STILLWELL: When Anarchists Attack

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 7/20/5 | Cinnamon Stillwell

[SmithL]

San Franciscans were shocked to hear this month that a police officer had been clubbed over the head by members of Anarchist Action marching through the Mission District to protest the Group of Eight Summit. But anyone who follows the political scene in San Francisco should have seen this coming.

This is a city that prides itself on being a center of left-wing politics, and anarchism is simply another offshoot. Although Anarchism as a philosophy encompasses various political and social ideologies, anarchists share an opposition to hierarchy in all forms, including the state and capitalism. Adherents differ on the use of violence to achieve these goals, but local anarchists are known for their less than peaceful tactics.

Indeed, the San Francisco Police Department has a long history of trying to limit the damage done by these people, but due to a lack of political support from City Hall and sometimes the citizens themselves, their hands have been tied. Years of political correctness have taken their toll on the SFPD and its ability to protect citizens and their property from violent groups such as Anarchist Action. So when word came of this latest incident, it was really a case of the chickens coming home to roost.

Although the anarchists like to talk tough, as soon as they're called on their illegal tactics, they cry "police brutality" and try to portray themselves as political martyrs. This time around they didn't even have a permit for their march, yet they still reacted with the same outrage when the police tried to enforce the law.

A Riot, Not A March

It could hardly be called marching, because what the group was really doing was rioting. An unruly mob...

[Vision Thing]

Another great analysis from one of my favorite writers.

Isn't she a Freeper?