I posted this over at Olympia Indy media:

In Olympia we have been struggling with a tiny minority committing acts of property destruction at gatherings and marches. Olympia has been struggling with politically motivated vandalism which began in the months following last November's CD resisting military shipments polarized the community.

In February a dance to raise funds for a low income rights group ended in a riot, tear gas, seven arrests and a destroyed cop car. A May Day march for immigration rights ended with windows in the US Bank building and an outdoor equipment retailer owned by a city council member smashed. A month later a small community theater owned by another city council member was vandalized by a group calling themselves the Nihilist Assault Group. A Critical Mass bike ride ended with tires slashed on a cop car, a small business' delivery van tagged and an arrest. A week or so later 22 vehicles owned by downtown residents and a small business had their tires slashed by persons unknown. The Halloween Mayhem Party is the latest in this series of property destruction.

These actions are discrediting the good work hundreds of activists while trying the sympathy and tolerance of the larger community. Worse, the property damage has sparked talk of agent provocatures among the activist community. Olympia has a well earned reputation for progressive politics but that work is becoming threatened by these tactically stupid actions. Smashing US Bank and Starbucks windows ain't doing anyone in Olympia any good.