Olympia anarchist workshop shut down after photographer has equipment destroyed, stolen

A meeting of anarchists was shut down Saturday at The Evergreen State College in Olympia after a photographer had his camera stolen and his video equipment destroyed, a spokesperson for the college said.

The Olympia Anarchist Convergence, a student organized event, was scheduled to take place Saturday and Sunday on the campus. According to flyers, the event was free and open to the public, but the blogger was asked to leave when he showed up to take photos.

The man was identified by The Olympian as John Smith, 67, of Shelton, who runs a blog under the name “Amicus Curia.”

College spokesperson Todd Sprague told KIRO Radio that participants told the photographer he was not welcome at the event and threw his equipment off a third-story balcony onto the concrete below. One of his cameras was stolen, Sprague said.

Sprague said police asked event organizers for the names of those involved in the incident, but students were uncooperative and the final day of the workshop was canceled.

It is unclear if the student group in charge of the event will be disciplined. The investigation into the theft and destruction of property is ongoing, Sprague said.

According to an event flyer, topics at the workshop were to include “Into to Anarchy,” “Internet and tech security” and “Anarchist Parenting.” The flyer featured a photo of a burning building and a quote that glorifies the use of “arms”, “explosives,” “poison,” “arson,” “daggers” and “swearing” to revolt against the government.

Sprague said the school cannot discriminate against student events “based on their subject matter.”