Photos from the Black Bloc Blockade of Top Oil Petrol Station on Amiens Street, Dublin

by Indymedia Kevin - IMC Éire Sat Sep 27, 2003 23:49

more.

by Indymedia Kevin - IMC Éire Sat Sep 27, 2003 23:54

more.

by Indymedia Kevin - IMC Éire Sat Sep 27, 2003 23:58

goodnight.

by alan the anarchist Sun Sep 28, 2003 00:32

It was a small but good action. As anarchists we're always moaning about the marches organised by the likes of the SWP/IAWM/GR and the NGOs, saying that they lack bite.

So this time rather than wait around and listen to speeches at the end of yet another round of walking around town with placards and banners, we decided to take the initiative ourselves and do a direct action. The sound of Joe Carolan doing some "rousing" singing was ringing in my head like a painful migraine as we left the speech trailer on Merrion Square.

We marched in a block during the main march, attracting a lot of attention from cameramen, and also a couple of Socialist Party newspaper sellers who told us we were morons, giving the "movement" a bad name, etc. Look - its a face mask, not a weapon. Deal with it. You sell your papers and build your precious political party - and we'll go off and actually get shit done on a march rather than talk. We're as much a part of "the movement" as anyone, you (especially the SP) dont have a monopoly on the ideology or the way people should dress. Personally I find people like you much scarier than anyone in a face mask.

We went down to Top Oil (Top Oil refuel the planes in Shannon in case you didnt know) on Amiens Street, where there were already a fair few cops waiting for us. We werent really sure how much the cops were going to let us get away with it, so when it became obvious that they were keeping us off the forecourt, we linked arms and formed a human chain across the entrance.

There then followed a bit of pushing and shoving on the part of the Garda to get us out of the way. I wouldnt raise them to the level of "scuffles" but there were journalists there who will probably print it as that. We managed to hang on for a bit but they started shoving us more, and there was a fair bit of confusion. People were lying on the ground then and the cops tried to get them up, but they stayed put and the cops just gave up.

They kept pushing us back behind their imaginary line (constantly changing of course), but overall they werent heavy handed, and the atmosphere was relaxed. When the pushing and shoving began I was sure things were going to escalate into arrests, but people were joking and laughing as it was happening (hardly class war!), and one of us started bawling his head off baby-style which had everyone (including the Garda) in knots of laughter.

We stayed at the Top Oil for about an hour and then dispersed into town.

It was good to see people doing a direct action in Dublin, related to Shannon. Even just marching towards the location was great, clogging up traffic and walking the wrong way down streets. Next time we'll have bigger numbers (our action was organised at the last minute) and hopefully autonomous actions like this will grow and multiply. Marching around in circles achieves fuck all - this has got to change.

Peace love & anarchy!

by masked girl Sun Sep 28, 2003 00:56

"Those in authority fear the mask for their power partly resides in identifying, stamping and cataloguing: in knowing who you are...our masks are not to conceal our identity but to reveal it...Today we shall give this resistance a face; for by putting on our masks we reveal our unity; and by raising our voices in the street together, we speak our anger at the facelessness of power..."

from a message printed on the inside of 9000 masks distributed at the June 18th, 1999 Carnival Against Capital which destroyed the financial district of central London.

Before this gets into an argument, maybe people should read up about the ideology behind wearing face masks, instead of asking why & giving out to those that choose to do it.

http://www.infoshop.org/news5/philly_bb.html
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2003/03/53630.shtml

by acid Sun Sep 28, 2003 01:42

pics of those three under cover cops that blended in so well with the crowd? That was the funniest thing I have ever seen! They seem to be getting worse and worse at their own game.

by the bystander Sun Sep 28, 2003 01:48

Anybody asking stupid questions about masks should first get an answer to the question why some Gardai don't wear their number tags as they are supposed to do .......

The corporate establishment governs from behind closed doors so they are in no position to point any fingers ...

Interesting how the French term for a "limited company" gives the game away: "societe anonyme" .....

Anonymity for the bosses, anonymity for the "plebs" ... seems like a fair deal to me ....

by Observer Sun Sep 28, 2003 02:23

You claim you achieved something today, but you didnt.The action was a load of shite.When I went down there I thought we were gona blockade but from all I saw the bloc just stood around waving flags and messing around.Did you get in touch with the Boycott Topoil network?How did you attempt to advertise the event to get numbers which you need for real action?Did the locals even know what was going on?Mabyetheywanted to have a laugh but I wanted to use DA to make a point.I got an email about some DA going on but when I got there it seemed that you were never even planning to be serious.It seemed to me you were just there for a laugh.I was very disappointed.Hopefully the blocade outside the Dail will be solid and determined on Tuesday.Real DA can strenghten movements by galvanising activists but today was poorly done.

by Acid Sun Sep 28, 2003 02:36

Why dont 'you' get in touch with boycott Topoil. Shit only gets done when you do it yourself. The main reason why it wasnt blocked was to do with numbers. I blame you. YOU should organise it better next time. Not leave it up to others. And before you jump on the defence and start going on how it was organised, it wasnt. It was nothing more then a suggestion that a few people knew they would act upon.

by ? Sun Sep 28, 2003 02:44

what dail blockade?

by Bobo's mates Sun Sep 28, 2003 03:32

"I was at the DA man! We were radical - up the revolution man, we are, like so, in your face to the pigs."

Get real you losers, "do something" you say - aside from provide a bit of light relief for passing motorists and ensure the cops got paid their overtime your so called DA did nothing.

You wear masks because you are a bunch of clowns.

by annie Sun Sep 28, 2003 11:16

Here today Here tomorrow.

wankers or not.

