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Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Cops Watch Out, Anarchists! The Police are Preparing for You.
Posted by Sarah Mirk on Tue, Apr 27, 2010 at 1:43 PM
We just received this press release from the Portland police, warning that in the weeks days up to May 1st, we may be seeing some more of the Starbucks-harassing, trash can-rolling protests like those that occurred after the death of Jack Collins.
I couldn't find any discussion of the protest over at Indymedia and I wasn't there, so all I have to go off right now is the police account. If you saw the protest (especially people taking off their clothes as police arrived! w00t!) or participated, definitely add your perspective to the comments.
Update: Thanks to commenter qool for finding the protest on Indymedia. The blurb there says, "This was an anarchist police abolition march, which meant no reformist chants and no holding back. We went to the military recruitment center on 14th and Broadway, smashed every available window, and pelted the computers. This target is relevant because soldiers are the cops of the world. Just as the Portland Police commit racist hate crimes and enforce and oppressive social order, so to do soldiers abroad."
And from the cops:
Last night at approximately 9:45 p.m., Portland Police Officers from North Precinct responded to the Northeast Broadway area on reports of approximately 50 people marching in the street and vandalizing businesses. Witnesses reported that the large group was dressed in black clothing and were throwing rocks. The Starbucks located at 1510 NE Broadway was targeted and sustained damage to two windows that had rocks thrown at them. The US Military Recruiting Center at 1317 NE Broadway was also targeted and their front glass door was shattered. Suspects entered the building and spread garbage around the office. A large bench was also destroyed and numerous large rolling trash bins were rolled out onto the street in an attempt to stop traffic.Witnesses reported seeing the protesters discarding their clothing once police started arriving.
The Portland Police Bureau has taken other reports over the last several weeks of vandalism to businesses in other Portland neighborhoods. On April 12, 2010, Portland Police Officers from Central Precinct responded to a call of breaking glass and sounds of explosions near the 400 Block of SE 10th Avenue around 1:30 a.m. When officers arrived, they found graffiti and shattered windows on the side of the Multnomah County Department of Corrections Building located at 421 SE 10th Avenue. Officers found evidence that some type of burning or explosive device had also been used in the area. Witnesses reported to police that they saw subjects dressed in all black running from the area just prior to the police response.
Police believe these actions are the responsibility of anarchists in the area that also protested and vandalized businesses several weeks ago in downtown Portland. The Portland Police Bureau is preparing for similar acts throughout the week leading up to May 1.
Update 2:20 pm I asked police spokeswoman Mary Wheat what sort of training the police would be doing in preparation and how many officers they expected to have on the streets this May Day, but she would not specify. "We want to make sure that those people who have a real message to get out about May Day are not drowned out by the anarchists," said Wheat. Portland immigration and workers-rights groups are planning a big rally in the Park Blocks on May 1.
1
The PPB will smack these little bitches down like the twerps they are. These kids are a trip. Someone please give them all jobs.
Actually, the next time they go to the recruiting station they should be talking to recruiters about making a real difference for their country.
Actually, the next time they go to the recruiting station they should be talking to recruiters about making a real difference for their country.
4
Minimum wage workers of the world unite! And thank these liberators for the labor they've created for you.
5
Straight-jacked from these idiots:
We took to the streets yet again last night (4/26). This was an anarchist police abolition march, which meant no reformist chants and no holding back.
We went to the military recruitment center on 14th and Broadway, smashed every available window, and pelted the computers. This target is relevant because soldiers are the cops of the world. Just as the Portland Police commit racist hate crimes and enforce and oppressive social order, so to do soldiers abroad.
We also hit two Wells Fargo bank branches. Wells Fargo is the largest financial backer of G.E.O. group, which owns a majority of the privatized prisons in North America. G.E.O. group owns the northwest immigrant detention center in Tacoma, which every year kills immigrants through deplorable living conditions and denial of medical services.
A Bank of America branch was smashed as well. Their recklessness alongside other banks has caused a crisis of foreclosure and unemployment that is endemic of capitalism.
To end this laundry list, we smashed a Starbucks. We smashed it because fuck you, you fucking capitalist bastards, that's why.
