How can I become a Black Bloc revolutionary?

[Let's Get Free]

What do I need to do to become a part of the Black Bloc revolution?

[Jesus Saves Gretzky Scores]

Well Black Bloc isn't really a revolution. But if you want to become involved in one, you just have to show up to any major protest, dressed like a member. Although I've never been able to join a Black Bloc, I've read about it, and it generally works that way.

Here's a great text on it.
http://www.crimethinc.com/texts/atoz/blocs.php

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

ROLL WITH A TIGHT CREW.
READ ABOUT GERMANY IN THE 80s.

[TheGodlessUtopian]

Step One: Get off RevLeft

Step Two: Find a political demonstration

Step three: Wear all black

Step four: ???

Mission accomplished!(?)

[Delenda Carthago]

Dumb down.

[ВАЛТЕР]

It's a super secret!

The first rule about Black Bloc is you don't talk about Black Bloc.

[Ele'ill]

Dumb down.

You sure do have a long way to fall from the top of that tower.





I'm about to move this thread obviously but we'll see where it goes because we've never seen a thread like this before it'll be an experiment we won't regret. The first step in black bloc action is to think 'what could be done'- but then instead of cowering before the mighty parties and activist/workerist celebrities you affinity up and do it.

[l'Enfermé]

If you want to go out and break things because you're so frustrated, just go and do it but don't pretend it has anything to do with politics or the class struggle mate.

[The Douche]

If you want to go out and break things because you're so frustrated, just go and do it but don't pretend it has anything to do with politics or the class struggle mate.

But it does have to do with class struggle and politics, it may not be a particularly clear or effective communication of one's ideas, but that doesn't mean its just petty vandalism.

[hetz]

But it does have to do with class struggle and politics, it may not be a particularly clear or effective communication of one's ideas, but that doesn't mean its just petty vandalism. It's violent vandalism with a "political" flavor.

[The Douche]

It's violent vandalism with a "political" flavor.

Like I said, it has a political content.

[hetz]

So does drawing Hitler moustaches on election posters.

[Delenda Carthago]

Black Block got nothing on organised clashes. Neither as an experience or as a result.

[Os Cangaceiros]

ROLL WITH A TIGHT CREW.
READ ABOUT GERMANY IN THE 80s.

This gave me a good laugh.

But seriously, the black bloc is mostly defined by "fashion" (ie, the fact that people in a black bloc wear black), and the activities they do during demos. So it's pretty easy to gain "admission".

[Omsk]

Don't talk about actual political moves on RevLeft, kiddie.

[The Douche]

So does drawing Hitler moustaches on election posters.

Yeah, potentially.

[Ostrinski]

needs more rainbow bloc

[thriller]

Uhh, hello? Make total destroy?

But in all honesty, just wear all black to a protest w/ some sort of face mask thingy, and there you go! If there are others like you, there is a bloc. If not, well it's just that lone protestor, but whatever. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do, or you can do anything you want to do. Sometimes there are many who feel... very confrontational, and sometimes there are different ideas and tactics. It's sort of the more contemporary and "youthful" idea of an anarchist contingent of a protest.

[Hermes]

Black Block got nothing on organised clashes. Neither as an experience or as a result.

Could you explain how a Black Bloc isn't an 'organised clash'? Unless you're using it in a very odd way, it would be pretty odd for me to imagine a completely non-organized black bloc (wouldn't it therefore not exist?).

[LordAcheron]

step 1: kick Chris Hedges in the balls for being a fucking moron
step 2: ???
step 3: black bloc

[Ravachol]

Contrary to what people in this thread say, don't go to some demo just wearing all black and 'join the black bloc'. That's a really stupid idea.

Because when shit hits the fan and actual confrontations do take place, not knowing others around you and being unable to quickly and clearly communicate with them (or knowing what they're "down with" in general) completely paralyses you. Also, if the group is scattered or snatch squads assault/penetrate the bloc and try to grab you, having some folks cover your back is essential. Sure, the solidarity of the entire bloc will help but the power of a black bloc lies in the fact that its (supposed to be) composed of a cluster of affinity groups, each of those consisting of a few members (i'd say no less than 3, no more than 6) who know eachother, trust eachother and have a feel for eachothers limits. That way, a group that's down with some of the more 'rough' stuff knows they won't be a lone rambo with nobody going in after him/her whilst a group of people that try to hold back a little (for whatever reason, its good to be realistic about what level of confrontation you and your friends can take, physically as well as mentally) knows they won't feel peer-pressured into going along beyond the minimum of the black bloc.

