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SF Black Bloc Thoughts
Thoughts and analysis from black bloc participants in San Francisco and the East Bay. We're ready to make history in the upcoming weeks.
SOME THOUGHTS FROM SOME SAN FRANCISCO BLACK BLOC PARTICIPANTS
WHAT THIS IS: We are an anonymous group of friends who have participated in the recent black bloc actions in San Francisco anti-war demonstrations. We're concerned that newcomers to the struggle against the U.S. government and the global rich elite are not familiar with black bloc tactics or the need for unpermitted demonstrations. We want to show that there are solid ideas behind our strategy, that we are not unthinking hooligans and that we will show respect to everyone who shows respect to us.
CHALLENGE TO SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE & ROB MORSE: While we understand that many people who feel passionate about stopping this war against Iraq might not have heard of black bloc before, we are convinced that major news organizations like the San Francisco Chronicle know exactly what it is -- even if some of their shoddy reporters do not. We support the Challenge to Rob Morse to publicly debate the black bloc participants who he attacked in his poorly-written newspaper column.
Black Bloc Thoughts:
- We don't think they care about permitted protests.
The recent anti-war protests have historical importance and we recognize the excellent work done by organizing groups. But at the end of the day, we don't think they care about our permitted protests. When the U.S. goes to war anyway, spitting in the face of millions of protesters worldwide, we think a lot of people will understand what we mean. If there is widespread and uncontrollable domestic unrest the night the U.S. goes to war, we have the opportunity to substantially impact the US's diplomatic strength. In the longterm, we have the ability to shake this system to its core and stop the US murder machine forever.
- We think that now is the time to shut this system down.
Has it ever been more clear? The economy is destroyed, white collar thugs are stealing billions from us every day, world war is once again breaking out, the police and government spooks have more power than ever before in history, innocent people are being "disappeared" by the feds right in our own cities, and we are living under an ignorant tyrant who is ready to turn the world to ashes. We in this country are the only ones who can monkeywrench this system and save the world from our way of life. If not now, then when?
- We think things are fundamentally screwed up.
While we agree that our goal right now must be to stop George Bush's war on the world, we think there's a lot more wrong than that: a society where the richest people are prioritized over everyone else to such a degree that starvation and desperation are the rule, not the exception; armed occupations of places like Colombia, Palestine and working class neighborhoods in the U.S. by paramilitaries funded with our tax dollars; unprecedented environmental destruction; a system where we spend all of our lives at jobs we hate so that rich people can get richer. We are against the war on Iraq but we are for a war against the violent rich thugs who hold us all hostage.
- We are not an organization.
"Black bloc" is not a group, there is no "leader," and we don't have meetings. Black bloc is a protest tactic that began in Europe and spread to the U.S. in the 90s in places like Seattle, SF & LA, Washington DC, etc. The idea is that everyone wears black clothes and black masks and then security cameras and police cannot track protest participants. We encourage everyone to wear masks -- the more people who participate, the more anonymous we are. In a city where most of the police commanders are under criminal indictment, with Office of Homeland Security stooges running around everywhere spying on people, do you really trust the Hearst-controlled Chronicle when they tell you that masks aren't necessary?
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One great example of the effectiveness of the black bloc was at the January breakaway march. On "black-clad protestor" threw a newpaper box at a Victoria's Secret window. Unfortunately, it bounced off and the window didn't break. A motorcycle cop nearby jumped off of his motorcycle and tried to catch the person, but they slipped quickly back into the crowd. Because most people were in black, the cops couldn't tell who it was.
Another example is the breakaway march in February. The people dancing on top of the cable car were able to be picked out later on, arrested, and charged with felonies. Even though some of them had masks, they did not have the anonymity that the black bloc gives.
One major downside of the black bloc is that the cops are catching on. In some cities the cops have started to arrest people who are dressed all in black before actions even begin. One way to counteract this would be to have blocs of other colors, like they do in Europe sometimes-> blue blocs, green blocs, pink blocs, grey blocs.
Another example is the breakaway march in February. The people dancing on top of the cable car were able to be picked out later on, arrested, and charged with felonies. Even though some of them had masks, they did not have the anonymity that the black bloc gives.
One major downside of the black bloc is that the cops are catching on. In some cities the cops have started to arrest people who are dressed all in black before actions even begin. One way to counteract this would be to have blocs of other colors, like they do in Europe sometimes-> blue blocs, green blocs, pink blocs, grey blocs.
