877: The Making Of

Ira Glass introduces the episode by drawing a parallel between "making-of" movies and the portrayal of Portland, Oregon, in the media. The episode investigates how right-wing citizen journalists and streamers have shaped the narrative of Portland as a war-ravaged city under siege by Antifa, influencing national law enforcement policies. Producers Zoe Chace and Susanne Gaber visit Portland to explore the reality behind this portrayal, attending protests and interviewing streamers, protesters, and even the self-proclaimed "leader of Antifa," Chandler. The investigation reveals a more complex and nuanced situation, where the actions of streamers often exacerbate tensions, and the narrative of Antifa as a sophisticated, organized terror network is largely unsupported by evidence on the ground.