From: "rcam" <rcollins-AT-netlink.com.au>
Subject: RE: AUT: black bloc again (response to fabian)
Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 13:12:08 +1000


Neil:

: actions involving parts of Black Blocs in various situations, but I think
: that the notion of a Bloc defined primarily by supposed combativity is to
: say the least problematic.

How is it problematic? Tute bianche is defined by a certain kind of
combativity, as is the bb, as are the fluffies, etc.  All blocs at the
various summit protests, even if they aren't called blocs, and whether black
or not, are defined by their tactics and level of preparadness (to be
arrested, to break through barriers, to keep the police at bay). In Prague,
this amounted to the pink, blue and yellow blocs (I think those were the
colours), defined primarily by their "supposed combativity".  This is a
practical step beyond grouping sections of the protest by way of tendency,
who may well agree on, say, what capitalism consists of, but individually
will decide for whatever reason, including physical ability, to prefer
certain tactics on the day.   That doesn't suspend debate on the effectivity
of particular tactics, by any means, but I would insist that debate (here or
anywhere else) will not end or be resolved theoretically, nor by kicking
people out of demos.  It will be resolved (or at least tend toward some
resolution) by example, of things that work, and of things that circulate.

Fact is, that the tute bianche, in terms of the prevalent images that did
circulate, was non-existent in Genoa, in Seattle...  Everywhere except
Prague (leaving aside the wonderful anti-lager actions); and in Prague,
there was a deliberate decision to section off the protests in terms of
level of combativity.  The yb, by imagining that there would be no bb in
genoa (when they have been *everywhere* else), lost the chance to do what
they wanted to do.

Thomas:

: The question is whether such acts of violence serve
: our purposes or if they ultimately help our enemies.

I thought Rowan asked a practical question about whether or not it was wise
to confront a group of police where you might well come off the worse,
including in the one instance, dead.  I have no idea what was on Carlo
Guiliani's mind, and think speculation on this is a little unseemly.  Maybe
the broader question of certain tactics being instrumentalised by the powers
that be, or even defined as violent, can be complicated a little with this
little excerpt from an Australian newspaper.

> Anarchists Should Drop Advice on How to Attack
> Police
>
> If Queensland anarchists are honest in promising a
> non-violent demonstration against CHOGM they should
> withdraw from their Internet site a booklet
> containing advice on how to attack police, Premier
> Peter Beattie said today (Monday).
>
> "The booklet has a section on how a mob can best
> attack a barrier being manned by police and how to
> use shields to assault police," said Mr Beattie.
>
> "It has been posted on the CHOGM links page of an
> organisation calling itself CHOGM Free Zone which
> meets in Brisbane and calls itself an
> 'anti-authoritarian, non-hierarchical,
> decentralised, autonomous collective'."
>
> The booklet is titled: 'Bodyhammer: Tactics and
> Self-Defense for the Modern Protester'.
>
> Mr Beattie said: "The booklet's advice is
> provocative and has no place in Queensland where,
> since the Fitzgerald reforms, we have a history of
> non-violent demonstrations.
>
> "I would ask the anarchists to demonstrate their
> commitment to peaceful demonstrations by removing
> the booklet from their web site."

Seriously, I would urge everyone to think a little on the extent to which,
globally, a witchunt for 'anarchists' has been mounted, and one that affects
us all and will be mobilised against a range of tactics, including the use
of shields a la tute bianche.

Commie00 is right to be pissed off, tho maybe not at Fabian.  Because this
is what is at stake.  Everything else comes off as short-sighted
sectarianism.

Angela
_______________

<end message>



     --- from list aut-op-sy-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---