This is on-the-spot reporting just in from the first day of the G20 summit in Pittsburgh, which has seen a great deal of spirited resistance and confrontation—perhaps as much as has occurred at any anarchist mobilization in North America in half a decade. This gushy, hastily composed account presents the context, attempts to convey the spirit of the day, and raises a few preliminary questions.
The basic narrative of the day runs thus: The protesters attempt to reach the summit site, but are brutally forced back by police. They eventually turn around and march through Pittsburgh neighborhoods and shopping districts, where the police pursue and attack them. Property destruction intensifies in response to these attacks, and the conflict culminates in a standoff between police and students during which a black bloc destroys a business district.
Red here:
http://www.crimethinc.com/texts/recentfeatures/g20.php Report linked to videos and pics
Comments
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Achieving what?
26.09.2009 22:47
Sens Ible
@Sens Ible
26.09.2009 23:18
TRA
hmm, wrong use of tactic
26.09.2009 23:22
oi oi
black bloc = agents provocateurs
27.09.2009 02:07
Make of that what you will.
Operator
use of violence
27.09.2009 08:23
The struggle continues...
citizenoftheworld
black
27.09.2009 11:34
Am I the only one wondering whether these comments / rumours / unchallenged assertions are designed specifically to undermine support for black bloc tactics among the protest movement?
You don't like to damage property, ok. But suggesting that those that do this as a tactic are deliberately or otherwise doing the bidding of the state is going too far.
Anyone who thinks 'peaceful protest' produces change must have been asleep all their lives. Black bloc has an impact few other protest forms can achieve. But those that support it (and there are very many) tend to keep their heads down and not post their 'criminal?' tendencies on public forums.
bloc
Climate Rush and property damage
27.09.2009 12:58
Maybe they'll be radicalised by the COP 15 in Copenhagen in December which is sure to be a little heavier than most Climate Rush activities.
See here for a small photographic example:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/2163041329/
You can find this fantastic list of Suffragette actions, rather peversely, on the Climate Rush site:
http://www.climaterush.co.uk/when.html
Small example -
1911, November 21
Mrs Pethwick Lawrence attempts to lead a deputation to the House of Commons from the Caxton Hall but all ways are blocked by police. An organised stone-throwing raid on the windows of shops and Government offices follows involving 223 arrests.
1912, March 1
Mass window smashing in the West End. After persistent warnings which gain no response from the government, the Suffragettes announce that they intend to use ‘the argument of the stone’, and give notice of a demonstration on March 4. Unannounced, a manoeuvre led by Mrs Pankhurst is carried out on March 1. Mrs Pankhurst arrested.
1912, March 4
A further outbreak of window smashing takes place.
Etc etc.
Mary Leigh
Homepage: http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/2163041329/