May Day attack on santa cruz McDonald's

Native Hawaiians that advocates sovereignty locked the gates of a historic palace Wednesday in downtown Honolulu.

Protest leader Mahealani Kahau said the group doesn't recognize Hawaii as a U.S. state. Supporters planned to keep the protest peaceful and if arrested would return later, she said.

The group is one of several Hawaiian sovereignty organizations in the islands seeking to regain independence, which was formally annexed as the 50th U.S. state in 1959

Anyone can smash a window. I'm no fan of McDonalds or capitalism, but I wonder... what have you done to promote or build a credible alternative? How does window smashing help anyone or anything, or impact the global system of capitalism beyond the worker who has to clean up after you?

Smashing a window at McDonald's in Santa Cruz to protest the Beijing Olympics isn't very effective. Why destroy private property of a locally-owned franchise that just happens to be associated with a multinational corporation? If I were the owner of that business, I would certainly be upset. Violent tactics such as these just don't work. What does work is letters to the editor, writing to our government, writing to the Chinese government, boycotting Chinese goods, but breaking windows? No.

Some people smash windows. Some people lobby, petition, start community action groups, etc. We need all kinds, more of all kinds.
Smash on.

I do not understand smashing a window especially to stop capitalism or hurt china. The poor local owner of your McDonald's is already trying to make ends meet with the surge in food, utility, and gas prices. His/Her insurance deductible probably won't even cover the window cost because they can't afford insurance like that. So now the owner has to cut hours of a US worker to pay for the window. By smashing that window you just increased the profit of the window manufacturer ... the Chinese window manufacture. Real good. Real smart.

I'm all for smashing greedy capitalist corps, but I think your comfortable, unaware, outsider point of view contradicts your actions. For example, who do you think will pick up your mess? Definitely not the CEO's or any other considered enemy; no, it will be the working-class worker you supposedly identify with. By your "solidarity" action, all your doing is making your compatriot work harder. Again, I am by no means defending the evils of Mcdonalds or any other greedy capitalist pricks. I'm just providing constructive criticism so you can acknowledge your outsider position and the line that divides you with those who truly struggle. Keep up the fight, but understand where you stand. See you in the streets

This story is short on details, high on rhetoric. I don't know any activists who would put themselves at risk in this way and not write a clear story as to what prompted such actions --- actions that could indeed hurt people.

No solidarity, here.

"Some people smash windows. Some people lobby, petition, start community action groups, etc. We need all kinds, more of all kinds.
Smash on."


...and historically, what has been more effective? Fucking shit up and breaking things, or working in and out of the system to create alternative models? This has to be the weakest justification of direct action ever.

1) I can understand that the people who took responsibility for the action would choose to be anonymous here. In fact, they would be foolish not to be. But why don't the people who make criticisms use their names, or at least a consistent pseudonym? What retaliation could they suffer?

2) MacDonald's has been known as a virulently right-wing, predatory corporation since before 1970, when Ray Kroc personally ordered the "owner" of a franchise near Kent State University to raise the AmeriKKKan flag back to full height after it had been lowered to half-staff in memory of the four murdered anti-war students. (The "owner" had lowered it because he was afraid of retaliation by outraged demonstrators if he didn't. By that time, MacDonald's was already well hated by anybody with a social conscience.) Therefore, it's hard to imagine why anybody except a right-wing creep would have sympathy for a MacDonald's franchise owner. Either they know what MacDonald's is, or they're too dumb to operate a business.

3a) PB&J writes: "So now the owner has to cut hours of a US worker to pay for the window." I suppose we should all spend money at MacDonald's so they can afford to exploit even more workers!

3b) PB&J continues: "By smashing that window you just increased the profit of the window manufacturer ... the Chinese window manufacture." So they can INCREASE the hours of a Chinese worker? By your logic, that's a good thing, unless you're a United Snakes-nationalist scumbag who thinks that Chinese workers are less deserving of such (very dubious!) benefits than are U.S.-ian workers.

I agree this communique is high on rhetoric and does nothing to present a viable alternative to the status quo of McD's, though perhaps a viable alternative isn't needed for fast food corporations after the collapse of the capitalist state. In further defense, its minor vandalism at most and I feel no pity for the asshole who decided to buy into a McDonalds Franchise. His the violence he sows on the world is immense and if someone breaking his windows on Mayday is all that happens, then I suppose he got off easy if we look at things from global standpoint.
As for the question of why someone would "fuck shit up" I argue economic sabatoge and intimidation methods are the only way to fight a corporation. If you still have faith in the democratic process of Amerika, and believe that voting does anything, I envy your ignorance.
Now, I doubt a few hundred dollars damage will greatly affect the Chinese government or the outcome of of any Olympic Politics, though as with any covert art/"terrorism" intervention a succesful dialogue is created regarding several issues.
Its also sets a precedent that someone is doing something, whether or not you agree.

What the fuck are you doing?


Oh yeah, I'm kidding.

There are also rumors of damage to ATMs in Santa Cruz

YOU WROTE:
"MacDonald's has been known as a virulently right-wing, predatory corporation since before 1970, when Ray Kroc personally ordered the "owner" of a franchise near Kent State University to raise the AmeriKKKan flag back to full height after it had been lowered to half-staff in memory of the four murdered anti-war students. (The "owner" had lowered it because he was afraid of retaliation by outraged demonstrators if he didn't. By that time, MacDonald's was already well hated by anybody with a social conscience.) Therefore, it's hard to imagine why anybody except a right-wing creep would have sympathy for a MacDonald's franchise owner. Either they know what MacDonald's is, or they're too dumb to operate a business."

