned. Another BS volunteer with huge swag on his car and home lives less than 500 ft from this guy (it's a town home community) and staff have already been dispatched to advise him. I made sure of that info explicitly.

I think the political climate is so unstable nobody knows what to expect. That said, I fully expect canvassing pairs will now be the norm going forward

[NJCher]

39. wow, rider

That's quite an experience. I'm so sorry you had to go through it. As others up-thread have stated, politics should not be so dangerous. But thank you, GOP. Thank you, NRA.

I just can't imagine being so damned ignorant that you have to strap on a gun to greet a canvaser at the door. In pajamas! To put it mildly, this guy has self-esteem issues.

I know the areas you're speaking about, as I was there a few years ago.

You seem to have a lot of resilience, a sense of humor, and the confidence to not let this bother you that much, so for that, I

Big hug for you


Cher

[warrprayer]

40. Sorry to hear

Glad you're o.k.!

[dembotoz]

42. thank you and yes go out in pairs

[Impedimentus]

45. Thank you for your great work for Bernie - Please Stay Safe and Only Go With Another Person

There are some real crazies out there. So sorry you had such an awful experience.

[jillan]

46. Please - if you cannot find someone to go with you, switch to phone banking. Please!

Bernie wouldn't want anything to happen to you.

[FailureToCommunicate]

48. SO glad you made it back safe, if shaken. Canvasing for Obama in 2008 in NH we had

several times where we were met at the door by guy holding a gun and another were he leaned it by the wall just inside.
It was unnerving, and I had to explain to my sons, who were helping us GOTV, that they may be trying just to threaten us, and that some folks just don't like strangers knocking on the doors.

One of my first real jobs long ago was as a U.S. census taker and I had a guy show up at his door with a shotgun, letting me know that no government person was welcome on his property...

Sadly, we live in a country that is screwy about guns.

[annie48]

50. Wheaton, Batavia, Glen Ellyn, etc.

All these western suburbs of Chicago are very well to do and very republican. Scary reaction from the older man, and one I might have been tempted to call the police over.

Did you consider that?

When I wound up in DuPage county over 30 years ago I had no idea at that time it was so republican. I was young and though informed just not enough. Still, I've seen the county change a lot in that time and hopefully it will keep going democratic.

[riderinthestorm]

58. I grew up in GE. Spent 25 years professionally in Wheaton

there is a nascent Dem rebellion in Dupage Co.

Befriend Amy Elizabeth Rohrer on FB. She lives in CO now but is an instrumental Dupage Dem, connected to so many causes.

You're not alone.

[annie48]

59. Yes I know Amy

I've been big into the political thing for some time, and have met Amy while she was still living here at the democratic headquarters on North ave. I saw her back when Obama was running for re-election and found out she is still very involved here in DuPage.

Personally, many of these DuPage dem officials are not quite progressive enough for me, but, I put up with them since the alternative is too dangerous.

[riderinthestorm]

60. I'm going to PM you

I hosted Cindy Sheehan at the Dupage Forest Preserve back in the day. I'm thinking we know each other?

[Paulie]

107. I moved a couple years ago into DuPage

You're not alone. 2012 was close to becoming 50/50, and that was before I moved!

[Nickel79]

51. I'm sorry you had to go through this.

Personally, I would've called the police because that man doesn't sound very stable and his actions are tip-toeing along the lines of brandishing. Similar situations have occurred in California, and the people toting guns (on their own property) were charged with brandishing with intent to intimidate (or something along those lines). Just food for thought.

All of that aside, great work and thank you so much for what you do.

[stage left]

53. some Trump supporters are rabid dogs.

Stay safe out there.

[Peace Patriot]

61. Thank you for your critically important work! I'm so proud of you...

...and I wish I could be there with you, to share the load and watch each other's backs!