In addition, when the bloc scatters or comes under attack, knowing a few folks keep an eye out for you and you for them boosts your confidence and helps against the massive disorientation that comes with chaotic clashes.

That being said, the 'black bloc' is a particular tactic for particular times and moments and not the be-all, end-all that the blahblah stalin-kiddos here try to put in our mouths. I've seen folks cling to its imagery in inappropriate moments when the bloc served more as a flytrap for militants who were easily identified and ketteled than anything else.

What you can take away from it, however, is the affinitygroup model. Never go to a demo with confrontational potential (or in countries/regions known for heavy repression) without having a few people around you to look after eachother.

[Anarchocommunaltoad]

Break things with wild abandon, throw pavement and molotovs at cops, and scream the whole world's watching as you get your ass beat

[Delenda Carthago]

Could you explain how a Black Bloc isn't an 'organised clash'? Unless you're using it in a very odd way, it would be pretty odd for me to imagine a completely non-organized black bloc (wouldn't it therefore not exist?).
Black Block is the opposite of organized. Anyone can join the block, nobody knows who is under that mask, nobody has to explain and apologize to anyone, people act on their personal will and schedule and not according to a plan and with no public identity. Reverse all that and you have "organized clash".

[Hermes]

Black Block is the opposite of organized. Anyone can join the block, nobody knows who is under that mask, nobody has to explain and apologize to anyone, people act on their personal will and schedule and not according to a plan and with no public identity. Reverse all that and you have "organized clash".

That's... not true, though. Like many others here have said, many within the Bloc do know each other. The tactic is such that everyone participating, at least in theory, does have the same plan/schedule/etc.

I'm not sure what explaining/apologizing has to do with organization, though.

[Ravachol]

Black Block is the opposite of organized. Anyone can join the block, nobody knows who is under that mask, nobody has to explain and apologize to anyone, people act on their personal will and schedule and not according to a plan and with no public identity. Reverse all that and you have "organized clash".

You've obviously never been in a black bloc before... But hey, lead the way with all those 'organized clashes' the KKE is heading I guess :rolleyes: Oh and I mean try and turn them around, facing the cops for once. :laugh:

In all seriousness, what you're posting is bullshit. In practice a black bloc gathers on forehand, is composed of people who know eachother and have a more or less coherent plan of action. Sure, people can join in who you don't know, but masks or 'all black everything' aren't the cause there. Unless you know every single person in a mass demonstration of thousands you're not gonna be able to pick out undercover cops any easier then in a black bloc. In fact, I've never personally seen undercovers successfully infiltrate a black bloc in my life whilst I've been in plenty of situations where they mixed successfully with the 'openly recognizable' crowd.

And yeah I guess if your ideal world consists of party-approved programmes and timeschedules people acting on their 'own personal will' is the terror of every Stalinist. But its not even a tactical disadvantage (if that would be an overriding concern at all), quite the contrary. There's a reason why special operations teams are given a high degree of autonomy and aren't fettered by the chain of command as much as regular military batallions.

But yeah I guess your post is a good way to give a different twist to the line that everyone who doesn't march in a PAME block is an agent-provocateur :rolleyes:

[Delenda Carthago]

You've obviously never been in a black bloc before...
No. NEVER. Please teach me on rioting. :drool:

[Delenda Carthago]

And since you want to know about KKE/PAME clashes...

PAME port workers outside the Ministry of Sea Transforts

tqMaCpERlPM

The same syndicate inside the Ministry of National Defence
ob8_NBnz2pE

PAME handicapped syndicate union clashes with cops with some comrades help to go and visit the minister of Health.
dyLDznUZXKw


PAME guarding a strike outside a milk factory
-u5nfI1TTZE

PAME union of Greek Steelworks, the day the riot cops raided in and ended the strike.
OHTtUKPBFxs

When you ll do even the 1/4 of only these that I found with a quick search, we ll talk again on the subject.

[Ravachol]

When you ll do even the 1/4 of only these that I found with a quick search, we ll talk again on the subject.

