'08 race worker held in damage to Colorado Democratic HQ

[Bronx33]

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13203950

One of two people suspected of shattering 11 windows Tuesday morning at the state Democratic Party headquarters has an arrest record and a history of helping a Democratic political candidate, public records show.

Police said that about 2:20 a.m., 24-year-old Maurice Schwenkler, now in custody, and an at-large accomplice took a hammer to the picture windows displaying posters touting President Barack Obama and his health care reform efforts.

Early Tuesday, Democratic Party chairwoman Pat Waak said the damage to her building in Denver's art district was a consequence of "an effort on the other side to stir up hate." She tempered her statement after Schwenkler's political history was revealed.

"What I've been saying is there is a lot of rhetoric out there from both sides of the spectrum," Waak said. "That's what's been disturbing to me. People are saying a lot of things not appropriate for civil discourse."

For weeks, people on both sides of the health care debate have rallied across the country.

Schwenkler is charged with criminal mischief and is to make his first appearance in Denver County Court today.

He is accused of doing an estimated $11,000 in damage and could face a felony conviction.

On the last day of the 2008 Republican National Convention, he was charged with misdemeanor unlawful assembly in St. Paul, Minn.

Court records provided through the St. Paul Pioneer Press show he was jailed about 2 a.m.

Schwenkler received $500 in November 2008 to walk door-to-door in support of Democrat Mollie Cullom, who lost her race to Republican state Rep. David Balmer of Centennial.

Waak, who was not involved with the group that paid Schwenkler, said she's never heard of the suspect and pointed out that just because he canvassed "doesn't mean he's a good Democrat."

Schwenkler was one of dozens of paid canvassers bankrolled by the Colorado Citizens' Coalition, a political 527 committee

Schwenkler has worked for Democratic causes. (Denver Police Department )funded by labor groups and well-known, wealthy liberal donors.

In those disclosures, Schwenkler's address is listed as Derailer Bicycle Cooperative, a free community bicycle collective that operates just around the corner from the Democratic headquarters. Multiple volunteers at the collective declined to discuss Schwenkler, though they said he was affiliated with the group.

Balmer said he suspects the vandalism might have been aimed at making the GOP look bad.

"This sounds like the type of Democratic tactic from the left fringe trying to make Republicans look mean-spirited," Balmer said. "In this case, it blew up in their face. He was caught red-handed."

Schwenkler allegedly tried to conceal his identity while committing the crime by wearing a shirt over his face, a hooded sweat shirt and latex gloves, according to police descriptions.

When a Denver police officer on patrol spotted two people smashing windows, the suspects fled on bicycles.

Schwenkler was arrested after a short foot pursuit, but the other suspect sped away, police Detective Vicki Ferrari said.

She declined to release further details.

[TexanBob]

Latest Update from the Post

A 24-year-old suspected of vandalizing the Colorado Democratic Party headquarters is free on bail this afternoon.

The arrest of Maurice Joseph Schwenkler, known in some circles as the transgendered activist Ariel Attack, sparked chatter on a network of anarchist websites as friends today raised money for bail and legal fees.

Schwenkler was released on $5,000 bail and stands accused of felony criminal mischief for allegedly shattering windows at the Colorado Democratic Party headquarters in Denver with the help of a still-at-large accomplice.

Pleas on several anarchist sites such as Queers Against Obama and Infoshop News described Schwenkler as a "transgendered activist" who uses the name Ariel Attack.

Benjamin Yager, who said he posted the solicitation for the Free Ariel Attack Fund, declined to comment until he could speak with Schwenkler. He said the money raised will cover bail and legal costs.

"Jail is a dangerous place for everyone but especially trans people," Yager wrote on behalf of Denver Bash Back. "We make every effort to get our friends and comrades out."

The Colorado Independent, a political news site, was the first to spot Yager's requests for cash.

Bash Back is a group of radical gay, lesbian and transgendered individuals who began organizing in 2007 to protest the Republican and Democratic conventions, according to its website.

Schwenkler was arrested at a protest in St. Paul, Minn., during the Republican National Convention. He was among a group of protesters gathered on a city bridge who refused to leave, police there say.

