An anonymous group of anarchists has claimed responsibility for a Nov. 24 vandalism of the Department of Corrections building on McDowell Street. Police say the vandals slashed several vehicles' tires and painted slogans like "Burn Prisons" on the building.
"Nov. 24 in the dead of night, we attacked the Department of Corrections (DOC): Division of Community Corrections on McDowell St. in Asheville, NC," an anonymous member of the group writes on the website Anarchist News. "Six DOC vehicles were disabled. Their tires were slashed and their windows destroyed with glass etching fluid. “Burn the Prisons” and a circled A were scrawled across DOC building’s veneer."
"This building oversees the administration of probation and forced drug texts," the post continues. "It is one institutional position of the DOC. It is linked to the Prison Industrial Complex, and the police apparatus. We did this as an attack against this institution in particular and the police apparatus in general."
According to police reports, the Asheville Police Department was notified of the vandalism on Nov. 26 and the vandals caused about $3,000 in damage to the vehicles.
The anarchist group, however, asserting that "In a world dominated by these institutions and saturated by police, we did this to show that we will not be neutralized, and that it is absolutely possible and imperative that we fight these motherfuckers." The group also claimed the action was "an act of revolutionary solidarity" with Erik Oseland, a protester of the 2008 Republican National Convention who pleaded guilty in September to planning to shove newspaper boxes into traffic, David Japenga, recently sentenced to 6 to 18 months for breaking windows of banks and businesses during the 2009 G20 protests in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Alfredo Bonanno, an Italian anarchist recently released from prison in Greece following a conviction for armed robbery.
APD spokesperson Melissa Williams stated that "we can’t comment on possible motives or potential suspects, as the investigation is ongoing in our Criminal Investigations Division."
— David Forbes, senior news reporter
"Nov. 24 in the dead of night, we attacked the Department of Corrections (DOC): Division of Community Corrections on McDowell St. in Asheville, NC," an anonymous member of the group writes on the website Anarchist News. "Six DOC vehicles were disabled. Their tires were slashed and their windows destroyed with glass etching fluid. “Burn the Prisons” and a circled A were scrawled across DOC building’s veneer."
"This building oversees the administration of probation and forced drug texts," the post continues. "It is one institutional position of the DOC. It is linked to the Prison Industrial Complex, and the police apparatus. We did this as an attack against this institution in particular and the police apparatus in general."
According to police reports, the Asheville Police Department was notified of the vandalism on Nov. 26 and the vandals caused about $3,000 in damage to the vehicles.
The anarchist group, however, asserting that "In a world dominated by these institutions and saturated by police, we did this to show that we will not be neutralized, and that it is absolutely possible and imperative that we fight these motherfuckers." The group also claimed the action was "an act of revolutionary solidarity" with Erik Oseland, a protester of the 2008 Republican National Convention who pleaded guilty in September to planning to shove newspaper boxes into traffic, David Japenga, recently sentenced to 6 to 18 months for breaking windows of banks and businesses during the 2009 G20 protests in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Alfredo Bonanno, an Italian anarchist recently released from prison in Greece following a conviction for armed robbery.
APD spokesperson Melissa Williams stated that "we can’t comment on possible motives or potential suspects, as the investigation is ongoing in our Criminal Investigations Division."
— David Forbes, senior news reporter
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$3000 in damage, kids. Wow! The pride you must feel. Felony territory! Soak and gloat in the glory and pride that must be washing over you.
Then consider:
1. If you think the Dept of Corrections even blinked at a number like that, I can tell you they did not. That's like telling one of you you're going to get a "demerit." The cars are probably already fixed. Some friendly vendor made some surprise money. Like in one ear and out the other.
2. Guess who is paying for that handful of shiny new tires & windows? Answer: Everyone who pays taxes. Yes, including your mommy and daddy. In other words, a fraction of a cent just came out of your allowance.
Way to go!
Now get some better friends and try and make something of your life.
By Jeff
11/30/2010
Turn 'em loose on the Buncombe courthouse annex. Win-win.