So are you actually going into my arguments or are you just gonna hide behind youtube tough guy talk? Cause i'm not particularly impressed. But I should've known better than to 'discuss' with you because all that ends in is bullshit strawmen and "oh look at me I'm from the great KKE in Greece and nobody gets to doubt anything I do". :rolleyes:

I've plenty of Greek comrades who are out on the streets in the past few days during the general strike and they tell me other stories though... but yeah whatever, there's no sensible discussion with you.

[Delenda Carthago]

So are you actually going into my arguments or are you just gonna hide behind youtube tough guy talk? Cause i'm not particularly impressed. But I should've known better than to 'discuss' with you because all that ends in is bullshit strawmen and "oh look at me I'm from the great KKE in Greece and nobody gets to doubt anything I do". :rolleyes:

I've plenty of Greek comrades who are out on the streets in the past few days during the general strike and they tell me other stories though... but yeah whatever, there's no sensible discussion with you.
Laughin times.



Cause i'm not particularly impressed.Of course you are not. You raid ministries daily and guard strikes at factories on your weekends. Why should you?


But I should've known better than to 'discuss' with you because all that ends in is bullshit strawmen and "oh look at me I'm from the great KKE in Greece and nobody gets to doubt anything I do".
Actually I was an anarchist for a decade. And I ve been in riots that you probably would not even think it could exist. So for you to preach to me all this "ow, this is stupid, you dont know black block blah blah blah" is pretty funny- to say the least. Its like me walking to fuckin John Rambo and teach him war techniques.




I've plenty of Greek comrades who are out on the streets in the past few days during the general strike and they tell me other stories though... but yeah whatever, there's no sensible discussion with you.:lol::lol::lol:

PLEAAAAAAAAAAASE do tell me what "they tell you other stories". PLEASE do, so I can prove you liar. I dare you!:rolleyes:

[Ocean Seal]

Break a starbucks window, and then the blac block will come to you in the middle of the night and ask you if you want to join.

[Ravachol]

Of course you are not. You raid ministries daily and guard strikes at factories on your weekends. Why should you?


I'm not going into the childish machismo internet one-ups-manship. I can claim to be a member of the Red Brigades-PCC for all you know while all I do is write obscure theory and it could be the other way around. Who cares. I asked you to address my arguments, not hide behind strawmen. I'm still waiting bro.



Actually I was an anarchist for a decade. And I ve been in riots that you probably would not even think it could exist.


You think? Could you elaborate on those?



So for you to preach to me all this "ow, this is stupid, you dont know black block blah blah blah" is pretty funny- to say the least.


I'm not saying you don't know about the 'black block' (sic), I'm saying the way you describe how it operates simply isn't how it operates in real life. If that matches your experiences then I guess you simply didn't know what you were doing, as my experiences and those of almost everybody I know have been to the contrary. Just sayin'

But again, please back up your random accusations instead of saying I WAS TEH BLACK BLOC FOR A DECADE SO I AUTO-WIN THIS DISCUSSION :rolleyes:



Its like me walking to fuckin John Rambo and teach him war techniques.




PLEAAAAAAAAAAASE do tell me what "they tell you other stories". PLEASE do, so I can prove you liar. I dare you!:rolleyes:

Not much, just the usual seperate shouting march and leaving again. So much for the 'organized clash'. And yeah, I guess you guys protect your factory pickets, but that's not unusual. Most 'yellow' unions in France, Belgium and Germany do the same. It's a precondition for being able to operate as a union.

But this is all sidetracking the discussion which is you claiming the black bloc being 'unorganized', people acting on 'personal will' (as if thats something bad), and without a 'public identity' (lol), something I disputed and which you haven't addressed yet except for shouting a bit about how you used to be 'an anarchist' and are now part of the 'organized clashes of the KKE' and blabla.

People who know me know I have many qualms with a fetish for the black bloc as the be-all, end-all of militancy and there are many tactical problems with the whole approach as well, but your claims are simply incorrect and I ask you to clarify them and support examples.

