Anarchist arrested for leading Olympic riots
Masked men who caused a riot downtown - twice.
By Salim Jiwa
VANCOUVER – A self-proclaimed anarchist leader who incited others to vandalize property during two Olympic riots has been arrested by police.
The man has described himself as an anarchist and used a bull-horn to tell his fellow masked men to trash property in downtown, cops allege.
“Using an air horn, the leader of the group who has described himself publicly as an anarchist told the others to feel free to vandalize,” said police as they moved to make more arrests from two riots that used the so-called Black Bloc tactic.
The tactic calls for followers to dress in black, wear masks and confront police using various methods outlined in online postings. The group also teaches followers how to snatch people from police once they are arrested. It also encourages people to wear particular kind of clothing to conceal weapons.
Guillame Joseph-Marc Beaulieu, 27 of Vancouver, has been accused of being the ring-leader. He is charged with mischief over $5,000.
“Police have arrested a man they suspect was the ringleader of the criminal element that vandalized cars and stores in downtown Vancouver this weekend,” said a police statement issued on Tuesday evening.
“On Friday February 12 Police watched a person who is well known to them lead a group of criminals all dressed in black set up a barbed wire barricade in a downtown intersection. The barricade caused the Torch Relay to be diverted,” police said.
“The same person was seen on Saturday February 13 dressed in black pulling a cloth over his mouth and nose and a hood over his head,” said police. He then used an air horn to ask his fellow anarchists to feel free to throw things around.
“He then led the group on a march that included the spray painting of vehicles, the breaking of windows, the looting of a ladder from London Drugs and other damage,” said cops.
Police also arrested a man in connection with an assault on two journalists during the protest march.
Lliam Brander, 27, of North Vancouver has been charged with assault.
The investigation continues and further arrests may be pending, police said.
Among 11 arrested so far, one is from Shoreline, Washington. He has been charged with possession of weapons and handed over to immigration.
“The total number of arrests stemming from the vandalism and criminal activity connected to the legitimate protests now stands at 11,” said police.
Among the charges laid are assaulting police, possession of weapons, mischief and disturbing the peace.
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on Feb 16 2010. Filed under Featured.
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Sigh, I am just addicted to twitter followers currently. All the people truthfully don’t do much for me, but yet it just simply gives me a contented effect within knowing that people are basically, well quite possibly looking at what I write about.
How is the “leader” anarchist? Anarchy is solely an individual thing, no one leads. Isn’t that the whole point?
also even if the man who is being charged yelled to everyone to break somthing, not everyone has to do it.
darren- where does it say two men caused these riots? perpahs you should read the article before YOU post. The article names two men being charged for two differnt things. one thought to have been the leader. The other man is charged with assault on two journalists… watching the riots I see many people , thousands, what makes you think either of those men have cause the riots , soley? And I dont believe the people who protest the olympics hold anything against the athletes,is against their goverment for brining the games to their city when the money could be spent elsewhere.
I love how the website starts with “The Anarchsit leader” lmfao. You’ll have obviously done a lot of research lol. Also, maybe you should read more of what MLK preached, He strongly believed in sabotage and of forms of civil disobedience that included property destruction because throwing a chair through a window I.E property destruction ISN’T violence. Hurting and killing others is violence. Perhaps before you just worship the indoctrinated of MLK, maybe actually observe what he preached. You’ll find property destruction was on that list. And as far as choosing the tactics of the state? WTF? I don’t see anarchist displacing THOUSANDS of families from there homes for games. I don’t see anarchists detracting more and more money away from social services increasing the poverty ratio. I don’t see anarchist beating and imprisoning those whom oppose them. Plain and simple, you’re and idiot. In the meantime Solidarity to those who have the courage to directly oppose the state!
What a great article, it’s unfortuanate that the two MEN who caused the riots are are in masks, if they are so proud of their accomplishments then why hide?
It’s too bad that people are being so short sighted about the OIympics, I’ve read many of the protestors arguments, and quite frankly they have zero data to support them, they claim that the Olympics caused the cuts of several social programs, when we know that all over the world programs are being slashed because of the economy, it has effected the world. I also fail to understand how damaging property, spray painting cars, is sending a message. You are simply inconveniencing people and causing them to pay to fix the things you damaged. The Bay will pay to have the window replaced, and how will they pay for it? By charging more for their items, so in the end the people who protestors ask to support them, get screwed.
As for Cleemo, read before you post…the caption says “Masked men who caused riot downtown” yes there are women, but two MEN were charged with causing the riot. As for the Bias? damaging property both public and private is calculated and reasonable?? That is your argument. You need to first understand that the Olympics are about the athletes and celebrating their hard work and determination. Yes there is a business side to this, everything has a business aspect, but people who support all anti-olympic actions fail to see both sides, many of these athletes have sacrificed so much, and trained so hard for one moment, a moment to represent their country, and I am proud of them as should all Canadians be proud of them. That is what the Olympics are all about. And to imply that it’s okay to be Anti-Olympic, is beyond words, you are implying it’s okay to be agianst what these athletes have dedicated their lives to for the past 4 years, I have had the pleasure of meeting a few of these athletes and many of them volunteer what little time they have to some great charities, helping needy people, and you are implying that it’s okay to be agianst that??
Shame on you
Every time I read about anarchist “leaders” I laugh out loud. An-archos. Break it down.
Then I get to the comments and see people using MLK Jr as an anti-property destruction, pro-obeying-the-law person when he was arrested all of the time and supported property destruction as buildings did not have feelings as people did.
The ignorance is astounding. What did y’all do to resist other than type shit here?
@Cleemo, I am sure there are plenty of genders under those masks but ignorance really does reign in this patriarchal and authoritarian article, does it not? Good job bringing it up though.
I am offended that the photo at the top of this article describes the protesters as masked ‘men’. I find it very gender discriminatory that you assume that ‘violence’ is immediately associated with men. There were an equal number of women, and there are women in that photograph, and I’d appreciate it if you retracted that caption. I understand that this is an odd thing for me to be defending, but I don’t appreciate any women involved being disregarded because of their sex.
I also disagree with this article in general for its obvious bias against the protesters and lack of insite into the reasonings behind the actions on Saturday. There are no ‘boogie-monster’ protesters out to spoil everyone’s fun – there is very calculated and understandable reasonings behind all anti-olympic actions.
This behavior must never be tolerated. This group of thugs has no concept of a real movement. They scream about being oppressed, and then choose the tactics of their oppressor. Perhaps these misguided men and women need to read the works of Dr. King, and learn how real social change happens.
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