Category Archives: Local

Photographer Nate Gowdy reflects on Washington D.C. insurrection

When Nate Gowdy started his photographic journey in 2015, he couldn’t imagine where his documentation of the rise of President Donald Trump would end. With the exception of 1876, what is normally only a footnote in American history, the Congressional certification of Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 election turned into a blood-splattered reverse coup. Gowdy and his battered Leica camera were there.

January 6, 2021, Washington D.C. Insurrection – Copyright 2021 – Nate Gowdy

I went to Washington D.C. because I’m working on a long-term project documenting the Presidential politics in the age of Trump,” Gowdy said. “I’ve covered more than 300 events across 23 states and this is the conclusion, the final narrative for my book.

Gowdy arrived at 9:30 AM to document the events of Trump’s “Save America” rally and the planned protests. As Gowdy was heading to document Trump’s speech, he saw something that caught his eye. “There was a contingent of Proud Boys militiamen I caught walking toward the Capitol in the A.M. when the National Mall was empty and barren because everyone was at Trump’s morning address.

I came across them on my way there marching in the opposite direction. Basically, they marched to a crowd of no one, chanting, “fuck Antifa.” I was there and maybe another photographer. They were threatening me and I said I was media for Rolling Stone. Plenty of them seemed to assume I was ‘Antifa.” I was kind of in the middle of their crowd and they were getting really hostile. So I started keeping my distance and they marched to the Capitol.

With thousands of protesters marching the two miles toward the Capitol, Gowdy witnessed the advanced groups of Proud Boys preparing to attack the barricades. He witnessed advanced planning, coordination, and people carrying ladders, and other items meant to storm the Capitol.

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”15″ gal_title=”Capitol Insurrection by Nate Gowdy”]

As the main assault started Gowdy saw human wave attacks against overwhelmed lines of police officers. “When you get into the epicenter of the Inaugural Stage there is a five-foot wall and a lot of barriers before the wall. What they would do is lean the barriers up against the wall and use [them] as a ladder.

While they were getting pepper sprayed, those people would fall back and recover while a new wave of people would push in. They were just kind of, ‘Come on! Come on! Come on, we need you to do this! Keep up and hold the line!” [They] were pushing in and they were successful.

A man screams “Come on,” to insurrections assaulting police lines in human wave attacks on January 6, 2021, during the Capitol Insurrection. Copyright 2021 – Nate Gowdy

As the situation plunged into full-scale insurrection, Gowdy kept shooting pictures until 8:30 PM, when he finally called it a day.

I’m still processing what I saw. I mean the U.S. Capitol being overwhelmed by an anti-democracy protest of a mob of people who were egged on by their ring leader, President Trump.”

Gowdy is returning to Washington D.C. for Joe Biden’s inauguration to complete his work on his book. You can see more of his work shortly in Rolling Stone magazine.

interview with photographer nate gowdy, talking about his experiences on January 6, 2021, during the capitol insurrection

Region cleans up after windstorm rages through the night

The Puget Sound region woke up to hundreds of thousands without power after a windstorm tore through the area overnight. An atmospheric river pointed a firehose right at the heart of Puget Sound as pounding rain and howling winds battered the region. Peak wind gusts reached 40 to 70 MPH around midnight, sending trees crashing through homes and across highways. 

In the last 72 hours, 3.03 inches of rain has fallen at Seatac Airport, and since January 1, 7.45 inches of rain has fallen, making this the wettest start to January in history. A USPS truck was almost blown off the Deception Pass Bridge, and images showed it perched on the guardrail, partially dangling over the side. The driver was uninjured and was able to exit the vehicle. A large tree fell across all of the southbound lanes of SH-167 outside of Puyallup, closing the highway. Both the Deception Pass Bridge and SH-167 have reopened. 

A number of areas schools canceled class for the day due to widespread power and Internet outages making remote learning impossible. In Kirkland, fire and police were dispatched to a rollover accident at 100th NE and Juanita-Woodinville NE. Inoperable traffic lights may have been a contributing factor to the wreck. 

Further south in Dodson, Oregon, about 60 miles east of Portland, one person is missing after the vehicle they were in was swept away in a mudslide. Officials are searching for the victim but active mudslides are making it difficult

A much drier weather pattern lies ahead, with sun forecasted for Wednesday and Thursday. Over the weekend, light and scattered showers will return. The long-range forecast points to next week being much calmer. 

