200 renegades go on rampage in S.F. (Antiwar Anarchist Riot!)

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 1/19/03 | Tom Abate, Tyche Hendricks

[MikalM]

A splinter group of more than 200 black-clad protesters broke off from Saturday's peaceful rally and went on a brief romp through the Financial District, smashing windows and news racks before melting away before the eyes of frustrated police.

A police spokesman said officers made two arrests.

[FreeTheHostages]

Very interesting breaking news. Look at the DC Chapter breaking news -- civil disobedience in DC too. This was all probably orchestrated by ANSWER.

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[JRandomFreeper]

So they protest the violence of war by... being violent. Liberals just don't make sense.

/john

[MikalM]

This was all probably orchestrated by ANSWER.

I doubt it. They're too sophisticated to court this kind of negative publicity this early in the game.

It was planned, no doubt, but by anarchist fringies who saw such a big demo as a great opportunity to "break out," do their destruction, and fade back into the crowd.

[Drango]

If you want to read about it from the left perspective, here is a good link.

indymedia link

[DontMessWithMyCountry]

The mostly young activists, some with handkerchiefs covering their mouths and noses...

activists? covered faces? violence? hmmm... let me think... what other 'activists' come to mind when we ponder these simply adorable 'young activists'? oh, i know... palestinian 'activists'. Embarrassed to show their faces as they promote the 'dignity' of their lofty ambition: violence for the sake of violence. Perfectly understandable, of course.

[Ben Hecks]

Your tag line says it all.

My neighbor, Mr. Marlin, also indicates that this type of conduct would not be welcomed in our city.

[Fee]

If some rightwing KKK group had a demonstration, and a small fringe group broke off and vandalized Jewish synagogues and black businesses. I make a bet that will be their last demonstration. They will be banned from any future city and demonized by the press. Leftwing groups can repeat the same tactics over and over and over........ No one can ban them because they are never held responsible for the actions of their fringe groups.

[Bill Davis FR]

the dregs of society rampage through san francisco...

[Vigilanteman]

Liberals just don't make sense.

Who else can believe that guns in the hands of law abiding Americans pose a grave threat to our national security but chemical, biological and nuclear weapons in the hands of a crazed dictator do not?

[MikalM]

Another thing that protects them is the fact that almost always, their targets are either government offices or corporate outlets. Most people figure the State can take care of itself. And places like Starbucks are huge, non-local concerns, which can easily write off losses.

If they hit small and/or locally-based businesses, it would be a completely different matter. Then again, they're generally smart enough not to do that.

[MattMa]

When you see the fine outstanding protesters in all black, your looking at anarchists, and they are normally seen at A.N.S.W.E.R. rallies.

[TaxPayer2000]

the dregs of society rampage through san francisco...

so what else is new?

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

Ah, everyone's favorite protestors. If it wasn't for Freerepublic, I wouldn't know who these punks are. For what it is worth, a very good buddy of mine is an "activist" in Oakland, and even he sees the idiocy of these people. He's one of these guys for whom activism is a "profession," kind of like a high school science teacher I met recently who claims the title of "environmentalist," rather than, say, "teacher." Anyway, I guess my friends parents' pay his rent. He's actually a really talented poet, but it is always in the context of his political activism. I mean can you imagine someone asking you what you do, and replying "Oh, I'm a political activist"?

Free republic search on "Black Bloc" only searches titles.

Of course there's always good ol' Google

[MikalM]

Comments? Leave 'em here!

[MikalM]

Sorry, the comments on these activities should be left here (someday I'll learn HTML!)

[11B3]

Real simple cure for these idiots: Claymores. "Smile for the camera!" BOOM!

[snippy_about_it]

These are your protest people in black promoting violence.

http://www.sf.indymedia.org/news/2002/12/1552852.php