the black block movement, comparative studystorage.canalblog.com/89/41/430655/29372217.pdfanarchists...

DEPARTEMENT GEISTES-, SOZIAL, UND STAATSWISSENCHAFTEN STUDIENGANG BACHELOR OF ARTS ETH IN STAATSWISSENCHAFTEN 

    

Project   

Referent : Dr Hubert Annen         

 The Black Block movement, 

comparative study               

Bernard De Sola Neumattstr. 19 8902 Urdorf [email protected] 

Eric Eltschinger Obstbaumstr. 8 8953 Dietikon [email protected] 

Black Blocs Page 2 sur 14

 

Table of contents  1 Introduction ...............................................................................................................................3 1.1 The movement in the act (in flagranti) and its History .....................................................3

2 Theory ..........................................................................................................................................5 2.1 Ideology..............................................................................................................................................5 2.2 Psychological aspects ....................................................................................................................5 2.3 Procedures (mode of operation) ...............................................................................................7

3 In « real life »..............................................................................................................................8 3.1 Structure of the group...................................................................................................................8 3.2 Objectives of the group .................................................................................................................9 3.3 Procedures (mode of operation) ...............................................................................................9 3.4 Police action against the BB ..................................................................................................... 11

4 Discussion................................................................................................................................ 11 5 Bibliography............................................................................................................................ 14        


1 Introduction "Les Black Blocs ont fait une entrée spectaculaire dans le mouvement

altermondialiste lors de la Bataille de Seattle du 30 novembre 1999 en fracassant les

vitrines de Me Nike Gap et de succursales de banques." (Dupuis-Déri 2004) Ever

since the BB was often in the daily news, particularly during events like the G8, or the

World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland.

It appears, that the only goal of the BB is to do damage and to destroy. However,

behind this destructive attitude is a completely different motif. As a matter of fact the

BB Movement follows meticulously worked-out political plans. The violence is only

used as a means to promote anarchy and reject all kinds of authority. The BB fights

all politics representing any kind of free decision and thus soar themselves up as

spokesman for silent (dubious) minorities.

The objective of this study is not to provide a solution to the problems of the BB,

neither shall it approve, nor condemn it’s activities. The goal of this study is to

compare the different elements, experienced in Switzerland, during the G8 in Evian

in 2003.

1.1 The movement in the act (in flagranti) and its History "C'est la police de Berlin-Ouest qui a inventé l'expression « Black Bloc » (en

allemand Schwarze Block) pour désigner des squatters qui étaient descendus dans

la rue en décembre 1980 vêtus de noir et équipés de casques, de boucliers et de

divers bâtons et projectiles, pour défendre leur lieu d'habitation." (Dupuis-Déri 2004)

• In Washington in 1991, during the anti-war demonstrations of the gulf war, the

BB smashed-in the window fronts of the World Bank.

• In Seattle in 1999, during the OMC a couple of a hundred BB activists

destroyed and looted the show cases of banks and shops like Nike, etc.


summing-up to a total of 7 Million $ in damage. Graffiti were smeared all over

walls and buildings and furniture was burned down in urban areas. For several

hours an autonomous zone, enforced with barricades, was created.

• The 25th and 26th of Sept. 2000, the biggest assembly of BB activists ever,

demonstrated in Prag against the International Monetary Funds. Some 3’000

anarchists and hangers-on clashed with the Czech police. The battle was

rough and the punishment was cruel. Later on rumors surfaced, that the police

had engaged Neo-Nazi militants to correct the leftists.

• In June 2001 a sizeable group of the BB massed against the Göteborg summit

of the EU. They devastated an entire street in the city, until the police finally

opened fire on them. One of the demonstrators got badly hurt.

• At the G8 during the 20th and 21st of July in Genova, Italy, banks, travel- & real

estate- agencies and gas stations were destroyed, shops were pillaged and

looted. Public posters and traffic signs were torn down and crushed. During a

violent clash with the police (other hooligan groups joined the BB) one of the

demonstrators was shot in the head by the police.

• During the G8 in Evian of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of June 2003 many shop owners

in Geneva and Lausanne closed and locked their shops, being afraid similar

riots, as have happened in Genova, could break out. On the course, from

Geneva to Annemasse, a gas station was blown-up by a member of the BB.

The BB was then heavily criticized by pacifists, but also by other members of

the BB itself, calling such activities to be counterproductive and putting the

ideology of the BB Movement in discredit.