Good to see BLack Flags in Dublin.

by Justin Morahan - Peace People Sun Sep 28, 2003 11:28

Well done. Every non-violent action against war and its supporters is worthwhile. All non-violent support welcome everywhere.

by sprte Sun Sep 28, 2003 11:34

fashion parade hits the streets of Dublin!!

by another observer Sun Sep 28, 2003 12:07

they attempted a blockade - very difficult when there's only a small amount of people. if there had been twice or three times the amount then maybe it would have been more successful. but at least they tried, the action was certainly better than standing around on merrion square. if everyone on the main march had come down then maybe things would have worked out differently. there were leaflets handed out at the start of the main march asking people to come down to top oil afterwards. to all the critics of this action, what way would YOU have done things?

well done to all concerned for bringing more attention to top oil's involvement with shannon. hopefully the future will see collaboration between the anarchists and other groups like the boycott top oil campaign.

by crissie Sun Sep 28, 2003 12:11

why are people getting so worked up about a small group of protesters who put face masks on?

surely its more important that they went off and tried to shut down a company that refuels US military planes?

who cares if they're wearing pink pyjamas, yellow big bird costumes or black face masks, the point is that they actually went and did something constructive!

by Sylvia Pankhurst - Anarchist Federation Sun Sep 28, 2003 12:50

Top Oil Station on Amien Street was effectivly closed down for the best part of an hour.
Yes it could have done with leaflets and more people, not into the fashion myself, but ... Top Oil Station on Amien Street was effectivly closed down for the best part of an hour. Period.

by this Kasa proposes Sun Sep 28, 2003 12:55

and then, they'll be really different won't they?

It really is quite ponderous how colour blind political observers are.

by this Kasa seconds Sun Sep 28, 2003 12:59

cloth.

- Now get your priorities straight.

* Reuters reports that the same weekend which saw Putin meet Bush agenda: Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Limitation.
Bush proposes: _do Iran_

* Also in the news, all of Italy except Sardinia and some bits of Rome had no usable electricity.
And they don't know how.

* Less than a million people mostly being very serious walked in key cities globally gathering under the banner "Stop the Occupation of Palestine and Iraq".

by Intimidating uniforms Sun Sep 28, 2003 14:09

A few idiots dress up in an intimidating uniform and strut about at a march. The cops? yes as usual, but this time we also had our very own lets-play-dress-up "black block" too.

Then they wander down to a petrol station and... do not very much.

Truly things have changed for the better.

by fuinseog Sun Sep 28, 2003 14:39

I had a look at those links, masked girl, most of the material was irrelevant to Ireland. Some of it was nonsense, such as “By putting on a black mask, you are not hiding your identity - you become part of a common identity.”, which of course is contradictory to many of the other reasons which are about hiding your identity.

Black clothes and masks are part of an aesthetic of violence. No accident that black uniforms are also favoured by fascists. A group of people dressed like ninjas is aggressive and intimidating of itself. It is highly alienating to most people.

by Bong Sun Sep 28, 2003 14:44

Why do you feel intimidated? Maybe you should ask yourself that first.

"Business as usual" at the Top Station was disrupted for over an hour, and the cops obviously didn't know how to deal with the idea of a black bloc -no obvious leaders, hard to pinpoint those instigate things (the first few to run in to the petrol station or link arms, etc), and for me the most important thing -it's very empowering. The anonymity means that people who would usually be nervous about participating in direct action gain confidence in knowing that a certain amount of others are in the same boat. The lack of confidence was obvious in the Black Bloc and more especially in those not masked up yesterday, but after the action you could see that people had gained confidence; I reckon it was good experience for later, bigger actions.

by Cian Sun Sep 28, 2003 15:11

A critic above asks if anyone bothered to get in touch with the boycott Top Oil Campaign.

The answer is yes, the members of the campaign were contacted by email and while the campaign as a whole didn't turnout for the blockade, several individual members did.

Personally I'm not sure that the blockade yesterday was "ideal" tactically, but given that no other direct action was going to happen, I guess its a step in the rigt direction. I do think that while participants in black bloc actions may feel empowered, this doesn't necessarily mean that onlookers feel in any way empowered or inspired to action. It's not easy for most people to relate to people dressed in black and masked up.

But I reckon that the black bloc tactic is here to stay and will probably grow and there is strength in diversity. No-one has a monopoly on opposing war.

Maybe those criticising the blockade should tell us what direct action they took part in on Saturday? What did they do to stop TOP Oil refuelling U.S. killer machines at Shannon?

Maybe if they aren't happy with the black bloc blockade they should organise their own protests against TOP Oil instead?

by robin hood Sun Sep 28, 2003 15:34

He or she feels intimidated because of the presence of a group of people dressing up as ninjas, wearing black masks and hoods. In any circumstances that is intimidating behaviour

There is one thing that slightly undermines the intimidatory effect. The knowledge that the boys and girls who felt the need to swagger around in black will soon be off home to their parents million euro houses. Middle class radicals dressing up to show just how radical they are are very difficult to take seriously.

by Acid Sun Sep 28, 2003 16:40

moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan moan. Are you finished yet?

by nifty uniforms and all Sun Sep 28, 2003 17:20

http://fiannaeireann.com/

they look like these guys, but less well dressed.

but the fFanna Eireann tend not to be vegan

Black Bloc, better dressed

by bb ina shui Sun Sep 28, 2003 17:35

Both seem to me to be missing in this case

by xxx Sun Sep 28, 2003 17:35

you don't like the black bloc, fine, We don't care much for some of your passionless politics either.
Are we all middle class kids playing dress up?
Hardly.
Seems to me the middle class kids wear sweat shop fashions, sell socialist newspapers and speak of leading the "working classes", but they're southside wankers and scared of these ppl they want to "lead" - just like they're scared that the blackbloc might just lead by example instead of from a megaphone.
When we start empowering each other at protests then there will be no place for bland marxist newspapers and bearded megaphone cheerleaders.
When we fight-we're fighting for our lives.

by random input Sun Sep 28, 2003 18:02

"When we fight-we're fighting for our lives."

Ahem, yes I'm sure. Fighting for your lives yesterday were you?

On the other hand, well done on the DA. next time though, lose the masks and you might get more people.

I was going to make the comparison with Na Fianna, but at least they only wear sunglasses (on demos anyway).

by .. Sun Sep 28, 2003 18:09

"fighting for our lives"

makes sense to me.
Taking back our lives out of the hands of the state, refusing to protest using their rules.
Our tactics as a "movement" are diverse, that's is our strenght.
Condeming each other is not going to help us progress.

by Ciaron Sun Sep 28, 2003 19:40

Yup sounded good. Gotta act reflect act again.

Retrospect is 20/20 vision. Maybe the march went to the empty Dail, because that's where the leadership want to take their place and sell us out! One guy is building his Labor Party pre-selection around the tragedy of the war that's for sure etc etc

I could throw out an endless list of ex-anti-war activists in the U.S. (are you listening Bill Clinton?) and former CND leadership in UK (Robin Cook before he wised up!) in the Blair administration who have trod that weary path.

Ed Horgan's returning of his uniform and medals certainly saved the day at the Dail. All the shit he has been copping on talk back from militray, ex- militray and well colonised civies makes it high risk.