EXCLUSIVE – Parler finds new domain host at Sammamish, Washington based Epik

UPDATED 1/12/21 @ 5:58 PM – added information on Epik connections to Neo-Nazi website Stormfront.

Tune in Monday, January 11, 2021, at 8 PM PST for the Malcontentment Happy Hour with David and Jennifer at MalcontentNews.TV. No subscription required.

[SAMAMMISH] – (Malcontent News) Alternative social media platform Parler may have found a new host with Sammamish, Washington based Epik. Public records show that the Parler domain was transferred to Epik on January 11, 2021, indicating the platform is at least on life support. Parler has touted itself as a free speech community similar to Twitter, without moderation. The service was plagued with security breaches, became a haven for hardcore pornography and the ideology of white nationalism.

Parler has been on a rollercoaster ride since the insurrection in Washington D.C., on January 6. Twitter put President Donald Trump on a 12-hour ban for three tweets they determined were inciteful to violence. The President removed the tweets in compliance with terms of service but issued two more inflammatory and dangerous tweets on Friday after his ban ended. Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram permanently banned the President, and by Saturday morning almost every social media platform had taken the same steps. President Trump tried to move to at least five more Twitter accounts, including the official POTUS account of the US government.

Parler rocketed to the number one downloaded app on the Google Play and Apple stores as the online drama unfolded, and shortly thereafter, Google removed the Parler app from their store. On Saturday Apple gave an ultimatum to Parler to add moderation or face being removed also. On the same day, Amazon announced they would no longer provide PaaS and SaaS infrastructure to Parler effective at midnight on Sunday.

A Puget Sound Internet security expert told Malcontent News “Parler has a new DNS registrar. Epik software is headquartered in Sammamish and it’s the same one used by 8chan, Gab, and The Daily Stormer. They don’t have servers up yet, but DNS is a critical part of Internet hosting.”

They went on to explain, “A DNS handles the translation of the domain name, such as “Google.com”, to an IP address, such as 198.51.100.23. This is so when a user goes to a site, they just type in “Google.com” and don’t have to remember an IP address. This also allows the site to change IP addresses if needed.”

“They don’t appear to have servers to actually host, but that’s likely a matter of time.”

Defiant Parler leadership indicated on Saturday morning that people were, “lining up to support them,” but by Sunday morning they revealed they may not be able to ever go forward with every supplier and vendor abandoning the company, including their legal team. Parler was reported to have removed a parlay from conspiracy theory lawyer L Lin Wood on Saturday, calling for the execution of Vice President Michael Pence. Attorney Wood is said to be under Secret Service investigation for his message.

In another blow, as the lights started to go out for the platform, hackers were able to download all of the public-facing information and “parlays,” the equivalent of tweets, from Parler. Hackers reported that EXIF data, which would include the date, time, and GPS location on uploaded pictures were not stripped from the data, representing a significant privacy breach for users.

This morning on Fox and Friends, Jeannie Pirro compared the services that left Parler to Kristallnacht and Nazi Germany. The First Amendment does not protect speech on privately owned platforms beyond some edge cases. The Amendment provides protection against government-backed censorship, prevents the establishment of a national religion, ensures the freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to seek redress of grievances. Social platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are private businesses, who operate on a, “we reserve the right to refuse service,” basis.

Epik is facing its own challenges as a hosting platform. PayPal recently terminated their relationship with the hosting provider, which provides hosting for the platform Gab, which is a haven for the Proud Boys, and Stormfront, a Neo-Nazi Holocaust-denying website.

Pressure builds for SPOG president Mike Solan to resign

Seattle Police Officer’s Guild president Mike Solan is facing backlash for a series of tweets blaming Antifa for the insurrection in Washington D.C. on Wednesday. On January 7, 2021, Mike Solan retweeted an Andy Ngo tweet about John Sullivan, an agent provocateur from Salt Lake City.

