2050-12-1 News Article
VIOLENCE ERUPTS IN PRESTONE, LOWDEN
Militia Groups Turn Protests Into Riots
PRESTONE - Protests against Prestone County's new quarantine restrictions became bloody when members of small militias, led by members of Unmask, began attacking quarantine supporters. In all, 103 individuals were injured and 3 died from attacks. More than 400 were arrested.The protests began approximately 9:00 AM at the border between Prestone and Katzeden. The border has been closed for months, but WDO and local officials have locked it down tightly in recent days after infection rated in Prestone reached dangerous levels and the PNDV-1d variant became the dominant strain. Protesters believe they have been issued a death sentence by the authorities, forcing even those who have been careful to stay within what they have deemed a "death zone".
According to sources within the World Defense Organization, militia groups such as Unmask made plans to use these protests as cover for attacking WDO and local law enforement. The ultimate goal was to breach the containment lines with the purpose of opening up the border and allowing citizens of Prestone the ability to travel out.
They may have been successful, as it is reported that as many as 500 individuals crossed from Preston into Katzeden and have not been apprehended as of this writing.
As protestors chanted "Prestone is a death zone", law enforcement from Katzeden and the WDO held a line at the border between the two counties. This raucous, yet mostly peaceful demonstration was broken by the introduction of a Molotov cocktail being thrown from the crowd towards the law enforcement line. Three Katzeden officers were injured by the ensuing flames, one suffering third-degree burns over one-third of her body.
WDO forces moved forward to support the line and rescue the injured officers, but some on the protest line saw this as an opportunity to break the quarantine, rushing the cordon and pushing forward. WDO forces responded with riot tactics, holding the line and using pepper spray to combat the initial attack. The rush of bodies, however, proved too much for the forces at the line, and they retreated to a location 100 yards away, where they were supported by additional forces.
But this breach was the opportunity the militias were looking for, and they rushed the line. Many law enforcement officeers were caught and beaten by protestors, resulting in many of the injuries and the death of a second law enforcement member. The third death was that of a protestor, believed to be a member of Unmask, who drew a handgun and pointed it at retreating forces. He was shot by two WDO soldiers in waht appears to have been self-defense. The shooting prompted the crowd to disperse in fear and additional WDO forces were able to take control of the situation.
WDO forces moved forward to support the line and rescue the injured officers, but some on the protest line saw this as an opportunity to break the quarantine, rushing the cordon and pushing forward. WDO forces responded with riot tactics, holding the line and using pepper spray to combat the initial attack. The rush of bodies, however, proved too much for the forces at the line, and they retreated to a location 100 yards away, where they were supported by additional forces.
But this breach was the opportunity the militias were looking for, and they rushed the line. Many law enforcement officeers were caught and beaten by protestors, resulting in many of the injuries and the death of a second law enforcement member. The third death was that of a protestor, believed to be a member of Unmask, who drew a handgun and pointed it at retreating forces. He was shot by two WDO soldiers in waht appears to have been self-defense. The shooting prompted the crowd to disperse in fear and additional WDO forces were able to take control of the situation.
WDO to take action against militias
The World Defense Organization released a statement after the riots, decalring that they would be assigning a teask force to address these increasing threat from self-styled militias."The WDO has been following the emergence and growth of these groups and is determined to ensure the safety of the general populace", according to WDO spokersperson Soren Svenson. "Groups like Unmask have been actively working against law enforcement to bypass quarantine restrictions, putting the health of thousands at risk with every incident. While we understand the frustration, these quarantines are for the health and safety of the public at large. These escalations into violence will be dealt with and interdicted with force if necessary."
In defiance, an anonymous message was posted on multiple social media sites claiming responsibility for the attacks. The message purports to be from a member of Unmask, and states that the attacks and violence were planned. It goes on to say that citizens of Prestone should not be treated as sheep, and will rise up as "lions" to take back what they perceive as lost freedoms. While there have been hundreds of arrest following the riot, there has been no mention by law enforcement of anyone specifically involved with Unmask.
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