The Bay Rage Brigade (BRB), also known as Be Right Back and Banko Revenge Brigade, 1 2 is a radical-left extremist group that is anonymously organized though its takes credit for acts of vandalism in the San Francisco area. 3 4
The group has conducted acts of vandalism against business and organizations connected to, or have done business with, the State of Israel. They claim to support acts of “Palestinian resistance” to Israel, including the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack against Israel by the terror group Hamas. 4
Background
BRB is an anonymously organized, radical-left extremist group that have conducted demonstrations that result in acts of vandalism, arson, and spreading threats of further violence. It has commonly used its name, BRB, as an acronym for Be Right Back, but has also used it as an acronym for Bay Rage Brigade and Banko Revenge Brigade. 1 2 BRB publishes information about its activities on the IndyBay website, an “anti-capitalist” publication based in San Francisco, California. 5
Following the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attack on the State of Israel, BRB released a statement claiming, “If the October 7th offensive taught us anything it is that courage, ingenuity, commitment to attack, and organizing across political tendencies is how we will win.” 4 6
Activities
Anti-Israel Attacks
In November 2023, BRB announced that it had begun coordinated “attacks” against what it described as “targets” in the San Francisco area that were accused of doing business with the State of Israel. One example was an HSBC building, which was vandalized due to accusations of “maintaining business relations” with companies that sell weapons technology to Israel. Another “target” was a United States military recruitment office over claims of Israel being a “primary recipient” of military aid. Other examples included vandalizing a local Starbucks location, due to claims by BRB that the company “represses” pro-Palestinian workers, as well as vandalizing several General Motors (GM) vehicles due to the company having offices in Israel while contracting with an Israeli technology company. 4
BRB justified its actions by claiming, “For every increase in repression in Palestine there must be a corresponding repercussion for the settler state/s…[w]e must militantly oppose genocide and occupation, we must act.” 4
Banko Brown Vandalism
In September 2023, BRB announced that it had vandalized three Walgreens locations within the San Francisco area, claiming the acts were done in “vengeance” for Banko Brown, a homeless transgender man who had been shot and killed by a Walgreens security officer. 7
Later in September 2023, BRB activists vandalized a Hilton Hotel in San Francisco that was hosting a “Women Are Real” art exhibit claiming to show the potential dangers of gender transition surgeries. BRB wrote the phrase “No TERFs on our turf” on the property due to opposition to the art exhibit. 3
References
- “Four Targets Attacked for Palestine: BRB Part 4.” Indybay, November 4, 2023. https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2023/11/04/18860042.php?show_comments=1#18861061.
- “Part 2: Walgreens Redecorated; Banko Forever.” Indybay. Accessed September 29, 2024. https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2023/09/04/18858758.php.
- Buttons, Christina. “Women’s Art Exhibit Featuring Detransitioner Portraits Vandalized in San Francisco.” realityslaststand.com, September 23, 2023. https://www.realityslaststand.com/p/womens-art-exhibit-featuring-detransitioner.
- “Four Targets Attacked for Palestine: BRB Part 4.” Indybay. Accessed September 29, 2024. https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2023/11/04/18860042.php?show_comments=1#18861061.
- “About Us.” Indybay. Accessed September 29, 2024. https://www.indybay.org/about.
- “TERF Show Vandalized: Trans Autonomy Forever.” Indybay. Accessed September 29, 2024. https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2023/09/17/18858974.php.
- “Community Demands Justice for Banko Brown.” Indybay. Accessed September 29, 2024. https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2023/05/31/18856409.php.