Black Block - Mindless Yobs?
Published:
March 27, 2011 22:32
by
nab
Neighbourhoods: london
Published by group:
IMC Northern England
During the TUC march on Saturday a 600 strong black block marched through London with militant efficiency. The took out banks, multi-nationals and other symbols of capitalism. They all wanted different things but were united in their desire to make the capitalists pay. See the London Indymedia article on the events. See videos [1] [2] [3] [roundup]
Click on a thumbnail for a slideshow view
The UK has not had such militant black block presence, with a lively Northern contingent, since the J18 and Mayday protests in 2001 so seeing that number of anarchos was unexpected. The tactics were simple and effective: move quickly around the city changing directions and routes frequently. When a legitimate target was spotted it was quickly and effectively attacked. Then the crowd moved off with no milling around. When the police came to block of a road the block moved off in another direction or struck out with cones, bottles and bins before changing direction. This meant the police had little time to prepare and were ineffective. Natwest, Loyds TSB and then a slightly more sustained attack on HSCB. Ann Summers was smashed to chants of, "We're here, we're queer, we're not going shopping".
Some of the TUC marchers were angry that the black block were, "ruining it for everyone". It is hard to see what a TUC march from A to B was meant to achieve, save jobs? Save pensions? Make Dave and Nick see sense? Millions marched against the war, tens of thousands marched against the tuition fees and this made little difference. The black block caused damage and cost the companies money. Cost is in a language that they understand: screw us and it will cost you. The banks and multi-nationals are the real hijackers, they banks demanded 1 trillion pounds in bail-outs which in the financial system we are in results in vulnerable people having services cut. They are hijacking democracy, human rights and now the government wants to bring them into to run public services like the NHS. Smashing the windows isn't going to bring down capitalism or make Dave see sense but it made people feel empowered and out of the chaos anything is possible.
"A riot is the language of the unheard." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Additions
Bloc-heads
Published: March 28, 2011 09:00
by
Solomon Hughes
this was the largest demonstration of working people for decades - marching under the banners of our Trade Unions. To suggest that "600" black bloc-ers breaking a few windows have a greater effect than 500,000 working people is just silly. And if as you say , 'some of the TUC marchers were angry that the black block were, "ruining it for everyone" ' - you need to take that seriously, not dismiss it. As far as I know, the Black Bloc were not applauded or cheered by any section of the union marchers. None of the marching trade unionists followed their lead. The Black Bloc were either ignored by or criticised by the largest gathering of active trade unionists London has seen for years: The "Black Bloc" is unable to get any support around a crowd of hundreds of thousands of active trade unionists - it was an isolated, self selecting, and unpopular group cutting itself off from the broadest section of working people by macho posuturing. Far from encouraging direct action, you are making it look unattractive. the strategy is wrong, and you need to re think it. All you are doing is creating a little sideshow for Sky News and the Telegraph and Mail to get excited about, and creating a few hours work for glaziers. - When it comes down to it the thousands of unionised hospital workers who marched on Saturday are going to do more to hold back NHS privatisation than you are, and they will feel in a better position to do that after Saturday's march - no thanks to the "Black Bloc"
Correction
Published: March 28, 2011 10:35
by
Amused
Not much interest in some tired debate on black bloc "violence", which in the immediate aftermath of such events always tend to polarise into a simplistic "the masses are turned off by your rowdiness" vs. "what does marching ever achieve" dead end. I the medium term though I think there is probably a debate to be had about whether there might have been more interesting possibilities for intervention.
Anyway, just posting to correct a false claim made in the comments above. The black bloc most certainly was a part of the larger demonstration: it marched along the Embankment before breaking off onto a side street, roaming around for over an hour and then rejoining the march near (I think) Piccadilly Circus.
Oh, and "well drilled" is one of the sillier claims I've seen - as if those involved had spent weeks performing exercises and practice manoeuvres on a hired leisure centre basketball court.
Wake up
Published: March 28, 2011 11:07
by
Sam
Watching the black bloc on TV was inspiring to me and many others I know who couldn't be there. Banks destroy lives and the environment and should be targetted.
The rulers of this fucked up world will never give up their power and wealth and the earth is doomed is if these maniacs are not stopped. Peaceful marching is playing into their hands. We need a black bloc of hundreds of thousands on the streets every day.
Thoughts
Published: March 28, 2011 23:00
by
G
I was at the protest and watched the black bloc attack the Porsche Garage. I never at any point felt threatened by them as they never looked like they had a problem with any people.
It has to be said that in this strange age of capitalism very little changes. Our own country still supports archaic ideas such as birth right through concepts such as the house of lords and the royal family. People get used to the norms and leave common sense at the door, it's a shame. Capitalists and money control every facet of our lives, banks and companies rob us blind, but we are never able to challenge them as they are so powerful. Our country isn't even that badly exploited in comparison to some countries. However, there are many young people in this country that have been constantly suffering due to relative poverty and a lack of voice in our country. The 'middle classes' are so blinded to the concept of relative poverty that they are unable to understand it's existence, but sometimes people can only have their voice heard by taking action. You can clearly see how the kind of action the black bloc takes can make them feel empowered, they directly drew attention to some of the scum bag money makers who take the piss out of us, whereas myself and others had a convoluted and peaceful march that if we are all honest, know will achieve very little.ie. Phillip Green, who is massive piss taker and tax avoider was employed as an advisor to the Government and will never be challenged by this Government so how can people challenge him?!?!?
There needs to be a balance in this argument and clearly this kind of violence is not it. However, it does provide a polarized option to the obscenely rich who equally cause harm and despair too many in this country and many more across the globe.
The media have done a very poor job in staying in touch with the views the people of this country and this is another great example. The majority are always the ones who are naive to what is really going on and i don't expect that many of the people who really care about these issues waste too much time reading main streamed and "owned' media. The media write articles to make profit. End of story. It sucks.
I am not sure entirely where i fall in this debate (as my vague comments may reveal) but i do know that i would fight next to people who really care about others, rather than than people who think it's fine to exploit the masses. The super rich are almost becoming the new birth right, money breeds money and the long shot, anyone can be whatever they want to be is bullshit. Poverty is way to complex a situation to apply that appeaser.
Thanks for reading the ramble!
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Black bloc not part of march
I was on the march and was on Piccadilly when I saw the black bloc. They were well-drilled and appeared intent on vandalism. The black bloc were dressed in black and with black handkerchiefs covering their faces. I, though, did not see them carry out any vandalism. They were never part of the march. They mingled with anarchists with a red and black flag at Piccadilly in Albany Courtyard. The police had blocked access to and from Piccadilly at other junctions. The police left Albany Courtyard open and Anarchists and the black bloc were allowed on to Piccadilly. The black bloc went through the march and on to Duke Street, St James. The police took no action.
I had walked past Fortnum and Masons and saw some protesters who were on the 1st floor. A line of police officers was in front of the department store. I also saw that a Ritz window had paint thrown at it. Later, I saw that the news said that the store occupiers were UK Uncut.
I must stress that the black bloc had not been part of the march. They had not marched from Victoria Embankment with the rest of us. I did see a UK uncut group on the Strand much earlier.