• The G8 in Heiligendamm, Germany, in June 2007, amassed about 5’000

demonstrators together with the BB. Several groupings clashed with the

German police, causing wounded at either side.

(source: Wikipédia)


2 Theory

2.1 Ideology "Le mouvement Black Bloc peut être considéré comme un phénomène et un acteur

politique; existe-t-il un lien fort entre l'action politique collective de type Black Bloc et

la volonté d'un ensemble de manifestants et de militants altermondialistes de vivre

"autrement" leur participation politique?" (Dupuis-Déri 2004)

Strange is the fact that the BB Movement has no leader. All proceedings are taken

freely on equal base amongst the different BB groups.

Amongst the model of the anti globalization movements, the BB stipulates to:

criticize liberal States and Capitalism

as well as their economic and political system. The BB does not acknowledge the

legitimacy of capitalistic organizations like G8, Global Commercial Organizations, or

the World Bank.

The BB tends to proclaim radical criticism in the form of anarchy, expressed in

demonstrations. These demos are not always of violent character. The latter is often

a process that evolves with time and space. These demos are adapted to the subject

as well as to the political platform.

2.2 Psychological aspects It is possible to relate the BB psychological behaviour to simple group psychology.

However, there are distinct differences.


This group behaviour extends a meeting of specific people who adhere to a common

social or political idea, having as an objective a common goal.

The present study focuses exclusively on some group characteristics, either as a

norm or, with the definition of good and bad, to unload the pressure from the

individual, passing it on to the group.

• The norm of the group: as a comparison a group can be looked at as a mini-state. It clearly defines its own ideology, its values and laws. Very often their

acquired rules and regulations are not conform with the standards of the

western society. The anarchique character of the BB is an excellent example.

Their members refuse all kinds of authority and fight against it. Therefore they

redefine their own notion of good or bad.

• Redefinition of good or bad: this redefinition encloses the character of the

BB and justifies their action and undertakings. If it is commonly understood,

that destroying some ones property is bad, the BB defends it. Putting forth that

violence is the only form for them to make themselves understood they feel

like investing in a small, forgotten minority. According to them, the society is

solely responsible for those misbehaviours. Finally it culminates in the fact that

the society would listen to them, otherwise the BB Movement wouldn’t have

any reason to being. "Taper un flic, ce n'est pas de la violence, mais de la

vengeance" (Dupuis-Déri 2003)

• Des-individualization: it happens; that individuals are doing something they only do if their anonymity is assured. That is particularly true for BB-Members.

On the other hand one must consider that this phenomenon of sharing-out

responsibility is typical for group actions. Considering that an individual is only

a link in a chain, once isolated the individual doesn’t feel responsible anymore.

It will justify its action that it was the group who acted and not him.


• Pressure of the group: a group arranges its own proper standards. However, amongst the BB we can see a clear deviation in their group philosophy. The

group forms their own rules and thus puts pressure on their members when, at

the same time, they preach freedom of decision, where anyone can act

according to its own conviction, be it through violence or not. Over and above

that, the group puts another kind of pressure on its members, i.e. break the

rules of the group, will at least result in a warning (think of the blown-up gas

station in Annemasse). As a matter of fact, acting off the course of the rules

and regulations, worse even, trying to escape the BB will inevitably result in

loss of anonymity. Even if the BB works without a leader, the basics of their

philosophy are untouchable. The spark that puts something into motion

surfaces from within the dynamics of the group.

Finally, an isolated member of the BB can hardly be differentiated between a terrorist

or a militant anti-globalizationist

2.3 Procedures (mode of operation) The BB phenomena allows, due to their organization, to use the crows as a shield.

Like that the anonymity is assured, because the police is limited in their field of

interaction. Actually, it is almost impossible to spot a member of the BB and call it to

order for interrogation amongst all the other demonstrators.

The tactics the BB is applying are very similar to urban guerrilla fighters. The BB

systematically evades direct confrontation with the police, if the situation is not in

their favour. They provoke armed forces, only to escape again within the crowd. In

the midst of a manifest there is never a BB; but lots of BB-members. Another one of

their tactics works on the mix within the crowd. The cover-up is amongst different

groups of about a dozen, usually all in black. The black cloth permits them to quickly

group together and form an integrated entity (a BB). In the framework of a particular

demo the groups may get together beforehand, in order to coordinate their action

(remember the BB reunion of Montreal in 2000, to disturb the American summit in

April 2001).