The Ploughsares folks were in effect censored from the platform (same as Feb 15 when we were in Limerick Prison). But you only get disappointed when you've got expectations...and I've been around too long for such expectations.

Why do these leadership folks want to march anymore??? When they got 100,000 people they didn't know what to do with them! There was empty rhetoric from the leadership about moving into civil disobedience, Ahern called their bluff (counted that they weren't going to disrupt their lives to stop the disruption and extinction of Iraqi lives.) Ahern applauded Feb 15 march in Dublin - and made the deal YOU HAVE YOUR PROTEST, WE'LL HAVE OUR WAR!

The only time Ahern looked troubled throughtout the war, was the morning of the disarmament at Shannon. A coincidence that his colonial superior Haas arrived that morning...pretty upset.

If 1% of those who marched on Feb 15 were willing to seriously nonviolently resist Irish complicity in the war AND the other 99% were willlinig to be in pro-active solidarity (feed the cat, financial, emotional etc.) - the Irish government would have a problem.

There is little resistance because there is little solidarity. (as evidenced in the censorship at the rally of the Ploughshare folks before the courts!)

Great going at Top Oil - folks in the movement are going to have different musical tastes ,dress sense, ages, spiritualites, backgrounds etc etc Gotta respect it! Your only nervous if your not confident about your own.

Maybe small groups of commited folks need the element of surprise. Maybe that could be considered next time on the eve of a march (if another one happens! etc etc
Many thanx for folks who blockaded Top Oil

by Colour Me Pink Sun Sep 28, 2003 21:29

Were the "black block" yesterday all middle class kids playing dress up? Yes.

There are two issues here.

1 Was trying to blockade TOP oil a good idea?

Yeah, sure it was. It wasn't brilliantly carried out but it was a good idea and fair play on that front.

2 Was dressing up as ninjas (whoever came up with that description is a genius) a good idea?

No. Wandering around in a group, dressed like you were looking for trouble in a manner guaranteed to either intimidate or provoke laughter, depending on how seriously people take you, is fucking stupid. It's the quickest way I can think of to alienate yourself from most punters on the street.

Bottom line. Its playing dress up and I can perfectly understand why people were telling you to fuck off back the fancy dress party.

by Anarcho-taig Sun Sep 28, 2003 22:22

I was actually going to go to this but I couldn't as I had to mind my little brother. But my mother was in town and saw you lot and had to phone me to ask me what you were doing. I mean christ would a banner be to much to ask?

by ..,., Mon Sep 29, 2003 09:57

It's stopped caring, When the faceless faces are covered in black it's when they notice. They might not know what they're trying to do but they know they're trying to do something. They won't read it in the papers but they'll see it with their eyes and maybe tell their friends.

No group has a monopoly on the colour black. it's a bullshit arguement to say.. Duh, fascists wear black, you must all be right wing skinheads.." you might as well say "Ah, there's all them shy seminaians out for another walk"

People might not know what to expect now, but if we work together the masks can become symbolic for the average man on he street. the symbols might lead to ACTION

by pc Mon Sep 29, 2003 10:45

here is little resistance because there is little solidarity. (as evidenced in the censorship at the rally of the Ploughshare folks before the courts!)

by pc Mon Sep 29, 2003 10:57

but it spent most of the day strung on merrion square's fence while its owners sat around listening to speeches you couldn't really hear?

if they didn't want to join the "black bloc" they could have blocked the petrol station it at 3-4

by Anonymous Mon Sep 29, 2003 11:37

.

by conor (wsm personal capacity) Mon Sep 29, 2003 11:48

On Saturday I was 50: 50 on the whole masking up thing myself - I could see the advantage of a disciplined and determined group demonstrating that peaceful and efefctive protest can go hand in hand with the wearing of black and masks.
I think it was more then adequately demonstrated on the day that this DOES NOT lead automatically to violence.

On the other hand I wasn't sure if it didn't look a bit silly and maybe scare off potential blockaders and though I'm not against masks per sae (and can see were on occassion it could be very necessary) I wasn't sure if this was one of these occassions.

However the demented snot and spittle encrusted nonsense here so far about people's class origins and so forth is driving me into the "masked camp" at speed!

- Also the crucial point made by a few people which remains unanswered - is "what other tactics do you propose?"
eg besides a token walk and long winded speeches - MAINLY from politicos who did nothing to stop the war. Indeed Jack O Conor the new well paid SIPTU boss a union which at regional and national exec level activiely discouraged a tiny group of SIPTU members in Shannon who did ask about industrial action.

I see there is a motion on Top oil to the IAWM conference hopefully it gets passed. It would be great to see an organised campaign with numbers hitting all their outlets and there distro on the quays (i've noticed the amien street one does very little bussiness at the best of times)

any way I went along on the day and felt the action went well - achieved a good blockade and was peaceful and interesting - the cops were absolutely bewildered on the day. It was fun and achieved a small but tangible result.

More please

and now the add!


more on the black block (as a general tactic) from the WSM

http://www.struggle.ws/rbr/rbr6/black.html

and two more articles in the BRAND NEW issue of Red and Black revolution available for a mere 2 euros - never thought it would be so topical

Conor

by Anonymous Mon Sep 29, 2003 12:18

I personally, as I would think most left-wing people do, couldn't give a toss about a simple mask.

However, to the onlooking public and your average Joe Soap out there, I think it is very off putting and discourages them from the very thing you are trying to encourage them to take notice of and act upon.

by Cian Mon Sep 29, 2003 12:30

I fully agree with Conor's sentiment that we need to broaden this campaign beyond Amiens Street. But as far as I've noticed, and I regularly pass by Staffords in Amiens Street, it does plenty of business particularly at the weekends (except when there is a protest outside).

Typically on a Sunday and Saturday afternoon there might be five cars in the fourcourt, getting petrol and a few others getting car washes and using the shop.

by Joe Sheehan Mon Sep 29, 2003 12:57

For any protest/ action/ revolution/ public change of view we have to include ALL forms of protest from all points on the political spectrum. We need thinkers and doers, we need to do the campaigning and the actions so "Fair play to the crew that did the Top Oil blockade on Saturday."

There are more important things to spend our time on that sniping and backstabbing, we may not agree on political ideology but we agree on many of the issues. What we have to decide,each and every one of us, is how can these issue(s) be moved forward? The general public can easily ignore a march it is just "the crazy lefties" etc. etc., how do we get them on ourside? How do we get the information out to the general public and get them to read and accept it? How do we improve their goldfish like memory of how crap fianna fail and co are?

