#Black blocs code#

#Black blocs code#

Partly,this is because imposing such a code invariably backfires. This is not a contradiction: “diversity of tactics” means leaving such matters up to individual conscience, rather than imposing a code on anyone. The original GA in Tompkins Square Park that planned the original occupation, if I remember, adopted the principle of diversity of tactics (at least it was discussed in a very approving fashion), at the same time as we all also concurred that a Gandhian approach would be the best way to go. (Have you ever actually talked to someone who has taken part in a Black Bloc? Or just to people who dislike them?)ĥ. “Diversity of tactics” is not a “Black Bloc” idea. In fact I’d be willing to wager that at least a third of participants in the average Black Bloc are wearing or carrying at least one item of Zapatista paraphernalia. But I’m guessing that, despite the ideological diversity, if you took a poll of participants in the average Black Bloc and asked what political movement in the world inspired them the most, the EZLN would get about 80% of the vote. Sure, if you dig around, you can find someone saying almost anything.

Yours is also 12 years out of date.Ĥ. Your comment about Black Bloc’ers hating the Zapatistas is one of the weirdest I’ve ever seen. Nowadays, the preferred approach is to pretend “the Black Bloc” is made up of nihilistic insurrectionary followers of The Invisible Committee, opposed to all forms of organization. It was back in 1999 that people used to pretend “the Black Bloc” was made up of nihilistic primitivist followers of John Zerzan opposed to all forms of organization. Even if you must select a tiny, ultra-radical minority within the Black Bloc and pretend their views are representative of anyone who ever put on a hoodie, you could at least be up-to-date about it. It follows one can no more speak of “Black Bloc Anarchists,” as a group with an identifiable ideology, than one can speak of “Sign-Carrying Anarchists” or “Mic-Checking Anarchists.”ģ. They are not united by ideology, or lack of ideology, but merely a common feeling that creating a bloc of people with explicitly revolutionary politics and ready to confront the forces of the order through more militant tactics if required, is, on the particular occasion when they assemble, a useful thing to do. Black Blocs have tended in the past to be made up primarily of anarchists but most contain participants whose politics vary from Maoism to Social Democracy. One of the ideas of having a Black Bloc is that everyone who comes to a protest should know where the people likely to engage in militant action are, and thus easily be able to avoid it if that’s what they wish to do.Ģ. Black Blocs do not represent any specific ideological, or for that matter anti-ideological position. The very nature of the tactic belies the accusation that they are trying to hijack a movement and endanger others. It is a tactic where activists don masks and black clothing (originally leather jackets in Germany, later, hoodies in America), as a gesture of anonymity, solidarity, and to indicate to others that they are prepared, if the situation calls for it, for militant action. In fact, it is far more likely to do so, in my estimation, than anything done by any black-clad teenager throwing rocks.ġ. Black Bloc is a tactic, not a group. This is the sort of misinformation that really can get people killed. This is why I feel compelled to respond to your statement “The Cancer in Occupy.” This statement is not only factually inaccurate, it is quite literally dangerous. We just didn’t feel that was an appropriate tactic for the situation we were in. Many of us had taken part in Black Blocs. In fact, anarchists like myself were the real core of the group that came up with the idea of occupying Zuccotti Park, the “99%” slogan, the General Assembly process, and, in fact, who collectively decided that we would adopt a strategy of Gandhian non-violence and eschew acts of property damage. I was hardly the only Black Bloc veteran who took part in planning the initial strategy for Occupy Wall Street. It is a common fallacy that this is what Black Blocs are all about. (I have taken part in even more Blocs that did not engage in such tactics. While I have never personally engaged in acts of property destruction, I have on more than one occasion taken part in Blocs where property damage has occurred.

I am also an anarchist who has participated in many Black Blocs. I am also writing as someone who was deeply involved in the early stages of planning Occupy in New York. I am writing this on the premise that you are a well-meaning person who wishes Occupy Wall Street to succeed.