The Black Bloc: Inside America’s Hard Left

VICE
2 Nov 201713:23
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script discusses the motivations and tactics of anti-fascist activists, known as Antifa, who aim to counteract the rise of Neo-Nazism and white supremacy. It delves into their use of fear as a tactic, the importance of anonymity, and the escalation of direct action to disrupt fascist organizing. The speaker, identifying as an anarcho-communist and Jewish trans woman, shares personal experiences and the broader context of anti-fascism, highlighting the urgency and necessity of their movement in response to perceived threats and the emboldening of far-right groups.

Takeaways
  • 😨 Fear is used as a tactic by Antifa to deter Nazis from organizing publicly.
  • 🛡️ Antifa members take actions to prevent the spread of fascist ideas and make it clear that fascists are not welcome in their communities.
  • 👕 Antifa activists often wear black clothing to avoid identification by both Nazis and police.
  • 🛑 Antifa's tactics include street violence as a last resort, with the primary focus on identifying and exposing local Nazis.
  • 📱 Antifa members use encrypted messaging and online coordination to organize and gather information during protests.
  • 🚨 The police are seen by Antifa as an arm of a fascist state, serving to protect and enforce oppressive regimes.
  • 👊 Antifa's direct actions, such as disrupting far-right events, aim to prevent Nazis from feeling safe and able to recruit.
  • 📰 Media coverage of events like Charlottesville highlighted the threat posed by organized white supremacists and the role of Antifa in opposing them.
  • 🆘 Many Antifa members, including those from marginalized groups, feel a personal need to be politically active to protect their own safety and existence.
  • 💪 The rise of white supremacist activity, especially under the Trump administration, has galvanized and empowered both the far right and left-wing anti-fascist movements.
Q & A
  • What is the primary goal of the anti-fascist movement as described in the script?

    -The primary goal of the anti-fascist movement, as described in the script, is to prevent the spread of fascist and white supremacist ideologies by physically confronting these groups and making it clear that they are not welcome in public spaces.

  • What is the significance of the term 'Antifa'?

    -The term 'Antifa' is short for 'anti-fascist.' It represents a movement that dates back to the time of Mussolini and Hitler, where anti-fascists battled against these regimes. Today, many anti-fascists draw from the European tradition of confronting fascists and white supremacists.

  • What is the composition of the 'Black Bloc' as mentioned in the script?

    -The 'Black Bloc' is not a single organization but rather a collective term for numerous autonomous groups across the world that oppose fascism. The term also refers to the attire worn by these groups, which is entirely black, simple, and non-identifying clothing to avoid identification by fascists and police.

  • Why is the mixture of water and liquid antacid referred to as L.A.W. used by anti-fascists?

    -L.A.W., or Liquid and Antacid and Water, is used by anti-fascists as a countermeasure to pepper spray. It is meant to alleviate the effects of pepper spray when protesters are exposed to it during confrontations.

  • What is the role of the people who stay at home during anti-fascist actions?

    -People who stay at home during anti-fascist actions play a crucial role by monitoring social media and news sources. They communicate vital information to the protesters on the ground via encrypted messaging, helping them stay informed and coordinated.

  • How does the anti-fascist movement view the use of violence?

    -The script suggests that street violence is a last resort for anti-fascists. They prefer to disrupt fascist organizing online and make them feel uncomfortable in their daily lives. However, they are willing to engage in physical confrontation when necessary to prevent the spread of fascist ideologies.

  • What impact did the Trump campaign and presidency have on Neo-Nazi organizing according to the script?

    -The script indicates that there has been an increase in Neo-Nazi organizing since the start of the Trump campaign. The presidency of Trump is seen as having emboldened white supremacists and Neo-Nazis, making them more active.

  • What is the significance of the 'Milo Yiannopoulos event' at UC Berkeley mentioned in the script?

    -The disruption of the Milo Yiannopoulos event at UC Berkeley is significant because it brought the anti-fascist movement into the headlines. The event was canceled due to mass Antifa actions, sparking debates around opposing the far right and questions about free speech.

  • What are the personal motivations of the speaker in the script for being part of the anti-fascist movement?

    -The speaker is motivated by a deep frustration with seeing protests that accomplish nothing and a realization of the organized and political nature of racist groups. They are also driven by their personal identity as a Jewish, trans woman, and queer individual, feeling vulnerable and scared in the current political climate.

  • How does the speaker in the script view the role of the police in relation to anti-fascist activities?

    -The speaker views the police as part of the executive branch serving a president they consider fascist. They believe that police violence is not more justified than anti-fascist violence and that the police can sometimes act oppressively against protesters.

Outlines
00:00
🛡️ Anti-Fascism and Direct Action Tactics

The speaker identifies as an anarcho-communist and anti-fascist, emphasizing the importance of confronting fascists and white supremacists physically. They discuss the use of L.A.W. (Liquid, Antacid, and Water) against pepper spray and refute accusations of violence for the sake of violence. The speaker's involvement in anti-fascism stems from a realization of the organized and violent nature of far-right groups. They highlight the historical context of anti-fascism, the decentralized nature of the Black Bloc, and the importance of anonymity. The narrative includes the impact of the Milo Yiannopoulos event at UC Berkeley, the debate around opposing the far right, and the speaker's personal identity as a Jewish, trans, queer individual feeling vulnerable but empowered by participating in the anti-fascist movement.