Sullivan was arrested in Provo for organizing a Black Lives Matter rally that turned violent. Sullivan has widely been discredited as a double-agent out to disrupt the Black Lives Matter movement months before the Washington, D.C. insurrection. The accusation that Sullivan was behind the violence, amplified by right-wing voices such as Andy Ngo, have been discredited.

https://twitter.com/RebellionBaby/status/1331902008765206528

Solan’s tweet received a swift reaction from former candidate for Seattle City Attorney Scott Lindsay. In a tweet, Lindsay stated, “As someone who has fought for police reform and defended Seattle Police against defunding, I have a duty to call out when the head of their union spreads misinformation about the Capitol attack. 

[Mike Solan] should apologize or resign. SPD officers deserve better.”

https://twitter.com/splindsay/status/1347681999843061761

Former Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best echoed Lindsay’s sentiment in another tweet on the same day.

“Wholly agree with Scott Linsay! BLM was not the cause of yesterday’s insurrection. We have to tell the truth.”

On Friday night, Mayor Jenny Durkan’s office released a statement also calling for Solan to delete his tweet and apologize or resign.

“The SPOG President’s statement is wrong, immoral, and a lie. The violent and seditious actions we all witnessed were done by anti-government mobs, inspired and directed by President Trump and his legion of enablers. His statements do a huge disservice to the hundreds of police officers who work daily to serve the public and the rule of law, believe in equality, and were disgusted by Wednesday’s events.

His statements do not reflect the values of the City of Seattle but instead echo the failed lies of a failed presidency. In fact, every officer at the Seattle Police Department has an obligation to not “post-speech that negatively impacts the Department’s ability to serve the public.

As we expect this incident to be investigated by OPA, Solan should retract his statements and apologize or resign.”

In another blow to the department’s credibility on Friday, Chief Adrian Diaz revealed that two Seattle police officers traveled to Washington, D.C. for the “Stop the Steal” rally. The officers, reported to be husband and wife, have been placed on paid administrative leave. The Office of Police Accountability has opened an investigation into that incident. Chief Diaz stated if they were directly involved in the “insurrection,” they will face termination.

Calls for Solan’s resignation accelerated on Saturday. MLK Labor, which represents 100,000 workers in King County, issued a tweet calling for his resignation.

Adding to the condemnations, the Washington Fraternal Order of Police (WAFOP) issued a statement stating they do not support Solan’s position and accused him of bias. “We do not support the comments made by Seattle Police Officers Guild President Mike Solan regarding the capitol rioting, because such comments undermine our efforts to rebuild the trust needed between law enforcement and our communities. We believe that when peace officers allow their personal biases to influence their perceptions of events and behavior, it severely compromises our ability to fulfill our duty to protect and serve.”

Compounding the situation was an ill-timed interview with the far right-wing political group led by Randy Pepple, Shift Washington. In his interview, where Solan calls for neutrality he goes on to say, ” Also, one aspect to highlight is that law enforcement across the nation continue to be threatened with DOJ consent decrees and that typically happens when the Democrat party gets control in D.C.”

Solan is already under OPA investigation for his behavior on Twitter. In September of 2020, he taunted a journalist for losing their press pass while documenting a protest outside of SPOG headquarters in Seattle. After that protest, the department was found to have used excessive force against Black Lives Matter protesters by a federal judge. On December 7, 2020, the court concluded that officers had two use of force violations. The OPA is also reviewing documentation around the accusation of Molotov cocktails found after the same protest. Bodycam video released by the department in September and November raised questions on the incendiary devices’ authenticity.

Solan has also been a frequent guest on Fox News, appearing on the Tucker Carlson Show multiple times. Carlson has come under fire for repeatedly repeating disproven conspiracy theories about Black Lives Matter, Antifa, and the 2020 election results. 

As for Sullivan, he was identified in the Capitol during the insurrection on January 6. In a video released by the Washington Post on Friday, Sullivan was recorded telling police officers to leave their post. After the officers go, domestic terrorists smash the windows on the doors leading to the House chamber. Despite multiple warnings of armed officers on the other side, Ashli Babbitt jumps through the breach and is shot by an officer. Babbitt was among four domestic terrorists who died on Wednesday.

In an extensive interview, Sullivan stated he was “supportive” of Black Lives Matter but wants to hear from all sides. He describes his participation in the incident outside of the House chambers in detail. Video taken during the ransacking of the Capitol doesn’t fully support his story. Sullivan has not been identified as a person of interest or suspect by federal authorities at this time.

