As a teen, I saw the aftermath in Isla Vista. My understanding is the local Bank of America branch was burned to the ground TWICE by locals. The part about it being the street people more than political activists who took this direct action is something I didn't know. But I do know the ambient tone in the community after the Santa Barbara Sheriff/Captain Hershey arrived in medieval fashion with a MACE (spiked club) to command deputies in acts of suppression against the crowds of demonstrators.
Most businesses in Isla Vista had signs on their windows stating, "Bank Americards & Checks NOT accepted here." Some Bank of America account holders had their own checks printed with color photos of the Bank in flames. (I'm looking for those for use in the Occupy movement). The Bank was forced to cash them. The Bank's replacement building looked like a bomb shelter. The Bank and Hershey were hated.
According to Cril Payne, author of Deep Cover, a history of his career in the FBI, the charge of "students" that resulted in the burning of the Bank of America was a Cointelpro FBI operation. And the charge of rock throwing "students" was led by FBI agents.
This is an exceptionally accurate piece. I was a freshman who was literally a witness to the entire string of events that led up to this night in addition to the 3 riots themselves. I had just left the campus stadium speech and was standing across the street at "Stop And Go Market" when the dumpster was pushed through the door. The anarchy that ensued is quite possibly the most frightening episode in my life. I transferred to Stanford during the Winter quarter of 1971.
As long as we got this blaze, we might as well toast these mallows!
AnOminousWarming 1 month ago
As a teen, I saw the aftermath in Isla Vista. My understanding is the local Bank of America branch was burned to the ground TWICE by locals. The part about it being the street people more than political activists who took this direct action is something I didn't know. But I do know the ambient tone in the community after the Santa Barbara Sheriff/Captain Hershey arrived in medieval fashion with a MACE (spiked club) to command deputies in acts of suppression against the crowds of demonstrators.
pinballwyz 1 month ago
@pinballwyz
Most businesses in Isla Vista had signs on their windows stating, "Bank Americards & Checks NOT accepted here." Some Bank of America account holders had their own checks printed with color photos of the Bank in flames. (I'm looking for those for use in the Occupy movement). The Bank was forced to cash them. The Bank's replacement building looked like a bomb shelter. The Bank and Hershey were hated.
pinballwyz 1 month ago
According to Cril Payne, author of Deep Cover, a history of his career in the FBI, the charge of "students" that resulted in the burning of the Bank of America was a Cointelpro FBI operation. And the charge of rock throwing "students" was led by FBI agents.
patfromlogan 3 months ago
This is an exceptionally accurate piece. I was a freshman who was literally a witness to the entire string of events that led up to this night in addition to the 3 riots themselves. I had just left the campus stadium speech and was standing across the street at "Stop And Go Market" when the dumpster was pushed through the door. The anarchy that ensued is quite possibly the most frightening episode in my life. I transferred to Stanford during the Winter quarter of 1971.
Thanks for posting this.
rogerrodd 8 months ago
Brilliant!
sistersheree 1 year ago