# Yvette Felarca: heroine? ... or terrorist? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 7, 2017, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237 "2017-02-07T16:13:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237/1 "2017-02-07T16:13:18Z")
[Here is a video of Yvette Felarca, an organizer for BAMN, being interviewed](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2dd1YoDULg). She has a wound dressing on her forehead. This was after she was allegedly attacked by a neo-Nazi though I didn’t find a YouTube of the attack on Youtube … perhaps that attack is another Alternate Fact. **magellan01** linked to [a video of Yvette Felarca assaulting a white supremacist](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuWoQfZgW7M), though not mentioning her by name. My understanding is that this video was taken shortly before the attack against Ms. Felarca, and the interview in first link. BAMN is a militant organization which, according to one blogger, “is an antifa cult, led (in part) by Yvette Felarca, that literally kidnaps teenagers, forces them to defoo their families and serve in their militant antifa organization.” (What does ‘defoo’ mean?) I had never heard of Ms. Felarca nor of BAMN until I clicked on Magellan’s video. Searching shows she has never been mentioned at SDMB (unless her name was truncated or misspelled). BAMN had one passing mention: > [@What can truly be done about "Trump supporters"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-truly-be-done-about-trump-supporters/768328/178): > > Right now the disaffected right has a candidate and the disaffected left does not, but wait a few years and see what the Trump of the left looks like. Bernie Sanders was a relatively nice guy. The next one won’t be. And when he is treated like Trump—and he will be—there will be a reckoning. > … > BLM “leadership” is already subverted by the same kind of idiots that subverted OWS, but sad for you, you clowns never fucking learn: the rank and file will not follow you around like dogs forever… Go to one of these “anti-nazi” BAMN [my emphasis] events and tell them America is already great. Hang around the next rage-induced protest at police officers killing citizens and explain it to them. Head on down to the Trump rally and lay it out in, what do you think, short sentences with small words? Will that do it? Chortle chuckle chortle? > > You’re all idiots. Actual fucking idiots. They are sharpening the metaphorical guillotine blades right now and you wonder if reading the fucking New York Times is going to help. No, dude. Telling a sniper shooting cops that was blown up by a remote controlled bomb is not going to be fixed by the fucking New York Times… > > As far as I can tell, that common enemy is exactly like at least three quarters of the people in this thread. > > I don’t know which of the many countries you _don’t_ want to live in that America will look like, but it _is_ going to be one of them, and it will have absolutely, positively, 100%, without a doubt, unquestionably, provably, _nothing on earth to do with Donald Trump_. > > Please ban me, I’m done with this place. I don’t fully understand the **erislover** post (which is much longer than the excerpts) but I don’t think he’s pro-BAMN or pro-Felarca. Neither is Magellan: > [@Lawyers: Is this assault? If so, aren't the cops obligated to arrest the perpetrators?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawyers-is-this-assault-if-so-arent-the-cops-obligated-to-arrest-the-perpetrators/779223/1): > > I came across [this video.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuWoQfZgW7M) > > In it a lone protestor of some stripe seems to be on the UC Berkeley Campus. He is alone, standing right in front of a bunch of cops. A woman, who happens to be an activist and a professor at the school, wants the person to leave. She starts pushing him, then actually punching hi, At about this time, some of her fellow activists tackle the guy and punch and kick him when he’s on the ground. The cops finally come in and rescue the guy, and then just make him leave. > > Okay, my questions are: > > 1. Are cops allowed to stand by and simply watch one person being assaulted? > 2. When witnessing the assault in action, are they obligated in any way to arrest the assailants? > 3. What is your take on the the behavior of the cops here? > 4. Could the guy who got attacked sue the police based on this video? > 5. Could this victim, again based on this video, insist that the assailants be arrested and prosecuted. I think Magellan has some of his facts wrong. The protest was from June 2016 and took place in Sacramento. Ms. Felarca is a Berkeley Middle School teacher, not a UCB professor. More significantly, Ms. Felarca’s fists were only tickling the big strong guy (who holds a weapon, but deploys it unsuccessfully if at all). The cops _did_ step in, when the guy started getting kicked. And “the lone protestor” had friend(s) who showed up with a knife and wounded Ms. Felarca. Anyway, I have mixed feelings. I’m not pleased that BAMN is kidnapping children and forcing them to riot. :eek: But watching Ms. Felarca be interviewd I find myself admiring her, and wishing I were young again. 😃 My first urge was to Pit **magellan01**. I suppose Ms. Felarca’s “attack” on big neo-Nazi was technically assault, but **magellan01** ’s whining seems so typical of the right-wing scum now taking over America. They complain that whites are oppressed, laugh when Trump’s goons beat up blacks, but post as above, wanting us to know that Neo-Nazis are special snowflakes too, and need the cops to ward off Ms. Felarca’s petite fists. I object to the _kicking_ of unnamed “neo-Nazi”, but **magellan01** wanted Ms. Felarca arrested when she was just pushing him. So … I leave it to Dopers. Is she a heroine? a terrorist? or just another American with justifiable anger leaving in interesting times? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237/2 "2017-02-07T16:26:26Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > (What does ‘defoo’ mean?) Bonus question: what does “antifa” mean? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237/3 "2017-02-07T16:29:48Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Bonus question: what does “antifa” mean? Anti-fascist. Revolutionary groups come up with _cutest_ abbreviations. Total adorbs! ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237/4 "2017-02-07T16:42:46Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Anti-fascist. Revolutionary groups come up with _cutest_ abbreviations. > > Total adorbs! That’s “totes adorbs” to you, fascist scum! ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237/5 "2017-02-07T16:43:06Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Anti-fascist. Revolutionary groups come up with _cutest_ abbreviations. > > Total adorbs! “Totes” adorbs, surely. And thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237/6 "2017-02-07T16:43:10Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Bonus question: what does “antifa” mean? Antifascist. Bunch of gits with axe handles and an urge to use them. They’re the left’s answer to nazi skinheads, except justified by the latter’s aggression. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237/7 "2017-02-07T17:01:42Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > That’s “totes adorbs” to you, fascist scum! Fa-Scu! ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237/8 "2017-02-07T18:00:28Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > So … I leave it to Dopers. Is she a heroine? a terrorist? or just another American with justifiable anger leaving in interesting times? In my opinion, she’s neither heroine nor terrorist. She did strike another person and that’s a generally crime. I agree it’s not the crime of the century, but it’s not correct to laugh it off as “tickling,” and even if it were tickling, unwanted tickling is still assault and everyone, even neo-Nazis, are entitled to the protection of the law. It’s not clear to me if the man identified as a neo-Nazi also committed some crime that the video does not show. We do not, in other words, have the whole story, and I’d prefer to withhold judgement until I hear a complete explanation of events. ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237/9 "2017-02-07T18:02:14Z")
At least her fake bandage was amusing. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237/10 "2017-02-07T18:05:22Z")
It was either assault, or self defense, depending on what really happened - and what led up to it. It was NOT terror. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237/11 "2017-02-07T18:06:19Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > I suppose Ms. Felarca’s “attack” on big neo-Nazi was technically assault, > [@](#): > > I object to the _kicking_ of unnamed “neo-Nazi”, but **magellan01** wanted Ms. Felarca arrested when she was just pushing him. If the attack is “technically” assault, then I want her “technically” arrested – and for her to get “technically” fined, and to “technically” serve time behind bars. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237/12 "2017-02-07T18:11:17Z")
Terrorism? Just how panicky are we these days? [TERRORISM!!](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjKkc_Iyv7RAhWJjlQKHRicDGAQyCkIHDAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DSrv_V3-oqsc&usg=AFQjCNHDzqisOVw6SjPICmBg13rpD0EdIg&bvm=bv.146094739,d.cGw) ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237/13 "2017-02-07T18:20:11Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > It was either assault, or self defense, depending on what really happened - and what led up to it. > > It was NOT terror. I suppose it’s possible that it’s self-defense, but I can’t imagine what unseen events might make it so. California does not have a “stand your ground” law. The video clearly shows Ms. Felarca pushing forward to strike the unnamed male. Self-defense in California (outside the home) includes a duty to retreat and only authorizes the use of force if retreat is not feasible. So I agree we need the whole story, but I’m having trouble coming up with a scenario that makes her visible actions into self-defense. Maybe it’s a failure of imagination on my part – what were you thinking? ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237/14 "2017-02-07T18:23:20Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I suppose it’s possible that it’s self-defense, but I can’t imagine what unseen events might make it so. > > California does not have a “stand your ground” law. The video clearly shows Ms. Felarca pushing forward to strike the unnamed male. Self-defense in California (outside the home) includes a duty to retreat and only authorizes the use of force if retreat is not feasible. > > So I agree we need the whole story, but I’m having trouble coming up with a scenario that makes her visible actions into self-defense. Maybe it’s a failure of imagination on my part – what were you thinking? I said " … either assault, or self defense, depending … " Lots of words that mean “shit if I know”. Did he take a swipe at her? Did he pose some sort of real threat? “Shit if I know”. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237/15 "2017-02-07T18:24:17Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > If the attack is “technically” assault, then I want her “technically” arrested – and for her to get “technically” fined, and to “technically” serve time behind bars. You seem to have left out the “technically” convicted in a court of law. But then, this _is_ the Trump era of justice. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237/16 "2017-02-07T18:25:42Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > So I agree we need the whole story, but I’m having trouble coming up with a scenario that makes her visible actions into self-defense. He hit her in the fist with his ribs. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237/17 "2017-02-07T18:28:11Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > He hit her in the fist with his ribs. > > Regards, > Shodan Guilty! String him up 😃 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237/18 "2017-02-07T18:46:53Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > You seem to have left out the “technically” convicted in a court of law. Oh, hey, I’d want that too; I want rather a lot of things. After all, I’d sure like for her to “technically” be read her rights, and to be “technically” provided with a lawyer if she can’t afford one; and, with any luck, maybe she’ll “technically” come to see the error of her ways and “technically” apologize to the guy on live national television. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237/19 "2017-02-07T19:00:26Z")
Ms. Felarca certainly wasn’t acting in self-defense, at least in any strict sense, nor did she claim to. She brags that her organization is “militant” and uses “any means necessary.” She told the neo-Nazi to “Get off our street,” referring to the public street. I never doubted that she was guilty of assault and apologize to any who thought that was my question. :rolleyes: I think the cops were correct and showed admirable restraint by intervening only when bodily injury was threatened. (The cops used clubs rather than guns?? We could have guessed this took place in a Western or Northeastern state — cops in Trumpland are trained to use only deadly force.) I doubt that BAMN’s approach will do any good — it will only serve to further enrage and stupefy the enraged stupid people. Nor do I approve of violence: it was peaceful disobedience that led to the Civil Rights victories of the 1960’s. _ **But I can’t help liking and admiring her** _! Whatever one thinks of her methods, at least she’s trying to stand up to the on-going tragedy America has become. Many of us just say “Don’t blame me! I cast my one vote. Maybe I’ll cast another one in 2 or 4 years.” How well is that working out for all y’all? ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2017, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237/20 "2017-02-07T19:06:05Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Bonus question: what does “antifa” mean? A short, short way to run. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yvette-felarca-heroine-or-terrorist/779237.md?page=2)