An Antifa domestic terrorist well known for posting extremist and violent leftist content on multiple forums has been arrested and charged after video footage showed him shooting at protesters and Proudboys demonstrating against COVID19 mRNA treatment “vaccine” mandates. Benjamin Anthony Varela, 36, of Olympia, WA, a member of the Democrat Socialists of America met up with dozens of other Antifa led by organizer Miguel Lofland, who traveled to Olympia from all over the Northwest to the vaccine mandate protest. According to The JOLT News, Lofland had placed a call to action on social media to “disrupt and shut it down.”
“The two protesting groups had upwards of 30-40 people involved, with Antifa members being chased away from Olympia City Hall by the Proud Boy members. Police say Antifa organizer Miguel Lofland had rallied members to disrupt a local city council candidate’s campaign video, set to be filmed at city hall. “
In his recently wiped Twitter profile, Varela described himself as a “professional anarchist, thug, and paid protester.”
For context: according to The New York Post, check out some of Varela’s greatest online hits. These are posts he actually made on various social media and online forums such as ‘Something Awful’.
- “Start hurting people, the coronavirus is going to provide great cover for a real revolution.” – March 2020
- “9/11 was good because the US is a Nazi state so we deserved it.” -2018
From a Peaceful Protest to Guarded By Proudboys, To A Running Melee and Antifa Shooting
Prior to the arrival of Antifa at the protest near the Washington Capital, the scene was quiet with protesters holding up signs near Sylvester Park and calling for cars to honk their horns in support. However, once Antifa arrived on the scene to disrupt the protest, the Proudboys who volunteered to protect the protesters responded by chasing them off.
According to The New York Post,
“The black-clad group was met by the rally’s volunteer right-wing security, who included Proud Boys members. When the Antifa group ran to the Intercity Transit Station, one of their masked members turned around and fired five 9mm pistol rounds in the direction of the right-wing group, which was about 50 feet behind, according to security footage. Proud Boys member Tusitala Toese was injured in the shooting.”
According to footage from The Free Press Media, after the Antifa Black Bloq engaged the protesters they were pursued by Proudboys for several blocks hitting the riot shield-bearing security volunteers with mace and pepper spray as they fled and scattered with a handful running through the Intercity transit station. It was there that Varela turned, drew his 9mm, and fired five shots into the Proudboys some fifty feet behind striking Toese.
Video of one of the assaults OlyPD is investigating from 9/4. If you have any information about this crime or other assaults from that day, please contact us at 360.753.8300 or 360.704.2740 or crime stoppers 800.222.8477. Statement from our Police Chief: https://t.co/rde2dhMwv2 pic.twitter.com/10PsUGUl1x
— Olympia Police Dept (@OlyPD) September 10, 2021
Varela, described by police as a claims adjudicator, was charged with first-degree assault and reckless endangerment in the Sept. 4 shooting of 25-year-old Tusitala “Tiny” Toese, 25, of Battle Ground, WA, a protester who was associated with the “Proud Boys” movement. Toese was transported to a local hospital in stable condition.
Samoan right-wing activist Tusitala Toese was shot in Olympia, Wash. Antifa organized a direct action against a medical freedom protest at the state Capitol. Video by @JLeeQuinn: pic.twitter.com/oZSc1QJRDf
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) September 4, 2021
