Black Bloc Papers an Anthology of Primary Texts from the North American Anarchist Black Bloc 1988-2005 the Battle of Seattle Through the Anti-War Movement
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The Black Bloc Papers An Anthology of Primary Texts From The North American Anarchist Black Bloc 1988-2005 The Battle of Seattle Through The Anti-War Movement The Green Mountain Anarchist Collective, Xavier Massot, David Van Deusen Contents Author’s Note to The Second Edition of The Black Bloc Papers 14 The Vision of Anarchy We Fight For is One of Direct Participatory Democracy, Equality, and Dignity 16 About The Authors 17 David Van Deusen ...................................... 17 Xavier Massot ........................................ 17 Forward 18 Introduction Bad Attitudes and Dirty Money by Xavier Massot of The Green Mountain Anarchist Collective** 19 Chapter I The Emergence of The Black Bloc and The Movement Towards Anarchism 24 Section I. The Emergence of The Black Bloc: History, Tactics and General Constituency 25 Social Composition Of The North American Black Bloc . 29 Section II. The New Capitalism And Its System Of Radical Commodification AndCon- sumerism ........................................ 30 Section III. Counterculture as Social Revolution ...................... 37 Chapter II Early Clashes North America, 1988-1999 43 Genesis ............................................ 43 North America ........................................ 43 Chapter III The Battle of Seattle/N30: The Anti-WTO Protests November-December, 1999 47 Overview ........................................... 47 Peasant Revolt! N30 Black Bloc Communique by ACME Collective (A communique from one section of the Black Bloc: N30 in Seattle) . 49 THE PEACE POLICE ................................. 50 RESPONSE TO THE BLACK BLOC ......................... 50 TEN MYTHS ABOUT THE BLACK BLOC ...................... 50 MOTIVATIONS OF THE BLACK BLOC ....................... 52 2 ON THE VIOLENCE OF PROPERTY ......................... 52 Black Block Participant Interview by Steve Of Active Transformation ......................... 53 Chapter IV A16: DC and The IMF/WB April 2000 57 Overview ........................................... 57 A16 REVOLUTIONARY ANTI-CAPITALIST BLOC STATEMENT [The Call] . 59 Endorsing the Call for a Revolutionary Anti-Capitalist Bloc . 61 April 17, 2000, Washington, DC ............................... 62 Another A16 Report From The Revolutionary Anti-Capitalist Bloc . 64 BLACK BLOC the new MINUTE MEN, by gunga din, April ‘00 . 64 Don’t forget the Minute Women! by Shawn April 21, 2000 ..................................... 65 Chapter V May Day, May 2000 66 ANARCHISTS AND MAYDAY: A STATEMENT FROM THE BLACK BLOC (NEW YORK CITY) . 67 NEW YORK CITY MAYDAY-NEW YORK CITY BLACK BLOC by gunga din May 2000 ................................ 68 Chapter VI The Windsor/Detroit Action AgainstThe Windsor/Detroit Action Against The OAS/FTAA, June 2000 70 Call for an Anti-Capitalist Revolutionary Bloc at the OAS/FTAA Action in Windsor, Ontario ......................................... 71 Chapter VII R2K: Philadelphia and The RNC July-August, 2000 73 Black Bloc Press Release / Statement from R2K Black Bloc . 74 Communique #1 From a Wanted Black Bloc Anarchist ........................ 75 Chapter VIII D2K: LA and The DNC August 2000 77 Black Bloc’s view of last night’s police riot by Left Out ....................................... 78 Letter from Four Persons who were in the D2K Black Bloc by Antibody, Spazz, Sketch and Entropy ....................... 79 3 Chapter IX 03: Boston and The Debate October 2000 81 Black Block Perspective on Boston O3 by Nicolas of The Barricada Collective October 4, 2000 .................................... 82 The Black Bloc and Movement Solidarity<em>by BB, October 2000 . 83 Chapter X 017: Saint Louis and Another Debate October 2000 86 Overview ........................................... 86 Black Bloc! Congrats and Strategy Carbondale, Illinois, October 2000 by Treesong ...................................... 86 Chapter XI Montreal Actions Against The G20 October 2000 88 Overview ........................................... 88 Violence and Pacifism by Mathieu (translated from original French by X) ........................ 89 Violence at protests .................................. 89 Chapter XII N16: Cincinnati and The TABD November 2000 90 Overview ........................................... 90 Call for Anti-Capitalist Action on N16 in Cincinnati By The Columbus Anti-Racist Action ........................ 91 N16 from a Black Bloc perspective by Yertle the Turtle November 20, 2000 .................................. 92 November 16 ...................................... 93 November 17 ...................................... 94 November 18 ...................................... 95 November 19 ...................................... 