COMMENTARY | If you do not agree with a law, rule or even an order by your boss, kick in a few windows to make your point. Just make sure you wear a mask and black clothing so you are harder to identify. Such criminal activity is becoming a standard tactic for Occupy Wall Street protestors. Last week New York protestors vandalized businesses in what was termed a "black bloc" attack, according to The Blaze. In addition to smashing storefront windows while staff and patrons cowered beneath tables, a police officer was attacked with a metal pipe.
Police reports that one of the original OWS organizers, Alexander Penley, was arrested on a host of charges connected with the destruction and assault. Penley is also an attorney. The New York City Police Department was accurate when terming the crimes as anarchist-related events.
What did the group of approximately 60 protestors hope to accomplish by smashing in a window at Starbucks with an 8-foot galvanized pipe? Hopefully these protestors are not raising children. No teacher would want to be tasked with educating the spawn of adults who condone such destruction when a poor grade could result in a desk being tossed at the teacher's head.
The protestors arrested should be required to not only pay for the damage but to clean up the mess. The Village Voice reports an anti-police sentiment prompted the event. Why the protestors and others who joined in the attack dislike the police is not clear.
It is doubtful the far-left vandals would rebuke the men and women in blue if they were being mugged, raped or car-jacked. The Starbucks is less than a year old and provided jobs in the East Village. While it always difficult to comprehend the motives of OWS protestors, this incident is particularly egregious.
The First Amendment guarantees the right of self-expression and legal protest. OWS members are fully entitled to chant, wave signs and support idiotic and fiscally unrealistic ideals. Violent attacks and vandalism are criminal behavior and require punishment. OWS further erodes its legitimacy as a viable political movement by intimidating others and destroying property while shielding their identities with masks.
