A network of leftwing agitators is distributing helmets, respirators, and other gear that appears intended for use in stand-offs with law enforcement to anti-ICE protesters on the “front lines” of the Los Angeles riots, a Daily Wire investigation has found.
The revelation follows the FBI’s arrest of a leftist who is believed to have handed out gas masks to anti-ICE rioters in an apparent attempt to neutralize the police’s tear gas and pepper spray. Alejandro Theodoro Ornella was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Civil Disorder, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli announced Thursday.
The Daily Wire can now report he is not the only person involved in a scheme to furnish agitators with gear.
One leftwing activist boasted on Instagram that she was able to “distribute over 100 pairs of work gloves, 50 helmets, and 500 masks at LA City Hall today!” adding that she also distributed “fire blankets, respirators, ponchos, and earplugs.”
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The woman, who goes by the username “Shaaaandraaaaahhh” on the social media platform, assured her audience in her post over the weekend that “I will restock and organize a pick-up date and time so that those of you on the FRONT LINES can get exactly what you need.”
She also posted a video of a shopping cart full of items that would be distributed to agitators, including what appear to be respirators. Then in the comments, she offered advice to one leftist who asked how they could best defend against tear gas. “What respirator mask do you recommend for combating tear gas?” one user with a pride flag profile picture asked.
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“If you can afford it, a full on gas mask … but they’re heavy and cumbersome,” the activist said in response. “Otherwise a half-mask respirator. You can get them for around $45-50 at hardware stores,” she went on to say under the post, which featured a shopping cart full of what appear to be half-mask respirators.
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In an earlier post encouraging people to attend a “mass mobilization” action against ICE, she advertised the impending gear distribution, adding “Only grab gear if you are literally going out to the front lines TODAY.”
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But the Instagram user, who has a history of anti-Israel activism, was not acting alone. She tagged multiple informal organizations in her posts, including “socaluprising” and “eastlaimagee” thanking them for helping her fundraise for the supplies. One group on Instagram, called “SuperFamilia_KC,” was credited by the activist “for bringing everyone together to raise funds for this important cause,” while another post said that the group “donated funds” to the effort.
The group’s Venmo account is attached to the name “Rosario Lopez Hernandez,” who appears to be heavily involved in leftist protest organizing. Lopez Hernandez was among the organizers who set up tents and formed an encampment on a Washington State property owned by the City of Kent as she pushed the city to provide housing for illegal aliens. Lopez Hernandez demanded that the city house illegal aliens in a motel that was reserved for homeless American citizens.
She and her team of activists pulled the same stunt in Seattle, forming another encampment at a public park, again demanding housing for illegal aliens. Lopez Hernandez chased out one reporter who entered the encampment. She was also charged with trespassing at a Seattle City Council meeting, which she attended to again demand the city provide housing to illegal aliens.
The Venmo account’s history shows multiple people sending donations with phrases like “f*ck ICE” and “Ice melts under resistance.”
The activist behind the Instagram account also reposted a “non-violent guide” called “how to make it harder for cops to do their jobs,” which recommended activists pick up tear gas canisters and “return to owner,” or throw it back at the police.
“Make sure you’re wearing heat resistant gloves!” the post says, adding “cops have gas masks and threw it at you, so feel no shame and yeet that shit.”
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Super Familia made a post of their own, which read “if you plan to put your body on the line … wear heat resistant gloves, pads, long sleeves, a helmet, and bring an umbrella,” referencing many of the items that it appears to have helped fundraise for.
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While other leftwing groups fundraise for and distribute respirators, helmets, and other material that could be used by rioters, Ornella now sits in federal custody and could face up to five years in prison if convicted. “We are moving quickly to identify and arrest those involved in organizing and/or supporting civil disorder in Los Angeles,” Essayli noted after the arrest.
