Growing Up Jung

Thanks for not outright dismissing the black bloc demonstration and for attempting to understand it. Right you are, it's a tactic largely used by anarchists and affiliated tendencies; however, hiding one's identity and/or committing property destruction is an age-old tactic that has found use in various conflicts throughout history (whether, social, cultural, political, etc.). Furthermore, many anarchists are against the black bloc tactic and view it as alienating, violent, or un-strategic; conversely supporters of the tactic find that it is empowering to the participants and overcomes the hegemonic idea that the current social order is all-powerful and immutable - particularly dominant in this age of pacifying spectacle.

You ask whether "members" would speak out if given a chance. The answer is a resounding yes. The anarchist community is vibrant and regularly organizes events including free food distributed by Food Not Bombs, prisoner support work, skillshares, bookfairs, concerts, and, yes, protests. Those that participate in black blocs don't simply hide in-between protests, we are actively organizing for a anti-authoritarian, anti-oppressive, egalitarian, free and better world. We also often work to pay billz. Some of us like chocolate ice cream, while some do not.

Behind our masks, we are you.

- participant in many black bloc demonstrations

There is very little doubt that the group is throughly infiltrated by police agents. That is indisputable and has been admitted by almost all of authority.

Far more interesting a study would be the role played by police agents in provoking and prodding and leading the group to expressions of violent anger against symbols rather then individuals. A more controlled "riot" is just not possible. Only in Canada .... yep, can you imagine the looting and burning of businesses if this took place in Detroit?

Anyone who might deny that the 'Bloc' was not allowed to roam free and cause minimal property damage in a controlled fashion has a very lose grip on reality.

It would be interesting to read the case files of how the state's control was actually managed this well.

Police cars left to be burned because of frighten police officers? Or the offered sacrificial "straw man" given to a peoples not yet ready to rise up and kill their oppressors? Or a symbolic gesture to placate angry people to prevent actual physical attack on police? Or, Or, Or ... I could put 5 or 6 other Or's here!

The whole of the thing would make an interesting study and paper.

I'm with Micah, arny mindell.

My two year old son has also, to my knowledge, never seen anyone hit anyone else. Yet, he hits when he is frustrated, tired and when his will is being thwarted. We all are born with the potential for rage.