[This post has been updated to add the video and remove references to its eventual inclusion]
This video recorded by Michael Strickland as he was attacked that has been under seal by prosecutors has been released from custody.
Now people will finally be able to see the video showing Strickland being manhandled – attacked – by black bloc outfitted anarchists and so called “antifa” at the Portland Black Lives Matter/Don’t Shoot PDX protest. These are some of the same people whom prosecutors turned into ‘victims’ in their outrageous case against him in Portland, Oregon over the last year. See posts about the case by clicking on this link.
It explains why Strickland, a videographer and journalist working for news websites, pulled his gun in self defense to back off the thugs who admitted in court to conspiring to physically throw him out of the protest.
The video shows what happened before people started filming Strickland being physically thrown out of the Black Lives Matter/Don’t Shoot PDX protest, march and rally.
Benjamin Kerensa Attacks Michael Strickland
Violent Ben Kerensa, known domestic terrorist and federal felon, attacks me last July 7th, 2016. You can see him leading a group of mask-clad anarchists, 3 o…
Here’s Strickland’s description of the video:
“Violent Ben Kerensa, known domestic terrorist and federal felon, attacks me last July 7th, 2016. You can see him leading a group of mask-clad anarchists, 3 of which of with flag poles in hand, which I have seen used as weapons. They surround me, Kerensa verbally accosts me, then begins to physically attack me. You can hear me issue verbal commands as I start to retreat. Benjamin Jacob Kerensa begins to pursue me as I retreat, and calls for others to join in the pursuit. After retreating down the block, while being aggressively pursued, my attention was drawn to the bulk of mob on my right. At this point, Ben Kerensa begins to flank me from my left, my blind side, and I caught him out of the corner of my eye. At that point I draw and issue commands for everyone to get away from me. I had every reason to believe that Ben Kerensa’s 400 pound body was seconds away from flattening me into the pavement, and that several others, already in a mob mentality, would join in, not only beating me but also robbing me of personal possessions, which included my video camera, computer, other electronic devices, and my Glock 27. They left me with no choice but to draw in self defense.
Somehow, Kerensa and the rest of the mob are considered “victims” and were never charged with any crimes, even though Ben Kerensa’s actions clearly meet the definition of Riot (ORS 166.015), Assault (ORS 163.165), Menacing (ORS 163.190), and Disorderly Conduct (ORS 166.025), having begun the altercation in the first place.
Benjamin Jacob Kerensa has a long criminal rap sheet that includes bomb threats, impersonating FBI agents to get people SWATed, filing false police reports, improper use of 911, theft, writing fraudulent checks, and more. He also been known to creepily stalk students at PSU, attack female police accountability activists, and tried to get the mob to attack another videographer earlier this June.
It is best to stay away from him if you see him in public and have no contact with him. I post this as a public service announcement so that people know how dangerous and violent he is.
This video was my first person video of the events that night. I was arrested a few minutes after I was attacked, and my camera and SD were seized immediately. This video was part of the sealed evidence. The prosecutors, Kate Molina and Todd Jackson, and Judge Thomas Ryan did not want the public to see this video before the trial. The evidence has since been unsealed.”
Strickland was charged with 21 counts, ten of which were felonies, for defending himself. He’s been sentenced to 40 days in jail, 29 with time served.
He’s appealing.