Over 80 people have been arrested for their involvement in the insurrection, with dozens more identified by the FBI. Over 50 police officers were injured, and one killed after being struck in the head with a fire extinguisher.

Two SPD officers on paid administrative leave for potential involvement in D.C. ‘insurrection’

Five Fast Facts

  • Acting police Chief Adrian Diaz has put two Seattle police officers on paid administrative leave for being in Washington D.C. during the riots and attempted coup of the U.S. government
  • The two officers have been referred to the Office of Police Accountability (OPA) which will conduct a review
  • Chief Diaz has stated that if the officers are criminally charged by Washington D.C. or federal authorities for their actions, they will be immediately terminated
  • The statement from the Seattle Police Department specifically used the word, ‘insurrection” in the statement
  • Seattle Police Officer’s Guild (SPOG) President Mike Solan is under fire for making statements that the insurrection, and storming of the governor’s mansion in Olympia, Washington, was perpetrated by Antifa

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as we get more information.

Malcontentment Happy Hour: January 7, 2021

Our live webcast from the Seattle Anarchist Jurisdiction

The show from January 7, 2021, featured David Obelcz and our co-host Jennifer Smith.

  • Seattle Police admits there was no extortion in CHOP, seven months after the fact
  • Latest news from the attempted coup in the United States on January 6, 2021
  • Review of the events of January 6, 2021
  • Washington State Patrols failed response to protect Governor Jay Inslee – and how Black Lives Matter was treated in August 2020
  • Debunking the conspiracy theories around the attempted coup
  • Editorial – Seattle, stop being so – Seattle

WARNING – tonight’s show contains graphic content that some people may find disturbing

Malcontentment Happy Hour: January 4, 2021

Our live webcast from the Seattle Anarchist Jurisdiction

The show from January 4, 2021, featured David Obelcz and our co-host Jennifer Smith.

  • Proud Boy Leader Enrique “Henry” Tarrio arrested in Washington, D.C. on property destruction with hate crime and weapons charges
  • The Trump Tapes and revolt against democracy in the U.S. Senate
  • COVID-19 is out of control
    • 350,000 Americans have died
    • 77,500 Americans died in December 2020
    • 150,000 Americans projected to die in January 2021
    • U.K. and Scotland go on Level IV lockdown as the variant spreads unabated and the South African variant arrives in the nation
    • Sir John Bell expresses concern that current vaccinations will not work against the South African COVID-19 mutation
    • A pharmacist in Wisconsin allegedly destroyed doses fo vaccine because he is a conspiracy theory follower and believes the vaccine will alter human DNA
  • King County is buying up to a dozen hotels to address homelessness
  • ILEETA police training manual is full of falsehoods and propaganda
  • Seattle police arrest 6 over chalk art, Bledsoe vs Ferry County raises questions on the Constitutionality of the arrest

Police association manual about Black Lives Matter is riddled with falsehoods and propaganda

[MUNSTER] – (Malcontent News) The International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA), a law enforcement training group, teaches its subscribers that Black Lives Matter is a terroristic organization that uses guerrilla warfare tactics. In October, ILEETA released a 176-page manual titled, “Understanding Antifa and Urban Guerrilla Warfare.” The widely condemned document is full of false and misleading information and Trump Administration propaganda.

In a story in the AP, Phillip Atiba Goff, a Yale University professor who is an expert on racial bias in policing, said, “It’s stunning. It’s distressing in many ways. It’s untethered to reality. I worry that it leads to people dying unnecessarily.”

In a review and fact check of the manual, now removed from the ILEETA website, the document contains a litany of conspiracy theories and false claims, many disproven before the October 2020 publication. Spread to small and medium-size police departments across the United States, the rhetoric is not only dangerous, but a review shows that the ideologies expressed are more aligned with right-wing anti-government groups.

False, disproven, inflammatory, and conspiracy theory claims include:

Page 7: Black Lives Matter is akin to urban paramilitary groups who work with criminal elements supported by gangs

“Urban paramilitary groups often work with otherwise apolitical criminal elements outside the drug arena. Criminal gangs are frequently the silent partners of urban revolutionaries.”

Although this statement is true in some foreign conflicts, it has not been true in the United States and not a tactic employed by Black Lives Matter or “Antifa,” which isn’t an organization.

