Black block

The Black Block concept was first developed in late 1980 in Germany as a response to police brutality. In June 1980, the police dispersed an anti-nuclear protest camp in Gorleben , which required the largest mobilization of German police since the Third Reich . This attack on 5,000 peaceful protesters triggered the adoption of violent methods by former pacifists . Later, in December 1980, the Berlin government initiated mass arrests that swept through all of West Berlin . Squatters resisted by capturing new squats in response to the eviction of old ones. The mass arrests of squatters were followed by demonstrations spanning many cities. When a demonstration took place in Berlin, numbering about 17,000 participants, who took the streets and destroyed the elite shopping areas, this day was called “Black Friday”. Then the first experience of tactics with the same black clothes and masks was applied, which allows better resistance to the police and avoid identification. The German media called them the “Black Block” (der schwarze Block)

The vast majority in the "Black Bloc" are anarchists (the name itself appeared from the black color of the flag of the anarchists ). However, not only anarchists are found among black-blockers. In this international anti-capitalist and anti-fascist movement shoulder to shoulder with the anarchists are both libertarian socialists and “green” with radical ecologists - in a word, people who together fight against:

I Against Capitalism . For public ownership of the means of production, land and housing.

Black blockers oppose capitalism as a system that generates inequality , poverty and war; against an economy based on the exploitation of some people by others. They believe that it is precisely this mode of production that causes problems such as famine, fascism , war, etc. The Black Bloc stands for the expropriation of all means of production, land and housing in favor of wage earners, for the self-organization of workers. For a classless society, where everyone will have equal conditions to own the means of production. Education, medicine and other social services will be free.

II Against the state . For decentralization of power and widespread self-organization.

The "Black Bloc" opposes the main capitalist - the state, and believes that power should be as decentralized as possible. Again, this goal can only be achieved through self-organization, the creation of various self-government bodies, organizations of people united by something. Inevitably, links should be established between different organizations: certain coordinating structures that coordinate the interests of all, but do not make decisions themselves. They will consist of elected officials who can be immediately recalled. In this case, the decisive vote will belong to the primary organizations, that is, decisions will be made by all members of society.

III Against fascism , nationalism , racism , sexism , homophobia and other forms of discrimination . For internationalism and solidarity between wage earners and all whose interests contradict the interests of the capitalists.

Capitalism can be destroyed only by joint efforts. Any discrimination leads to a split in the anti-capitalist movement and to the victory of the capitalists. Therefore, one cannot follow the prejudices that feed us the media and other institutions of capitalist society. It is necessary to unite and solve the problems that capitalism creates for us together: to create international organizations that can merge the efforts of millions - after all, it is only possible to destroy capitalism on the whole planet Earth.

IV Against the wars. For a world without borders and violence.

Any wars are waged in the interests of politicians and capitalists. The soldiers do not receive any benefits, moreover: they kill, cripple and destroy the psyche of each other, instead of joining their efforts in the fight against a common enemy - the capitalists. No matter how beautiful patriotic words we cover up wars, we are against them! We also oppose borders. We must have the right to move freely, only then can we build a free society. Violence, which we consider necessary as a defense, in such conditions should practically disappear.

V Against the draft and contract army , against the police and prisons. For the general arming of the people and the militia-type army.

Black Block activists oppose the draft army, which cripples a person physically and spiritually. They also oppose the contract army as an armed organization of potential assassins in the service of power. They see an alternative to the army in the general armament of the people and the militia-type army with voluntary service and elected commanders. They are against the police, which does not ensure a quiet life for citizens; against the existing system of punishments, prisons, only giving rise to new criminals. They also see an alternative to the police and prisons in the general armament of the people.

VI Against the destruction of nature and the reckless use of its resources. For the preservation of the environment and the search for ways of mutually beneficial existence of man and nature.

In the pursuit of profit, capitalists forget that the resources provided to us by nature are not infinite. If we want humanity to exist for a long time, we must learn to use natural resources economically, find new safe sources of energy.

VII. Against popular culture . For free creativity here and now.

Mass culture propagated by the media is a means of propagating capitalism and state power as the only possible way of society to exist. Constant consumption separates a person from the reality surrounding him. A person loses the ability to create and think something different than is customary in society. Art that has become a commodity ceases to be art. We stand for creativity free from commodity-money relations and prejudices. We want everyone to be a creator. All power to the imagination!

VIII For the worldwide libertarian revolution!

Obviously, not a single capitalist wants to lose his privileged position, but oppressed categories of the population, through unification and self-organization, at some point can create conditions under which the collapse of capitalism and the creation of a classless society in at least some territory will be inevitable. But in a world where everything is so interconnected, this new society cannot exist for long unless revolution spreads across the globe. The local revolution should be a springboard for the worldwide libertarian revolution. And most importantly: the libertarian revolution is not inevitability. In this world, nothing happens by itself. Therefore, the future is entirely in our hands!

The Black Block uses the following methods in its struggle

I Self-organization

Black-blockers believe that only free people can create a free society without using the methods of the dictatorship of an enlightened minority over the dark majority, so the self-organization of citizens in the struggle for their rights now is a part of a future just society. And we must now create associations independent of the state and capital in order to protect our rights and solve our problems.

II Direct action

Street protests, graffiti attacks, blocking and obstructing the work of public authorities, etc. All that has the courage and imagination!

III Boycott (non-participation)

Boycott of goods of transnational corporations , boycott of elections, disobedience to authorities.

IV Discussions and education

Conducting discussion clubs on significant political, social, cultural and other issues in order to disseminate libertarian ideas. Conducting educational events in order to introduce various categories of citizens to revolutionary movements.

V Campaigning

Distribution of leaflets and other printed materials among employees and students . Work with the media to bring libertarian ideas to the widest possible audience.

Methods that black-blockers will never use under any circumstances

I Penetration into executive bodies and cooperation with the state.

II Tactical or strategic associations (unions, “popular fronts”, general actions) with the right, including with liberal movements and parties, with any organizations that have a fascist, nationalist or totalitarian bias.

III Power actions, as a result of which innocent people suffer.