Traditionally, as the G20 meetings began, violent protesters hit the streets, breaking stopping traffic, throwing rocks, and breaking windows. Some were calling for the overthrow of the government in one of the freest, most prosperous countries in human history. One wonders, what type of government and economic system would emerge at their hands? Some hints were available. Groups of protesters shouted “death to bankers,” and carried signs calling for the end of money as if the financiers, following badly designed government incentives (at least in the U.S.), had not done enough to destroy money aggregates and wealth already. Environmentalist consumed carbon to protest pollution, and antiwar protestors battled police.
I wondered just who these protesters were. David Leppard and Steven Swinford writing for CommonDreams.org, who bills itself as an Internet-based progressive news and grassroots activism organization, founded in 1997, report some of the organizations involved.
London Anarchists: have appealed for people to join in "direct action" similar to that seen at previous anti-globalisation protests
Whitechapel Anarchists: London group which praised the attack on the home of Sir Fred Goodwin, the disgraced bank bossThe first three groups on the list are organizations of anarchists. Isn’t that an oxymoron? I did a little surfing and found a few blogs or news articles about these groups or their members.
Class War: veteran anarchists who are encouraging supporters to "burn a banker"
G20 Meltdown: A new organisation which will host a carnival at the Bank of England
Climate Camp: environmentalists behind direct action at Heathrow airport and power stations in North Yorkshire and Kent
Climate Rush: group against airport expansion who have "rushed" parliament
People and Planet: student network campaigning to end world poverty, defend human rights and protect the environment
Stop the War Coalition and CND: anti-war protesters against Iraq and Afghanistan wars
London Anarchists are described in the Sydney Morning Herald article “London calling as anarchists get ready to rumble,” of April 2, 2009.
Bone is probably Britain's best known anarchist, a veteran political activist, famously dubbed the country's most dangerous man by The Sunday People for his passionate commitment to violent action to overthrow the state.Whitechapel Anarchists are described by Arthur Martin, who had infiltrated the organization, in the MailOnline article “Undercover with the anarchist mob: How the Mail infiltrated the group at heart of the violence.”
He founded the newspapers Class War and later The Bristolian, remembered not only for their confrontational investigative exposes but for front pages including a picture of gravestones, with the headline, "We have found new homes for the rich", Margaret Thatcher with a hatchet buried in her head and the commemorative edition for the birth of Prince William complete with the headline "Another f---ing royal parasite".
At each of these anarchist meetings, or 'war summits', the leader has stood up to announce the 'latest orders from Chris Knight'…Class War. Follow the link to their homepage.
All spoke of such behaviour with a knowing grin as if many had personally carried out an act of random violence against the state - their sworn enemy - and it was their badge of honour.
On this evening, a middle-aged man called Martin was acting as chairman, lecturing to a dozen blank-faced disciples lounging on shabby sofas. Most seemed on edge and only when the discussion turned to violence did they perk up and then utter a communal 'Yeah, let's do it'.
Sounds like a great group. As I researched other groups at the protests, they did not appear as violent, but they did seem willing to be associated with the violent groups. The actions of all protesters, those who were violent and those who swelled the masses to make policing of more difficult, should cast doubt on their beliefs.
Posts
You are somewhat correct in stating that Anarchy is not the correct way to solve problems. After all, a society without a central government would be little more than a human body without a head. Additionally, as you mention, the violence of these protestors further throw down their argument as violence has never been the way to reach solutions.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it is always best to take their argument for what it is and not for who says it. As such, and for example, take their argument asking for the "death to bankers."
Why would they demand this? Your response to this is that they are following badly designed government incentives. Yet, there is no reason to pass the blame to the government. After all, the government comes up with these decisions after having economic and business analysts discussing previously the matter. Sure, part of the blame still goes to the government, but the bankers (businessmen and economists included) also have part of the blame.
"Death to the bankers" takes a different view taking this on idea.
It's disturbing that the violent protesters receive so much attention. Not all anarchists believe in a violent overthrow of the government. In fact, I believe that the majority of anarchists take a much more civil role and participate behind the scenes.
ReplyDeleteAmanda Tweedy
David,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your excellent comment. I did come close to making an ad homen attack against the protesters, both violent and otherwise. In my last sentence, I wrote, “The actions of all protesters, those who were violent and those who swelled the masses to make policing more difficult, should cast doubt on their beliefs.” I believe that their actions are part of their verbal argument. In our open societies, I do not trust the violent and I doubt the wisdom of those who would associate with the violent. In some cases, this is a little unfair.
I acknowledge your argument that there is a relationship between the business community and the government. I would not say they are the same group, but rather the relationship is incestuous. Most business people would not fit well into academia, and vice versa. Larry Summers is an exception. But you make a fine point. “Death to bankers” is a call for revolution. But is revolution, violent or otherwise, a reasonable action?
Despite the current financial crisis, and the growing world recession, there is ample evidence that the last thirty years have witnessed the most economic advance in human history. Growth seems to be correlated to market institutions, limited central governments with strong subnational governments, and nonviolent democracy. In the United States, and I suspect most wealthy countries, pollution, with the exception of carbon emissions, is waning. We are fortunate to live now compared to any period in the past.
I enjoyed this blog very much. I think this is just the beginning of these types of violent protests. As the economy worsens, people are getting more and more angry. I think even if there are only a few ararchists in a crowd of peaceful protesters,things can get quickly heated and violence breaks out amoung the mass of people. As more people get laid off, the violence is going to escalate.
ReplyDeleteLouann Walker