I'm pretty sure Beth who posted this used to be a regular commenter over at Sparkle's blog. To me this is really disturbing and misdirrected. I thought that about anarchists who focused their energy on fighting the Police over here. If you think you are right, alienating ex-servicemen is pointless. I'm not sure of the truth behind it all.
FOUND on DC Indymedia, a post by "A":
People who are planning a black bloc, youth bloc, SDS bloc or something like that should announce it so more than 10 people can join in and make it worthwhile.
And this reply, by "dylan":
bring some paint so we can spray the wall.
For those who haven't been following along, the demo "A" refers to is ANSWER's "March on the Pentagon."
And the wall "dylan" wants to spray paint is the Vietnam Memorial.
from the comments
Didn't one of their spokesmen state there were no plans to vandalize the Wall, and such concerns were right wing mythmaking?
From a seattle Policeman
THEY COME PREPARED TO DO BATTLE and they are well-organized.Seriously, it’s not just bandanas over the faces, they have BMX or hockey pads and protection on under their clothes, they bring improvised weapons like D-Cell batteries in socks, flammable liquids in unmarked water bottles, etc.; stuff that can be quickly assembled or disassembled into innocent components carried by multiple persons.
If their target is the Memorial, they will likely create a diversion to get the police away from the Memorial. If they want the Gathering of Eagles folks away, they will create a physical confrontation with them in one area, hoping to draw the rest over and then they’ll hit the unprotected area. If you’re protecting an area, stay at that area. When your adrenaline gets going, you’ll want to go help, DON’T DO IT. The Eagles need to have people free from protection assignments to respond to these diversions so the Memorial is not left unprotected.
They use cell phones, hand radios, police scanners to keep their people informed. They will have folks on bikes or skates so they can move quickly from one spot to another (unprotected) spot.
Of course if you want to see how Seattle Police have behaved...
As I say, I'm not sure of the truth behind all this. I have heard the Police in the US are more violent than over here and I should imagine Black Bloc are more violent too. Symbolic violence achieves nothing in my opinion. Oppressive businessmen and women are laughing.
PS-The original post on some US indymedia site is more enlightening. When you scroll down you'll see our old friend Mickey Malkin has waded in.
4 comments:
Looks like the police were rather gentle with them.
gentle with gas.
xmoatIndeed. I am sure that the police asked them nicely to stop blocking the road. In a free society, EVERYONE has rights, that includes people who are not involved with the protests. Sitting down, linking arms and blocking traffic, impeding other free people is wrong and the police have every reason to remove them. Protest, chant, wave signs, and make your point all you want, but other people have the right to use public property too.
Don't forget that part of the reason the protesters are doing this is to get arrested on purpose.
It highlighted the injustice of World Trade agreements I suppose. As I say I have no experience of US cops. Over here any trouble is too tedious and follows the same course. I like inspired media grabbing protest, which works sometimes and is fun to do.
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