I wish you joy in this great endeavor! You may not know it, but you are touching people deeply far, far away--even in other countries (Americans Abroad just voted overwhelmingly for Sanders!). We all know what you're doing--creating a political revolution one voter at a time, one neighborhood at a time. Even before you posted this, I was thinking of the canvassers in Illinois, Ohio, FLA and other voting states, as I did during the first primaries. There is nothing more important than this. The door-to-door is the heart of the campaign and of this amazing revolution. Door to door. Face to face. Person to person.

There are always dangers in this kind of canvassing. I'm sorry you ran into one. I'm glad you got away safely. I hugely admire your courage and your determination to finish.

GO ILLINOIS! GO BERNIE! GO RIDER IN THE STORM!!!



THIS IS A SHOUT-OUT FROM CALIFORNIA!

[Kittycat]

62. So sorry this happened to you :( on the bright side

I remember in 2008 when my Obama signs kept getting destroyed and stollen. We see how that turned out.

Btw, I read the story today about Laesch working over there. Sounds like you all are really working hard, and putting in some serious time. I think it's paying off. Most of my dem friends are feeling the Bern. But more than that, people that I viewed more as Indies, and never expected to support him we're even posting pics from his rally in Summit! With many more excited, talking and cheering about it. Many, many thanks!

[riderinthestorm]

73. Yes, John is running that office. Even he was out canvassing yesterday

its a big push here now...

I'm waiting, waiting for my car to be finished. If it's done with a couple hours of daylight left, I'm heading to the office asap to see what I can do.

Tomorrow I've cleared my schedule to hang door hangers all day. Feelin' the BERN!!!!

[Kittycat]

90. I received a second call today. :)

And I just sent out my neighborhood voter information notice, along with same day/grace period registration information. With info on same day/grace period registration for our late HS, College students, teachers and new residents. Hopefully it will help with the last minute push.

[dana_b]

63. Eek!!! Oh my

I'm so sorry that happened to you. What makes people think that it's okay to threaten someone??

I will only phone/face bank - no door to door canvassing.
Please consider going with others if you continue to go door to door.

[Hissyspit]

64. You were clearly a physical threat, so he surely had to get his gun.

A bully and a coward.

[YourAMIGO]

65. Thank you for your bravery. A dog bit a lady I was canvassing with yesterday

I'm going back out there this week.

[rosesaylavee]

66. Thank you for your work on this...

You are in my area... My husband picked up our Bernie sign from that office. I put it in our window rather than our yard given the damage done to past yard signs.

Don't let a couple "morans" get you down tho! There are plenty of Bernie and Clinton fans who support your efforts. Just another indication of why this election is so important!

[dorkzilla]

67. Very scary indeed

My husband and I just discussed taking the Bernie magnet off my car. Much as I am loathe to do it, I can't run as fast as I used to.

It's frightening out there. I was just over in Ireland and England visiting family and friends and they're all watching in horror. They can't believe how Trump and his goons are behaving and have placed bets on how quickly I'll return if he's elected. Most expect I will be joining them for Christmas.

[Hiraeth]

68. glad you are okay.

[Betty Karlson]

69. Hm... seems that Clinton is no longer the only candidate with desperate followers

but these ones are... miles over the horizon of sanity and accellerating.

[JDPriestly]

70. No Bernie supporters should be demonstrating at any other candidate's rally in my

opinion.

[bvf]

71. Sucks that you had to experience that, and I'm glad you're OK.

Thanks so much for your dedication and commitment--you and others who do the heavy lifting are true heros, and that's not said lightly, considering your account.

When I canvassed for Obama in 2012, I was lucky that the worst my partner and I experienced was mere rudeness (although I think we left at least one domestic dispute in our wake).

The buddy system should be SOP, IMO.

Thank you again, and please do whatever you need to do to stay safe!

[davidthegnome]

72. Back in 2010...

I was working for the census up here in Maine. Most of the people I went to visit were decent enough, helped me fill out my paperwork and didn't give me a hard time. During one particular incident though, a woman came to the door and told me she had already dealt with a census worker. I explained, "Well, Mam, we have several operations going on right now... and that was probably one of the others, now this will only take a few minutes, if you wouldn't mind..."