Page 9: These groups use selective assassination to move their agenda

“One popular technique is to selectively assassinate members of the same ethnic community as the urban guerrillas and terrorists.”

There is no connection to Black Lives Matter or Antifa to any assassinations, attempts, or plots. In contrast, officials indicted six far-right-wing extremists for their plan to take two state governors hostage, hold tribunals, and execute at least one of them.

Page 19: After railing for pages about creating us versus them mentality, the actual manual starts with creating us versus them mentality

“Our enemies have figured us out already. They are agile, innovative and will try whatever works.”

Page 22: Black Lives Matter (aka Antifa) have created sniper teams that have taken to the roofs in U.S. cities

“From experience in the Middle East and Kosovo, the use of trained, dedicated snipers with the proper rifle can be a force multiplier and considerably more effective. Terrorist groups, drug cartels, and, according to classified intelligence, Antifa, BLM, and gangs in certain cities have trained, dedicated snipers.”

The use of snipers during George Floyd motivated protests is well documented, with all incidents involving right-wing militias. This includes an arrest in Chatanooga, armed right-wing militias in Omak, WashingtonWashington D.C., and Philadelphia

Page 23, 25, and 70: Antifa led anti-government protests will spread in tempo and violence as we move closer to the election

Page 23: “As we move closer to the elections, violence will only intensify, moving into the “privileged” business districts and neighborhoods.”

Page 25: “Just give them an excuse so that they may test their preparations for the coming elections. Notice, these riots occurred in cities with governments that were favorable to them and their cause.”

Page 70: “What has been observed regarding the people in the riots in Portland and Seattle are ANTIFA’s, in the words of Stalin “useful idiots.” The hard-core, terrorist trained troops are being held back for the events planned in the weeks heading to the elections.”

Black Lives Matter protests and protests from the political left have decreased significantly nationally in the weeks leading up to and after the national election. In contrast, violent protests from the far-right have increased dramatically. In Salem, Oregon, right-wing protesters have used pepper spray, tear gas, and batons against the police while smashing windows and destroying property. The actions led to a riot declaration against right-wing paramilitaries and multiple arrests. 

Increasing violent right-wing protests have occurred in the same cities indicated to be “Antifa” friendly in the document. President Donald Trump has encouraged armed right-wing extremists to protest on January 6, 2021, in Washington D.C., and has said he will address the group.

Page 30: Yellow vest protests in France have gotten more violent because protesters are employing Antifa tactics

“The acts of violence and vandalism are perpetrated by radical leftists, radical rightists, anarchists, and rioters from the suburbs who join the demonstrations, which are supposed to be conducted nonviolently, along a particular route, and with police oversight…

…taking a page from Antifa, the protestors have taken to wearing all black and resorting more and more to violence.”

Yellow vest protests have gotten less violent and far more infrequent in France well before the document was written. The concept of wearing bloc has been an established technique of the left, right, and partisans for over 100 years. For example, although the Klu Klux Klan wore white robes and hoods, they concealed their identities and operated as a bloc.

Page 70 and 74: China and Russia are supporting Antifa in a full-scale hybrid war against the United States

Page 70: “The unrest and riots that erupted in the wake of George Floyd protests are evidence that a full-scale hybrid war is being waged against the United States, aimed at undermining their geopolitical leadership. This war, which has a clear plan and intent, continues to remain unnoticed in the United States. While experts point out that Russia and China, through their official and covert tools on social media, are actively supporting the protests in the United States.”

Page 74: “Both Antifa and Black Lives Matter are fronts for Russia and China.”

These claims have been disproven repeatedly. It is true that Russian disinformation campaigns have targeted both the left and right in the United States, but that a majority of misinformation has targeted the right. Russia is mostly behind the disinformation about 5G, while Chinese WeChat was flooded with right-wing propaganda and fake information.

Page 70 and 72: Elite terrorist trained troops were trained in Mexico and Syria and will strike during the elections

Page 70: “ANTIFA has had its elite trained in the drug cartel training camps in Mexico and in the PKK training camps in Syria. Once trained, these individuals have returned to either Europe or the U.S.”

Page 72: “These people are not what we are seeing in Portland and Seattle regarding the current character of Antifa rioters, but, true terrorists.”

