EXCLUSIVE Wearing Black? Feds Say You May Be an Anarchist, Newly Released Documents Show

[DonViejo]

Source: The Daily Beast




The Department of Homeland Security told law enforcement how to ID anti-racist protesters—by looking for people who were scouting marching routes.

KELLY WEILL
04.04.18 5:09 AM ET

Counterprotesters at white supremacist rallies risk being characterized as “anarchist extremists,” even if they have nothing to do with the movement, Department of Homeland Security documents show.

A September 2016 DHS report describes law enforcement action during clashes between white supremacists and antifascists (commonly known as “antifa”). The report, obtained by the government transparency nonprofit Property of the People and shared with The Daily Beast, reveals how the Obama DHS profiled leftist protesters. Just months after the report’s release, the Trump Justice Department would use similar, overbroad profiles to prosecute hundreds of people who protested at President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony.

The DHS report highlights “two violent clashes in 2016 in Sacramento and Anaheim between anarchist extremists and lawfully protesting white supremacists at legally permitted rallies.”

The report uses those cases to describe how law enforcement might target future “anarchist extremists” who protest at white supremacist rallies. But the agency’s description of “anarchist extremists” is dubious and suggests the DHS might be conflating multiple distinct social movements.

Read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/wearing-black-feds-say-you-may-be-an-anarchist-newly-released-documents-show?ref=home

[apnu]

1. Both Obama and Trump DHS did this

And when all that craziness with the neo-nazis and antifa was happening, a lot of people didn't understand who and what the antifa are, or the Black Block and a number of other groups that wear all black. It was confusing as hell, so I'm not surprised DHS failed to sort it out. Part of the reasons wearing uniform solid black like that with different groups is to confuse and evade capture. From a law enforcement perspective, the only logical solution is to treat all people dressed in black as one solid, easy to find, thing.

Don't think the Antifa and other groups aren't aware of this, their choices of clothing are deliberate. Confusion is one of their weapons.

[UpInArms]

2. Guess im In big trouble

I have always been fond of wearing black

👀

[cstanleytech]

4. Same here and I have never even attended any events except

required ones decades ago for school.

[ret5hd]

3. We also have a theme song:

[Stallion]

5. But I thought Black was Slimming

[mahatmakanejeeves]

6. Trust me, you don't look a bit over 239 pounds. NT

[greymattermom]

8. Yep

and something black with jeans has been my regular outfit for...about 60 years. My favorite is a black velvet jacket with jeans.

[The Mouth]

7. I really doubt Father Wiecek at my cathedral is Antifa

and 45 years later I'm *STILL* too afraid of him to ask.

[muntrv]

9. Like these people?

Or these?

[Judi Lynn]

19. It would be a great idea to go tell those Raiders people what one thinks of them!

We don't have a perpetual fuse, after all.

They have to keep the unruly ones in the stands, because they would be way too rude on the field.

[Noodleboy13]

10. Ha. That's like the Mpls uptown service industry dude uniform.

Myself included.
I was writing notes to myself earlier this month about the similarities between rural and urban winter "uniforms" for men in their 20-30s who aren't office workers.
Urban:
Dark work boots. Jeans or dark trousers. Folding pocket knife. Dark hoodie. Dark jacket (often leather) over the hoodie.

Rural:
Leather or khaki work boots. Jeans or Carharts. Lighter colored hoodie. Carhart or jean jacket over the hoodie.

Oh yeah. A vast majority of the urban dudes sport full beards.

Apparently I live in the midst of anarchist lumberjacks. who knew.

peace,
Noodleboy

[Danmel]

11. Well 90% of the women in NYC are in trouble!

Me included. It's OK. We are already east coast elitists. And I'm Jewish to boot.😎

[MountCleaners]

13. I'm from Chicago

Everyone who lives in a big city wears a lot of black. All of that soot and car exhaust and crap that's in the air doesn't show up as much on black. Black clothes just hold up longer.

But when I lived in Nebraska, it got back to me that people there thought I was depressed or morbid because I wore black all of the time. Yeesh.

[FakeNoose]

20. Yes my son and daughter-in-law live in Manhattan

Black is all they wear - all the time. Also most of their friends (early/mid-40's) are the same.
They aren't making a political statement that I can see, but it does seem to be a cultural statement of some kind.

[Danmel]

21. Understated elegance 😊

[DBoon]

12. The FBI will be monitoring a lot of aging goths

I suspect agents will be out in force at the next Cure concert

[moonseller66]

14. SO! those guys with guns...

wearing black uniforms, badges and riot gear are anarchists?
Clears up the big misconception they're on the side of democracy, don't it?

[Ron Obvious]

15. Damn, as though I weren't suspicious enough for not having a Facebook account!

Next thing you know a preference for reading and quiet solitude will be red flags.

[marble falls]

16. Blacks my new look.

[uriel1972]

17. Darn those Amish Anarchists to Heck!

[Judi Lynn]

18. Just keep an eye on cemeteries. Sometimes anarchists will have gather in them, wearing black.

God only knows what they are plotting.

Might be a good idea to call the authorities next time you see one of these secret meetings.