Black bloc is a form of sexual release. It's time to grow up, think things through for yourself, and take responsibility for the harm you cause to others.
Once Hallinan goes, such stupidity will likely have a more reasonable assignment of costs to actions.
Once Hallinan goes, such stupidity will likely have a more reasonable assignment of costs to actions.
"The recent anti-war protests have historical importance"
do they? i doubt it. every war has protests, asides from a few like the vietnam war, most are insignificant historically.
i do think they have a current impact on the world, but a historical one? not too likely.
"If there is widespread and uncontrollable domestic unrest the night the U.S. goes to war, we have the opportunity to substantially impact the US's diplomatic strength."
its possible, but i doubt it. during the first gulf war in 1991 we shut down the bay bridge, but that didnt really have any impact at all. thats not to say we shouldnt do it, i'll be out there the night of the war and the morning after the war doing my best to shut down the city, but i dont think its really going to do too much to stop the war. i'm not sure what would stop the war.
"the police and government spooks have more power than ever before in history"
statements like this make people wound like paranoid conspiracy theorists. of course i think the government sucks, and is repressive and all that, but to claim that it is more repressive now than it has ever been just isnt close to the truth.
"we are living under an ignorant tyrant"
ignorant? sure. tyrant? nope. again, statements like this make people look like crazy conspiracy theorists. bush is not a tyrant.
but yeah, right on in putting this out, i think we should try to let the masses know what the black bloc is about and combat some of the things that people like rob morse says.
i just think people should stay away from exaggerations. if one thing you say can be disregarded as an exaggeration or untrue, people are very likely going to disregard everything else you say.
do they? i doubt it. every war has protests, asides from a few like the vietnam war, most are insignificant historically.
i do think they have a current impact on the world, but a historical one? not too likely.
"If there is widespread and uncontrollable domestic unrest the night the U.S. goes to war, we have the opportunity to substantially impact the US's diplomatic strength."
its possible, but i doubt it. during the first gulf war in 1991 we shut down the bay bridge, but that didnt really have any impact at all. thats not to say we shouldnt do it, i'll be out there the night of the war and the morning after the war doing my best to shut down the city, but i dont think its really going to do too much to stop the war. i'm not sure what would stop the war.
"the police and government spooks have more power than ever before in history"
statements like this make people wound like paranoid conspiracy theorists. of course i think the government sucks, and is repressive and all that, but to claim that it is more repressive now than it has ever been just isnt close to the truth.
"we are living under an ignorant tyrant"
ignorant? sure. tyrant? nope. again, statements like this make people look like crazy conspiracy theorists. bush is not a tyrant.
but yeah, right on in putting this out, i think we should try to let the masses know what the black bloc is about and combat some of the things that people like rob morse says.
i just think people should stay away from exaggerations. if one thing you say can be disregarded as an exaggeration or untrue, people are very likely going to disregard everything else you say.
I would like to know one war in human history where there were millions-strong simultaneous pre-emptive protests all across the globe. To my knowledge, there have been 0 -- especially protests which threaten to turn into full-scale riots at home and abroad. In some countries, governments could be overthrown based on what happens in the next 2 weeks.
So to say it isn't of historic importance is just to betray your own jadedness. If it ISNT historic, it will be because of attitudes like the one you are expressing, not because we couldnt do it.
So to say it isn't of historic importance is just to betray your own jadedness. If it ISNT historic, it will be because of attitudes like the one you are expressing, not because we couldnt do it.
I have a degree in history from the University of California, and I've studied the Vietnam-era anti-war movement. I think I'm qualified to state that this movement does indeed have the ability to make history. Is our movement Earth-shattering? No. But it appears likely, if current plans are carried out, that we will make history as the best-organized and publicized anti-war movement to ever emerge before hostilities commenced. And it may carry over from there as well.
Day X alone may be an historic event in American political history, with potentially tens of thousands of dissidents committing nonviolent civil disobedience simultaneously throughout the nation to protest a war the day it breaks out.
Like many historians, I expect a dropoff in the number of protesters and events a few days after hostilities commence, but it is entirely possible that the movement--bolstered immeasurably by near-unanimous dissent abroad--will continue to gain momentum.
I believe we will soon be picking up where the Vietnam-era movement left off, and this uncharted territory we are about to boldly march into is the realm of history-making.
Day X alone may be an historic event in American political history, with potentially tens of thousands of dissidents committing nonviolent civil disobedience simultaneously throughout the nation to protest a war the day it breaks out.