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

Harsha Walia on the Black Bloc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oesjegD1-Vg) - speaking after the Heart Attack March against the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. She's probably one of the five most articulate anarchists in Canada. <3 <3 <3

[Delenda Carthago]

If that matches your experiences then I guess you simply didn't know what you were doing, as my experiences and those of almost everybody I know have been to the contrary. Just sayin'

OR, you and everyone you know dont know what this is. After all, when it comes to numbers, I dont think there is a chance you are describing something more than I do. And its a different thing to describe a BLOCK, meaning many people, and different to describe you and your friends attending a demo.

Its really out of reason to believe that you can have a block that is publicly announced and everyone can join to the point where you can have some thousand people in it, and expect a unified behaviour. And yes there is no political identity on it. Have you ever seen a political organisation/party or whatever to pulicly claim responsibility for the actions in it? That is political identity.

And yes, acting on your personal will when you do something collectivly, IS bad. IS horrible. IS selfish and petit bourgeois. When you go on a demo, you are not alone, you are not an "I". You are with other people, you are a "We". And doing actions that might put others on risk just to "do your thang" is the most antirevolutionary thing you can do.


So yes, clashing with the cops should be organised and public. People should know who you are and why you do what you do. And you should think your comrades while you do it and respect the collective descisions.


Other than that, I dared you to do something. I m waiting...

[Ele'ill]

Harsha Walia on the Black Bloc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oesjegD1-Vg) - speaking after the Heart Attack March against the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. She's probably one of the five most articulate anarchists in Canada. <3 <3 <3

I've posted those three or four videos in every black bloc thread on this forum and some of the users just ignore it because the truth is extremely inconvenient and because they approach left politics as a sporting event or something

[Ele'ill]

And yes, acting on your personal will when you do something collectivly, IS bad. IS horrible. IS selfish and petit bourgeois. When you go on a demo, you are not alone, you are not an "I". You are with other people, you are a "We". And doing actions that might put others on risk just to "do your thang" is the most antirevolutionary thing you can do.

i dunno i think the most antirevolutionary thing you can do is form a group and then attempt to control what everyone does while claiming to be the only 'we' that matters




So yes, clashing with the cops should be organised and public. People should know who you are and why you do what you do.

so you're saying nobody knew why molotovs were being hurled at the police lines while parliament was surrounded? nobody in your organization could figure that out? Surely they didn't feel bad for the cops.

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

Have you ever seen a political organisation/party or whatever to pulicly claim responsibility for the actions in it? That is political identity.

Southern Ontario Anarchist Resistance much?


So yes, clashing with the cops should be organised and public. People should know who you are and why you do what you do. And you should think your comrades while you do it and respect the collective descisions.

Wait, what black bloc do you know of where this isn't the case?
Do black blocs just happen spontaneously in Greece? No networks? No callouts? No spokescouncils? No communiques? No movement publications or debates? No assemblies? Fuck, I wish Canadian anarchists were magical/telepathic.

[Ravachol]

Its really out of reason to believe that you can have a block that is publicly announced and everyone can join to the point where you can have some thousand people in it, and expect a unified behaviour.


What is 'unified behavior' and why is this a tactical and/or strategical bonus over diversified behavior with a common goal?



And yes there is no political identity on it. Have you ever seen a political organisation/party or whatever to pulicly claim responsibility for the actions in it? That is political identity.


Good, political identity is for leftists and other bullshitters.



And yes, acting on your personal will when you do something collectivly, IS bad. IS horrible. IS selfish and petit bourgeois. When you go on a demo, you are not alone, you are not an "I". You are with other people, you are a "We". And doing actions that might put others on risk just to "do your thang" is the most antirevolutionary thing you can do.


So on whose will you act then? That of 'The Party'? That of the pre-approved instructions of some cadres? Sure, breaching collective decisions amongst comrades and endangering everybody is stupid and dangerous, but that has nothing to do with a difference between personal and 'collective' will (the latter being an expression of the former through a process of affinity), unless the only way you can conceive of unity is through the mouths of authority figures.



So yes, clashing with the cops should be organised and public. People should know who you are and why you do what you do. And you should think your comrades while you do it and respect the collective descisions.


I invite you to do this in any other country than Greece and get both arrested, shot and vilified in the media.

There's a reason the KKE's sister-parties throughout Europe never even engage in so much as resistance to the cops.