The ideology of the group is well reflected in the choice of tactics! Anyway the

freedom of the decision is still preserved. The members of the group decide

individually what kind of risks they are willing to take. That explains why during one

and the same demo different tactics are undertaken by the various splinter groups. It

happens that some of the participants are not willing to engage in violation; they then

assure the retreat of the others or provide first aid in case the police uses tear-gas.

It would be all wrong, to classify the BB as ordinary (vulgar) destroyers (casse-tout)

because amongst the “organization” there are well qualified strategists who have

complete command of military combat. Their actions spread wide – fire-arms,

truncheons, Molotov cocktails, etc. as well as defense articles like shields, bullet-prove

shirts, gloves, etc.

Finally the BB utilizes effectively the internet to justify their actions.

3 In « real life »

3.1 Structure of the group

BB-Members are often descendants of anarchistic-; but recruited from different-

background. It must be considered that a good many BB-Members come from

respectable, inconspicuous background.

Usually the BB-Movement organizes itself around an extremely hermetic community.

Often these people live at the edge of the society and know each other well, having

lived together with squatters sharing the same ideology etc.

BB-Members are extremely suspicious. They hardly ever use the Internet, and

mobile phones only in emergency. Unknown phone numbers are automatically

ignored and deleted.


Strangers are only accepted to approach or enter the group, if a thoroughly trusted

BB-Member guaranties their integrity. It is practically impossible for a police agent to

infiltrate the group, because he/she would automatically have to play their game and

participate in their activities. Comparably to other gangs or, groups of hooligans, etc,

the BB is much more suspicious.

Lastly, it is important to understand the motivation of BB-Member followers. Usually

the BB composes of small groups within a demo, but these small entities can very

quickly recruit other Members. These individuals are longing for sensations and to

participate and show-off

(Police source: interview BRIC).

3.2 Objectives of the group Actually, the true intention of the group is to demolish and to destroy! However,

paradoxically, one has to distinguish between the BB and those who damage, break

and destroy just for the fun of it. If the latter destroy anything within reach, the BB

doesn’t do that just for fun or blindly. As a matter of fact each and every BB-

Movement is meticulously planned and prepared. The target is well defined and

sought out long before the intervention, in conjunction of the theme of the

manifestation. We deal here with the ideology of a political demo, supported with

violence. One can easily see the affinity to anti globalization supporters, with the

tendency to anarchy. As an example, nearby Mc Donald’s will regularly become a

target for the BB. Surprisingly, however, the BB-Movement hardly ever claims their

activities in the press. As a matter of fact the BB is biased towards the media (police

source: interview BRIC).

3.3 Procedures (mode of operation) The BB-Group organizes itself exclusively from within, without any external influence.

They always have a target and the objective of a demo is organized accordingly. To

understand how this is accomplished, some deeper knowledge of how the BB-


Movement is organized is necessary. A demo is usually organized in one of three

forms.

• The organizer is well informed of both, the organization, against which the

demo is planned, as well as of the course in which the demo is going to be

conducted.

• The use of a dummy. The actual organizers of the demo are very real, but

exactly for that reason they like to stay in the background. Should anything go

wrong, the dummy is used to take the blame. In such cases it often happens

that the dummy, being rather evasive, is not taken seriously and thus

organizational doctrine is bypassed or simply neglected.

• A known organizer who doesn’t take any responsibility of the consequences of

the demo. This situation is similar to b) above.

The organizer plays an important role within the BB-Movement in launching the

demos. As a consequence, if a peaceful demo is planned, the organizers of the

demo do not allow participants with the tendency to violence, take part in the demo.

Being condemned to stay at the end of the demonstration march they are at the

mercy of the police. To this effect, once the proceedings of the BB are accomplished,

they can reenter the demo. For the police it is now very difficult to charge one or

several BB-Members in the “tohuwabohu” of the demo; the collateral damage could

be unreasonably high. Worse even, if the police charges into a demo to arrest

somebody, the crowd would inevitably turn against them. These types of proceedings

are classical of the BB-Movement when they face public forces.

This is what makes it so difficult to prevent BB-Members from participating in public

demos, because they can act anonymously, individually, or in groups of two or three.

BB-Members change their cloths and make-up at will, once they are in the crowd of

the procession. Besides, in Switzerland it is not illegal to walk around with heavy


sunglasses and a backpack, containing black cloths and all sorts of camouflage

equipment.