Like many historians, I expect a dropoff in the number of protesters and events a few days after hostilities commence, but it is entirely possible that the movement--bolstered immeasurably by near-unanimous dissent abroad--will continue to gain momentum.
I believe we will soon be picking up where the Vietnam-era movement left off, and this uncharted territory we are about to boldly march into is the realm of history-making.
"It doesn't mean that I advocate violence, but at the same time, I am not against using violence in self-defense. I don't call it violence when it's self-defense, I call it intelligence." - Malcolm X
>...that we are not unthinking hooligans ...
Case dismissed for lack of evidence.
Case dismissed for lack of evidence.
>In some countries, governments could be overthrown based on what happens in the next 2 weeks.
Good money is saying Iraq will be the first. Anyone betting otherwise?
Good money is saying Iraq will be the first. Anyone betting otherwise?
Tell it to the cops.
You take this much trouble to speak up for the balck bloc, then claim that it first appeared in the US at the anti WTO protests? Black Bloc tactics have been around longer than that, most notable at anti Columbus day protests here in 92, and anti Gulf War protests in DC in 91. Course, most people who took part in those protests have sinced moved on to other things, like long term movement building work, or true community organizing. I'm glad theres still some of you out there, but lets keep protest tactics in perspective. Before we move to street fighting, lets try building our organizing base.
huh? no one cares about your columbus day protests. there's a million black blocs here and there that happened through the 90s, but no one remembers them besides crabby old timers like you. "community building" in other words you retired to be an ineffective bureaucrat trying to build a constituency. YAWN
Anok-- your meanspirited diatribe against the previous commenter only serves to undermine support for your apocalyptic fantasies....with your help, Ashcroft will consolidate his facist power that much more quickly....
>>>But at the end of the day, we don't think they care about our permitted protests. When the U.S. goes to war anyway, spitting in the face of millions of protesters worldwide, we think a lot of people will understand what we mean.<<<
So, am I to understand that since a few million protesters come out, that the US is supposed to drop everything, listen to you, and do what you say? Unlike China and North Korea and Iraq and many other countries, you have the right to protest and the freedom of speech. But, having freedom of speech does not mean others must listen to you. We also have freedoms, including the freedom to ignore you. Until you understand that, this new world you want to build isn't going to be any better off for the rest of us than the one you claim to despise now. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
So, am I to understand that since a few million protesters come out, that the US is supposed to drop everything, listen to you, and do what you say? Unlike China and North Korea and Iraq and many other countries, you have the right to protest and the freedom of speech. But, having freedom of speech does not mean others must listen to you. We also have freedoms, including the freedom to ignore you. Until you understand that, this new world you want to build isn't going to be any better off for the rest of us than the one you claim to despise now. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
If you're going on the breakaway march, come in black and come prepared!
See: http://www.indybay.org/news/2003/03/1581445.php
See: http://www.indybay.org/news/2003/03/1581445.php
Anok's comments confuse me. Building community backing is equivalent to bureacratic organizing? Is this all you think of when you hear the words? What about talking to your neighbors, getting good propaganda out there, networking with other radical groups? Whats all that? After doing organizing for a number of years, I realized that a small crew of radical young white folks won't change anything. For revolution to happen, we all need to work together. And sometimes, as Nessie put it so well, you have to think about long term strategy over fuck shit up tactics.
The difference is that nessie isnt on here denouncing the black bloc tactics. You are. You started it and then you cry when someone makes fun of your tired, tired, tired old "community building" comment? Get over yourself, and either be in the streets with us or just shut the hell up about it. Go "network" with bureaucrats.
And what, exactly are you going to accomplish? The black bloc at the last couple of protests couldn't even make it thru a cop line. Perhaps if more people joined you, you'd have a better chance at success. And you know how you get more people? Outreach. Its not all that macho, but if you want to stage protests that can actually physically confront the state, you need numbers.
Why even try? Why not just out maneuver them?
I am an avid supporter of independent media. You folks cover the events that the corporate media either can't or won't. And because you're looking at events that challenge the status quo and interview experts not endorsed by the powers that be, you have an even greater obligation to infuse your journalism with a professionalism that could preach to someone other than the choir. Everyone and their uncle loves to cover violence, because it sells...so I would expect you to exercise some editorial control and resist being sucked into the fetishization of conflict and "dramatic footage" that extremist thugs like the "Black Bloc" will exploit to their own advantage...you know, Mousolini paraded his croonies around in brown shirts. The Blac Bloc's intimidation and anarchist philosophy flies in the face of the DEMOCRATIC change being sought by the rest of the Protesters. I know, the images of police battling young people are tempting in that they elicit a visceral response, and perhaps even reveal institutional oppression, but the "Black Bloc" is a nihilist movement and I fear they are manipulating you by providing you with dramatic B-Roll. The destruction of private property does not constitute freedom of speech. I strongly recommend that you show better judgement when using your website as a link to such groups that incite violence for attention...and offer no viable alternative. Where's your article expressing International ANSWER's frustration with those who would mar their peaceful protest with a destructive rampage? By all means, report police brutality, but don't give in to the Dark Side of Force.
