Arresting a protest leader before a protest on some random, unrelated charge, as an excuse to hold them while the protest happens, is a classic third world move.
Unfortunately, we now live in a classically third world country.
JUST IN: Two law enforcement sources confirm Proud Boys' leader Enrique Tarrio has been arrested in DC on misdemeanor destruction of property charges. Apparently related to him saying he burned BLM flag stolen from Black church in December during MAGA protest.
— Evan Lambert (@EvanLambertTV) January 4, 2021
A spokesman for the DC Police Dept confirmed Tarrio's arrest on charges of destruction of property and added that upon his arrest he was in possession of two high-capacity firearm magazines and was charged accordingly. https://t.co/6FRBcYt3Z9
— Katie Benner (@ktbenner) January 4, 2021
Proud Boys’ leader Enrique Tarrio was arrested in Washington, DC on Monday, ahead of the major Stop the Steal anti-election fraud rally scheduled in DC for Wednesday. Tarrio, like many, was already in DC in preparation for the demonstration.
The stated reason for the arrest was that he vandalized a Black Lives Matter flag in DC.
This happened more than two weeks ago. The FBI allegedly investigated the burning of the flag as a hate crime, and Tarrio said on the internet that it was not.
Proud Boys Leader Enrique Tarrio is taking responsibility for the burnt BLM flag in Washington D.C.
The FBI is investigating this as a hate crime.
“The burning of this banner wasn’t about race, religion, or political ideology.” pic.twitter.com/N6DrpnObsi
— Tomas Morales (@TomasMorales_iv) December 19, 2020
It’s unclear if he’s actually being charged with a hate crime (he probably isn’t), and it is abnormal to literally raid someone and arrest them on a vandalism charge. The timing of it makes it painfully obvious that this is just a way to keep him out of Wednesday’s protest.
It’s shameful that our country has turned into a third world joke.
The rally is being promoted by Donald Trump and he himself will be in attendance.
It’s going to be a big deal, and you need to be there – whatever it costs you.
This is history unfolding in real time, folks.