Besides, you still haven't made any convincing case whatsoever as to why a black bloc is more prone to people breaching 'collective descisions' than an 'organized clash' (which is your metaphor for a party-instructed bloc of people with visible faces who only engage in a particular type of clash when instructed I guess).

In addition, why is it important that people 'know who you are'? Also, does everybody know everybody in Greece, since it doesn't seem likely to me that simply seeing someones face makes them 'known'?

And why is it more clear that you do what you do for whatever reason in whatever it is you propose (which sounds more like, if it isn't party-cadre disciplined I don't wanna hear about it) than, for example, black bloc type clashes.



Other than that, I dared you to do something. I m waiting...

If you read up you'll see I already addressed that.

[bifo_161]

Any way ignore this arguement kid and find like minded buddies. go to the demo together. find the flags and banners plus lots of people in black. march with them and either engage in abit of fab property damage or militant confrontation against the pigs..then hopefully leave together too..but like the other dude said the affinity group model is good for any demo regardless of what it maybe and sporting black should only be left for special occasions if in your home town it doesn't always kick off.

[ellipsis]

Plus one for rolling with a group of close comrades you have worked with before and can trust, in bb, direct actions or any other potentially dangerous situation, ie marching in Oakland marches. I never got down on black bloc because I like camo to much and didn't own a full set of black clothes for some time.

I saw a pretty obvious cop in black blocesque at an opBART march, he kept talking into
His hand and you could see the wire coming out from his bavaclava. Plus his whole outfit was off, hard to fuck up black block clothing but there you go.

[o well this is ok I guess]

Break a starbucks window, and then the blac block will come to you in the middle of the night and ask you if you want to join. Activating this quest line will automatically fail any fighters guild quest lines you have active.

[prolcon]

I actually own a black balaclava, but I've never lit up a Molotov. You have to be willing to terrorize a little and risk going to jail for it.

[maskerade]

for those of you who have been part of black blocs or used it as a tactic - how inclusionary are they? mostly male or? i get the feeling that there would be some sort of discouragement from just 'joining up' with them, for reasons that have been mentioned above. i mean for all they know you could be a police provocateur.

[Anarchocommunaltoad]

Step 1) Cover your face

Step 2) Find others with covered faces

Step 3) Break windows

And voila, you're a black block revolutionary.

[ellipsis]

for those of you who have been part of black blocs or used it as a tactic - how inclusionary are they? mostly male or? i get the feeling that there would be some sort of discouragement from just 'joining up' with them, for reasons that have been mentioned above. i mean for all they know you could be a police provocateur.

Black blocks don't really need to be provoked, most/all show up with an understanding of illegal acts being likely or even the goal.

[Trap Queen Voxxy]

If you have to ask, you'll never know and if you already know, you need not ask. ;)

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

Step 1) Cover your face

Step 2) Find others with covered faces

Step 3) Break windows

And voila, you're a black block revolutionary.

Please don't say shit like that. I's dangerous, damaging, and the sort of thinking that waaaay too many young people take seriously; it leads to arrests and injuries.

Participating in a black bloc requires having a tight crew of people you trust, have long standing relationships with, and know well enough to know their capabilities and limits. Further, it's ideal if you have some relationship with other crews/affinity groups/whatever, and have some (minimal) communication about plans, routes, etc. This could be through a spokescouncil, through informal channels, whatever - as long as you are able to suss out what you're getting in to.


Black blocks don't really need to be provoked, most/all show up with an understanding of illegal acts being likely or even the goal.

Provoked, no. Planned? Yes.

[bifo_161]

Plus one for rolling with a group of close comrades you have worked with before and can trust, in bb, direct actions or any other potentially dangerous situation, ie marching in Oakland marches. I never got down on black bloc because I like camo to much and didn't own a full set of black clothes for some time.

I saw a pretty obvious cop in black blocesque at an opBART march, he kept talking into
His hand and you could see the wire coming out from his bavaclava. Plus his whole outfit was off, hard to fuck up black block clothing but there you go.

i've always noticed plainclothes cops on any action..they never look quite right.. plus often with local movements everyone knows each other..cops who try and blend in always look too distant and alienated from everyone else. but it really depends on the strength of a movement how many undercover cops there on direct action blocs some countries it's too dangerous for them as they would get assaulted if found out or in some places like the uk maybe the us im not sure they seem to walk quite freely about.