96 Black Bloc Organizers Respond to Mike Dolan By Columbus Anti-Racist Action Southern Ohio, November 21, 2000 .................................. 97 N16 arrests Cincinnati “direct action” by Mike Dolan ..................................... 99 4 Red November, Black November: A tribute to the Black Bloc at N16 by Ralph Chaplin + friends. 11/22/00 . 100 Chapter XIII J20: DC and Inauguration Day January 2001 101 Overview ........................................... 101 A Call For a United Revolutionary Presence At The Presidential Inauguration . 102 Statements Concerning Up-Coming J20 Action By The Barricada Collective ............................. 103 Some Notes on the DC Black Bloc by a RAAB Organizer January 21, 2001 .................................... 104 Account and Analysis of Inauguration Day RAAB Wednesday, January 31, 2001 By The Barricada Collective ............................. 106 Chapter XIV A20: Quebec City April 2001 116 Overview ........................................... 116 Revolutionary Anti-Capitalist Offensive Spring 2001 [The Call] ........................................ 119 [Some Final Notes From The] Revolutionary Anti-Capitalist Offensive in Quebec . 120 The Black Bloc in Quebec: An Analysis by Nicolas of The Barricada Collective . 122 The Media, the Grassroots Effort, and the Local Community . 122 The Black Bloc: Material Preparedness . 123 The Black Bloc: Tactics, Empowerment, and “Other People.” . 124 Black Bloc Spectators? ................................ 125 Conclusion ....................................... 126 A Denunciation OF SalAMI [From Sections Of The A20 Black Bloc] . 126 Chapter XV DC and the Twin Towers: A Battle Postponed September 28-29, 2001 128 An Overview ......................................... 128 IMF/World Bank Protests - Sept 2001 Statement from NEFAC The Call ......................................... 130 Call to Action Against The War! .............................. 132 Interview Concerning September 28th Protest Against War & Globalization . 133 5 Chapter XVI Against Columbus Day: AIM and The Black Bloc in Denver October 5-8, 2001 136 Overview ........................................... 136 Transform Columbus Day Oct 5th-8th 2001 Analysis on The Actions From a Colorado Anarchist By an Anonymous Anarchist ............................. 137 Sunday. Oct 7th. .................................... 138 Monday. Oct 8th. The day of the parade? . 138 After the convergence. What’s next? What really happened? . 139 Chapter XVII The Battle of York January 12, 2002 .................................... 139 Overview ........................................ 139 Call to Action in York! By Philly ARA ................................ 141 Anti-Racists Defeat Neo-Nazi Recruiting Drive By ARA .................................... 142 Street Fighting For The Future In Defense of Anti-Racist Action and The Movement Against Fascism By Nicolas ................................... 143 Interview With A Black Bloc Participant at The Battle of York . 145 Interview with Imprisoned Anarchist and Anti-Fascist Activist Tim Fasnacht By Jack Diddley .................................... 148 Chapter XVIII Out With The Rich! Anti-WEF Protests in NEW YORK CITY January 31-February 4, 2002 151 Overview ........................................... 151 Anarchist Mobilization Against The WEF The Call ......................................... 152 When wearing a mask is a revolutionary act By Chuck0 ....................................... 154 Chapter XIX Anti-Fascism in DC and The Baltimore 28 April 24, 2002 156 Overveiw In The Streets of Washington DC . 156 Meanwhile in Baltimore… .................................. 157 Fascists, Anti-Fascists And The State By Flint, Roundhouse Collective (NEFAC-Baltimore) . 158 6 Statement from Baltimore 28 August 29, 2002 .................................... 163 Support The Baltimore 28! August 28, 2002 .................................... 165 COPS, NEO-NAZIS FAIL TO PREVENT SUCCESSFUL ANTI-RACIST BENEFIT CONCERT By JERSEY ANTI-RACIST ACTION, OCTOBER 18, 2002 . 166 Poetry for the Baltimore 28 by Anonymous ..................................... 167 Chapter XX Boston: Convergence of Struggles May 5, 2002 169 Overview ........................................... 169 Boston’s Festival Del Pueblo: A Critical Analysis By Nicolas, Barricada Collective . 171 Introduction ...................................... 171 What We Did (But Not Enough of…) . 172 May 1st to May 5th, Five Days that Changed Nothing . 174 With Anarchists Like These .............................. 174 Catch 22s of North American Anarchism Trusting Local Organizers vs. “Tell Us The Details Or We Leave” . 176 Breaking out of the Ghetto vs. The DIY Dogma . 177 Youth Rebellion vs. Respecting Our Allies . 177 Positive Aspects .................................... 178 Why Not Pink? By Molotif ......................................