From France and Italy to Spain and Albania, a regular feature of European protest movements has been the presence of a few hundred young people fully dressed in black, often engaged in physical violence with law enforcement. They have been seen smashing public and private property and setting fire to cars and buildings, and are accused of break-ins and stealing consumer goods – anything from food to jewellery. Known as the “Black Bloc”, they have aggressive energy that can upend otherwise peaceful demonstrations by student groups and professional unions.
While some say they bring attention to social, political, and economic inequalities, others condemn their violent methods, saying they distract from protesters’ legitimate demands. They were more or less anarchists. They believe in living outside the system.” Dupuis-Deri, who has authored a book on Black Blocs, explained that the anarchists’ idea was “simple”.
This was a way of making sure they could not be recognised by the police … There is no leadership, no hierarchy, no superstars, no spokesperson, no press statements,” he said. But he warned against associating the group with any political ideology, left or right, as there have been episodes of right-wing nationalist and neo-Nazi groups in Poland and Germany using Black Bloc attire and violent tactics, although not in recent years. France has for weeks seen mass student and union demonstrations and is grappling with a high level of violence and property damage.
Al Jazeera contacted the office of a left-wing French member of the European Parliament (MEP), whose party has organised and supported recent nationwide rallies, about the black-clad protesters. But they said the issue was too sensitive to discuss. Italy has also witnessed violence in Rome, Milan, and Turin, with people clashing with police, setting bins and cars on fire, and in some cases causing extensive property damage and injuries.
However, it will be up to the judicial authorities investigating the incidents to establish the facts.” The Black Bloc is not a homogeneous or organised movement with any known leadership or structure. It is also politically somewhat irrelevant because governments and law enforcement groups associate the groups with social protests, whether they are “copycats” or genuine. Dupuis-Deri said the lack of organisational structure allows members to find each other quickly based on their attire, but they also congregate through word of mouth and form relationships over several demonstrations.
Mobility is a key feature of the movement. While European governments have not publicised information on the recent demonstrations, Black Blocs are known for having crossed borders in the past to participate in demonstrations in other countries. Intelligence services number them around 5,000-7,000 in Europe, with a few hundred showing up in each demonstration,” said Dupuis-Deri.
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