Portland Protest Documentary by Purple Heart Vet
Donation protected
While interviewing veterans and protestors for our documentary, the morning I was to leave, my car was broken into and all my equipment was stolen. My camera, my Zoom Audio Recorder, and my laptop.
I've never put a GoFundMe Together before for any of my projects, and if you know me, I've had a lot of projects. I need your help now. I know this is happening in the middle of pandemic and people are in a bad way financially. I'm not asking for anyone to donate who can't, but if you have something other than money: equipment or time, email me. [email redacted]
About the documentary:
The night of June 1, after watching the gassing and abuse of peaceful protestors at the hands of unnamed and unidentified federal troops, Kevin Pannel calls me with pain and anger in his voice. Kevin had his legs blown off in Baghdad in 2004, the same day I was critically injured in an EID attack in Taji Iraq. We agreed that we have a hard time seeing the country that we sacrificed so much for.
From that conversation we decided to act. We called and met with both our senators and all but one Congressional Representative. We asked for three things:
1. A clear ROE (rules of engagement) for any troops deployed domestically in a riot or crowd control mission.
2. Training for all National Guard on what an unlawful order is, and what to do if you feel you were given one.
3. Interpretation by the DOJ on Title 10 law (specifically the Insurrection Act and how it conflicts with the First Amendment) and clarification on how the National Guard can be used by the President on US Soil (title 32)
Senator Wyden told us that he would ensure Oregon National Guard was trained on unlawful orders and we could have some say in the training and the Oregon Contingency of lawmakers wrote a letter asking for #3. So we had a big win.
At this time, a writer friend of mine (Kase Johnstun) suggested we do a documentary on what is happening in Portland since it had become National News. We started this doc and so far we interviewed some amazing voices:
Kevin Pannell - Purple Heart Iraq Veteran
Joe Cantrell - Vietnam Veteran with two tours who stayed in SE Asia for 16 years after the war as a photojournalist. He saw the rise of Fascism in the Philippines and sees parallels to what's happening today.
Eric Greatwood - Young Air Force Veteran who has been to the protests over 60 days
Ellen Urbani - Wall of Moms member and former Peace Corps Member who was shot by federal troops.
Mike Hastie - Vietnam Veteran and Vets for Peace member who's stood up to the federal troops and was gassed in the face. Video went viral (over 8 million views).
Ryan Harnish - Marine Corps Veteran with Five Deployments and 2 Purple Hearts. He was shot in the head with an RPG and lived. He compares Portland to some of the combat zones he's been to.
These voices are so important to be heard and just the beginning. Please help if you can. The funds you give will be used on this project. If we are able to get the gear we need (priority on a laptop I can store and edit with) we will use any other funds for travel for the small doc crew and entries to film festivals. I will not abuse this. I understand I'm asking a lot today.
Sean
I've never put a GoFundMe Together before for any of my projects, and if you know me, I've had a lot of projects. I need your help now. I know this is happening in the middle of pandemic and people are in a bad way financially. I'm not asking for anyone to donate who can't, but if you have something other than money: equipment or time, email me. [email redacted]
About the documentary:
The night of June 1, after watching the gassing and abuse of peaceful protestors at the hands of unnamed and unidentified federal troops, Kevin Pannel calls me with pain and anger in his voice. Kevin had his legs blown off in Baghdad in 2004, the same day I was critically injured in an EID attack in Taji Iraq. We agreed that we have a hard time seeing the country that we sacrificed so much for.
From that conversation we decided to act. We called and met with both our senators and all but one Congressional Representative. We asked for three things:
1. A clear ROE (rules of engagement) for any troops deployed domestically in a riot or crowd control mission.
2. Training for all National Guard on what an unlawful order is, and what to do if you feel you were given one.
3. Interpretation by the DOJ on Title 10 law (specifically the Insurrection Act and how it conflicts with the First Amendment) and clarification on how the National Guard can be used by the President on US Soil (title 32)
Senator Wyden told us that he would ensure Oregon National Guard was trained on unlawful orders and we could have some say in the training and the Oregon Contingency of lawmakers wrote a letter asking for #3. So we had a big win.
At this time, a writer friend of mine (Kase Johnstun) suggested we do a documentary on what is happening in Portland since it had become National News. We started this doc and so far we interviewed some amazing voices:
Kevin Pannell - Purple Heart Iraq Veteran
Joe Cantrell - Vietnam Veteran with two tours who stayed in SE Asia for 16 years after the war as a photojournalist. He saw the rise of Fascism in the Philippines and sees parallels to what's happening today.
Eric Greatwood - Young Air Force Veteran who has been to the protests over 60 days
Ellen Urbani - Wall of Moms member and former Peace Corps Member who was shot by federal troops.
Mike Hastie - Vietnam Veteran and Vets for Peace member who's stood up to the federal troops and was gassed in the face. Video went viral (over 8 million views).
Ryan Harnish - Marine Corps Veteran with Five Deployments and 2 Purple Hearts. He was shot in the head with an RPG and lived. He compares Portland to some of the combat zones he's been to.
These voices are so important to be heard and just the beginning. Please help if you can. The funds you give will be used on this project. If we are able to get the gear we need (priority on a laptop I can store and edit with) we will use any other funds for travel for the small doc crew and entries to film festivals. I will not abuse this. I understand I'm asking a lot today.
Sean
Organizer and beneficiary
Sean Davis
Organizer
Rainbow, OR
Sean Davis
Beneficiary