Robert Thaxton

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Robert 'Los Ricos' Thaxton in 2001

Robert Thaxton (born December 31, 1959) is an anarchist theorist and activist sentenced to seven years in prison for assaulting a police officer at a Reclaim the Streets protest in Eugene, Oregon on June 18, 1999. Many have argued that his sentence was excessive and was intended to intimidate other protesters.

Thaxton (who also used the name Rob los Ricos) participated in the "International Day of Action Against Global Capitalism", a Reclaim the Streets action in Eugene. On September 3, 1999, he was convicted of assault and riot for throwing a large rock at a police officer, breaking the officer's collarbone. His plea of self-defense was rejected, and he was sentenced to seven years in prison. While there were protests in more than 140 cities around the world that day against the G-8 summit being held in Cologne, Germany, Thaxton is said to have received the longest sentence of any participant; however, Thaxton is also one of the few convicted of intentionally assaulting a police officer. That protest was said to be an important precursor to the 1999 protests against the World Trade Organization in Seattle, Washington.

During his imprisonment at the Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem, Oregon, he has tangled with prison authorities, who charge that he is involved with the eco-terrorist organization Earth Liberation Front. A long time author and political organizer in cities throughout the United States, Thaxton is also notable as one of few publicly acknowledged people of color imprisoned for his violent activities in the high-profile 1990's Pacific Northwest anti-globalization movement. His case, actions and writings have also been important in the movement's discussions of "non-violence" and prisoner support.

Rob is the author of a zine entitled Manufacturing Dissent and co-author, with fellow prisoner Jeff Luers, of Heartcheck.