http://www.iprimus.ca/~dawnone/bbloc.htm ----- excerpt: THE BLACK "BLOC" The whole idea of a Black Bloc is that people wear all black, and stay in a tight formation. If people don't stay in formation, and wander around with large gaps in-between, well, that's not a black bloc, that's a march of anarchists wearing black. A black bloc requires that people stay tight and stay alert. In Cincinnati, we did very well with this idea. People (for the most part) stayed tight and alert, and there were very few instances where gaps became a problem. In DC (IMF Protests), this was a *huge* problem. The Bloc was very loose, and a lot of times, it seemed like people were not alert to what was going on. This luckily didn't turn too ugly, but if the cops didn't have their heads so far up their ass, they could have used that opportunity to divide us and make mass arrests. We cannot allow any opportunity for them to do that, an injury to one is an injury to all, remember. BLACK BLOC ATTIRE Seattle was probably the most effective Black Bloc we've seen in this country, and yet there was one glaring mistake that the Black Bloc made. Their black bloc attire wasn't exactly anonymous. It all boils down to this: Wearing a bandanna doesn't mean much if you have blue hair and a huge "Aus Rotten" patch on your back. Part of the purpose of a Black Bloc is to provide anonymity for it's members. You are not doing yourself or your comrades any service by dressing in a distinct way. Individuality is great and all, but sometimes it's okay to ditch it for a few hours in order to avoid jail time. Cincinnati was definitely better in this regard, but in order for a Black Bloc to truly be effective, then that means that we should dress appropriately. This means, black jeans or pants, black hooded sweatshirt, black shoes, and, if necessary, plain black jackets. Face masks should be plain black, whether bandannas or ski masks. Most black bandannas that are purchased are black and white. This is not good. You're better off just cutting a piece of plain black cloth into a bandanna shape.As the police and the FBI learn more about anarchist culture, they're going to become much better at singling people out based on patches or clothing. They didn't have much experience with it in Seattle, which is why people were able to get away with wearing patch-pants or other distinctive outfits, but rest assured that they're getting better at it, which means that we're going to have to get better at dressing properly.
Passed on to us from Anonymous Coredump:
THE BLACK "BLOC" The whole idea of a Black Bloc is that people wear all black, and stay in a tight formation.
Okay, so the Black Bloc "anarchists" have a uniform and march in lock-step formation. Hmm. Where do I get my "official" anarchist membership card? Oh, I know, I get it from the anarchists' leader. S a n d y
On Thu, 5 Jul 2001, Anonymous Coredump wrote:
purpose of a Black Bloc is to provide anonymity for it's members. You are not doing yourself or your comrades any service by dressing in a distinct way. Individuality is great and all, but sometimes it's okay to ditch it for a few hours in order to avoid jail time.
It amuses me to see "anarchists" abandoning individuality. Bear
The Lone Ranger also wore a black mask. He also rode the same horse, hung around the same Indian, and manifested repetitive behavior patterns. I don't think he really fooled anybody. The FBI and PO-lice aren't the only ones interested in anarchists. ~Aimee
-----Original Message----- From: owner-cypherpunks@lne.com [mailto:owner-cypherpunks@lne.com]On Behalf Of Anonymous Coredump Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2001 11:46 AM To: cypherpunks@cyberpass.net Subject: Meatspace anonymity manual
http://www.iprimus.ca/~dawnone/bbloc.htm -----
excerpt:
THE BLACK "BLOC" The whole idea of a Black Bloc is that people wear all black, and stay in a tight formation. If people don't stay in formation, and wander around with large gaps in-between, well, that's not a black bloc, that's a march of anarchists wearing black. A black bloc requires that people stay tight and stay alert. In Cincinnati, we did very well with this idea. People (for the most part) stayed tight and alert, and there were very few instances where gaps became a problem. In DC (IMF Protests), this was a *huge* problem. The Bloc was very loose, and a lot of times, it seemed like people were not alert to what was going on. This luckily didn't turn too ugly, but if the cops didn't have their heads so far up their ass, they could have used that opportunity to divide us and make mass arrests. We cannot allow any opportunity for them to do that, an injury to one is an injury to all, remember.