There is no record of that.

Besides you may only lower the American Flag when the President says you can. You may only lower your state flag when your Governor says you can. You may lower your corporate flag when you want to.

Did you know that McDonald's is one of the most diverse companies in the world and has over 10,000 small business owners? Who is the president of McDonald's in USA?
Also, McDonald's provides Houses near children's hospitals for the parents to stay while their kids are sick and the parents do not even have to pay to stay there. McDonald's also has buses with dentists and doctors to help out kids in poor areas who do not even know how to take care of their teeth. Where else can you start out as a crew person and become an owner or even the CEO?

Did you know during the LA riots the Fast Food restaurants and other businesses were burned and robbed, but ZERO McDonald's were? When they asked a rioter why, they said McDonald's always gave them that chance to start their life over.

Did you know that 60% of jobs are provided by small businesses?

My comment on the window is to the point of the first message about boycotting China. Because breaking windows would most likely help China's revenues.

YOU WROTE:
"So they can INCREASE the hours of a Chinese worker? By your logic, that's a good thing, unless you're a United Snakes-nationalist scumbag who thinks that Chinese workers are less deserving of such (very dubious!) benefits than are U.S.-ian workers."

AND NO I do not approve of some kid who is 9 years old, working 80 hours a week for $2, that will be making the window. Not to mention the unsafe polluted environment.

And if you know anything about business when you have to pay for something unexpectedly the easiest place to save money fast is by cutting your labor. Or you could leave some lights off...but that might take a while to regain the money.

Off topic but to clarify what happened --
They did not just lock gates in Hawaii, they took over the Palace completely. The police are getting ready to arrest them. They said the would be peaceful when they came with warrants. This has been an ongoing struggle for a long time.

I say smash as many Macdonald's windows as you can. They do not serve any healthy purpose in our society.

No one just happens into biz with a multi national corporation as someone said. Just because they are a "private franchise owner" does not make them irresponsible for the actions of the corporation they choose to get in bed with.

The only problem with this was, more windows were not broken and it was not as organized as I would have liked to have seen. But hey, its a start! You may have saved someone from a heart attack.

I am sure the workers were glad to get outside and cleanup glass rather then be in the sweltering heat of the kitchen drenched in grease.

Ok, Smash, since I disagree with your opinions I'll be over later to smash your windows and anything else I can find.

Be Careful in smashing my windows. I heavily believe in the Second Amendment, which was written in case the government can't take care of me or if we need to overthrow a tyrant.

"As for the question of why someone would "fuck shit up" I argue economic sabotage and intimidation methods are the only way to fight a corporation. If you still have faith in the democratic process of Amerika, and believe that voting does anything, I envy your ignorance."

Yeah, I'm sure the corporate fatcats at Mickey D's are really trembling in their offices right now, losing sleep over a poorly smashed window in Santa Cruz.

I'm not opposed to direct action, given that it is applied effectively at the proper time and venue. I just fail to see how actions such as these engage the workers at McDonalds as well as the general public whose support is critical in convincing them that McDonalds and other MNCs are destructive entities. How is this violence any different than the violence perpetuated (albeit on a much larger scale) by corporations? Corporations justify their violence based on expanding their profit margins, and you're doing it based on your ideas of liberation. It's still private violence based on achieving an individual end.

"Corporations justify their violence based on expanding their profit margins, and you're doing it based on your ideas of liberation. It's still private violence based on achieving an individual end."

As compared to what? Pacifism?
Once again, I envy those from sheltered enough backgrounds to truly believe Pacifism is an attainable ideal. Yes, smashing windows is violent, though perhaps not nearly as violent as allowing things like McDonalds to exist.
I agree, McDonalds CEO's probably will never even hear of this happening. Though the local manager now has to deal with the fact that people are not going to put up with his violence, and in turn will act in self defense in solidarity for those oppressed by the corporation he jumped into bed with.
As well, as an act of solidarity, see how many McD's have been fucked up in the last year or two alone, that certainly is a voice being heard by Ray Crocs predecessors.

"I'll be over later to smash your windows"

right on, I live on California street right across from the high school. I'll be waiting.

Please do me a favor and give your state back to Mexico. You do not deserve it no matter how many Mexicans and Indians you killed.

California and your thinking is a drain on the Union and our economy!!!

Your thinking fits in line with France, so go there to live...you are not Americans.

You do not understand the importance of business and all the bills they pay so you can live your fancy little pathetic lives. You want to sue them every day to get your lottery ticket. You want socialized medicine, but do not even visit countries with socialized medicine to see the long waits and the fact EVERYONE has YELLOW teeth.

Oh, if you control the Schools you can teach people that oral hygiene does not matter...the sooner you die the sooner they stop paying for you. AND your counrty is the largest in the world like Cuba teaches. Wait until there are no Doctors who will work for $28,000 like a teacher, then you will be real screwed. Oh I forgot you need to die soon anyway so the government can stop paying your bills.

All you socialist idiots need to go back to school. Maybe pay for your education so you can really learn what is beyond your four walls.

I just can't believe how stupid you are and your comments. I would never want to live in California and be a drag on the economy. Drain all the businesses so they go elsewhere!!! Real Smart!

Please do not be a Democrat, create your own party. I would never associate you with Jefferson or any of the other great Democrats. I understand you want to be on a winning team but you can do it make your own. Then you will see how alone you are. "Well the Socialist won California, but the other 49 states voted against them at an alarming rate of 99.9%. We do have a .01% margin of error." Wait you might get Massachusetts, but never the other parts of New England.

Bit preusmptive don't ya think?

I'm sure as hell not a Socialist.