05:03
🚨 Disrupting Fascist Recruitment and Police Tactics

This paragraph delves into the anti-fascist strategy of preventing fascists from recruiting through public marches by actively opposing their visibility and safety. It details the role of remote coordinators who monitor social media and news to support on-ground actions, emphasizing the belief that the state should not have a monopoly on violence. The speaker criticizes the police for serving a fascist regime and highlights the importance of avoiding identification by both fascists and police during illegal activities. The narrative includes accounts of police violence, strategies for evading arrest, and the moral dilemma of using violence against violent perpetrators. It concludes with a discussion on the effectiveness of non-violent resistance and the speaker's personal discomfort with violence, yet acceptance of it when necessary to minimize harm.

10:05
🌟 The Impact of Charlottesville and Community Solidarity

The speaker reflects on the significance of the Charlottesville incident, where the presence of armed Neo-Nazis was not a surprise to anti-fascists who had been monitoring the far-right. The event served as a turning point in public perception of anti-fascists, who were seen as respectable for a time. The narrative discusses the challenges of maintaining relationships while leading a double life due to activism, the sense of community among anti-fascists, and the empowerment felt by both the far-right and the left following the Trump election. The speaker expresses optimism for impending change, contingent on involvement and organization, and ends with a rallying cry for the people's power.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Antifa
Antifa is short for anti-fascist. The term describes individuals or groups that oppose fascism and engage in direct action to combat far-right ideologies and organizations. In the script, Antifa members discuss their motivations, tactics, and the historical context of anti-fascist movements.
💡Black Bloc
Black Bloc refers to the practice of wearing all-black clothing to mask identities during protests. This tactic is used to avoid identification by both law enforcement and adversaries. In the video, Black Bloc is discussed as a method to protect activists and enable them to conduct actions without being easily singled out.
💡Fascism
Fascism is a political ideology characterized by authoritarianism, nationalism, and often racism. The script discusses the historical and modern manifestations of fascism, including references to Mussolini's Blackshirts, Hitler's Nazis, and contemporary far-right groups in the U.S.
💡Neo-Nazi
Neo-Nazis are individuals or groups that adopt Nazi ideology, including white supremacy and anti-Semitism. The script highlights the resurgence of Neo-Nazi activity in the U.S., especially since the Trump campaign, and the violent actions they have perpetrated.
💡Anarcho-communist
Anarcho-communism is a political philosophy that combines anarchism and communism, advocating for a stateless, classless, and cooperative society. One of the speakers in the script identifies as an anarcho-communist and discusses their focus on anti-fascism within this ideological framework.
💡Pepper spray
Pepper spray is a chemical compound used for self-defense and crowd control, causing irritation to the eyes and respiratory system. The video describes how activists prepare a mixture of liquid antacid and water (L.A.W.) to mitigate the effects of pepper spray used by police during protests.
💡Free speech
Free speech refers to the right to express one's opinions without censorship or restraint. The video touches on the debate surrounding free speech and the tactics of Antifa, especially in the context of disrupting events held by far-right speakers like Milo Yiannopoulos.
💡Kettling
Kettling is a police tactic used during protests to contain a crowd within a limited area. The script mentions how police use kettling to control and arrest protesters, highlighting the confrontational dynamics between law enforcement and activists.
💡Charlottesville
Charlottesville refers to the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, where a white supremacist rally led to violent clashes and the death of counter-protester Heather Heyer. The script uses Charlottesville as a pivotal moment demonstrating the threat posed by organized white supremacist groups.
💡Public opinion
Public opinion is the collective attitude or belief of the general public about specific issues. The script contrasts the effectiveness of non-violent resistance in influencing public opinion with the challenges of combating fascism, where public opinion may have limited impact on entrenched ideologies.
Highlights

Fear is used as a tactic to deter the organization of Nazis in public spaces.

The speaker identifies as an anarcho-communist and focuses on anti-fascism.

A mixture of water and liquid antacid, known as L.A.W., is used to counteract pepper spray.

The speaker expresses frustration with protests that do not lead to tangible change.

The realization of organized political racism motivated the speaker to become more involved.

Antifa, short for anti-fascist, has historical roots in battling fascism dating back to Mussolini and Hitler.

Anti-fascists today draw from the European tradition of physically confronting fascists and white supremacists.

The Black Bloc is not a single organization but a collection of autonomous groups worldwide.

Black Bloc attire is worn to avoid identification by both fascists and the police during illegal activities.

Antifa's disruption of the Milo Yiannopoulos event at UC Berkeley sparked debates on opposing the far right and free speech.

Anti-fascists prioritize identifying local Nazis and disrupting their online presence to prevent recruitment.

A noticeable increase in Neo-Nazi organizing occurred following the start of the Trump campaign.

The speaker, being Jewish, trans, and queer, finds strength and safety in the Bloc amidst personal vulnerability.

The speaker discusses the importance of disrupting fascist recruitment and the pride they take in their marches.

Anti-fascist protestors use encrypted messaging and social media to coordinate actions and share information.

The speaker challenges the notion that police violence is justified while anti-fascist violence is not.

Tactics used by police during protests include kettling and targeting individuals, which anti-fascists must navigate.

The speaker argues that non-violent resistance may not be viable against fascism when public opinion cannot influence decisions.

The speaker reflects on the necessity of occasionally using violence against violent perpetrators to minimize overall violence.

The impact of an Antifa protestor punching Richard Spencer, a key figure in the alt-right, and the subsequent fear it instilled.

Fascists are

Transcripts
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