Police Infiltrate Anarchists and Activists (Guelph, Kitchener, Toronto)

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From April 2009 until July 2010, two undercover police officers infiltrated activist groups in Guelph, Kitchener and Toronto, Ontario. They are members of the “Joint Intelligence Group (JIG)” that focuses on extremism and terrorism. Its specific mandate has been for the Vancouver Olympics and Torch Relay, and the G8/G20 summits. It is an RCMP (National Police) led group that includes police forces collaborating from across Southern Ontario including Guelph, Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa, Barrie, Kitchener/Waterloo and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
The names the two undercover intelligence police officers used were “Brenda Dougherty” and “Khalid Mohammad”*.

Brenda Dougherty = Filthy Rat Goof Pig

“Brenda” is in her early 40’s, white, 5’3” tall, with short white and blonde hair, glasses, and an English accent and a Canadian flag tattoo (on her back?). Her story was that she had a job with flexible hours as a home caretaker. She said she was born in Victoria, Canada and lived in England for most of her childhood and adult life. She said that she moved back because she was in an abusive relationship/marriage. She said she moved to Guelph because she had a friend who could get her a job here. She also said that she got accepted to the university of Guelph and began doing part time courses. She said she didn’t talk to her family. Her apartment appeared pre-furnished, and didn’t really look lived-in. She occasionally appeared at events with her “boyfriend”, “John”, a 5’7 or 5’8 beefy native dude with brown hair who wore sunglasses and a hat. He had a US Marine Corps tattoo on one of his biceps that read USMC and had numbers under it.

“Brenda” appeared in Guelph in April 2009 at an info-session at the University of Guelph for people interested in getting involved with the Guelph Union for Tenants and Supporters (GUTS). The primary activity of GUTS at this time was free food servings in the downtown each week. “Brenda” began cooking these dinners, usually at anarchist/punk houses. She attended almost every anti-authoritarian/anarchist public event and tried to get involved in as many groups as she could (which is not many, since there aren’t really any other public groups in Guelph). She spent some time at the Hanlon Creek anti-development occupation in Guelph in summer 2009, and always offered people rides to events and meetings. “Brenda” moved into an activist house in Guelph in spring 2010. She was always willing and able to do grunt work; she didn’t bring up ideas for projects but rather helped people with tasks. She didn’t act sketchy for quite some time; in fact she seemed fairly innocent and genuinely interested. Most people were not suspicious of “Brenda” as a cop. She was related to as a periphery friend to cook dinner with, a sympathetic neighbor, and a pleasant, charming person to be around.

Brenda was very active in organizing against the G20 summit with Southern Ontario Anarchist Resistance (SOAR) and Toronto Community Mobilization Network (TCMN). Leading up to the G8/G20, it has been reported that “Brenda” tried to convince people to go to SOAR meetings. It is difficult to give any details of her involvement with G20 organizing, as seventeen people are facing serious allegations and conspiracy charges because of these pigs.

“Brenda” disappeared the evening before the confrontational protests on Saturday, June 26. It has since been 100% confirmed that “Brenda” is actually an undercover intelligence officer. Fuck that bitch.

PS. “Brenda,” we found your dildo. You should come here and get it so you can go fuck yourself.

*An account of “Khalid’s” infiltration will be posted soon online.

fuck dude, the

fuck dude, the amarchy-communists who vouched for these agent-provocateurs should also be expelled from our lil' click.

-lando invasion

I heard she lured anarchists

I heard she lured anarchists in by having the government stock her fridge full of beer and snacks. Is this true?

Also pictures are nice. Can we have some of those? So just in case if we bump into her on the street we can tell her how mean she is, or something.

Military tattoos.. Really?

I heard she lured anarchists

I heard she lured anarchists in by having the government stock her fridge full of beer and snacks.

"come amarchy children, stuff your bellies full of my free food and drink from my intoxicating pool of pbr. togeather we will pray to our godless god revolution."

pics ? how are they supposed

pics ? how are they supposed to get stitches if we don't know their faces ?

