The hard-left cadre of revolutionary activists that always turns up to light fires, smash windows, block traffic, and inflict nuisance on civil society in the East Bay at any excuse (Occupy Wall Street, police shootings, or any whaddya got opportunity) were out again last night in Berkeley.  Perhaps angered by their failure Saturday night to smash the state and create socialist utopia on Earth, they were more violent Sunday, targeting banks and national chains such as Jack in the Box hamburgers, but also attacking small businesses and assaulting peaceful demonstrators who tried to restrain the mayhem.

Once again, the most detailed coverage was provided by local news website Berkeleyside, whose reporter Emilie Raguso bravely stayed with the fracas from its 5 PM start through the wee hours of the morning today.  Ms. Raguso’s report is full of detail, and she captured many key moments on video as well as via still photography.  The most affecting to me was this short video showing a nonviolent protestor attempting to restrain violence, and getting attacked with a hammer by a masked thug:

Despite its national image as a haven for crazies, Berkeley is a complicated place, with substantial business and real estate interests right now making big money, and thereby enriching the city’s coffers.  Downtown, where the crazies rampaged most violently last night, has seen big development take place, and even bigger development is planned.  That is now in jeopardy.  Who is going to want to build or stay at the high-rise luxury hotel planned downtown?

The usual progressive blather from local politicians thinly disguises the money-making at stake with the violent thugs running wild on the streets.  I don’t expect the comfortable lefties who own expensive homes and pay big taxes to suddenly have any epiphanies., but I do think the hard leftists, with their violent nastiness, are raising consciousness in ways they don’t intend.