From: "Macdonald Stainsby" <mstainsby-AT-tao.ca>
Subject: AUT: Re: [R-G] hundreds of neo-nazis abotaged the protests at Genoa.
Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2001 23:38:25 -0700


----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Pugliese" <debsian-AT-pacbell.net>

This list has, thankfully, maintained a healthy and comradely debate among
varying tendencies. I prefer this low (and apparently- I mean LOW!) volume of
this to a sparring match among a small but growing radicalism in the First
World.

With that in mind, I wanted to ask people here to posit what we can suggest to
the most militant at these demonstrations against globalisation. What has
happened in Genoa can be seen as a warning; only one dead body could be viewed
as our chance to clean up (or, better put, refine) our act before another act by
the state of this variety.

My prejudice should be quite clear by now: The only way one can be sure they
will not meet with murderous repression of the Genoa variety is simple. Never
attack capitalism. Do not challenge the fundamental structures of the corporate
elite and we have no problem- there is no counter attack by the capitalists.

It is simply reality that has my thinking challenged on this question: we have
no movement if the key component of "resistance" is removed. As such, we need to
find a way to offer a way out of the situation that is emerging: The ability of
the state to assault us with little we can do. In the course of the debates we
carry on- even those of us who debate these matters with respect vis-a-vis
"Black Bloc" and other resistance comrades- we tend to approach the matter as if
we are the only people who have noticed the great challenge faced by those who
practice such a tactic as carried on by the Black Bloc, and that these people
don't see a difference the next day.

I remain of the mindset that the signature Black Bloc tactic- the symbolic
smashing of corporate property- is wholly counter-productive now (if it wasn't
to begin with- something I'm not as sure of any longer). Essentially what is
going to happen is simple: "Anarchists" (which involves a catch phrase including
many many people- such as the Turkish Comrades in Genoa) who are going to
militantly assert the right to protest, even inside a previously demarcated zone
by the police. This is simply a statement of fact, it will be seen in three
weeks in D.C.

We need to excel at the main task, then: A synthesis of understanding/actions
that will allow these comrades the maximum protection while they carry out their
chosen front (one that remains at the heart of the "attraction" for the movement
for much of the population)- and one that demands and includes some assurance
that A) they can deal on the ground with infiltrators, and B) allow no one to
divide us on any other level nor attack other parts of the grouping.

I wish to think in terms of strategy in a follow up post.

Macdonald
-------------------------------------------
Macdonald Stainsby
Rad-Green List: Radical anti-capitalist environmental discussion.
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/rad-green
----
Leninist-International: Building bridges in the tradition of V.I. Lenin.
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/leninist-international
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In the contradiction lies the hope.
                                     --Bertholt Brecht





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