Picture on snitchwire

I will convert her by loving

I will convert her by loving embrace, she will find fulfillment and denounce the state when she co-inhabits with me! The revolution must be socially soluble within its existing ethical parameters, and love (respect and knowledge) ends up the most powerful humyn force in existence, the world is thirsting in its imposed political hatreds, it is better to love than throw the brick or slash the sword, but these are last resorts.
Gunter

I'm curious... from personal

I'm curious... from personal experience, I know that when I've been to meetings and shit (which over the past 10 years hasn't been very consistent), I've hardly ever had anyone really talk to me about anarchist theory. Actually, there have been very few occasions where I've even heard nitty gritty theoretical issues discussed. Granted, strategy-oriented theoretical discussions, tactical scenarios, and whatever are discussed for practical reasons... But - is it just me or do you think a lot of infiltrators (not informants) would be easily ousted for simply not knowing what the fuck they're talking about if they actually had to define their positions towards various institutions. Not as a test, but shouldn't we fucking know where we all are coming from anyways? It's not like just any jolly ole person gets into anarchism and to the point of actually wanting to live their principals. I would think there really is a certain learning curve as well when it comes to libertarian theory... and for practical reasons, shouldn't we be developing each others perspectives by communicating them?

When it comes to actual police infiltrating organizing groups, I am shocked by how easily they seem to get away with it. I wouldn't come anywhere near an anarchist meeting without at least SOME convictions and thought-out positions - just for the sake of not feeling like a fucking hypocrite. I may be totally off here, but shouldn't there be some sort of standard we hold ourselves to (and thus each other) when it comes to WHY we are associating or taking the positions we do? This is way different than having a problem with platformists or crimethinc or whatever... but really? SERIOUSLY! A cop with a fuckin patriotic tattoo?

I really wonder if I would be wrong to generalize about how many other anarchists experience the shallow, stuffy, holding-of-breath walking-on-egg-shells feeling of meetings... how many meetings are almost devoid of understanding each others positions... and how desperate-seeming these situations are when we just embrace anyone and everyone (UNLESS ObVIousely a cop dudez) because of some sort of perceived good intentions?

I get wanting to organize with people who are new to anarchism, or who may not have a very nuanced understanding of their own positions, or who just seem to want to help from their "good heart". But at the same time, even beyond security culture... I would really think that the majority of everyday people (especially in their 40's) think about why they are associating with the groups they are, what their positions in life are, and such - and I would think any anarchist over the age of 12 would be able to do fairly well talking about why they are anarchists.

Maybe the spirit of Guy Debord is taking me over and spitting the ole
"If anarchists can tolerate each other, they can tolerate anyone" line. But this is absurd.

-Squee

A cop with a fuckin

A cop with a fuckin patriotic tattoo?

amarchy kids are easy to trick. hell a lot of these amarchy kids don't know that they are directly supporting communism.

please troll better. this

please troll better. this "amarchy" and this "godless god revolution" and this purported lack of knowledge regarding the relationship of activities to what you call "communism" are all bunk.

1) "amarchy" is just stupid. if you want to derail anarchist activities, looking like an insider is much easier to do. we're quite used to being mocked from the outside - see end of "A Now Open Letter to East Bay Express"

2) "godless god revolution"... dumb. this only works as an insult if you think that a relationship to any god is necessary. it's just dumb.

3) regarding your use of "communism" as a pejorative... please learn something about it. everyone here would be against all types of state-communisms (whether despotic, democratic, whatevs) because we're fucking against the state. however, we also (generally) dig anti-state communism because we're fucking against capitalism. yes, we sometimes work with people who have the goal of working towards state-communism because it's sometimes effective working with them in the particular capacities that we do to achieve limited goals. however, you, having watched glen beck enough to actually buy his shit, believe that we are getting duped by communists. we're not. given our ideology of antagonism towards any state, and given our particular history of antagonism (ie. getting totally fucked by previously allied communists [such as Spain and Russia]) towards state-communism, we probably dislike communists more than you. we're not being used by communists, most would rather us just go away so they can continue building the party.

to derail the anarchist movement by trolling, i suggest that you learn something about anarchism and try to insult us from inside for all else is just transparent and dumb. that would require courage on your part for in doing such reading you may find that you would actually agree with us. oh well, you have to learn that shit somewhere.

Agreed! Squee, you are right

Agreed! Squee, you are right on all counts. Theory, philosophy and plans for success seem to be missing from the dialogue on the group level (they do exist on the web, in Zines, publications, blogs and such). I wonder if participation will be hindered with doubts as to the credibility of newcomers. But then again, do we all NEED to be on the same page? My two cents: pig infiltrators cant really do much if they don't witness a crime, sure keeping tabs, taking notes and names, recording meetings are a nuisance, but if we managed to sustain an attack (or protest if you will) and attack real targets (infrastructure, commercial shipping/trucking, and the media) then the "crimes" activists commit will be meaningful and above all sustained. I'm not against smashing windows and attacking the public faces of the banking conglomerate, but when people face arrest because they passionately embraced their cause even above their own security, safety and freedom I cant help but wonder if these are the very people we need most! If we are going to see our brothers and sisters go to jail, I would like it to be for a more significant gain.