We need indy media...not a mouthpiece for anti-authoritarian propaganda.
Thank you for your consideration,
CB
We need indy media...not a mouthpiece for anti-authoritarian propaganda.
Thank you for your consideration,
CB
Strange comparisons. I always thought brownshirts were radically right-wing movements, and the people who opposed them (with violence) were called many things: partisans, communists, resisters, hell -- even G.I.'s.
Your suggestion that the fascist tendencies of our era be met with "democracy" (which certainly is what the fascists would like you to say) is laughable at best.
As for ANSWER, they haven't really had any negative things to say about black bloc and a diversity of tactics.
Really, get over it.
Your suggestion that the fascist tendencies of our era be met with "democracy" (which certainly is what the fascists would like you to say) is laughable at best.
As for ANSWER, they haven't really had any negative things to say about black bloc and a diversity of tactics.
Really, get over it.
chris boulton, your blatant exemplification of an overtly ignorant comprehension of anarchism and the black bl0c tactic is quite laughable. With the phrase "extemist thugs" your incoherent ramblings began to become quite comical. Activists who participate in the "black bloc" tactic tend to be among the most dedicated to the contemporary movement towards global justice. These courageous individuals are so opposed to the malevolent practices of our avaricious state that they take it upon themselves to partake in actions that leave them vulnerable to the excessively repressive tactics utilized by regional governments, and you take it upon yourself to call them "extemist thugs". Really, the name-calling tactic isn't to effective when an individual seeks to engage in a logical discussion (however, as it is obvious that you are unfamiliar witht he concept of logic, this statement may not be applicable in your case). Furthermore, I am not too sure why you felt it necessary to attempt to compare the authoritarian regime of Mousolini to the non-hierarchical, egalitarian tactic of the "black bloc", a pr0test strategy that creates a contingent of individuals who are fundamentally opposed to the oppressive ideology propagated by autocrats like mussolini.
Your imbecilic statement that anarchist philosophy "flies in the face of democratic change" is quite comical, as anyone with even an inchoate comprehension of anarchism understands that the philosophy encourages actual, participatory democracy. The statement that the black bl0c is a "nihilist movement" must have been spawned either from pure ignorance or a subtle attempt at comedy, for the illogical nature of this concept is inexcuseable. Are you familiar with the denotation of "nihilism"? As black bloc participants tend to share the common aspirations of society based upon mutual aid, egalitarianism, and the general provision of the means of life, I hardly believe that many of them support a doctrine that advocates destruction for the simple sake of the mere denial of existence. Were this the case, downtown san francisco would have been a killing field, not an exemplification of tactical efficiency and mutual aid.
To address the issue of the destruction of property, it must be made clear that strategic alterations made to the facades of edifices containing corporations that profit from the brutal subjugation of other humans are attempts to minimize the economic incentive for such truculent practices. Furthermore, property destruction is a manifestation of opposition to savage injustice through the utilization of a means that possesses the potential to be quite effective. Thus, tactical property destruction may be construed as being a radical exemplification of freedom of speech, however, it is much more important to note that it is an attempt to secure freedom of life. I need not provide the numerous examples of the brutal practices perpetrated by certain corporations that operate through the international monetary fund, NAFTA, and the FTAA in order to minimize manufacturing costs by forcing individuals to work at starvation wages. I shouldn't have to inform you about the countless murders of union organizers in colombia (especially at coca-cola plants), nor the plethora of instances in which innocent people have died in the name of capitalism.
Are you vegan? If not it can be assumed that you are financially supporting industries that profit from barbaric practices against conscious animals. However, you still find it necessary to make a pathetic attempt at a verbal assault on individuals for practicing the tactic of property alteration (and, if you are vegan, I must make it clear that this statement is directed to all individuals who harbor similar sentiments). Certainly, you must comprehend the fundamental discrepancies between property destruction and actions of violence against sentient beings. However, I can not be too sure, as your comparison of the black bl0c to Mousolini's brown shirts suggests that you may believe that there is no difference between the two aforementioned occurances. To believe that the life of a human being is equivalent to the sanctity of a window is absurdity at its worst.
