Black bloc?

[Dimitri Molotov]

i just learned today what the black bloc tactic was and i have 4 main questions:

1. where can you find black bloc clothing? (i know you can just wear black hoodies and crap but it looks like a lot of people have specific clothing)

2. is it illegal to just be in a black bloc? (like just walk around in it, not smash stuff?) and also, is it illegal to wear a gas mask?

3. do police actually sabotage the protesters by dressing up in the black suits and smash windows and break stuff to make them look bad? and if so, are they legally aloud to? what proof is there?

4. (this is kind of unrelated to black bloc itself) where can i find the anarcho-syndicalist flags that people wave around? the little ones people all seem to have in the protests?

[Ocean Seal]

1. Depends probably at the rally people sell it.
2. Yes at least in New York. Your right to assembly is very limited and the fact that you cover your face is also against the law in many places.
3. I could see this happening, but obviously its not legal.
4. I can't find somewhere that sells them, but they can't be too difficult to make.

[NoOneIsIllegal]

A quick google search produced this result for syndicalist flags:
http://www.poisonedcandy.com/catalog-raan.html

[Widerstand]

1. where can you find black bloc clothing? (i know you can just wear black hoodies and crap but it looks like a lot of people have specific clothing)

I dunno, I just wear my normal clothes really. I tend to march with the Black Bloc, and a lot of my everyday clothes are black anyway.



2. is it illegal to just be in a black bloc? (like just walk around in it, not smash stuff?) and also, is it illegal to wear a gas mask?

Depends on where you are and what exactly you do, really. Walking around in black clothes next to a bunch of other dudes should be legal in most places - though BW, Germany tried to pass a law (not sure if they actually got it through, but it's not like any of the Black Bloc people care anyway) where "protesting in similar clothing to demonstrate militancy and intimidate bystanders" is illegal. Covering your faces is also illegal in a few places, I assume (in Germany there are a lot of laws regarding this. Masks are downright illegal, sunglasses are illegal if it's cloudy, etc.). In general, be prepared to get randomly arrested if you're part of a Black Bloc (then again, that could happen to any member of a protest march, really, but Police was more aggressive on BB at the Demos I've been at).



3. do police actually sabotage the protesters by dressing up in the black suits and smash windows and break stuff to make them look bad? and if so, are they legally aloud to? what proof is there?

If you do a bit of research into major demonstrations (G20 summit in Toronto, G8 summit in Heiligendamm, for example), there's always talk about Agent Provocateurs. There was a good report somewhere on Facebook, detailing how the police abandoned the primary target zones for Vandalism (areas with finance institutions) at the G20 summit in Toronto. And there are always a lot of reports and allegations of Police infiltrating the Black Bloc. I'd say it's likely at bigger Protests, but a bit paranoid at smaller ones.

[Fietsketting]

A quick google search produced this result for syndicalist flags:
http://www.poisonedcandy.com/catalog-raan.html

Intresting! Those big syndicalists banners... are they easy to spray or paint on? One would make a mighty fine headbanner in a demo!

[Quail]

Depends on where you are and what exactly you do, really. Walking around in black clothes next to a bunch of other dudes should be legal in most places - though BW, Germany tried to pass a law (not sure if they actually got it through, but it's not like any of the Black Bloc people care anyway) where "protesting in similar clothing to demonstrate militancy and intimidate bystanders" is illegal. Covering your faces is also illegal in a few places, I assume (in Germany there are a lot of laws regarding this. Masks are downright illegal, sunglasses are illegal if it's cloudy, etc.). In general, be prepared to get randomly arrested if you're part of a Black Bloc (then again, that could happen to any member of a protest march, really, but Police was more aggressive on BB at the Demos I've been at).


In the UK the police can arrest you if you don't remove your face covering under certain circumstances. I think it's due to some subjective law that says if the police "reasonably" think that there's a danger of violence or something.

Regarding red and black flags.. Just get some red and black material and a sewing machine! It would probably take an hour max to make a decent one.

[revolution inaction]

In the UK the police can arrest you if you don't remove your face covering under certain circumstances. I think it's due to some subjective law that says if the police "reasonably" think that there's a danger of violence or something.


if they have a section 60 in place they can demand anyone remove face coveings, section 60's are limited time orders that the police can ask for if they are expecting a demonstration.
They can also arrest anyone who they suspect of a crime, so they can force people to remove masks under other circumstances to by threaten to arrest people.

[meow]

i just learned today what the black bloc tactic was and i have 4 main questions:

1. where can you find black bloc clothing? (i know you can just wear black hoodies and crap but it looks like a lot of people have specific clothing)

do you intend to do "illegal" stuff? if not it is not as important what you wear. but if you do or even if you dont try and buy your clothing with other blocers. the point is to be all the same. if you are all same it means if one does something it is not easy to know who.

