23 votes

Man described as "anarchist and anti-fascist" killed while assaulting ICE detention facility in Tacoma

Posted by Diet_Coke
Tags: usa.wa.tacoma, crime, immigration and customs enforcement, antifascism, resistance, anarchists, deaths, bombs.fire
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/14/man-dies-as-police-shootout-follows-firebomb-attack-on-immigration-centre

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Title
Man dies as police shootout follows firebomb attack on immigration centre
Authors
Associated Press
Published
Jul 14 2019
Word count
502 words
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4 comments

  1. [2]
    patience_limited
    (edited )
    Link
    So it sounds like we have a direly mentally ill man seeking to die for a cause, who was so disordered that he disregarded the lives of the people he claimed to save. [If you consider setting...

    So it sounds like we have a direly mentally ill man seeking to die for a cause, who was so disordered that he disregarded the lives of the people he claimed to save. [If you consider setting ablaze a prison with thousands of helpless inmates an acceptable act of resistance, I don't want to know you.]

    Cue the official denunciations of all people who endorse anti-fascism (including non-violent activists) as terrorists, while the fascists who kill remain "lone wolves".

    9 votes
    1. determinism
      Link Parent
      Did he do this? Did he try to do this? I've been looking at satelite/3D of the facility on google maps in an attempt to clarify any of this. Based on the area that is cordoned off in the image...

      [If you consider setting ablaze a prison with thousands of helpless inmates an acceptable act of resistance, I don't want to know you.]

      Did he do this? Did he try to do this?

      Police said Van Spronsen caused a vehicle to catch fire and attempted to ignite a large propane tank and set buildings alight. Police said that besides the rifle, he had a satchel and flares.

      I've been looking at satelite/3D of the facility on google maps in an attempt to clarify any of this. Based on the area that is cordoned off in the image from this article I believe he was actually across the street from the actual secure facility. There appears to be a lot with buses and a propane tank next to a small building.

      7 votes
  2. [2]
    Diet_Coke
    Link
    Armed with a rifle and flares, Willem Van Spronsen, age 69 attacked an ICE detention facility in Washington. He reportedly has left behind a 'manifesto' but as far as I can tell it has not hit the...

    Armed with a rifle and flares, Willem Van Spronsen, age 69 attacked an ICE detention facility in Washington.

    Police said Van Spronsen caused a vehicle to catch fire and attempted to ignite a large propane tank and set buildings alight. Police said that besides the rifle, he had a satchel and flares.

    Police said officers called out to Van Spronsen and shots were fired.

    Officers then located Van Spronsen and determined he had been shot and was dead. Authorities said investigators were processing the scene and police are continuing to investigate. No law enforcement officers were injured.

    He reportedly has left behind a 'manifesto' but as far as I can tell it has not hit the internet.

    4 votes
    1. [2]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. Neverland
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        Thanks for posting this, I was really worried that it would be “lost” somehow. While I suppose that in the context of the USA’s gun culture, bringing a gun might make sense to a desperate and...

        Thanks for posting this, I was really worried that it would be “lost” somehow.

        While I suppose that in the context of the USA’s gun culture, bringing a gun might make sense to a desperate and righteous man, I still think that self-immolation is the ultimate sign of protest when 1 person wants to make a statement and is ready to give their life to make a point against overwhelming odds - and there is a chance of media coverage.

        There is no strategic advantage to bringing 1 gun or burning 1 transport vehicle against an army. But true self-sacrifice is nearly unassailable in the eyes of the media, where this battle is currently being fought.

        I really respect my fellow countryman’s self-immolation against our government here: https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/poland-self-immolation-by-slawomir-sierakowski-2017-10

        Edit: clarity

        5 votes
  3. Removed by admin: 8 comments by 3 users
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