This is just one description from one observer. More attacks may have occurred, and more attacks certainly will occur. Until every last cop is unemployed and in the food stamp line, we will be working to destroy them.
We took to the streets yet again last night (4/26). This was an anarchist police abolition march, which meant no reformist chants and no holding back.
We went to the military recruitment center on 14th and Broadway, smashed every available window, and pelted the computers. This target is relevant because soldiers are the cops of the world. Just as the Portland Police commit racist hate crimes and enforce and oppressive social order, so to do soldiers abroad.
We also hit two Wells Fargo bank branches. Wells Fargo is the largest financial backer of G.E.O. group, which owns a majority of the privatized prisons in North America. G.E.O. group owns the northwest immigrant detention center in Tacoma, which every year kills immigrants through deplorable living conditions and denial of medical services.
A Bank of America branch was smashed as well. Their recklessness alongside other banks has caused a crisis of foreclosure and unemployment that is endemic of capitalism.
To end this laundry list, we smashed a Starbucks. We smashed it because fuck you, you fucking capitalist bastards, that's why.
This is just one description from one observer. More attacks may have occurred, and more attacks certainly will occur. Until every last cop is unemployed and in the food stamp line, we will be working to destroy them.
7
Is it horrible of me that my first thought is, "Oh, dear god! I hope Milo's City Cafe is alright!"
... Milo's is right next door to the recruitment center. Their PB+J French toast is TO DIE for.
... Milo's is right next door to the recruitment center. Their PB+J French toast is TO DIE for.
8
"this was an anarchist police abolition march"
So in order to abolish the police, they go out and remind the public at large exactly why we need police?
I'm as unhappy about recent police actions as the next guy, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE can they catch some of these kids and just beat the crap out of them.
So in order to abolish the police, they go out and remind the public at large exactly why we need police?
I'm as unhappy about recent police actions as the next guy, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE can they catch some of these kids and just beat the crap out of them.
9
I love how the black hanky crowd responds to every crisis by throwing bricks through Starbucks' windows. It is, after all, Starbucks' board of directors who are responsible for cleaning up the glass and replacing the windows out of pocket.
10
@ Portlander4life:
That was the exact same thing I said to myself. Best benedicts in town. Oh and the Peet's across from the bashed Bucky's. Totally glad they didn't hit the Peet's.
That was the exact same thing I said to myself. Best benedicts in town. Oh and the Peet's across from the bashed Bucky's. Totally glad they didn't hit the Peet's.
12
Quite a few years ago, I tried to post on Indy Media a couple of times and my comments were censored. (Comments weren't that bad. I was much less of a pain in the ass than I am now.)
Anyway, that censorship taught me all I needed to know about these supposed "freedom fighters."
Anyway, that censorship taught me all I needed to know about these supposed "freedom fighters."
14
Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't anarchy created a fertile breeding ground for unrestrained capitalism? I'm thinking this is all the result of defective genes. That's the only explanation I can handle.
17
"We went to the military recruitment center on 14th and Broadway, smashed every available window, and pelted the computers. This target is relevant because soldiers are the cops of the world. Just as the Portland Police commit racist hate crimes and enforce and oppressive social order, so to do soldiers abroad."
Here's a good rule, idiots: if you have to explain post-hoc how your violent action is relevant to what you are trying to accomplish (i.e. it isn't self-evident), you should probably hold off until you find a suitably obvious target.
Here's a good rule, idiots: if you have to explain post-hoc how your violent action is relevant to what you are trying to accomplish (i.e. it isn't self-evident), you should probably hold off until you find a suitably obvious target.
18
What a bunch of morons. Anarchy means the guy with the gun gets to rape your girlfriend and steal your shoes. And you can't do anything about it.
19
Mob violence. Good one.
Blabby put it best: "So in order to abolish the police, they go out and remind the public at large exactly why we need police?"
See what you silly people have done to me? Of all Blogtownies, I find myself agreeing with BLABBY more and more every day.
Blabby put it best: "So in order to abolish the police, they go out and remind the public at large exactly why we need police?"
