In a direct response to the article in the LA Times, the LAPD raided Smear's house and later re-arrested him on the charge of violating probation by having 'vandalism tools'.
This harassment is unfortunate and ridiculous. We can vouch first hand that Smear is not tagging, and these 'vandalism tools' are simply the paint and brushes of an artist.
Brushes, markers, wheat pastes and paint. These are what an artist uses. Smear was using these on his canvases, not the streets, but the police seem to take the 'lock him up first, ask questions later' approach. And even though the judge had said in court that these artist tools are okay to have for indoor art, Smear is sitting in jail.
We saw in person how Smear has 'reformed'. Last year, after an art show on Melrose, a lot of people were standing outside and someone handed Smear a marker. His hand started to twitch. You could tell something inside of him wanted to do it. But he resisted and said he couldn't be doing that anymore. Seriously. If the city things he is still tagging they are dead wrong.
This is ridiculous and clear harassment. It will probably end with Smear spending jail time, and then no charges being filed, just like when Smear was arrested in 2009 for the MTA roller he had nothing to do with. The city attorney should be as prepared for a civil suit as it is to press the injunction on Smear.
Via LaTaco and LA Times