I do not have the answers but feel we need to get more imaginative and "market" the issue(s)/ information better.

by . Mon Sep 29, 2003 14:03

Firstly fair play to all who blockaded top oil - well worth doing - glad to hear it cut into them for a while at least.

Just briefly on the BB. I personally think that it does alienate people - particularly on a smaller demo, like yesterday. it does look a bit elitist and I reckon that it would be v. offputting to ppl for instance on the street who might join a march on the spur.

Heard a few reports about BBers giving it loads to some SPers / SWPers - like a challenge about not being radical enough or whatever. Second hand info - but if true sounds like a load of shite - no doubt two sides but.

just lastly, and i don't think this is a foaming at the mouth attack or anything like that - Its my impression that it is a more predominately middle class expression of radicalism - i just cant see working class youth angered at the war / the system etc.. 'dressing up'.

Just some thoughts. End the occupation / Free Joe & Clare / Bin the Tax.

by Me! Mon Sep 29, 2003 14:24

.. or is it cachet????

How 'anarchic'

by Anonymous Mon Sep 29, 2003 14:26

Agree wholeheartedly with your above little analysis Joe.

The word "market" is indeed a distasteful word - but I think it has only been made distasteful because it has been made synonymous with capitalism and right wing politics.

But I think the act of marketing itself, there is nothing wrong with it - so long as the marketing is truthful and is not indoctrinated with "spin".

And how successful marketing has been for capitalism is blatantly obvious - indeed for politics and political parties, its usage has been equally as successful. Look at "New Labour" for example. Look how Bertie has employed it.

I think marketing experts are needed for protests, campaigns and the overall "movement" to help spread the message to the general public further.

The mainstream media needs to be used and approached more. Contact names in every national & local media outlet must be established. These contacts need to be worked on – and a personal relationship built up where possible. If this is achieved – getting media coverage will become infinitely easier.

Relationships with the police also needs to be constantly worked on. There are many years / decades of protests up the road and confrontations with the police will become more & more prevalent. Our fight is not with the police, it is with their employers. Let us not get this mixed up – and let us try to get on with the cops as much as we possibly can.

Like you Joe, I do not have all the answers. These are just some of my ideas.

But I'm sure if everyone puts their head together, and learn from one another - the answers will be found.

by micro public relations officer Mon Sep 29, 2003 14:51

by next time lining up young teenagers in white T-shirts, and ethnic style masks, with make believe explosives strapped to their chests and get them to chant little bits of arabic for twenty minutes holding trigger switches and sweating most sincerely...

Then afterwards they can take off their masks, and say "Oh it is only a joke! don't worry there is absolutely no threat to your or our way of life, we normally get the message accross by full paper adverts, and pretending to be ròle models".

FF and FG and all the nice people are doing a good enough job of containing the total fucking shit situation that Dublin, Ireland, Europe, the Atlantic community is facing.

or did the surprise not kick in yet?

by - Mon Sep 29, 2003 14:56

and a good handful of those saw the need to dress down, mask up and "scare/intimidate/play the hooligan card".
They do so exercising their civil right to disobedience, it was non-violent and pacifist use of symbolism.
and afterwards they continue working to the benefit of national and international campaigns and lobbying in the interest of "our civilised values".

There are over a billion people more or less in the Islamic world, and we have no idea, how many are exercising their dubious religious right to martyrdom, and afterwards how many of them will suicide against .... who? is it us by any chance?
How's your soft maths?
Do you reckon we could estimate a thousand potential Sept 11. volunteers?
more?
Do you think the greatest army on earth and the British will be able to find them all?
and persuade them that the West is not worth attacking?

by conor - ucd SA (Sociedad Anonima) Mon Sep 29, 2003 16:40

I just dont get it

what is there to get here fellas

its like robbing peter to pay paul

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

by dunk - FUSPEY Mon Sep 29, 2003 16:51 02092997 at brookes dot ac dot uk

i was there on sat and was one of the few who was not dressed up in black
fair play to bb- they did an action, it got attention- a point was made

was it announced on the stage? were attempts made to have it announced? flyers went out to people, very few participated, why is this?

a banner or flag was needed to let passers by know what was going on. i got a box from the lithuanian shop accross the road for someone to make a sign of sorts, the cops took this- not sure what argument they used?
giving flyers out to people during walk would have been helpful, i got a few and talked with people- most people dident know what was going on and seemed to support it- i think 1 bloke joined in

it was a spectacle- seeing black flags crossing pearse st. will there be more actions against top oil?

for many the covering up is a negative issue- people do say why cant they show themselves, stand up publicly for their ideas. this is similar to the use of real names in webforums- posting as your real name and stating your views seems to be appreciated more- posting under an alias is seen, by some, as similar to anonymous grafitit on doors of bogs

im trying to get more architectural students thinking about serious global issues- your comments and ideas would be helpful there
http://easa.antville.org/stories/508330/

did the action get any publicity on mainstream papers?
perhaps a rep of black bloc could try to talk on joe duffy show about the action and bb?

by pc Mon Sep 29, 2003 18:30

but again the speeches went over long so nobody went?
which is more important speeches from anyone or action from anyone?



--
a banner or flag was needed to let passers by know what was going on. i got a box from the lithuanian shop accross the road for someone to make a sign of sorts, the cops took this- not sure what argument they used?

what you didn't mention was the as people were trying to construct a banner out of this a policeman came and pushed through the crowd and ripped it out of their hands a obvious at of provocation...

--
did the action get any publicity on mainstream papers?
perhaps a rep of black bloc could try to talk on joe duffy show about the action and bb?
--
for many the covering up is a negative issue- people do say why cant they show themselves, stand up publicly for their ideas. this is similar to the use of real names in webforums- posting as your real name and stating your views seems to be appreciated more- posting under an alias is seen, by some, as similar to anonymous grafitit on doors of bogs
--
there is endless examples of when people can't speak under their own names for fear of persecution
--

do blackbloc have a pr bloc i doubt it?

by CS Mon Sep 29, 2003 18:47

I think the concentration from the anti-BB types on dismissing the pro-BB types over irrelevant issues of class is hilarious; I'd ask you to define middle-class but it would only be another pointless exercise in comedy.

