I happened to be a couple of rows back of the front line in the midst of the Black Bloc when the police started clubbing and opened fire during this demonstration.

In the midst of it things just happen too fast, no time to think, you're being pushed and beaten back and hear shots fired. You're not acting as an individual so much as a cell in a larger living body. You don't have time to think or be brave, unless you're well organised ahead of time and ready for whatever happens.

I've never seen a police presence like I did in LA the week of the demonstrations. I was there independently, and let me tell you bluntly, they scared the shit out of me -- which isn't to say that I didn't get little adrenal rushes of courage when faced with their weapons and pseudo-military tactics. But guess what: that isn't enough.

They're organised. We need to be at least as well organised as they are.

Look at this picture and tell me who's panicking.

They've got the weapons, they've got the armour, they've got everything we demonstrators don't and they are scared out of their minds.

What does that tell you?

Felix