See what you silly people have done to me? Of all Blogtownies, I find myself agreeing with BLABBY more and more every day.
20
@ Robert Collins -
Well, you shoot the sumbitch, obviously. Because you'd have a gun, too (or not, and die quickly after anarchy was incorporated).
Well, you shoot the sumbitch, obviously. Because you'd have a gun, too (or not, and die quickly after anarchy was incorporated).
22
$50 to the first person who explains how a philosophical theory calling for the end of all forms authority and oppression equates to rape and shoe theft.
23
I hope you naysayers will come out on May Day and show those anarchists how to have a proper peaceful demonstration. If you don't realize things are fucked up you are idiots, if you don't care enough to stand up and be counted you are a bigger problem than the window smashers.
24
There must be like a million surveillence cameras. The question is which of them got photos of these darlings after they removed their costumes. Prediction: anarchist group dissolves after jailed members cry and ask for their mommies.
25
@Robert Collins: Property destruction damage (smashing windows) = property theft (stealing shoes but NEITHER = rape. Rape is physical assault on another human being, not on PROPERTY. Um, no, as a bisexual female in a monogamous heterosexual relationship I DON'T have a girlfriend who is going to be raped, and though I have no love lost for these "anarchists" (I think it's offensive to the people I know who ARE really anarchists philosophically and further those goals meaningfully) and THEIR dumb tactics, I don't think that equating their dumb tactics & goals with rape is very effective and is actually rather offensive.
26
to the haters - 'If you don't realize things are fucked up you are idiots,'
It's called the world. Been around awhile, unlike your utopia which has never and never will.
How do we 'stand up and be counted'? A hollow cliche. Do something positive with your life or for somebody else for a change. Charity starts at home.
It's called the world. Been around awhile, unlike your utopia which has never and never will.
How do we 'stand up and be counted'? A hollow cliche. Do something positive with your life or for somebody else for a change. Charity starts at home.
27
theta - the example is sound. Lawlessness=rape.
And being offended about everything all the time will eventually make you tired.
And being offended about everything all the time will eventually make you tired.
28
@D - Uh, you could actually go to the protest Saturday and 'be counted' as one of the people who understands things are fucked up, or you could type type type little quips about people who show a higher level of engagement than yourself, misguided as they may be.
Or to paraphrase Blabby - So in order to abolish the anarchists, you sit on your keyboard and remind the public at large exactly why we need anarchists?
Or to paraphrase Blabby - So in order to abolish the anarchists, you sit on your keyboard and remind the public at large exactly why we need anarchists?
31
Ugh, the Weimar Republic had extremist radicals who repeatedly bombed and assasinated targets. Today we have property destruction, which equates to the labor and cost of replacing a window. Ohhhh no! People suffer around us everyday, (can't you see it?) I do. I see it in my family, friends, in the homeless population, the drug addict, the youthful partier binge drinking, the business suits downtown, etc. all y'all. Death is poignant in the air. And a broken window is 'crossing the line'?
32
You know, only cowards wait until businesses are closed, streets are quiet, and it's dark to destroy other people's property. Only cowards don't have the cajones to try this during daylight and business hours, when most decent people would probably call them on this childish act and try to stop them. And only cowards would brag about crimes like these (because they are crimes) under the anonymity of online message boards.
Oh, and if you think I'm a coward for saying this under that very same anonymity, rest assured, I'd say this to any "anarchist's" face who wasn't afraid to leave their computer in the basement of their mom's house, and could do so without needing their friends for support and black bandannas over their pimply faces.
Oh, and if you think I'm a coward for saying this under that very same anonymity, rest assured, I'd say this to any "anarchist's" face who wasn't afraid to leave their computer in the basement of their mom's house, and could do so without needing their friends for support and black bandannas over their pimply faces.
33
Damn right portlander4life.
I think Kyle was asking someone to explain Robert Collin's comment about rape and shoe theft way up above. Do you really not understand? If you abolish "police and all forms of authority," then anyone stronger than you is free to do whatever they want, and you would have no way to stop them. Anyone with a gun would be free to steal your shoes and rape your girlfriend, with no consequences. Think "Mad Max" or any zombie movie...