If you actually took the time to speak to those who participated in the Black Bloc, you'd have realised that it was made up of anarchists from Ireland, a number of European countries, South America and North America. Some were squatters, some students, some working, some on the dole, and (if it matters to you) more from the north side than the south side. About a third were female, and it was comprised of people from ages of about 16 to about 30. That seems like quite a diverse range of people to me -certainly more than can easily labelled "middle-class".

This kind of crap is all too easy to use as a schoolyard diversionary tactic when you're trying to draw attention from the real question -you oppose the black bloc, but you're not proposing any other form of action which actually works -as BB-style tactics have been shown to.

The only way anything will change is by embracing and utilising the various different forms of protest and dissent available; strenght through diversity.

by Jimbo Mon Sep 29, 2003 20:53

So what if there were more from the northside! From out along the Clontarf Road no doubt.

I was there on Saturday and, honestly, I didn't feel intimidated by the 'black bloc' contingent. They all seemed utterly harmless to me. Costumed middle class kids to a boy and girl. A very delicate looking bunch anyway; certainly not fearsome or intimidating. I felt like giving them some halloween nuts or apples, actually.

by bakunin Mon Sep 29, 2003 21:42

nice action! ninja's - great!!!!
it needed more bite tho, those cops could hav done with having their empty heads smashed in! and bricks! more bricks i did'nt see one bit of broken glass! ohh well hopefully next time! (try spread the word maybe a list)

peace,love and petrol bombs

by Acid Mon Sep 29, 2003 22:15

The above post makes me wonder are there other comments made by idiots with nothing else to do, trying to stir up shit between groups.

by mario - . Mon Sep 29, 2003 23:10

is a facist colour, why do you use it. What happened to red?

by hmmm - none Mon Sep 29, 2003 23:12

what excat wonderful direct action di ye do? lay in front of a petrol station few a while. Sp have been blockading half of dublin for weeks, but they're prepared to go to jail for it. you are dressed up middle class kids and as soon as there is a baton charge you'll be off crying.

by platform anarchist - . Mon Sep 29, 2003 23:39

you marched and stood in front of the station for an hour!!! and you call that direct action? An SWP march would have done the same. They'd have a few hundred and that would blockade the court naturally and for more than an hour. its not very much more radical than anything done before. And the socialist party would have least got themselves arrested for it. For me my friends you're not much more radical, though i love the clothes. next time blow it up then you can call yourselves black blockers, at the moment you're comical!

by badman Tue Sep 30, 2003 00:25

Ignore all of the above, especially from the 'platform anarchist' and the pro-SP poster above. They are probably trying to sow a bit of disunity among the anarchos. Most people know pretty well that the anarchists, especially the platformists (WSM), have been involved in the bin-tax direct action campaign and in the blockades againt Top Oil. Don't let them wind you up.

by Hmmm Tue Sep 30, 2003 01:29

The person who posted the following:
-
bb and sp
by hmmm - none Monday, Sep 29 2003, 10:12pm
-
was not me (Hmmm)

I agree with Badman, there are trolls about, trying to divide people

by j26 Tue Sep 30, 2003 02:54

Congrats on the first BB I've seen on these shores. It is however a shame that it was so poorly organised and publicised. It didn't achieve much, but it is a step in the right direction. For too long protest in Ireland has been dominated by the SP and SWP and the dogmas entailed and the agendas. It is great to see anarchists taking such a public role. Maybe next time with better numbers and better publicity we can see the beginnings of direct action, rather than just symbolic marches which generally achieve little.

I was there on Saturday and was intrigued by the BB, but not having heard anything before the march I had no idea what was going on. I'd say many other people were the same as me. There could have been a greater turnout had it been organised and publicised.

There is much criticism about the "middle class" roots of the people involved. Who cares!! These people have stood up and made a statement. These people have shown others that they are willing to engage in direct action to achieve progress in this world I will join them if I have the chance the next time a BB is organised.

Finally, the Black made a welcome change to all the red. Maybe we need a little more colour in our political spectrum.

by Job Tue Sep 30, 2003 03:55

'Black blocs'!?! For fucks sake! Have you ever seen real black blocs? I have, and I've worked with them while living in Italy. This bunch of kids think the black blocs are a bloody fashion accessory. The first sign of the black blocs in Ireland? Pleeeease! Don't make me laugh! Middle class kids impressing each other do not a black bloc make.

by Comrade James - Anarchist Action Tue Sep 30, 2003 07:39

"is a facist colour, why do you use it. What happened to red?"

Brown is the fascist colour, actually. As far as I know, black is not claimed by anybody, except for anarchists.

by why didnt they? Tue Sep 30, 2003 14:19

You said that if the SWP had organised it then they would have got loads more people down. The thing is that they DIDNT, and they WONT, and NEVER WILL. Even their Globalise Resistance brand is lacking in any sort of (market/cred)ability now, with a complete lack of genuine actions.

So there wasnt that many people there. So they dressed up in black. THEY TRIED TO DO SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE. Maybe we can all learn from them.

And as for this middle/working class business, I've asked this time & time again: can someone please give me a concrete defintion of the divisions please? Exactly when does my income stop being that of a working class person and become middle class? What amount? I am very curious for someone to answer this.

by iosaf Tue Sep 30, 2003 14:38

from the nationalist Catalan info site:
http://www.freecatalonia.com

The simbolism of the Black Flag is clear: victory or death.

Already during the diaries of Ramon Muntaner, chapter LVII, we find narrated the habit of the Catalan wars of using the Black Flag as a synomym of fighting to the end.

During the uprising of the harversters during the year 1640, this habit was recovered. Even, it is present in our national anthem in the old version:

“-Where is your captain?
Where is your flag?
they took Jesus Christ outside
Well covered with a black cloth.
-Here is our captain
this is our flag.
To the weapons Catalans
That war has been declared!”

************************************************
The Black Flag has also been used in Ireland to show mourning and resistance most notably during the Hunger Strike Period.
************************************************
The Black Flag has not been raised by Fascists, those of Italy used black shirts, those of Ireland blue shirts, those of the UK black shirts, those of Hungary black shirts, those of Germany brown shirts, those of Spain blue shirts, those of the Nederlands brown shirts, in the USA brown and white shirts are still worn. Fascists always wear military style accesories on thier shirts.
*************************************************
The flags of Anarchism/Libertarianism/Autonomy have been varied.
I'd like someone else to go through them.
of else I will in a few minutes.

by Mankind Tue Sep 30, 2003 17:16

Sub-Commandante Marcos, he wears a mask. I don't think he owns a X-box though.
Only joking. Good luck bambinos.

by Badman Tue Sep 30, 2003 17:24

According to the standard trotskyist definitions the middle class is defined as being anybody who refuses to follow the party, which is by definition the vanguard of the working class.