I think that this posted

I think that this posted article is very important, especially because police can seemingly infiltrate with relative ease. I advocate a compiling of all of the information surrounding the infiltrations, including the one in Ottawa, into something that can be disseminated to groups at risk of being infiltrated (not limited to anarchist groups, because those unaware of security culture may be that much more susceptible to infiltration).
Maybe something like this already exists? I don't know. But folks should be cognizant of state resources, aims, and tactics. Now in hindsight it seems obvious that they would try and infiltrate. Folks should try to be proactive and predict the next move (which is probably already under way) without being overly paranoid - the age-old dichotomy. Also, of course state tactics are always going to evolve and adapt as well.

But like Squee says, and I don't actively attend meetings nor really know of the culture of meetings in different locales, wouldn't a simple discussion surrounding theory, in a non-intimidating manner, or something like that potentially weed out some of these pathetic fucks? And like was said, especially some of the older people taking interest. They should know something, or at least be able to articulate why they are there or interested.

I'm not concerned about military tattoos; i have seen native folks in rallies and whatnot with the USMC tats. I don't think it's uncommon for people to go south and join military units. However, the canadian flag is just that, a red flag. Although I'm sure lots of little brainwashed morons get these stupid tattoos at a young age before becoming radicalized. They should be able to explain it though. It's fucking suspicious. I move around a lot and as a result I think I draw suspicion, and people question me. I don't take offense to it.

I guess this whole rant to say that the seasoned and experienced should work together and gather knowledge to assist other groups and try to prevent this as much as possible.

I think the anarchists who

I think the anarchists who brought her in should be ostracized from the community.

Actually, most anarchists

Actually, most anarchists don't even know what the fuck they're talking about. You people are so short sighted and closed minded that it would be easy.

Go listen to a bunch of anarchist speeches, read some anarchist literature, hit up anarchist news, and boom, ready for the infiltration work. Anyone with training in intelligence gathering would be more than able to achieve these kinds of things.

The reality is, is that you guys think you're a lot smarter than you really are. It comes with the short-sightedness.

Yes, any sophisticated

Yes, any sophisticated intelligence scheme could get the basics of anarchism down. But how much sophistication and resources is it reasonable to assume were being used in this case and others? Maybe a lot, but that seems like a waste if it is so easy.

Yes, I am willing to accept some of your criticisms as valid. But, are you arguing for anarchists getting their heads out of their asses and thinking in longer terms and with more consideration to the world outside anarchism? Or, is this an argument against the potential for anarchism?

If the former, that is my argument as well. I don't think anarchism is base, simple, and short sighted but it is often taken superficially, accepted uncritically by those who share some basic interests with anarchist theory, and often acted on incoherently. Something I think is a shame. 

If it's the latter, you are using a fallacious argument. There are many anarchists that do know what they are talking about and are not ghettoized in a closed network of other "like minds". Anarchism has developed for a few hundred years and isn't simply an identity. It was at least of serious concern for Karl Marx, Lenin, and other thinkers who could put me to shame and Im sure most others (in their time). It is a philosophy at the fore of much serious academic debate along with contemporary theories of international relations, complexity, philosophy, Etc. It's a part of modern history and not a small part. There is great potential depth and openness with anarchism. It is simply false to assume the whole of anarchism is garbage in the face of what it has and does gain attention for intellectually. 

Between what is potentially an extremely elegant social theory and those who may adopt it is a thousand vaiations of incoherence and over simplification. But my point remains, anarchists can benefit from actually opening up to this sort of discussion at meetings both from an educational standpoint and for the possible ability to recognize not just infiltration, but insincerity and fronting, and other things perilous to anarchist struggle. A dedicated intelligence plot by the State is a repressive use of power that may just be an unavoidable fact of the risks inherent in resisting the State and/or fighting against it. But I seriously doubt that these infiltrators are the crem de la crem of intelligence agents (especially considering the back stories, revealing tattoos, and other pretty sloppy or rather, considered unimportant details). 

