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Los Angeles Anarchist Bookfair meeting raided by LAPD
Last night (Monday 17 November) the Revolutionary Autonomous Communities fundraiser for the Anarchist Bookfair at the food not bombs warehouse on 6th and Santa Fe was raided by the LAPD. They kicked open the door and unlawfully entered in to the private space.
Joaquin Cienfuegos, a member of RAC and Copwatch LA Guerrilla chapter was targeted by the police and pulled out from the space. When folks inside the space heard what was going on in front they went over to observe and document what was going on. Joaquin asked why he was being detained and they told him to "Shut up" and "Do as he's told". He was handcuffed and searched without his permission. While he was being searched Joaquin stated loud and clear that he did not consent to their search and once again asked to please be told why he was being detained.
While i was at the door way observing what they were doing to the comrade outside i could see the the street was blocked off and there were about 12 police cars on 6th street and about 30 or more Deputies/Depupigs. As we tried to get cameras to document what was going on the police rushed the door again and i was pulled outside by 4 police officers. They pushed me against the wall and made me place my hands on top of my head and searched me. I asked the Officer why i was being detained and he said, "A crime had been committed a few blocks away and they were going to bring the victim to identify the person."
As i was pulled out, the folks inside closed the door to prevent the rush of pigs into the property. They began to kick the door and yell at the folks inside to get out. Not once did they announce themselves as the Police Department or why they were there or wanted folks to exit the show. Police officers were outside making joke;" Do you smell that? i think its weed, we should go inside and find out", and "This is some kind of illegal rave or show or what do we call it?". Clearly unable to choose a reason why they were trying to raid the space they made up whatever we want.
After i had been searched, a female officer came over and i asked once again why i was being detained. She stated that this was an illegal gathering and they wanted to figure it all out. Officers were walking all over the front in very confused manner having to be told by other officers to
move out of the way. I could see the shadows on the officers behind me and Joaquin who continued to hold their hands on their weapons while we were handcuffed with our hands behind our backs.
After the police ignored the request by the owner of the space to present a search warrant or leave the private property, the comrades from the Black Liberation Party that were there in part to perform for the fundraiser exited the building and were immediately detained and sister Nadia and Kambui were placed in handcuffs and the rest of the the Black Riders where made to face the wall. The police then rushed inside and pulled everyone out. They had us right in front of the space and then made me walk down the blocked as they lined everyone up against the wall. They pull more than 60 people out from the space and had them with their hands against their back facing the wall. They separted the women from the men and began to search everyone.
A police officer that searched me came and asked for my ID. They said they were going to check me for warrants or any priors. He pulled out my ID and pulled out a card that he began to fill in with all my personal information. I asked what that card was for but i was not given an answer. My ID was returned but the card with my information was kept by them.
After they searched everyone's belongings they lined up all the males and females and said that this was going to be a line-up and they were going to bring the the victim of the crime to identify the perpetrator. When asked what crime (had been committed) an officer told another brother
that they had had a crime committed a few blocks away and some beer was stolen from a liquor store. When asked why so many officers where there for stolen beer the officer said, "He didnt know", that they just felt that whoever committed the crime was in the space.
A police helicopter was circling and made the announcement after everyone was removed that they were the LAPD. 2 folks from Food Not Bombs who were in the premise were pulled out and placed in handcuffs.
A police car with 2 Officers in the front and a woman in the back seat drove by slowly. The officers proceeded to tell people to look into the light and not look at the car. Everyone said they couldn't look at the light because it hurt their eyes but the officers from inside continued to shine the light into people's eyes. As this was going on, officers continued to line up and make jokes about "overtime" and the way different folks were dressed. For one officer in particular he lamented his rookie friend, "was off tonight because he would have loved to have been a part of this!" As the police car made its way down the street they stopped and singled out one youth . He was immediately arrested. They drove back again slowly and continued to point the light in people's face. My handcuffs were removed but i was not allowed to leave. i was made to remain facing the fence with my hands behind my back.
After a police officer from some other car came with a pience of paper and pointed to Nadia and Kambui from the black Riders Liberation Part and said they were being detained for "148"- interfering with a police officer. When people asked why they were being detained or singled out police officers told them to shut up. They placed them both in cuffs and removed all their belongings and put them into plastic bags. They were then placed into the backseat of a police car.
Another police officer came and then annonced that the party was over and people needed to leave. People still had equipment inside and were made to line up and escorted inside to get thier belongings. While inside i noticed that money from the fundraiser was missing and according to folks inside the money was there before the police ran inside to pull everyone out. We got out all the groups' equipment and waited for someone to come close the space. They continued to harass people and tried to intimidate many of the youth to leave and to learn their lesson. Besides the one youth that was arrested for supposedly stealing beer, everyone was arrested for interfering with a police officer when all they asked was why they were being detained.
The officers were congragulating themselves and laughing at everyone. Many of the officers were staring down many of the sisters that were there and making sexist jokes about he'd rather be home with his wife than here. Then he proceeded to make a hand gesture to 2 sisters who were standing near by. No one but the other officers were amused by these pigs but they continued to talk shit and tell people to leave. The majority officers left smiling and staring at folks in attempts to instigate some incident to lead to further arrest.
While we were waiting the final officer drove by and rolled down his window. He stated" Im sorry we had to shut down your party but you have to keep the youngsters in check and can't be letting them go anywhere stealing beer. If they hadn't stolen the beer we wouldnt have canceled your show"
Everyone was pissed as this provacateur behavior which is being utilized as the excuse to enter into private property and raid a peaceful gathering. The police looked for whatever excuse to shut the show down.
Joaquin is currently being held for misdemeanor . He has not been taken to jail and is still being held by Central Division. He will probably be going to court tomorrow or Wednesday. Please spread the word.Help support Joaquin and the Black Riders Liberation Party and Food Not Bombs folks to get out.
This is a quick report trying to include as many of the important details as possible but i'm sure i might have overlooked other important details from last night that other folks who were also there can maybe share and i will try and write more about last night later tonight and will follow up with more details.
Free ALL Political Prisoners.Organize Organize Organize
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press release
Tuesday November 18, 2008 08:15
by anarcentric
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Comments (16 of 16)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16naziism never died after the second world war, it just moved to a different address.....amerikaka.
That is ridiculous bullshit on the cops' part. I was ticketed recently in an ordeal that involved the cops 'smelling weed' as well, when there was clearly nothing of the sort in or around the vehicle we were in. The fact that they can get away with this is unnerving.
In an interview on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESpofM5Fj4E&feature=related) uploaded on April 25 of this year, the Black Rider Liberation Party member being interviewed in the opening seconds stated that the BRLP is the new generation of the Black Panther Party. Being that the previous incarnation of the Black Panthers had been widely considered a "hate group" (Due to its racist demeanor, nefarious, and sometimes criminal methods), one could understand why your meeting was interrupted by the police.
In a separate interview with a member named Taco (Found in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkNikCJNegM&feature=related) where he mentions, as part of the group's core belief system, Communalism; a term widely associated with Communism. He goes on to display the various texts he and his fellow members have collected from select authors such as Mao Tse-tung and Kim il-Sung. As I'm sure many of you already know, these two men were as far away from being Anarchists as one could get.
The group's ties with Communism while it professes Anarchism might be seen as less than truthful, being that Anarchism is the belief that an individual's rights are paramount to any group or other person's, and has an attitude which would support the elimination of any and all compulsory government. However, Communism manages to both stifle every individual's rights (Aside from its Government's), and widen the breadth and depth of the Government's influence in their daily lives.
Apart from that, it's quite possible that one of the people in attendance had committed a crime and sought refuge inside the meeting hall, while not subscribing to your particular belief system. There's really no way to tell.
The only problem I have with this group is that it seems to be self-segregationist in nature.
This is obviously part of something much bigger, although poor in execution and planning, they got what they were after with no regard for public law they are sworn to uphold. Such a large undertaking requires a lot of ok's from higher positions they are most likely compiling a large database of possible leftist organizers. A great injustice not just on anarchist groups and other freethinking organizations, but on the public as a whole. This kind of corruption goes deeper than the law enforcement.
I would suggest not carrying identification and if you drove leaving it in the glove box of the vehicle. Keep newer meetings low key dress down the fact that you are an anarchist meet quietly at a home instead of a business or known collective. Keep survellicne of your own to use as evidence against the police incase more injustice is committed. Also a devise an escape route with lookouts stationed incase police are wise to the meeting, use a code word that works in case of emergency.
Yes we would like to meet in a public place and express the freedom we all share as indiviuals. But a revolutionary movement must be aware of it's opponents and take measures to stop them. Be it peaceful or not. They are already scared of you they have proven that with their actions. You must decide what action you might take.
quote: "Being that the previous incarnation of the Black Panthers had been widely considered a "hate group" (Due to its racist demeanor, nefarious, and sometimes criminal methods), one could understand why your meeting was interrupted by the police."
Actually, that's no reason at all. You think it's a hate group so you can raid and harass?? WRONG. As much as I hate fascists, they and their gatherings are protected by law as well.
About the communism thing: people's ideologies are NO reason for harassment by the police. No matter how silly.
About the self-segregationist thing: So what? They do what they want. I'm white and I sympatize completely. Especially when the police raids them like that. Face it, this was unthinkable if these people hadn't been black. (Although in todays america...)
All I can advice the victims is: sue the hell out of the police.
Am I the only one that sees the irony in anarchists upset about the law being broken?
Video footage following the LAPD raid courtesy of X-Vandals. Includes on scene interviews with eyewitnesses who were terrorized by the actions of the LAPD.
Embedded video Youtube Video Id:=p7WaTPGhPLA
beezwax: there's nothing ironic about anarchists being upset about cops abusing their power. anarchism doesn't mean absence of law. hell, even the etymology shows that ( an = without archy = rulers).
Ace, the black panther party was hardly a hate group (nefarious and criminal methods do not a hate group make, and black nationalism hardly equates with racism). on a side note, fascism would be as far from anarchism as you can get, not communism; and communalism is a term that most anarchists would accept (although from your short description of anarchism, you seem to be describing the right-wing branch of anarchism, which is really not anarchism at all).
either way, the important thing is that even if the kid in question did actually steal the beer, the response was completely exaggerated, and obviously an attempt to harass a radical meeting. furthermore the cops had no right to do what they did, and it was probably a crime (though good luck getting charges brought up for it). i don't care if they do a warrantless raid on a group of neo-nazis, harassing, detaining, and arresting them for no reason (ok that's not entirely true...). it's still an unreasonable abuse of authority and should be challenged.
Of seventy people, about 7 were from the BRLP. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the people there were communists. I'm sure plenty are also moderate Obama voters. There were people from all races and ethnicities there. But the cops were targeting the openly self-identified anarchist organizers of the bookfair and the BLRP. And they were targeting an outwardly "anarchist" event. We were doing absolutely nothing wrong. The flimsiness of the cops' story can only be part of to the plan show us that this raid was targeting us, and that they don't need logic or even the law on their side.
This is fucked. Seemingly telling of a larger repression. This seems to be strategised on behalf of the state, they dont pull out 30 officers , block off streets, and bring out helicopters for a six pack being robbed....
All of the folks including the Black Riders, most of all Joaquin deserve our support !
I am an anarchist , and a communist. Its not that odd. The presence of a book by Mao does not make one an authoritarian either. Its what you glean from what you read, no? Does reading mein kamph make one a nazi?
The Black Panther Party were not a fucking hate group. Nor were they racist. Nor were their tactics nefarious. Legality is defined by the oppressors and those who wield power, go figure effective resistance is illegal...
If you think that they BPP were any of the things you stated, then you are buying a COINTELPRO , racist , white supremacist revisionist history written by those who are in power.
Fuck what are yah J Edgar ?
It seems to me that if you are going to state that what they did was illegal or wrong, then either base it on a fact, like the actual code, or base it on how you feel. The grammatical errors are too many to even say this is a credible account. This is a biased, and most likely inaccurate account of what happened. I am not saying that the LAPD was right. They may have been wrong. But you lost me to your cause because if I am going to spend my time reading something, it should be at least written correctly. Either have some pride in what you do, get a new spokes person, or keep your badly worded comments to yourself!
It seems to me that if you are going to state that what they did was illegal or wrong, then either base it on a fact, like the actual code, or base it on how you feel. The grammatical errors are too many to even say this is a credible account. This is a biased, and most likely inaccurate account of what happened. I am not saying that the LAPD was right. They may have been wrong. But you lost me to your cause because if I am going to spend my time reading something, it should be at least written correctly. Either have some pride in what you do, get a new spokes person, or keep your badly worded comments to yourself!
Well, even though the fourth amendment has been largely eroded, people in the US are still supposed to have the freedom from unreasonable search and seizure. Sorry, but a report of a shoplifting is not sufficient probable cause to take all of us out and do a lineup of 60+ people. Does "Constitution of the United States, Bill of Rights, Amendment Four" suffice as "actual code" for you?
As far as "grammatical errors" go, there may be a few typos and a few lapses into Spanglish, but not everyone int his occupied territory speaks English as a first language and its not fair to judge people by some elevated standard. The "errors" never obscure the writer's meaning, and more importantly, "grammatical errors" are not sufficient grounds to dismiss credibility!
You read the reports of the raid. They are up on la.indymedia.org right now. They may vary in their perspective, but they all confirm the same story. Cops came in without a warrant (30 or so showed up total) claiming they had a petty theft shoplifting report and lined us all up as "suspects." They targeted known activists and self-identified anarchists for arrest. All the reports corroborate this info.
And don't even try to bring up anything about the crowd "willingly" following police orders. We only came out when we were convinced that if we didn't, they would rid and arrest everyone. This is the LAPD: we have no doubt that they don't respect peoples' rights.
So YOU keep YOUR elitist, unfounded accusations of bias and attempts to discredit an obvious instance of police repression to yourself. Because when you are attempting to silence the voice of those who were THERE and EXPERIENCED what was going on, you make very clear your motivations and where your loyalties lie.
"On Sunday 11/16/08 the Hip-Hop duo know as X-VANDALS (MC Not4Prophet of RICANSTRUCTION and DJ Johnny Juice of Public Enemy) was scheduled to do a benefit show for RAC (Revolutionary Autonomous Communities) a dirt roots anarchist organization doing work in the communities that they work and live in...
The show was to be a benefit for an Anarchist Book-fair that RAC is planning...
The LAPD had other plans.... click on the link for the full story..."
Well, even though the fourth amendment has been largely eroded, people in the US are still supposed to have the freedom from unreasonable search and seizure. Sorry, but a report of a shoplifting is not sufficient probable cause to take all of us out and do a lineup of 60+ people. Does "Constitution of the United States, Bill of Rights, Amendment Four" suffice as "actual code" for you?
This is a vague statement that is only based on subjection, and if you are to make that statement, at least back it up with facts. Opinion is not fact, just one persons view.
As far as "grammatical errors" go, there may be a few typos and a few lapses into Spanglish, but not everyone int his occupied territory speaks English as a first language and its not fair to judge people by some elevated standard. The "errors" never obscure the writer's meaning, and more importantly, "grammatical errors" are not sufficient grounds to dismiss credibility!
If someone is to read an article in english, then it is expected that the writer knows how to use the language properly. I would be more than willing to cut you some slack, if you stated in the beginning that the grammar was not completely correct due to English being a second language. That is commendable that you know two languages. I did judge you on your actions of writing, not the creditability of what happened. I will always just a man or woman on their merit, not their skin, belief, country, or some other factor. If you don't like me judging your approach, then either change your approach, don't write anything, or ignore me. If you put your opinion out there to read, which is a right in the US, then I too have the right to comment on it. We don't have to agree with each other, but we should respect the others view.
You read the reports of the raid. They are up on la.indymedia.org right now. They may vary in their perspective, but they all confirm the same story. Cops came in without a warrant (30 or so showed up total) claiming they had a petty theft shoplifting report and lined us all up as "suspects." They targeted known activists and self-identified anarchists for arrest. All the reports corroborate this info.
If they did wrong, then I hope that they are brought to justice, but due to known corruption that has been documented and portrayed in movies about the LAPD, it probably wont happen.
And don't even try to bring up anything about the crowd "willingly" following police orders. We only came out when we were convinced that if we didn't, they would rid and arrest everyone. This is the LAPD: we have no doubt that they don't respect peoples' rights.
I didn't bring anything up about that
So YOU keep YOUR elitist, unfounded accusations of bias and attempts to discredit an obvious instance of police repression to yourself. Because when you are attempting to silence the voice of those who were THERE and EXPERIENCED what was going on, you make very clear your motivations and where your loyalties lie.
That statement comes across as an elitist, meaning that from my perspective, you are proud to be anti government, and have contempt for others that are not in complete agreement with you. And to assume where my loyalties lie, well, you know what they say about people who ASSUME, you make and ASS out of yoU and not ME.
Overall, I am not condoning what the LAPD did in any respect. I was trying to make the point that if you want me to take you seriously, then take pride in writing well. Not that it has to be a college level article, it could be written in spoken language. But proof read it, and have at least one person proof it as well. I might have bought into your ideas from the start, but you lost me. Best of luck to you in getting out the word!
Hey Bizz, perhaps you should pay a little more attention to detail becuase I didn't write what you are erroneously attributing to me.
Btw the folks from RAC are fine people doing some great work in organizing their communities in the spirit and practice of mutual aid and as such have earned the solidarity and support of all who are aware of them and are striving towards similar goals. The LAPD on the other hand, like cops everywhere, stands as a repressive militarized force ready to extend violence and institutionalized terror against anyone that struggles to create meaningful alternatives to the exploitive and oppressive status quo that we are currently forced to live under.
This raid was purely designed to intimidate people away from taking part in any sort of political activity that questions the current system.
Some delusion people seem to think it was semi justified because apparently someone stole some beer a few blocks away. Using that logic then we would expect to see the same type of raid to some local business meeting or church meeting, but we don't.
The last thing power wants to happen is for people to start connecting the dots with regard to the current very public failure of capitalism. They American Dream was used to sell capitalism which in reality meant if we plunder the Earth enough, we will all be rich -whatever that means.... Well it hasn't worked and as people lose faith in the that key part of American propaganda for the last 60+ years so too will they lose faith in capitalism.