Even in cases where the individual concerned is a coal miner or factory worker, if they refuse to line up in orderly ranks behind the glorious leadership, they are clearly no longer working class; they have in fact become infected with petty bourgeois individualism (very catching nowadays).

But seriously, this type of "you're all middle class" slander from people who don't have a clue of the backgrounds of the people concerned, is pathetic. Did any of ye do an indepth survey on the class background of the people who took part? Or is your evidence composed of blind prejudice?

by in the gray zone Tue Sep 30, 2003 18:36

''Brown is the fascist colour, actually. As far as I know, black is not claimed by anybody, except for anarchists.''

not true.

Some muslims use it for islam:
''The Prophet Mohammad (570-632) - In the seventh century, with the rise of Islam and subsequent liberation of Mecca, two flags - one white, one black - were carried''

--

also for funerals, some places in the christian world.

--

Some say it means: 'Black is associated with power, elegance, formality, death, evil, and mystery.'
http://www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-meaning.html

--

In dreams it is said to mean:
'Negativity, i.e. fear, anxiety, hatred, resentment, guilt, depression (no hope / faith).'
http://www.avcweb.com/dreams/colour-meaning.htm

--

While others say it is quite fashionable:
'The color of darkness is undoubtedly the most popular color in fashion. A man wearing black suggests elegance, authority and power. When worn properly, black clothing also conveys neatness, simplicity and great versatility.

I don't know of any piece of clothing or fashion accessory that doesn't look good in black. Never hesitate to go with black -- just don't wear all black, all the time.'
http://www.askmen.com/fashion/fashiontip/49_fashion_advice.html

--

Some in witchcraft say...
''Banishing negativity, absorbing negativity. Symbolizes outer space and the universe. Black is the absence of colors. In some cultures, black represented fertility (as in quite fruitful black earth); in others, wisdom. In our culture it has been curiously linked with evil, due to religious associations. It is not an evil color.''
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/wiccanfeatherwood/colors.html

--

and sexually it can mean....
''Black color preferences point to black sex (not necessarily meaning black partners). These people are the misfits of the sex world and seek out each other in kinship. They tend to prefer perverted sex and are usually masochistic or sadistic in nature. They are moody people and often perform at their peak when under stress or during unhappy times. Police psychiatrists claim that sex offenders prefer the color black. And it is no coincidence that the uniform of mobsters and teenage gangs is black attire.''

--
Black is also a race/ethnicity...
From Ossie Davis's eulogy to Malcolm X:
''Many will ask what Harlem finds to honor in this stormy, controversial and bold young captain--and we will smile...They will say that he is of hate--a fanatic, a racist--who can bring only evil to the cause for which you struggle! And we will answer and say unto them: Did you ever talk to Brother Malcolm? Did you ever touch him, or have him smile at you? Did you ever really listen to him? Did he ever do a mean thing? Was he ever himself associated with violence or any public disturbance? For if you did you would know him. And if you knew him you would know why we must honor him: Malcolm was our manhood, our living, black manhood! This was his meaning to his people. And, in honoring him, we honor the best in ourselves...And we will know him then for what he was and is--a Prince--our own black shining Prince!--who didn't hesitate to die, because he loved us so.''
http://www.tearsofllorona.com/x.html

by hs - sp Tue Sep 30, 2003 18:53

in Italy Black is indeed claimed by fascists. The blackshirts under mussolini set up the first fascist dictatorship. In the 70's then there was black terrorism which was bombs planted by fascist groups, with support from sections of the ruling class it might be added. And today if semeone is politically "black" it means facist. And neo nazi groups all have black flags, especially Forza Nouva who use the celtic cross in a black flag.

Anarchists here are red and black, never just black.

The black block on the other hand wouldn't be seen as fascist but there would be alot of debate on what they are.. Especially by themselves. What they would say is they are willing to fight the cops. And the masks aren't a symbol its because the black block do fight the cops. Since the G8 summit they've pretty much dissappeared.

The action against top oil would be more disobiedients stuff (the old white overalls), which follow negri mainly or the kind of stuff, (autonomist marxism or sometimes called "workerism") though its a student group. Also the rifondazione youth would do alot of that stuff.

But as theatrical and all as it is and if a little badly organised it should be welcomed as more people are standing up against what is an unjust impearialist war.

On direct action in general, isn't the bin charges campaign just that? Why not get involved there (those who aren't)

by Yossarian Tue Sep 30, 2003 20:03

Yes, red and black is a popular anarchist flag; also to be found is green and black, jolly roger, all black, etc.
hs states that while the black block would not be considered as fascist there is debate as to what they are... suggesting they might be fascists or cops as the sp have previously suggested. The black block are not fascists or cops (although the possibility that they may be infiltrated exists as much for them as for any other group that poses a threat to the established order). There is no hierarchy; as far as tactically possible, decisions are made by concensus in a large group or by affinity groups. The masks are part symbol, part self protection from being identified if a "criminal" action takes place (the idea of duality strains some minds!).
The statement "the black blocks do fight cops" is totally misleading: most assaults on cops are not by black block people, I'm sure even a couple of sp heads have had scraps with cops.. what might be more accurate is that black block people are generally not afraid of cops and when attacked by them, they will try to defend themselves and will occasionally attack them if there is a greater purpose to be served, they do not launch automatically at cops regardless of circumstances.
Also crap saying that the action taken would be more this stuff or that stuff. It was a black block action. The relative numbers of themselves and the cops there dictated what happened to a large extent.
On direct action in general I'm sure a lot of those scoundrel black block people do participate in the bin tax protests (that's the kinda thing they like, ye know, direct action), in fact there were dismissive comments on another thread from sp people about the arrival of the RTS crew at Mountjoy, some of whom were dressed in black block fashion.
The black block is far from dead. Read the reports from Cancun a couple of weeks ago where the black block protected the women from the cops as they dismantled the fence protecting the conference, at the same time keeping provocateurs under control who were trying to start a riot which would have resulted in many women and men getting seriously hurt for no good reason. They again showed their composure when the fence came down and the women rushed towards the police only to sit down at the last moment.

by duh! Tue Sep 30, 2003 20:12

'The black block are not fascists or cops (although the possibility that they may be infiltrated exists as much for them as for any other group that poses a threat to the established order).'

how would you know? everyone is wearing masks.

by still wondering Tue Sep 30, 2003 20:40

I am still waiting for an explanation of how dressing up in black and masked can convince the general public of your cause.

you are interested in convincing the general public, right?

by bakunin Wed Oct 01, 2003 01:21

p.s. if i had been at that action in the black bloc i would not have let whoever it was taking the photo's stick their camera in my face masked up or not! just something to think about in the future. NO CAMERA'S!!!!!!

by Voltarine Wed Oct 01, 2003 10:51

The anarchists were using the black flag decades the fascists existed.