Her annoyed look changes to a very angry one: "Leave. Now. I'm going to go get my Father and tell him to get his shotgun."

That was freaky. So I said "sorry", several times, backed down the porch steps - and rushed back out to my vehicle... I was in such a hurry digging into my pocket for the keys that I hit the panic button and it started beeping like crazy, until my shaking fingers were able to turn it off - and the internal dialogue is going like this; "Shit, shit, they're going to shoot me before I can get out of this driveway". It felt like that took way too long, but it was probably really less than thirty seconds before I had the keys in the ignition and was backing out, very nervously watching the door the whole time.

I have never had a gun pointed in my face (yet) but when working at a hotel front desk, I did have an angry bounty-hunter with a gun on his hip threaten me and cuss me out (because of a problem I had nothing at all to do with).

It is very scary when that happens - and the people who do such things ought to be ashamed of themselves. That said, you did the smart thing by backing away and apologizing. Engaging people like that, talking back to them, arguing with them... frankly, I don't think there's any point. I also think they ought to be arrested for threatening citizens who intend them no harm, who are doing nothing more terrible than working for a political campaign and seeking votes and support.

The level of hate out there right now is extreme. More than I have ever seen. Find someone, anyone, to go with you.

Thank you for your work and your courage - stay safe and please be careful.

[modestybl]

74. Wow, no such drama in Aurora, IL...

Sorry to hear that... but right now back to the door to door... - MA

[riderinthestorm]

82. Ikr?! I'd been in Aurora the two days previously

between Parker and Benton, Rt 25 and the East Aurora HS and had zero problems.

In fact on Friday afternoon, early evening, it was like a giant party. Everyone outside, beautiful weather, lots of drinks, "Hola! to everyone....

You must be working out of the Batavia office too. Maybe I'll see you tomorrow? We should pm each other and meetup!

[modestybl]

117. All afternoon canvassing in Aurora...

Stopped in Batavia this evening... I'll be at the election watch party after 8:00 pm at La Quinta tomorrow... maybe we can meet up then

(I heard you had a VERY interesting phone call yesterday )

[riderinthestorm]

75. UPDATE!!! Bernie himself just called me!!!

I am beside myself!! I was completely star struck and tongue tied. Almost cried!!!

He called to say nobody should ever experience that kind of intimidation while canvassing and to thank me for working on his behalf.

I am beyond excited and completely fired up! I told him I'm not stopping and we're determined to win Illinois for him.

Very brief and gracious and kind. I'm going to be floating for weeks now

[Dr. Xavier]

78. FANTASTIC

good on ya'

[blm]

81. COOL!!!!!

And, please stay safe.

[Fast Walker 52]

89. Wow! How awesome!

[progressoid]

92. Whoa. Cool!

[dpatbrown]

96. WOW!

Amazing. How exciting, and thanks for the work you are doing. Be safe.

[Le Taz Hot]

120. OH. MY. GOD!

You dog!!!!! Seriously, that is absolutely the coolest! He's such a mensch.

[Dr. Xavier]

76. Please be careful and have you thought of

filing a brandishing a weapon charge against this lunatic. Contact the local PD, see if they'll investigate at least.

[Matariki]

77. Thank you for your volunteer work

That's horrible you had to deal with that

[blm]

79. So sorry this happened to you. It was never this way in the past.

You were doing the right thing by participating in democracy and no one should be threatened for it.

[AlbertCat]

80. it was the Sanders campaign behind it all....

Well, if it was, it was the EASIEST thing Sanders has had to do in 30+ years.

(of course it wasn't true.)

[Svafa]

84. Scary! Stay safe, everyone!

I feel kind of worthless because I donate to Sanders's campaign whenever I have extra money, but social anxiety prevents me from canvassing and phone banking. I feel like I'm not doing everything I can to get his message out there and to remind people to vote. Everyone out there volunteering, you guys are AWESOME, and keep up the good work!