By reasonable
12/01/2010
hey Anarchists, "The Man" didn't force innocent citizens to submit to probation and drug tests because they had nothing better to do. People who have to report to DOC do so because they committed an armed robbery; they drove a car while they were drunk or high; they beat up their girlfriend and/or committed other crimes against society that led us to not be able to trust them outside of prison without conditions being placed on their freedom -- conditions like drug testing and probation. Grow up.
By twinkie223
12/01/2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQkActP-isE
By shadmarsh
12/01/2010
pointless, mindless, silly yobs running amuk
By Betty Cloer Wallace
12/01/2010
Propaganda by deed is so 19th century. Malatesta frowns.
By mat catastrophe
12/01/2010
What did this accomplish? Please answer specifically and coherently.
By Hmm
12/01/2010
I bet they felt so awesome doing this. What anadreneline rush! Of course, a panty-raid might have had more of an effect than their pointless tantrum, but at least they can have all get their 'vanadalism' badge at the next scout meeting.
By Piffy!
12/01/2010
mat,
Malatesta always frowned. He was a sorehead.
By reasonable
12/01/2010
I really do not see the point of them doing this. I was young and destructive once. It is a phase.
They are not accomplishing anything. “Burn Prisons†..really? I suppose you would rather have murderers running around free?
Obviously stupid kids who think they are someone of importance. Defacing public property that their parents will have to pay for in return through taxes. Good one.
By Lynn
12/01/2010
I'm surprised unreasonable didn't call them a bunch of progressives!
Kids just having fun ...
By dpewen
12/01/2010
pointless, mindless, silly yobs running amuk
Actually they seemed to be quite mindful of what they were doing and why.
By tatuaje
12/01/2010
This isw simply a poor excuse for "anarchy". Either " Go BIG " or go home, kiddees !!!
By Old Man Jack
12/01/2010
More out of town kids coming to try and prove a point by breaking stuff. Le sigh.
By Josh Benson
12/01/2010
Rumors (from the www) indicate that these folks are going to seek 11 separate trials ... apparently this too is part of the anarchist playbook.
They are hoping to bring the Court system to a crawl with all of these separate trials (which they are entitled to under law).
The lawyers will most likely ask for dismissal citing that all 11 are charged with the exact same crimes ....
That would require 11 different juries, 132 or more people ... 11 different DA's will be required because the lawyers could argue that they are biased if the same one tries them all ...do we even have that many ADAs in Buncombe County.
There is also NO rock solid evidence to convict these folks with: no one to ID them, no "instruments of destruction" witnesses stated that those responsible had "bats, and crowbars" these were never found, and they were all supposedly wearing black hoodies and hats etc. but when they were arrested many of them in fact were not dressed in Black at all.
If I were a betting man, I would put money on them all being found innocent of all charges.
By LOKEL
12/01/2010
Wrong lokel. These spoiled brat "progressive anarchists" should and will get jail time. And if they don't like it here in Asheville, they need togo back home up north. How did this type of activity start in Asheville? Lordy, I hope nothing like this happens afgain in the future.
By Agnes Johnson
12/02/2010
Our reputation as a fair city, a good place to live, is blemished with every one of these unfortunate incidents, even silly as they are.
Is this the reputation we want for our city? Or that we can continue to tolerate?
Protest and aggression cloaked in anonymity is without credibility and is for cowards, but everything begets more of the same, and our economic wellbeing, already teetering precariously during this time of uncertainty, should be of primary importance to us as a city of people, families and neighbors.
By Betty Cloer Wallace
12/02/2010
Actually they seemed to be quite mindful of what they were doing and why.
I disagree.
If I were a betting man, I would put money on them all being found innocent of all charges.
Yep, they will use the corruption of the system they protest to their advantage. Mommy's expensive lawyer will likely help.
Trust-fund anarchist hypocrites. I give 'em five years before they're all day-traders.
By Piffy!
12/03/2010
Agnes, how do you know they are from up north?
You must be one of those people still fighting the civil war. Have you been outside of NC?
As you say in the south "poor thing"
By dpewen
12/03/2010
Those crazy Anarchists. I want to change my vote for the best local comedy troupe in the Best of WNC voting. I am already eagerly waiting to read the details about their next stunt involving knocking over trashcans downtown to protest the war.
By Doug Sahm
12/03/2010