Willem van Spronsen
| Willem van Spronsen | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1950 Netherlands |
| 💀Died | July 13, 2019 (aged 68–69) Tacoma, Washington, United StatesJuly 13, 2019 (aged 68–69) |
| Other names | Emma Durutti |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| Known for | Attack on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicles used to deport undocumented immigrants |
Willem van Spronsen (1950 - July 13, 2019) was an anarchist and musician killed by police while attempting to destroy vehicles that a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement contractor facility used to deport undocumented immigrants.
van Spronsen was born in the Netherlands, later living in France and Vashon Island, Washington, in the United States.[1] He worked as a carpenter, construction worker, and folk singer, sometimes using the pen name Emma Durutti, created from the names of anarchists Emma Goldman and Buenaventura Durruti.[2] He was also an Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor and had previously been a member of the Puget Sound John Brown Gun Club.[2][3]
van Spronsen had a history of using direct action, having been arrested in 2018 for attempting to de-arrest another protestor demonstrating against ICE at the Northwest Detention Center[2]. He was also involved in the 2011 Occupy movement.[2] His fatal 2019 attack at the ICE facility had been planned in advance and he didn't expect to survive, according to goodbye letters and an explanation mailed to friends before the attack[2]. Local activists believe he was targeting the busses used to deport undocumented immigrants.[2] During the confrontation with Tacoma Police Department Spronsen was shot multiple times and killed. No one else was reported injured or killed.[4] van Spronsen said in his letter:[1]
To my comrades:
Giving me space to be useful, to feel that I was fulfilling my ideals, has been the spiritual pinnacle of my life. Doing what I can to help defend my precious and wondrous people is an experience too rich to describe.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Willem Van Spronsen's Action against the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma". Crimethinc. Retrieved 2019-07-17.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Willem Van Spronsen aka Emma Durutti: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy. Retrieved 2019-07-17.
- ↑ "'His heart was tender and large.' Daughter of antifa killed at Northwest Detention Center reflects on his life". KUOW. Retrieved 2019-07-17.
- ↑ "Armed man attacking Tacoma's ICE detention center killed in officer-involved shooting". Seattle Times. Retrieved 2019-07-17.
External Links[edit]
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