black block statement from italian indymedia
the black block | 21.07.2001 19:53
Genoa, July 21st 2001,
by participants of the Black Block
We are speaking out for a part of the black block.
We do not want to submit helplessly into the politics of the powerful. We have come to enter militantly the red zone and to stop the g8 meeting.
Yesterday the police acted brutally against the protesters. Protesters were beaten up, were attacked with tear gas and shock bullets, they were imprisoned and tortured. The police brutality culminated in the murder of one protester.
In the published opinion the black block was made responsible for the whole violence.
Day by day, the capitalist world order produces a diversity of violence. Poverty, hunger, expilsion, exclusion, the death of millions of people and the destruction of living spaces is part fo their policy.
This is exactly what we reject.
Smashed windows of banks and multinational companies are symbolic actions. Nevertheless we do not agree with the destruction and looting of small shops and cars. This is not our policy.
However, we also do not let us be divided. To divide resistance is a usual way to weaken resistance. We appreciate and count on solidaric criticism.
We are angry and sad about the murder of Carlo Giuliane. Let us turn our grief and anger into resistance.
If windows rattle then you cry,
but you are silent when people die.
History does never end. Viva la revolution
the black block
Comments
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A call for justification
21.07.2001 22:58
This statement above from the 'part of the Black block" saying they oppose destruction of small shops and cars highlights the spectrum of what is and is not considered acceptable.
It is not protesters as such who are engaged in 'mindless violence', or to break it down further, it is not anti-capitalists, or anarchists, or even the Black Block. It seems to be a vey small group of people - with a high proportion of agent provocateurs etc.
Funnily, we never see justification for this 'mindless' destruction on these pages. I would like to see people who participate in this smashing up of any property to step forward and justify their actions in a way that all other sections of the 'movement' have done theirs.
If nobody who takes part in those actions is prepared to do this, then I think it is time that we face up to the possibility that these people are not part of the 'movement' as such, and perhaps should not have to be apologised for by others who do not agree with them.
If this is the case, then I think it would be very elucidating if groups from mainstream NGOs all the way through to the Black Block could all endorse a declaration opposing the 'mindless' destruction of any property. It would be a clear unambiguous statement that although there are many disagreements among protesters, they can all draw the line in being opposed to 'mindless' destruction.
This would firstly put pressure on the media to be more careful about classifying groups in future, and also might even discourage the hooligans from turning up in future - although I suspect more would need to be done to stop this.
thmsblck
police provocateurs?
21.07.2001 23:56
almost suprised...
backup
22.07.2001 00:44
flukus