In Denver, Schwenkler was paid $500 by a Democratic-leaning political 527 group in 2008 to canvass for a Democratic candidate.

But Tuesday morning, Denver police say Schwenkler, clad in a hoodie and latex gloves, took a hammer to 11 picture windows around 2:20 a.m. at the Democratic headquarters in the Santa Fe Drive arts district. The incident caused an estimated $10,000 in damage.

A party official said the vandals appeared to attack posters promoting President Barack Obama and his health care reform plans.

The Queers Against Obama site, where Schwenkler's friends sought donations for legal expenses, boasts a banner quote that takes aim at both the progressive movement and Obama.

"You progressive 'Obamaniacs' can keep right on being the change you want to hope to see (or whatever Yes you can!), but we refuse to allow you to intimidate us into silence simply because you fear having your willful delusions shattered."

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by Bronx33

Balmer said he suspects the vandalism might have been aimed at making the GOP look bad.

"This sounds like the type of Democratic tactic from the left fringe trying to make Republicans look mean-spirited," Balmer said. "In this case, it blew up in their face. He was caught red-handed."

Good lord what an idiot. Yes...I"m sure it was some kind of devious liberal plot hatched in the bowels of the Obama Czars secret council of commie conspirators to hire this moron. In all honesty, how many people are stupid enough to buy this tripe?

Schwenkler allegedly tried to conceal his identity while committing the crime by wearing a shirt over his face, a hooded sweat shirt and latex gloves, according to police descriptions.

McDaniels!

[Bronx33]

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_13210932

State campaign records show Schwenkler, 24, was paid $500 by Colorado Citizens' Coalition in November to walk door to door for Democrat Mollie Cullom, a candidate for the Legislature from Centennial. The nonprofit group receives funding from several sources, including unions.

Schwenkler was also arrested in St. Paul, Minn., on the last day of the 2008 Republican convention on a charge of unlawful assembly.



Pat waak quoted before she knew the facts: Democrat Party Chairwoman Pat Waak attributed the violence to the intensity surrounding the health care debate, saying, “Clearly there’s been an effort on the other side to stir up hate. I think this is the consequence of it.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by Bronx33

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_13210932

State campaign records show Schwenkler, 24, was paid $500 by Colorado Citizens' Coalition in November to walk door to door for Democrat Mollie Cullom, a candidate for the Legislature from Centennial. The nonprofit group receives funding from several sources, including unions.

Schwenkler was also arrested in St. Paul, Minn., on the last day of the 2008 Republican convention on a charge of unlawful assembly.



Pat waak quoted before she knew the facts: Democrat Party Chairwoman Pat Waak attributed the violence to the intensity surrounding the health care debate, saying, “Clearly there’s been an effort on the other side to stir up hate. I think this is the consequence of it.

So some loser who is paid $500 to pass out hand bills gets off his meds and vandalizes property and that makes him a counter intelligence political agent.

This is place is great comedy.

[Bronx33]

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

So some loser who is paid $500 to pass out hand bills gets off his meds and vandalizes property and that makes him a counter intelligence political agent.

This is place is great comedy.

Simply pointing out it was a lefty and this story is getting no media if it were republicans getting cuaght doing this it will be all over the place make fun of it howerver you want.

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

So some loser who is paid $500 to pass out hand bills gets off his meds and vandalizes property and that makes him a counter intelligence political agent.

This is place is great comedy.

yeah bourne identity it ain't lol!!!!

Comedy that anyone would think this matters!!!!

Too funny.

Politics on the board got ridiculous and it's spilling over into the football side.

I'm sticking to my promise. Once reg season under way no more politics.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Originally Posted by Bronx33

Simply pointing out it was a lefty and this story is getting no media if it were republicans getting cuaght doing this it will be all over the place make fun of it howerver you want.

Dude...the fact that you think this is a real story is hilarious.

[Rohirrim]

What kind of name is Schwenkler?

[Spider]

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

Dude...the fact that you think this is a real story is hilarious.

I love this place