It is possible that the fascists in Italy adopted the black shirt in an attempt to siphon support from the working class. Certainly fascists were very conscious of symbolism. The faces themselves were rods which symbolised the authority of ancient Roman magistrates, authority they were trying to recreate. The Nazis also attempted to gain working class support (& succeeded); note they used a bright red backdrop to their flag. And they called themselves National SOCIALISTS.

Mussolini in his earlier years was involved in the socialist movement in Italy and he even translatated one of Kropotkin's books.

Link to anarchist faq's piece on the symbols of anarchy.
http://www.infoshop.org/faq/append2.html

by Donovan Wed Oct 01, 2003 11:40

Black is the colour of my true loves hair

by Andrew Wed Oct 01, 2003 12:25

I was sick on Saturday so not there, in any case I've mixed feelings about the whole Black bloc thing along the 'time and place' lines. I've peen in situations (Prague) where it clearly played a positive role but I'm not too sure that it makes more sense to adopt it as a style as opposed to occasional tactic.

But I'm amazed at the bulk of the anti-black bloc comments. A very few are based around the sensible question of whether masking up in that situation helps or hinders what you are trying to achieve.

But most are no more then inane and juvenile name calling of the sort I associate with the more crazed right wingers who post here. 'Nah nah you smell' might be a convincing argument in the playground lads but here it just makes it look like you have nothing to say.

Probably also worth pointing out that 'platform anarchist' is almost certainly the same (SP/SY member?) who has been posting here for over a year as 'eco anarchist', 'anarcho-boy' etc etc. The method is always the same, use an 'anarchist' tag to try and sow disunity amongst anarchists and slip in some bit of praise for the SP if you can. There is a name for this my anonymous friend and it is 'provocation' as in 'agent provocateur'. Your probably an idiot rather then on the state payroll but the intended end result is the same.

by iosaf Wed Oct 01, 2003 13:33

The last Prague was preceded by an awful lot of media manipulation stuff on the darth vader costumes that the police were expected to wear. THat was to discourage people to go thinking they could take on the NATO summit and the spookies. And it worked.
I have never been sure what "BB Tactics are", it's a bit like being told "you are using republican tactics" or "you are using greenpeace tactics", nor am I sure if there is a direct connection between the 9000 masks printed and distributed for J18 1999. (where did you get that figure?). Those masks came in different colours, and were carnival types. The most effective use of masks I see, are those used by police, soldiers, spies and journalists. The most powerful mask I ever saw was the one "discarded".

Really unless you know _who_ the people were in the blackish t-shirts and the blackish masks, then don't presume, they could have been anyone from the former soldiers of Ed Horgan to the KGB to Opus Dei, to anarchists to fetishists to the lost ghost pikemen of history or whatever.
They might even have been the Historical Society of the University of Limerick.

YOU DON'T KNOW.
I don't know.
& that's sort of refreshing.

http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=14078&condense_comments=false#comment28674

by still wondering Wed Oct 01, 2003 16:19

yesterday I asked the following:

---
Tuesday, Sep 30 2003, 7:40pm
I am still waiting for an explanation of how dressing up in black and masked can convince the general public of your cause.

you are interested in convincing the general public, right?

by Joe Wed Oct 01, 2003 17:09

Not a blocer myself but I'm not sure of them have regular internet access so I'll have a go at answering the question

1. The concern you raise is spot on. Will a load of people in masks and black gear encourage or discourage 'ordinary people' from getting involved. You of course intend it to be rhetorical (ie your assuming the answer is NO). I'm not sure it is so simple.

I'll make the argument for this in one word. Seattle. To expand - the 'modern' manifestation of the black bloc starts with the WTO protests in Seattle in 1999 and the window smashing/ cop fighting antics of the bloc there. This was very much the TV image of the protests. Now did the Seattle protest make the globalisation movement stronger or weaker? Clue - I consider this a rhetorical question.

Of course things are much, much more complex then this but the bottom line is that there is no such thing as the 'ordinary person' rather there are lots of people who form opinions in different ways and have different experiences. The trot left likes to use the safe image of Che as a recruiting icon, recognising that even armed gunmen in the mountains can in some situations appeal to some 'ordinary people'. Of course Che is long dead which is why he is safe but its not that hard a jump to conclude that sometimes at least some ordinary people see a need for a left beyond a monthly paper sale or march down O'Connell st.

So the real answer to your question is that it depends on which ordinary people we are talking of and what their experiences are and have been. It also depends on the context a black bloc operates in and what if any attempt it makes to be inclusive and explain itself to the ordinary person. Criticisms of Saturdays bloc are perhaps usefully centred around these question, from what I've heard issues that those involved are discussing.

2. What is the purpose of protest. Is it limited to reaching out to the ordinary person or is it also about getting the ordinary person to take action?

This question is more fundamental. If you believe that 100,000 people marching down O'Connell st will stop the war or end refuelling at Shannon then a black bloc is pretty useless and may well be counter productive. Mind you so also are a load of students chanting 'one solution - revolution'.

If however you feel that the government will have to be forced to end refuelling then you have to look to what you do the day after you have your 100,000 out. And preparing for the day after often means setting examples and testing limits the day before.

In that context Saturdays bloc is an experiment in going beyond the march. (After all we have had our 100,000). It is an experiment that tests for instance the very questions you ask. Will people flee in terror at the sight of a few masks or will they be curious? Will it encourage or discourage people from joining in the action.

It is unfortunate the most of the comments from the 'left' above are devoid of discussing such questions. Instead we see a very deliberate poisoning of the waters and the old polarisation into 'respectable protesters' and 'troublemaking thrill seekers'. With some amusement I note how what I presume to be SP members so easily adopt the position, method and language of the Irish establishment in this regard despite the fact that they are simultaneously the victims of such methods in the bin tax campaign.

by Still going? Wed Oct 01, 2003 17:41

I'm surprised that this thread is still going on.