(police source: interview BRIC)

3.4 Police action against the BB The only means the police has, in today’s democratic world, to prevent BB activities

is meditation and anticipation; which consists mainly in discovering individuals being

part of the BB-Movement and then confiscate their material. One way to put an end

to such BB activities is to take pictures of their members. The deterrent effect of

being deprived of their equipment as well as being kept on file, reduces their

motivation. The risk of being caught in the act gets to the root cause of the problem.

Preventing the BB of becoming successful, lies essentially in the identification of their

field of operation. It is evident that the police has to show presence and is capable of

reacting, rather than being intimidated by the BB-Movement.

Amongst the level of preventive actions within security organizations, it is important

that one or the other services (individuals) support the others; even though they may

be superior in ranks. Unfortunately that is an obstacle sometimes difficult to

surmount.

4 Discussion Generally speaking, the theory and practical experience gained during the G8 in

Geneva and Evian are in unison. The few differences are more of semantics rather

than actual facts. However, in literature, a form of idealization of the BB-Movement

becomes apparent. Today a real political dimension is attributed to the BB-

Movement, rejecting any international organization with the slightest touch of

globalization. Is the BB, therefore, to be considered as a worldwide organization,

trying to destroy everything having a different attitude as theirs, or are they really an

international party with a true political ambition?


The political dimension granted to the BB may somewhat justify their actions. Not

applying any form of hierarchy, they claim to be the mouthpiece of the silent

minorities. On the other hand, looking at it pragmatically, the movement is perceived

to follow well defined, precise targets. More so, that there is no political dimension

attributed to them. The group consists exclusively of marginally mobile individuals,

following their anarchistic ideas.

Another, and not the smallest, deviation lies in the definition of the BB itself. The

theoretical elements show that the BB is perceived, not only as a group of

individuals, but rather as a tactic applicable to anybody. This is so much more

disturbing, because any group around the world can make use of it. So, the idea in

itself can grow exponentially. If it is enough to dress in black and apply urban

guerrilla war tactics, we really need to worry about any contestable manifestation.

The Evian G8 clearly demonstrated that the BB follows its own strict rules and rather

complex tactics. As a matter of fact the participants came from many different

countries, which requires some kind of a “holding” group. Strange is the fact, that

many of the participants are well known by the police, acting in other, similar,

occasions. For the police it is evident that the BB is a group (an organization) why

else would it be called “Schwarzer Block”?

It is confirmed, that the BB makes use of high tech communication means to pass-on

their propaganda messages and even more so to coordinate their actions.

Unfortunately this is in total contradiction to the field definition who describes the BB

as a very suspicious entity, systematically rejecting everything unknown to them.

Therefore, modern technology like mobile phones, internet, etc are only used in case

of emergency. The consequence of it is, that it renders the BB very versatile in the

eyes of the police.

One question remains open, however, is all that reason enough to justify the BB

actions? In this respect theory and practical application are diagonally opposed!


- The theory is satisfied with the analysis of how the BB functions without attributing

any justification of their values.

- The practical value coming from police sources are strongly biased on concepts

dictated by the laws of today’s Democracy.

This in itself explains the difference in theoretical elements and practical application

of BB activities. Finally, the BB-Movement being very difficult to penetrate, makes it

that much more difficult to precisely analyze and document as well as verify one or

several empirical hypotheses of that topic.


5 Bibliography Hubert, Annen et autres (2004). Gemeinsam zum Ziel (80 - 83). Frauenfeld,

Stuttgart, Wien : Hubert.

Francis Dupuis-Déri (2003). Black Blocs : bals les masques.

http://www.caim.info/article_p.php?ID_ARTICLE=MOUV_025_0074 (Etat : 2003)

Francis, Dupuis-Déri (2005). Les black blocs : Atelier de Création Libertaire mars

2005.

Francis, Dupuis-Déri (2004). "Penser l'action directe des Black Blocs.

http://classiques.uqac.ca/contemporains/dupuis_deri_francis/penser_action_black_bl

ocs/penser_action_black_blocs.pdf (Etat : 2004)

Blog of a BB-Member, Source internet :

http://www.entremonde.net/article.php3?id_article=14 (Etat : 14.03.08).

Interview du 16.04.08 (police source : Interview BRIC). For obvious reasons of

confidentiality, particularly of the interviewed polices officers, and the names

mentioned during the interview, the latter is not in the annex; but it is accessible to

the interviewers having conducted this study.

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