"viva anarchquia!"
Your imbecilic statement that anarchist philosophy "flies in the face of democratic change" is quite comical, as anyone with even an inchoate comprehension of anarchism understands that the philosophy encourages actual, participatory democracy. The statement that the black bl0c is a "nihilist movement" must have been spawned either from pure ignorance or a subtle attempt at comedy, for the illogical nature of this concept is inexcuseable. Are you familiar with the denotation of "nihilism"? As black bloc participants tend to share the common aspirations of society based upon mutual aid, egalitarianism, and the general provision of the means of life, I hardly believe that many of them support a doctrine that advocates destruction for the simple sake of the mere denial of existence. Were this the case, downtown san francisco would have been a killing field, not an exemplification of tactical efficiency and mutual aid.
To address the issue of the destruction of property, it must be made clear that strategic alterations made to the facades of edifices containing corporations that profit from the brutal subjugation of other humans are attempts to minimize the economic incentive for such truculent practices. Furthermore, property destruction is a manifestation of opposition to savage injustice through the utilization of a means that possesses the potential to be quite effective. Thus, tactical property destruction may be construed as being a radical exemplification of freedom of speech, however, it is much more important to note that it is an attempt to secure freedom of life. I need not provide the numerous examples of the brutal practices perpetrated by certain corporations that operate through the international monetary fund, NAFTA, and the FTAA in order to minimize manufacturing costs by forcing individuals to work at starvation wages. I shouldn't have to inform you about the countless murders of union organizers in colombia (especially at coca-cola plants), nor the plethora of instances in which innocent people have died in the name of capitalism.
Are you vegan? If not it can be assumed that you are financially supporting industries that profit from barbaric practices against conscious animals. However, you still find it necessary to make a pathetic attempt at a verbal assault on individuals for practicing the tactic of property alteration (and, if you are vegan, I must make it clear that this statement is directed to all individuals who harbor similar sentiments). Certainly, you must comprehend the fundamental discrepancies between property destruction and actions of violence against sentient beings. However, I can not be too sure, as your comparison of the black bl0c to Mousolini's brown shirts suggests that you may believe that there is no difference between the two aforementioned occurances. To believe that the life of a human being is equivalent to the sanctity of a window is absurdity at its worst.
"viva anarchquia!"
... it really would be true that all americans are selfish and lazy and won't risk themselves one bit to save people being murdered by their country. long live black bloc!
So going out and vandalizing some shops is your way to not be "selfish and lazy" and to do your part to "save people being murdered".
Yea right. What a pathetic coward.
"Some punks in SF just broke the window at Starbucks (or INS or whatever). Let's call off the war". Get real.
Yea right. What a pathetic coward.
"Some punks in SF just broke the window at Starbucks (or INS or whatever). Let's call off the war". Get real.
What does that mean, that smashing Starbuck's window is not enough and that people should escalate to, oh say, burning down banks?
>and that people should escalate to, oh say, burning down banks?
The thoughts of 6-year-old children are so CUTE!!!!
The thoughts of 6-year-old children are so CUTE!!!!
What are you saying there, babysitter, that burning banks is child's play? It used to be, back in the day:
http://www.indybay.org/news/2003/02/1575289_comment.php#1578701
But today, banks are much better fortified. What would it take to burn a bank down now? Surely a couple of molotovs wouldn't be enough, would they, expecially if the window hadn't been broken first?
http://www.indybay.org/news/2003/02/1575289_comment.php#1578701
But today, banks are much better fortified. What would it take to burn a bank down now? Surely a couple of molotovs wouldn't be enough, would they, expecially if the window hadn't been broken first?
I'm saying that you are nessie, and you have the mind of a 6-year-old, possibly younger. Difference being that most 6-year-olds grow up to become responsible and mature men and women. Maturity in particular is something you have yet to experience. Until you grow up, you will be treated like the child you are. If you don't like it, lump it.
>It's a lot easier to call me names, than it is to disprove anything I say.
Actually, it's not. We all do both at the same time.
Let's see if you can comprehend this. As long as I'm here bugging you, you're safe. It's when you quit hearing from me.............................
Actually, it's not. We all do both at the same time.
Let's see if you can comprehend this. As long as I'm here bugging you, you're safe. It's when you quit hearing from me.............................
Yes it is.
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