If you have been reading the mainstream internet news recently, you could be forgiven for thinking that there is an impending large scale anarchist insurrection about to take place in Florida.

This week sees the start of the annual Republican convention in Tampa Bay. To say that there is a ‘security operation’ underway is an understatement.

Over the last week, the various news outlets in the US have had access to a leaked report from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. The report claims to have ‘intelligence’ that anarchists (a catch all term for anyone who may protest) are planning serious public disorder. Although, seemingly not enough evidence to actually arrest anyone before they get to Tampa bay.

The report suggests that anarchists are planning on closing down, or even ‘blowing up’ bridges in and around the Tampa Bay area in an attempt to disrupt the convention. It also claims that anarchists are planning to occupy hotels, and close down radio stations,

The report goes on to say that they believe explosives, Molotov cocktails, and acid-filled eggs will be used against the police.

The coast guard has issued notice that for the duration of the convention, boats will have only limited access to certain bridges, and that people will be banned from ‘loitering’ within 50 yards of bridges.

As part of a $50 million security operation, there are 3,500 extra police officers brought in from around Florida, as well as 1,700 national guardsmen being deployed around Tampa Bay. Eight foot steel fences will be erected around the venue as well as around other ‘key’ buildings, and there will be hundreds of plain clothes officer mingling with protesters.

The 1,700 bedded Orient Road jail in Tamp has been completely emptied, and prisoners re-located around the state, on the orders of Sherriff David Gee. Sherriff Gee has posted on the local police website that:



“To the agitators and anarchists who want only to bring a dark cloud to this event, let me be clear: criminal activity and civil disturbances will not be tolerated and enforcement actions will be swift.” Quote:

The police will be riding around in armour plated tank like vehicles (as in the picture above) and will be flying several unmanned reconnaissance drones above the city

The only actual evidence of any ‘wrongdoing’ so far, has been the finding of a pile of bricks and pipes on a nearby building roof. The police believe these items were to be used by anarchists as there was some anarchist graffiti nearby.

Should you wish to see the kind of ridiculous state propaganda that is doing the rounds, here it is