Interesting. Groups using the Black Bloc banner and tactics began in Germany, expanded in Europe, and spread to the U.S. in the 90's, protesting the World Trade Organization. Accused of high-jacking the Occupy Movement, they used anarchist tactics of property destruction, and sometimes physical assault, hiding behind masks, hoods and black clothing. Leaders of Occupy denounced them and said they were not a welcome part of the movement.
Participants are mostly 18-30 year old white males who seem to be politically motivated but loosely and horizontally organized. Some suggest they are right wing at heart, since they insinuate themselves into peaceful non-violent protests of various kinds by the left, do some damage that deflects all the attention away from the message of the non-violent protesters and garner the attention of the media and the anger of the people at large.
delta1 wrote:
