Anarchist scaremongering at the Republican Convention

If you have been reading the mainstream internet news recently, you could be forgiven for thinking that there is an impending large scale anarchist insurrection about to take place in Florida.

Submitted by working class … on August 27, 2012

This week sees the start of the annual Republican convention in Tampa Bay. To say that there is a ‘security operation’ underway is an understatement.

Over the last week, the various news outlets in the US have had access to a leaked report from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. The report claims to have ‘intelligence’ that anarchists (a catch all term for anyone who may protest) are planning serious public disorder. Although, seemingly not enough evidence to actually arrest anyone before they get to Tampa bay.

The report suggests that anarchists are planning on closing down, or even ‘blowing up’ bridges in and around the Tampa Bay area in an attempt to disrupt the convention. It also claims that anarchists are planning to occupy hotels, and close down radio stations,

The report goes on to say that they believe explosives, Molotov cocktails, and acid-filled eggs will be used against the police.

The coast guard has issued notice that for the duration of the convention, boats will have only limited access to certain bridges, and that people will be banned from ‘loitering’ within 50 yards of bridges.

As part of a $50 million security operation, there are 3,500 extra police officers brought in from around Florida, as well as 1,700 national guardsmen being deployed around Tampa Bay. Eight foot steel fences will be erected around the venue as well as around other ‘key’ buildings, and there will be hundreds of plain clothes officer mingling with protesters.

The 1,700 bedded Orient Road jail in Tamp has been completely emptied, and prisoners re-located around the state, on the orders of Sherriff David Gee. Sherriff Gee has posted on the local police website that:

“To the agitators and anarchists who want only to bring a dark cloud to this event, let me be clear: criminal activity and civil disturbances will not be tolerated and enforcement actions will be swift.”

The police will be riding around in armour plated tank like vehicles (as in the picture above) and will be flying several unmanned reconnaissance drones above the city

The only actual evidence of any ‘wrongdoing’ so far, has been the finding of a pile of bricks and pipes on a nearby building roof. The police believe these items were to be used by anarchists as there was some anarchist graffiti nearby.

Should you wish to see the kind of ridiculous state propaganda that is doing the rounds, here it is

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Comments

Spikymike

12 years 1 month ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on August 27, 2012

State forces outwitted as Hurrican whipped up by 'anarchist agitators' does the job! ??

radicalgraffiti

12 years 1 month ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by radicalgraffiti on August 27, 2012

"acid filled eggs"? how stupid do they think people are?

Rob Ray

12 years 1 month ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Rob Ray on August 27, 2012

The report suggests that anarchists are planning on closing down, or even ‘blowing up’ bridges

It appears they've mistaken the Republican Convention for The Dark Knight Rises.

Which would explain why they've kitted out their cops like Batman.

Reddebrek

12 years 1 month ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Reddebrek on August 27, 2012

I like how the first video spends about three minutes showing fast paced footage of bombs and riots and wierdos in masks on the internet before admitting that they have no evidence of a specific threat. I can remember when satire shows did that to take the piss about news sensationalism.

NannerNannerNa…

12 years 1 month ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by NannerNannerNa… on August 27, 2012

OH MY GOD ANARCHISTS JESUS CHRIST THEY WANT TO DESTROY SOCIETY AND COMMIT INFANTICIDE AND FORCE EVERYONE TO READ CRIMETHINC ARTICLES ABOUT HOW BATHING IS CONSUMERIST RUN FOR THE HILLS DOOM DOOM FUCKING DOOM

also we have absolutely no evidence for any of that.

Next up, ARE TEACHERS PIMPING OUT YOUR KIDS???

working class …

12 years 1 month ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by working class … on August 28, 2012

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3481651932109&set=a.1120079334270.2017441.1595640107&type=1&theater

klas batalo

12 years 1 month ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by klas batalo on August 28, 2012

http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/article/270464/8/3-protesters-arrested-using-black-block-tactics
http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story/19384199/2012/08/27/protestors-gather-for-march-on-rnc

sounds like some did bloc up. if you see a few pics here you can see like maybe tops a dozen folks either fully bloc'd up or put on masks. barely anything. one of the participants in the bloc said they were just gonna do their thing peacefully. sounds like they were really unprepared for low turn out. it's sad how some folks think that is how anarchists should show up to a protest these days. who knows where these folks are coming in from. but anyway if 3 folks are arrested by the state just for covering up, fuck the state!

dustbowldaze

12 years 1 month ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by dustbowldaze on August 28, 2012

Is the GOP blaming anarchists for the hurricane yet?

billstewart

12 years 1 month ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by billstewart on August 28, 2012

Some Republicans are blaming anarchists for the hurricane, because it certainly can't have been caused by Global Warming.

But actually, the GOP arranged the hurricane to keep the protestors away. Keeping them in "Free Speech Zones" just wasn't doing the job.

wat

12 years 1 month ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by wat on August 28, 2012

Seems that official "reports" such as mentioned above are fabricated for consumption by the rank and file "security" or "enforcement" officer to get them ramped up for putting a hurt on pacific protesters.

Olen

12 years 1 month ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Olen on August 30, 2012

Could be fun, oops! wrong type of acid...

Reddebrek

12 years 1 month ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Reddebrek on September 3, 2012

Well after a good chuckle at the scaremongering, here's a report by FSRN on how Anarchists at Tampa really behaved http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DWEk52fnuk less explosions and more community work.

marebito

12 years 1 month ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by marebito on September 3, 2012

I just want to know why the underground city that BP built under the Gulf of Mexico wasn't used as a launch site to start world war! Tampa RNC was the perfect opportunity!

Tian

12 years 1 month ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Tian on September 4, 2012

marebito

I just want to know why the underground city that BP built under the Gulf of Mexico wasn't used as a launch site to start world war! Tampa RNC was the perfect opportunity!

Definitely a missed opportunity.