I think Kyle was asking someone to explain Robert Collin's comment about rape and shoe theft way up above. Do you really not understand? If you abolish "police and all forms of authority," then anyone stronger than you is free to do whatever they want, and you would have no way to stop them. Anyone with a gun would be free to steal your shoes and rape your girlfriend, with no consequences. Think "Mad Max" or any zombie movie...
35
Reymont, raping someone and taking there shoes is an act of authority (to needlessly stretch the word).
Anarchist theory says that cops and wife beaters and tax collectors and shoe thieves all live in the same ballpark, and should all be strung up equally.
Anarchist theory says that cops and wife beaters and tax collectors and shoe thieves all live in the same ballpark, and should all be strung up equally.
36
Someone has to repair those windows and ATMs. Anarchists are the only ones creating jobs in Portland!
38
The military is nothing but a world police force to protect the interests of American capitalism.
Fighting wage slavery and world hegemony since 1999.
Fuck the police State!
Anarchy in the USA!
Fighting wage slavery and world hegemony since 1999.
Fuck the police State!
Anarchy in the USA!
39
Who needs authority when every one can have equal decision making power in the matters that affect their everyday lives?
You need police like you need a hole in the @#%^*(! head!
You need police like you need a hole in the @#%^*(! head!
40
Ms. Mirk,
Please note the differences in length of the police quote, and the indymedia quote. I went to the Portland Black Panther Party talk a couple weeks ago and picked up Jules Boykoff's book at the library afterwards. In his discussion of media disparagement of dissidents he notes the media's propensity to be mere stenographers for the state. Your article very clearly demonstrates this. If the Merc really wants to take the police to task for all the killings, beatings, intimidations that have been going on, perhaps you could take the people protesting this a bit more seriously.
Please note the differences in length of the police quote, and the indymedia quote. I went to the Portland Black Panther Party talk a couple weeks ago and picked up Jules Boykoff's book at the library afterwards. In his discussion of media disparagement of dissidents he notes the media's propensity to be mere stenographers for the state. Your article very clearly demonstrates this. If the Merc really wants to take the police to task for all the killings, beatings, intimidations that have been going on, perhaps you could take the people protesting this a bit more seriously.
42
Reymont , I don't think I'm going to have to to throw together the kind of answer I'd like, today, but here's a piece on one of the many possibilities, if you're really interested.
http://invisiblemolotov.wordpress.com/2008…
http://invisiblemolotov.wordpress.com/2008…
43
I find it interesting that the police are allowed the space to legitimize and define which "people... have a real message to get out about May Day," and that, for some reason anarchists are not them. May Day is the commemoration of a police riot at an anarchist rally in Chicago in which somone got pissed enough to throw a bomb in to the police lines. We fucking created May Day!
44
And not only did May Day start when someone threw a bomb at the cops... but it was in the context of the eight hour day movement, which WON. To anyone who's ever made time and a half because they worked over 40 hours in a week: You're welcome!
45
Seriously, I definitely respect what these people did. They are showing their outrage to whats actually going on in this pitiful capitalist system. The American culture is made up of ignorant greedy consumerist assholes that are herded by the police. Fuck the police state. Anarchy in the U.S.A.
46
re:portlander4life and reymont:
you complain about the choice of the window-breakers to do it after business hours and not "during daylight and business hours, when most decent people would probably call them on this childish act and try to stop them."
I guess you also probably complain about anarchist violence, too.
I hear most anarchists are strongly opposed to senseless violence (that is, harmful acts against living things). Rather than self-centered or childish, it seems conscientious and thoughtful that people who choose to smash windows (or anything else) to call attention to the targets do so when there are no innocent bystanders around who might get hurt.
you complain about the choice of the window-breakers to do it after business hours and not "during daylight and business hours, when most decent people would probably call them on this childish act and try to stop them."
I guess you also probably complain about anarchist violence, too.
I hear most anarchists are strongly opposed to senseless violence (that is, harmful acts against living things). Rather than self-centered or childish, it seems conscientious and thoughtful that people who choose to smash windows (or anything else) to call attention to the targets do so when there are no innocent bystanders around who might get hurt.
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