But at the  same time, anarchism isn't alone in being easy to gather enough intelligence on to infiltrate. Unless you are infiltrating some very hierarchical groups, I can't imagine a political or social movement this wouldn't be true for. Many people infiltrate other groups without the ability to even use the intelligence gathering technology of federal agencies. Since They are the ones with the ability to do background checks and such, not anarchists, democrats, tea party patriots, the Taliban, or most non-governmental or at least non-wealthy groups... it is simply unrealistic to assume a perfection of clandestinity (which isn't the goal anyway).  So it's more complicated than the short sightedness and egotism of anarchists. This situation just seems plainly avoidable by any group that has strong roots and cultured theoretical conceptions they discuss. If infiltration is a problem, I would think step one would be to assess the standards we have for who we feel comfortable working with. Then work on more practical methods of securing intelligence and plans. At least consider what the purpose of the infiltration is and respond appropriately. Like, start keeping records of meetings that don't discuss illegal activity, start being a bit particular with ones associates, in short just start taking shut seriously. 

-Squee

If a group that I organize

If a group that I organize with started instituting fucking theory discussions into meeting time, I would stop working with them. My ability to tolerate others doesn't have much to do with their positions on anarchist theory, it's primarily their ability not to be assholes. In my experience, people who like to talk about theory in meetings tend to be useless jerks who love to hear themselves talk.

An experience I can't relate

An experience I can't relate too. I suppose that makes sense (cutting into meeting time). What about just getting to know people from meetings more in-depth outside meeting time? I can see some snobbery being a result of theory discussion and why that would put it low on your list of priorities. But where do you see a possibly to avoid this problem of infiltration instead?

I clearly expressed that my experience was personal and questioning the generalizability of it. You have experiences I personally do not I guess. Of theoretical discussion having negative effects on meetings. Since I haven't even seen that happen, I don't expect to know the results. So suggestions? Because I think it is somewhat disconcerting to not express my positions and know others positions I am considering doing something with.

-Squee

should be cross-posted to

should be cross-posted to snitchwire

spread far and wide.

done :

done : )

http://snitchwire.blogspot.com/2010/07/police-infiltrate-anarchists-and.html

snitchwire put up pictures

snitchwire put up pictures of this brenda character too in the updated post.

PS. “Brenda,” we found

PS. “Brenda,” we found your dildo. You should come here and get it so you can go fuck yourself.

no thanx, for some reason a majority of male amarchy-communists like stuff up their butt.

captcha win! then gorbachev

As annoying as this troll

As annoying as this troll is, that captcha is hilarious.

Counter-attack captcha: Thus tactician

the fuck is amarchy possibly

the fuck is amarchy

possibly ambiguous captcha: the cascades

Kops aren't as dumb as they

Kops aren't as dumb as they look. They know better than to send in the 6'-6" crew cut boys with unbelievable wardrobes, and if they do it's usually to distract you from the low-key looking undercovers.
They've also learned that if they send in women or minorities that they can leverage liberal guit against any reasonable suspisions people may have about them.
Identity politics strike again!

No explanation for the beefcake with the marine tattoo though. I'd guess that it wasn't part of thier plan to have him be seen. I'd ask those in the know what was happening at the time and place where he was seen that might cause the po-po to deviate from thier original plan.

i found her on

i found her on twitter

http://twitter.com/bijou1436

uhhh... doesn't look like

uhhh... doesn't look like her.

NOT HER let's not go crazy

NOT HER let's not go crazy over this... pics are on snitchwire.the numerous others innocent Brenda Dougherty should not suffer because a dirty pig used same name in an undercover operation

1) is this for real 2)

1) is this for real
2) really?!
3) how brain dead are people getting to be that they
a) talk about tactical specifics around strangers
b) don't think it is NORMAL to have infiltrators in certain situations
4) state tats are state tats. if someone got them before they were @, wouldnt they ave them altered later? since they were done for a specific symb0lic MEANING.

egads! should we have a new anarchist suffix - @idiots! there seem to be plenty to qualify

9/11 was an inside job

9/11 was an inside job

ugh

ugh

Practising reading body

Practising reading body language cues could go a long way toward sussing out the pigs. Most people aren't able to mask all their nervous tells. Don't forget the poker mantra "the strong act weak and the weak act strong". Maybe this is useful info, maybe not.

I totally met her

I totally met her "boyfriend" "John." Glad I never talked to him. The Marines tat always seemed a little out of place.

dude, they weren't really

dude, they weren't really going out, they were just pretending.

hence the "quotations"

hence the "quotations"

snitchwire posted the

snitchwire posted the account on Khalid. http://snitchwire.blogspot.com/2010/08/concerning-potential-infiltration-in.html

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