Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2000 10:05:08 -0400 From: Chuck0 <chuck-AT-tao.ca> Subject: Fwd: Mike Flugennock's Account of the Black Bloc Mike Flugenock is a D.C. artist and political cartoonist, check out his site at: http://www.sinkers.org ==================================== The Bomb-Ass Truth: Black Bloc Rocked by Mike Flugennock 8:09pm Tue Apr 18 '00 flugennock-AT-sinkers.org I could get on here and join the flamefest over whether or not the Black Bloc's tactics are "right" -- in answer to that, I can only suggest that you all re-read the introduction to your Declaration of Independence -- but instead I'll express my feelings about them by passing along this account of what I experienced first thing that Sunday morning when I headed out for a day's shooting: <ahem...> On the morning of 04.16, splitting the IMC bright and early after catching up on early-morning developments, I lock-and-loaded the Hi8 and grabbed a train downtown with the idea of leisurely moseying down towards the Ellipse and checking out the scene. At around 8, 8:30ish, I'd no sooner come up the escalator at McPherson Square when I found myself smack in the middle of an intersection conquest in progress, at 14th St. and New York Avenue NW, featuring the big three-headed cobra puppet. And no sooner had I shot a couple of relaxed pans of the street scene than a cheer went up and, upon turning to see what the fuss was about, found myself rolling camera in the middle of the street with a most impressive Black Bloc I'd ever seen, coming around the corner in a great, rippling wave of black surging towards the intersection, at least a hundred anarchists flowing gently around me (much of my footage of this scene is truly schweet). There was just a slightest moment's hesitation in me emotionally, because of the newness of it, instantly replaced by an unexplainable joy and elation as the black tide moved around me, many masked, some not, some throwing forearms across their faces as my camera swung through the scene. Some, glimpsing my Indymedia card on my vest, saluted with clenched fists, their masks scarcely hiding their smiles. I smiled back, raising a fist with my free hand in salute to all of them -- and just kept on smiling, bigger and bigger, and I don't know why. The Black Bloc surrounded me, and I just started smiling like a ninny. And, as they surged towards the intersection and a few scattered motorcycle cops straggled to the scene, I amazed myself by taking my cue from the Black Bloc'ers, and slipped on my goggles and mask to the "ready" position, checked available exits and remembered that "I am strong" without the slightest hint of panic, just as outlined in the street medical manual. Had anyone but the Black Bloc been there, I think I would've been more prone to fear. Had the intersection been taken by a bunch of middle-class liberals in turtle suits with a Sleeping Dragon, I'd have been a bit skankier, but having the Bloc around just sort of sucked all the fear out of me. I don't know how to describe it. It's like the Bloc had strength and courage to spare, and let me have some. As the last of the Bloc came around the corner and the entire group had filled the intersection, the ones towards the back grabbed a length of the ten-foot-high jointed wire fence from the construction site by the side of the street and dragged it across the entire width of the street, effectively controlling 14th and New York with one simple and elegant move. I can't begin to describe the awe and amazement I felt as I observed the quickness and efficiency of this manuver. Never had I seen any contingent in any demonstration act with the kind of strength, confidence and unity that I saw in the Black Bloc as I watched them take over 14th and New York. I saw many other beautiful and inspiring sights that day, but nothing really matched that first great thing I saw, bright and early in the morning. I never felt more peaceful, powerful or alive that day than I did when surrounded by the marching Black Bloc. My friend Adam, shares my admiration for the Black Bloc, commenting that "we need more of them" and calling them "...the Marines of the Movement". God-damned straight, man. For a long time, as I've watched Capital and the State become more and more hostile to the citizens of this country -- especially when they attempt to express themselves publicly -- I've thought that the dissident movements needed their own counterpart to the Marines, the Green Berets, the Special Forces. Well, now the movements for freedom and justice on this planet _do_ have their own Special Forces, and they're called the Black Bloc. www.sinkers.org
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