BLACK BLOC ATTIRE Seattle was probably the most effective Black Bloc we've seen in this country, and yet there was one glaring mistake that the Black Bloc made. Their black bloc attire wasn't exactly anonymous. It all boils down to this: Wearing a bandanna doesn't mean much if you have blue hair and a huge "Aus Rotten" patch on your back. Part of the purpose of a Black Bloc is to provide anonymity for it's members. You are not doing yourself or your comrades any service by dressing in a distinct way. Individuality is great and all, but sometimes it's okay to ditch it for a few hours in order to avoid jail time. Cincinnati was definitely better in this regard, but in order for a Black Bloc to truly be effective, then that means that we should dress appropriately. This means, black jeans or pants, black hooded sweatshirt, black shoes, and, if necessary, plain black jackets. Face masks should be plain black, whether bandannas or ski masks. Most black bandannas that are purchased are black and white. This is not good. You're better off just cutting a piece of plain black cloth into a bandanna shape.As the police and the FBI learn more about anarchist culture, they're going to become much better at singling people out based on patches or clothing. They didn't have much experience with it in Seattle, which is why people were able to get away with wearing patch-pants or other distinctive outfits, but rest assured that they're getting better at it, which means that we're going to have to get better at dressing properly.
On Thu, 5 Jul 2001, Anonymous Coredump wrote:
THE BLACK "BLOC" The whole idea of a Black Bloc is that people wear all black, and stay in a tight formation. If people don't stay in formation, and wander around with large gaps in-between, well, that's not a black bloc, that's a march of anarchists wearing black.
Now, let me get this straight...anarchists whose primary display of ideology is to stay in tight formation? I understand that anarchy does not imply lack of organization...but formations? Sheesh. Sampo Syreeni, aka decoy, mailto:decoy@iki.fi, gsm: +358-50-5756111 student/math+cs/helsinki university, http://www.iki.fi/~decoy/front
Sampo Syreeni
On Thu, 5 Jul 2001, Anonymous Coredump wrote:
THE BLACK "BLOC" The whole idea of a Black Bloc is that people wear all black, and stay in a tight formation. If people don't stay in formation, and wander around with large gaps in-between, well, that's not a black bloc, that's a march of anarchists wearing black.
Now, let me get this straight...anarchists whose primary display of ideology is to stay in tight formation? I understand that anarchy does not imply lack of organization...but formations? Sheesh.
So are you being sarcastic or are you really failing to understand
that Black Blocs are a short-term tactic for possibly illegal
operations on the street in an environment full of police, and not
some demonstrative symbol of anarchist philosophy representing their
vision of society?
--
Craig Brozefsky
On 6 Jul 2001, Craig Brozefsky wrote:
So are you being sarcastic or are you really failing to understand that Black Blocs are a short-term tactic for possibly illegal operations on the street in an environment full of police, and not some demonstrative symbol of anarchist philosophy representing their vision of society?
I would have to be flatlining pretty bad in order not to see that. But as the protection afforded by Black Blocs is quite thin (just indict them under organized crime or gang laws), the excercise has publicity stunt written all over it, and they *are* still undeniably broadcasting a message telling Black Blockers are willing to operate in ways diametrically opposed to the core anachist ideology, the whole thing seems both clueless and untrustworthy. I think those are precisely the criteria sarcasm was invented to be applied by. Sampo Syreeni, aka decoy, mailto:decoy@iki.fi, gsm: +358-50-5756111 student/math+cs/helsinki university, http://www.iki.fi/~decoy/front
participants (6)
-
Aimee Farr -
Anonymous Coredump -
Craig Brozefsky -
Ray Dillinger -
Sampo Syreeni -
Sandy Sandfort