I was extremely disturbed by the behavior of the group calling themselves the Black Block Anarchists. Their actions inside the protest area on Monday night violated non-violence principles, put thousands of people in danger and resulted in our message being lost. Rather than focus on our issues, the media focused on the violence they tried to incite. I can't believe they call themselves anarchist, we are a movement of non violence and the Black Block made a conscious choice to violate other people's space. One more point, if the Black Block wanted to start the shit they should have been willing to follow through on their mission, get arrested! Get abused, let the world your movement!

The alledged anarchist's tactics used in provoking the LAPD should not be condemmed. Rather we should question the "correctness" of their techniques in the context of the mainstream media protest blackout during the DNC. Did the Black Block's actions (not so much their actions as the LAPD's predictable response to them) draw much needed media attention to a pathetically ignored and nearly extinct radical left social movement in America? Did similar actions in Seattle help raise political awareness amongst an otherwise brainwashed, and apathetic youth demographic? The answer to both questions would have to be absofuckinlutely!

Also, as far as radical left political groups go, these kids ain't exactly the Weathermen or anything so don't get all uptight. Their confrontational tactics only give an inherently violent system the oportunity to expose itself. If violence sells anything like sex does, then bring on the cameras. Left wing movements in this country are dying from lack of exposure, and images of police swinging batons on protesters only serves to remind people that not everyone "is better off than they were eight years ago."

Of course the obvious danger is that the sexy "Spin Magazine" glamour of self proclaimed "Black Block Anarchists" can lead to an almost inevitable co-opting of anything counter-cultural in a capitalist society. I can almost see the Gap Ad now for the latest Winter 2000 fashions complete with black scarfs, black cargo pants, black t-shirts, and matching ski masks. You know you'll want to be the first on your block to cop those threads.