Travel to and from Syria has been near impossible since the Obama Administration. The predictions of far-left violence during and after elections have not proven out to be true. The document is full of conspiratory inflammatory language directed at law enforcement, putting all citizens at increased risk. 

Page 73: Cites Trevor Loudon and Stephen Coughlin as sources to learn more about Antifa

“Open source reference Center for Security Policy…recent podcasts from Trevor Louden and Stephan Coughlin about Antifa, it’s history, origin, cash flow, etc.”

Trevor Loudon lives in New Zealand and is a writer for the Epoch Times. The Chinese based Epoch Times pushes multiple conspiracy theories aligned to Qanon and is supportive of Donald Trump’s policies against the Chinese government.

Stephen Coughlin was labeled a “Christian zealot with a pen,” in 2007 by Pentagon officials for his anti-Muslim rhetoric. Brought on as the only Pentagon expert on Sharia law, there was an internal call for his ouster. He wasn’t fired, but the Pentagon did not renew his contract.

Page 73: Cites Project Veritas as a source of information on Antifa

“Another site is Project Veritas…these are actual undercover videos of Antifa teaching fighting tactics.”

Project Veritas rose in significance with undercover videos, including exposing ACORN. The organization has increasingly moved to create fake content to remain relevant—the videos from June 4, 2020, alleging that meetings occurred in a Portland-area bookstore. The video purports to have infiltrated Rose City Antifa, a Leftist Portland group. However, the bookstore, In Other Words, is fictional from a comedy sketch by the television series Portlandia.

Page 74 and Page 86: The document uses the anti-Semitic trope that George Soros is funding Antifa

Page 74: “Antifa is financially and tactically sponsored by the powers in Moscow through George Soros and his followers.”

Page 86: “George Soros, with the backing of Moscow, reached out to Antifa, offered financing, training and instructors to their leaders in the U.S. Soros and Russia are utilizing the concept of “Disruptive targeting” where you disrupt the link between government, the people and law enforcement.”

The idea the George Soros is behind any left movement on the planet is rooted in anti-Semitism. 

Page 89: Cites the website www.paidliberalprotester.com as proof of Antifa financing

The website, Paid Liberal Protester, was created by the Daily Show for a skit. The URL now redirects to a site selling books by Daily Show alumni.

Page 89: Looters in Bellevue, Washington were paid Antifa protesters quoting Police Chief Steve Mylett

“There are groups paying these looters money to come in and they’re getting paid by the broken window. This is something totally different we are dealing with that we have never seen as a profession before. We did have officers that were in different areas that were chasing these groups. When we make contact, they just disperse.”

Chief Mylett’s quote is out of context, as indicated in this KIRO News story. A KING 5 story from August 28, 2020, stated, “Bellevue Police Chief Steve Mylett previously called the looting “a well-organized plan” and did not believe the looters were there to protest Floyd’s death.”

Bellevue Police have made 46 arrests to date with no attribution or connection to Black Lives Matter of Antifa.

Page 94: Police in Portland and Seattle have found large caches of explosives and ammunition attributed to Antifa

“The attacks in Portland and Seattle have developed to the point that law enforcement are finding stashes of homemade explosives, Molotov cocktails and rifle ammunition. “

This is an untrue statement with no supporting evidence from any law enforcement organization. The document goes on to show as proof on pages 95 and 96, a picture of two Molotov cocktails, four magazines, and two fireworks.

Page 97: Antifa has a centralized command and control

“During the riots, the scouts would be radioing information back to their leader(s) who, in turn, would be passing this on to higher-ups. Everybody, in the chain of command was receiving, as close to real time intelligence as possible.”

A review of the training manual provided pages of information on Antifa being leaderless, decentralized, and rely on small, independently operating cells. The document then goes 180 degrees with unified command and control claims.

Page 107: The tactics of Antifa resulted in the abandonment and burning of the Third Police Precinct in Minneapolis during the George Floyd riots

“In this anonymous submission, participants in the uprising in Minneapolis in response to the murder of George Floyd explore how a combination of different tactics compelled the police to abandon the Third Precinct.”

