Tuesday a New York base Antifa group released a video in which three masked people announce an event called F*** the Police 3 to be held today. The basic goal seems to be protesting the existence of subway fares by jumping and vandalizing turnstiles. The group is also protesting the MTA police who enforce the laws against doing this. The video says in part: “The mood for J31 is simple: F*** your $2.75. No cops on the MTA. Free transit, no harassment period and full accessibility.”

Yesterday the NY Police Benevolent Association tweeted out the same video with it’s own message in response: “New Yorkers should pay close attention: this is true endgame of the anti-police movement, an end of all policing & destruction of public order. Our members have spent their careers — and in some cases given their lives — to bring public safety back to NYC. We can’t go backwards.” Here’s the clip:

New Yorkers should pay close attention: this is true endgame of the anti-police movement, an end of all policing & destruction of public order. Our members have spent their careers — and in some cases given their lives — to bring public safety back to NYC. We can't go backwards pic.twitter.com/X72vVioCVi — NYC PBA (@NYCPBA) January 30, 2020

If you think the PBA is exaggerating the anti-police sentiment, take a look at this flyer for today’s action:

https://twitter.com/decolonize_this/status/1218560185536602112

Even before the today arrived the social media account connected to this began posting videos showing vandalism of the subway:

https://twitter.com/decolonize_this/status/1222304617238757382

This morning the group put up a banner in Manhattan reading “F*** your $2.75 fare, strike today”

https://twitter.com/decolonize_this/status/1223229371705708544

An exit gate chained open (that’s a FTP sticker on the door):

Another one:

https://twitter.com/decolonize_this/status/1223270057658191873

There was also a bit of chanting in some locations:

https://twitter.com/decolonize_this/status/1223228472027422723

All of this is apparently stage 1 of utopia. Stage two involves “libertarian communism.”

https://twitter.com/InstSocEcology/status/1223277266026631168

But for now it’s just vandalism:

#J31 ALL DAY SPOTTED IN THE BX pic.twitter.com/zeknqmGi7P — NYC Shut It Down (@NYC_ShutItDown) January 31, 2020

Today’s event is supposed to culminate at 5pm in Grand Central Terminal:

https://twitter.com/earth_nyc/status/1223287951112769537

Conrads unite!

4. We can exercise our privilege by placing ourselves between the cops and our Black, Brown, and Indigenous conrads 5. If we spot a chud or someone filming peoples’ faces, we can make ourselves their focus. Yell “ALERTA!!!” or blow a whistle, and other antifascists will appear — ALERTA!!!NYC (@ALERTA_NYC) January 31, 2020

9. Fuck the police 10. All cops are bastards 11. Be powerful — ALERTA!!!NYC (@ALERTA_NYC) January 31, 2020

That’s about it so far. I’ll update this post if there is additional vandalism or any arrests.

Update: More vandalism!

https://twitter.com/decolonize_this/status/1223303786162159616

And more:

Someone used a bike lock on an exit door to prevent it from closing. Respect to comrade u-lock for supporting today’s fare strike as part of J31. Cops out of the subways and free public transportation! Follow @decolonize_this for updates today, and be at Grand Central at 5pm. pic.twitter.com/qQ1Wli5MPO — Andy Ratto (@andyratto) January 31, 2020

The NY Daily News has more:

Protesters poured Gorilla Glue on subway turnstiles in Brooklyn and vandalized the walls of an Upper West Side station early Friday, as part of an rally against over-policing in city subways that was expected to gum up rush-hour traffic… The turnstiles at the Borough Hall No. 2 station in Brooklyn were also glued shut to prevent people from swiping MetroCards, according to sources.

Still 2 hours to go until the big meetup at Grand Central. I’ll update this if anything happens.