2. is it illegal to just be in a black bloc? (like just walk around in it, not smash stuff?) and also, is it illegal to wear a gas mask?
talk to your local lawyer. ask your local activist group. i know in many places there is good protest lawyers. legal group who watch protest and make sure that all people who are arrested are dealt with legal. find and talk to them.

3. do police actually sabotage the protesters by dressing up in the black suits and smash windows and break stuff to make them look bad? and if so, are they legally aloud to? what proof is there?
others have given websites. but i have read number of places of police being in "black bloc" and identify by boots. but as others have also said it also happens no matter protest. whether black bloc or not.

[RED DAVE]

Provocative Question: Revolution is not gang warfare or a fashion show. How does being in a black bloc enhance class struggle or the purposes revolutionary action?

RED DAVE

[Widerstand]

Provocative Question: Revolution is not gang warfare or a fashion show. How does being in a black bloc enhance class struggle or the purposes revolutionary action?

RED DAVE

It removes the individuality of the protesters, thereby creating a sense of anonymity and unity. A big black bloc marching in front of a demonstration, with lots of banners and flags, which is how it was at most demonstrations I was at, can be pretty damn impressive - and that is the point of a demonstration, isn't it? It also attracts attention to the banners rather than to the individual protester.

[RED DAVE]

[
Provocative Question: Revolution is not gang warfare or a fashion show. How does being in a black bloc enhance class struggle or the purposes revolutionary action?
It removes the individuality of the protesters, thereby creating a sense of anonymity and unity. A big black bloc marching in front of a demonstration, with lots of banners and flags, which is how it was at most demonstrations I was at, can be pretty damn impressive - and that is the point of a demonstration, isn't it? It also attracts attention to the banners rather than to the individual protester.The question was, of course, rhetorical.

My considered political opinion is that for the US, this is a bad idea. If the purpose of demonstrations is to attract attention and support to causes, I think, in this country at least, it will backfire. I don't think that the image of a black bloc in an American demonstration will attract support from the working class, individually or as a group, at this time.

(ducks to avoid bricks)

RED DAVE

[Tablo]

A quick google search produced this result for syndicalist flags:
http://www.poisonedcandy.com/catalog-raan.html
LOL, those prices are ridiculous. Much better idea to diy.

[An archist]

Intresting! Those big syndicalists banners... are they easy to spray or paint on? One would make a mighty fine headbanner in a demo!
Where's you DIY spirit? Just go to a fabrics shop, get some decent fabrics and get your grandmothers sewing machine.

[bcbm]

Revolution is not gang warfare or a fashion show.

says you

[Lyev]

says youWhat's your point here bcbm?

[bcbm]

if i can't look fly its not my revolution

[Tablo]

if i can't look fly its not my revolution
You sound like an anarchist! Burn him!!

[BLACKPLATES]

in most cities in the US going around in a mask is Illegal (especially a mask and hoodie ensemble). you will be stopped, sooner or later, sooner in NY or Chicago, maybe later other places. Actually in NY or Chicago, or LA etc., you are putting your life on the line walking around with a hood and mask. im not suggesting that puting ones life on the line is bad, or unecessary but it should be to achieve something more than just looking good then getting your head bashed in and tazered.

[tbasherizer]

4. (this is kind of unrelated to black bloc itself) where can i find the anarcho-syndicalist flags that people wave around? the little ones people all seem to have in the protests?

I think that in the spirit of continuing the radical spirit of the Revolutions of 1848, a pure red flag would be preferable. Sure, it may be associated with MLism, but maybe we can bring it back into style and make it a symbol of radicalism in general. Plus, it's easier to make.

[Black Sheep]

Wow an anarchist fashion show?Will you shout stuff about fashion designers restricting your freedom?Black smurfs?
And allow me to lol about anarchosyndicalist flags in the black block.
Puke iminent.

[Fietsketting]

Where's you DIY spirit? Just go to a fabrics shop, get some decent fabrics and get your grandmothers sewing machine.

You clearly haven't seem my attempt at a red/black bandana :crying:

[revolution inaction]

I think that in the spirit of continuing the radical spirit of the Revolutions of 1848, a pure red flag would be preferable. Sure, it may be associated with MLism, but maybe we can bring it back into style and make it a symbol of radicalism in general. Plus, it's easier to make.

a black one is just as easy to make and isn't associated with leninism

[AK]

This thread is in serious need of some riot porn.

[Jazzhands]

lol RAAN.

[tbasherizer]

a black one is just as easy to make and isn't associated with leninism

I suppose. I was just kind of daunted by the task of cutting two right angle triangles out of fabric ;).

[Bad Grrrl Agro]

if i can't look fly its not my revolution
You fucking rock!