There have been five arrests related to the burning and attack on the Third Precinct. The decision to evacuate happened after a right-wing aligned Boogaloo Boi fired 12 rounds into the building and bragged about it on social media. Two Minneapolis brothers, aligned to far-right ideology, were arrested for arson of the structure. Another person pled guilty to throwing additional fuel on the fire (a box), aligned to the leftist ideology. The identity and political affiliation of those who shot into the building and burned it were well known before the training manual was written. 

Page 108: The same document then disavows Black Lives Matter or Antifa of having any involvement with the burning of the Third Precinct

“While the initial gathering was occasioned by a rally hosted by a Black-led organization, all of the actions that materially defeated the Third Precinct were undertaken after the rally had ended, carried out by people who were not affiliated with it.”

The Minneapolis Police Department, ATF, FBI, and other investigators’ findings confirm the lack of connection to Black Lives Matter or Antifa.

Page 110: Peaceful protesters are just part of the violent Black Lives Matter and Antifa plan

“They created a spectacle of legitimacy, which was intensified as police violence escalated. They created a front line that blocked police attempts to advance when they deployed outside of the Precinct.”

Page 124: The document uses “code” for violence to gain intelligence as part of an offensive against Antifa

“Narcotics and gang units should “work” their sources and cultivate new ones as well. A lot of Antifa members like their drugs.”

The term “work” in quotes has a sinister implication. Additionally, the message of a well oiled, funded, and cohesive controlled organization is also an organization of drug addicts contradicts itself. 

Page 124: To gather intelligence the manual advises to “work with the homeless”

“Work with the homeless. These people see and hear everything in their areas and they don’t want their homes or way of life destroyed by outsiders.”

The treatment of the unhomed throughout United States cities that destroy their homes and way of life indicates that the police do not value this advice, or there is no merit to it.

Page 125: Gangs with large amounts of money is a sign Antifa is operating in the area

“Gangs and drug dealers with a lot of money. These groups may be purchasing weapons or components to make explosives or incendiary devices.”

The document’s remainder comprises of disproven documents, conspiracy theories, and authoritative materials from questionable sources. ILEETA has since removed the manual from their website, claiming an updated version is privately available. 

ILEETA has deep ties to Wisconsin law enforcement, particularly in Kenosha. Officials there have denied they have any connection with ILEETA or received a copy of the manual. However, local authorities’ tactics during riots over the summer seem to align to the ILEETA doctrine.

In a Wisconsin Examiner article, Jim Palmer, president of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, said the views contained in the ILEETA manual do not contribute to the national dialogue around reform. 

“I think it’s more imperative than ever for law enforcement to contribute to the public discourse that surrounds policing in a way that is credible and noninflammatory,” Palmer says. “The same ought to apply to the dialogue within the law enforcement community as well. On both of those fronts, the recent ILEETA research paper and monthly newsletter missed the mark in disturbing fashion. In relying on misinformation, incendiary rhetoric, and in painting law enforcement’s critics with a broad brush, ILEETA’s recent publications do nothing to elevate the national conversation related to 21st century policing.” 

You can download Understanding Antifa and Urban Guerrilla Warfare manual from ILEETA.

Malcontentment Happy Hour: December 31, 2020

Our live webcast from the Seattle Anarchist Jurisdiction

The show from December 31, 2020, featured guest host, Jennifer Smith. This special edition of Malcontentment Happy Hour was a countdown of the top five stories we covered in 2020.

  • COVID-19 predictions from March 2020
  • May 30, 2020, George Floyd protests in Seattle
  • Seattle CHOP – May 30 to July 4
  • Seattle Labor Day March and our CCO gets doxxed
  • Political fallout in Seattle from 2020

We also had four runner-ups.

  • Life is stranger than fiction – Yakkity Yak and the Portland Police Department
  • Matthew, the religious protester who was everywhere in 2020
  • Tabitha Poppins has got the moves in Portland
  • Peter Diaz and American Wolf interview

Driver screams racial slurs as he drives through Seattle protesters

From Malcontentment Happy Hour, December 28, 2020

Seattle police fail to take action as driver threatens pedestrians on December 27

On December 27 a driver cuts through Seattle Police and protesters, utters racial insults, and after almost hitting several pedestrians drives off. Despite Seattle Police assuring multiple people they would, “take care of it,” officers let the driver speed off unsafely and take no action.

WARNING: Violent actions and racial slurs.