A small number of people dressed up in black and wore masks on an anti-war demonstration. They then tried to carry out a direct action against TOP.

Personally I think that the first part - dressing up - was a bit silly. It served no beneficial purpose and managed to make the participants look either intimidating or ridiculous depending on your perspective. I'm sure that wasn't the intention, was it? On the other hand I'm not going to try to stop people from playing dress up in any way they like. That's their business not mine.

The second part - blockading the petrol station - was commendable if not hugely effective. Its usefulness was entirely unrelated to the masked-up strutting about that preceded it.

Now really, who cares? Why all the aggro from both sides (and I include on the demo where I saw one mask wearer grab a load of newspapers from a trot and throw them on the ground)?

There is a major struggle going on in this city, centring on widespread direct action. Some people on this thread are presumably involved in that. This whole incident is trivial by comparison.

by puzzled Wed Oct 01, 2003 18:52

Is this a message or something?
why do they dress up in Black?
why did they block the TOP Oil station?
why did they use black flags?
what is going on in Dublin?
what is going on outside Dublin?
what does this sort of communication do the popular psyche?
what is the meaning of it all?
why is the thread just going on and on with all these leading questions?
who are the black block?
can anyone be a black block?

by FF voter. Wed Oct 01, 2003 19:00

or playing poker.
could I be black block?

by TOP oil exec Wed Oct 01, 2003 19:01

and my face is on my CV which is left with the tippy toppy recruitment agencies.

by David Wed Oct 01, 2003 20:04

In the end, a non authoritarian society can only work if individuals all share common base values. If this is not the case there will be constant internal conflict resulting either in chaos or the need for an authoritarian force to keep order. Anarchists obviously do not want such a situation so it seems there need to be agreed base values (no killing, no raping, no stealing... abortion.. private property education religion etc) either before, during or immediatly after the revolution.
In order for anarchism and socialism to be compatible there has to be agreement about the concept of Authority. This dialogue should take place ASAP and in a serious way to somehow end this deadlock of childish bickering that we have become so depressingly familiar with.

And constantly dissing the middle classes.. after the revolution what is the proposal? execute everybody who wasn't active in the struggle? We're all gonna have to live together. We all have to understand the concept of Solidarity. It's not just a word you know.

by Not the Man Wed Oct 01, 2003 20:14

The length of this thread just shows how navel-gazing Irish anarchism is. I support the the blocade of top oil station, but it was no big deal. A lot of people dressed up and wore masks. They looked silly (idiotic actually) but carried out a useful (albeit minor) action. End of story. Move on.

by For Fucks fucks sake Wed Oct 01, 2003 20:32

The length of threads on indymedia is proportional to the amount and intensity of the disagreements that the subject provokes among indymedia's user community, rather than the importance of the content. Or to put it simpler we debate when we disagree. If people have a go at the BB, then anarchists who support it, or at least have some time for it, will respond.

by hs - sp Wed Oct 01, 2003 21:47

i did say i welcomed the demo. and about cops and black block fighting i din't say the black block attack the cops i said they fight them. Which they do but they aren't the only ones, communists have a long history there! About the black block not being around i'm just talking bout italy. i've been here two years and attended alot of demos i've never seen them. And i've always gone on the sections of the demos you find the extra parlimentry left and anarchists. Don't think its any great insult to say they were infrultrated militant was infriltrated more than once in its day. just that many suspect cops dressed as bbs were used as an excuse to start police riots. and the fact that all a cop has to do is wear the mask!
i was really just trying to make the point that the action is really no difference to what the communists and even centre leftists do regularly here rather then the type of actions the black block do. But it was a peacfull demo so i have no problem with it. personally i think wearing masks helps the police more as you can alienate yourself from people and it is very easy for the police to label you. I think its a big mistake.
On the fashion side theres nothing particularly wrong with that its just clothes which are fashionable, very popular here around social centres and students. Although here you wouldn't be presumed to be an anarchist for dressing that way. Most people I know who are involved in the social centres are leninists and i've yet to see one without a hammer and sickle. the stuff about the blackshitrts is just plain history and facts. here black is considered a fascist colour and red and black (the diagonal one) is the flag used by all the anarchist groups and the anarchist trade union.
Doesn't mean if you wear a black t shirt everyone will think your fascist or anything but its an unfortunate name for group here.

by Donnacha Thu Oct 02, 2003 15:10

"Doesn't mean if you wear a black t shirt everyone will think your fascist or anything but its an unfortunate name for group here."

If you're really unlucky, people might think you're Goths or metalheads!

D.

by Goth the metalhead Thu Oct 02, 2003 22:59

Whats wrong with goth and metal, if you've got a problem then take it to the doctors

by anarcho-yank Sat Oct 04, 2003 23:19

nice to see a black bloc in Irelannd, but don't fall into the trap of a lot of north american anarchists, and overuse the tactic. black blocs aren't for show, they're for action. if you're in the bloc, you should be prepared to participate, or get the fuck outta the way. above all, black blocs should be prepared to defend themselves and evade arrest. f-s-u and run away, fuck shit up another day.

by pm me Sat Oct 25, 2003 01:25

Just lookin back on the comments...
Ever get a strange feeling and your 100% sure of it? Bakunin is a cop. I have no proof...I just feel it.

by the wall with a ladder Sat Oct 25, 2003 04:17

yea, the 'what we need is another 'list'' bit, is pretty stupoid at leat, maybe s/he is.


"Where there is authority there is no freedom." (BB - Moscow February 13, 1921)

by binned Sat Oct 25, 2003 13:00

At first I thought it looked like a stupid fashion parade then I thought about how people are saturated by garbage soundbite posters from the socialists and the like and how now most people simply glaze over by the time they have heard the phrase 'Socialist worke......' etc.

The black bloc method cant be easily defined by the public and authorities and invokes more questions than most other methods. And the masks mean there is no leader, no ego-maniac spokesperson, no political posturing that we see all the time etc. etc.

Just a thought for the day.....

by Joe Fri Feb 27, 2004 17:12

The provocator posting as 'platform anarchist' above cropped up again today on two indymedia threads. They are at
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=63593 (posting as 'True anarchist') and http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=63534 posting as 'Proudhon'