[riderinthestorm]

85. Bring food!

Seriously the campaign offices love the free food that's donated. I got in last night and immediately snarfed down a plate of delicious donated homemade spaghetti and meatballs. It was just the ticket (yum, carbs...lol).

Cookies, Subway, pizza, sloppy joes, spaghetti - I've seen a lot of creative stuff donated. Free food is really welcome and helps folks stay at it longer.

Just a thought for those who are stressed to do something.

[Svafa]

86. Good idea!

[GreenPartyVoter]

87. So scary!

[Fast Walker 52]

88. the shit is getting real

Canvassing is weird. I will never forget, when canvassing for Obama, I had people tell me in 2008 they would never vote the ni**er.

[MerryBlooms]

93. Ugh, how horrible! I'm so glad you're okay.

Thanks so much for all you're doing for us and Bernie!

[lark]

94. I feel like we're at the start of WW2 and the brown shirts are rioting,

yelling Heil Trump. It no longer seems funny.

[ieoeja]

95. Since hearing Trump blaming Bernie for the disruptors, I've been wanting to post this.

My kid and his girlfriend were among the anti-Trump group actually inside the hall. He told me that at some point they started chanting "Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!".

Trump has been instructing supporters at this rally to surround protestors and chant "Trump! Trump! Trump!" at them until security comes and hauls them away. My guess would be they were doing that at the UIC rally and that one of the protestors decided to chant "Bernie!" back at them. Other protestors joined in.

According to my kid there were more protestors than supporters inside the hall. So "Bernie!" ended up being louder than "Trump!".

Hence, the reason he decided to pin the blame on Sanders.


Technically, my kid was not initially among the protestors. His girlfriend was. He was on the sidelines recording everything when a cop pinned his arms to his sides, walked him over to the protestors and shoved him in with the group presumably because the kid is a young, Black Mexican.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

98. These people believe Trump is going to give them their long awaited "Go" order to kill Liberals.

[peace13]

101. Be safe. We had an Obama sign shot at...

...and two Kerry signs burned. Those guys are the lurkers! Stay clear of the gun nuts! They are beyond insane!

[allan01]

103. be safe . seriouslly, this guy is going to get someone killed.

[cannabis_flower]

104. People (including Trump)

don't seem to understand their 1st Amendment Rights. Trump's First Amendment Rights were not violated. In order for his First Amendment Rights to have been violated the government would have had to violate them. He is not protected from unruly protesters.

http://hotair.com/archives/2016/03/13/no-first-amendment-rights-were-trampled-on-in-chicago/

[LongTomH]

105. Sorry you had to go through this!!!! Most of my canvassing experiences here in Kansas City or......

......in Iowa have been positive. People have been generally friendly, even if they're voting for someone else.

Yesterday, however my partner did encounter some truculent Trump types, not violent, thank heavens, just rude. We were working a mostly white, working class area; the type of people who really should support Bernie.

[valerief]

106. Damn, and I was afraid to canvas because someone might answer the

door with a pit bull!

[Dont call me Shirley]

110. Stay safe, riderinthestorm!

[rhett o rick]

111. The Ruling Class does not want Sanders. They want Clinton or a Republican.

Goldman-Sachs said this himself.

[riderinthestorm]

114. Yup. Had to laugh at your jackassradicals sig. I'm riderintheshitstorm there

I'm now thinking its a badge of honor to be targeted by that HRC hate group. Kinda like being on the banned HRC group list here at DU..

[rhett o rick]

115. It would be funny if it weren't so pathetic. They have to have an alternate site

to conspire against us. It's so jr High.

[Art_from_Ark]

116. You really did "ride in a storm" with that guy

Stay safe

[Le Taz Hot]

118. I work for the Census Bureau and have to knock on doors for a living.

Welcome to my world. The only thing missing is a gun pointed AT your face and/or sicking the dog(s) on you. People can be total assholes. Oh yeah, and I forget spitting in your face.