Introduction
Black bloc is an international protest movement of violent anarchists who largely want to eliminate the power of governments and financial institutions in the global system. Black bloc is primarily a tactic, not a cohesive group.* Groups of protesters dress in all-black and don helmets to conceal their identity and then violently confront symbols of authority and capitalism. The protest movement began in the 1970s in Germany with the goal of direct action against police brutality, economic inequality, and other perceived injustices. It has since spread worldwide through anarchist websites and online forums.*
The black bloc ideology is centered around anarchism and creating chaos.* According to U.S. officials, black bloc protesters tend to target businesses as representations of capitalism. Black bloc protesters often imbed themselves in larger demonstrations to conceal their presence, which led to the label of black bloc as piggyback protesters.* Protesters have used black bloc tactics in Europe since the 1980s,* but the tactic gained national attention in the United States starting in 1999 during protests against the World Trade Organization in Seattle, Washington. Since then, black bloc protesters have fomented violence at protests of President Donald Trump’s 2017 inauguration and 2020 protests against police brutality.* Following the November 2021 acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse in a 2020 shooting, demonstrators dressed in black bloc attire appeared around the United States in protest.* Black bloc protesters have also appeared at multiple rallies held by the far-right Proud Boys, often engaging in physical altercations with the Proud Boys.*
Black bloc protesters have no formal hierarchy and cells are typically temporary as protesters adopt black bloc tactics in protest against symbols of financial and political authority.* Media and police have prominently linked black bloc to the 2017 G20 protests in Germany and anti-Trump protests in the United States.* German politicians across the political spectrum called for renewed focus on Europe’s radical left after violent black bloc protests at the 2017 G20.* Protesters have destroyed property, specifically targeting symbols of capitalism, such as during summer 2020 anti-police protests that have targeted courthouses, prison construction sites, and other symbols of authority and capitalism in the United States. In August 2020, for example, black-clad protesters broke windows and vandalized private property during riots in Seattle, Washington.* Protesters organize on anarchist websites and online forums.* Groups on both the right and the left have condemned violent black bloc tactics and the cooption of protest movements.*
Leadership
Black bloc has no organized leadership structure.
Base of Operations
International.
Website
Not determined.
Membership Size and Relevance
Black bloc does not have a formal membership or organizational structure. The far right has attempted to portray black bloc as a more formal organization, like it has with antifa. Some have also portrayed black bloc as a more militant version of antifa. Black bloc protesters have physically clashed with the Proud Boys on several occasions. In August 2021, about 30 protesters dressed in black bloc clothing confronted a Proud Boys “Summer of Love” rally in Portland, Oregon.* After a September 2021 protest by the Proud Boys in Newberg, Oregon, one Proud Boy accused black bloc of being antifa’s “hard frontline fighters.”*
Recruitment and Propaganda
Black bloc has no formal membership or recruitment process. Recruits are united by a broad ideology and organize independently while adopting black bloc tactics in protest against symbols of financial and political authority.* Black bloc protesters are unified by dressing in black as an intimidation tactic and attempt to appear unified.*
Violent Activities
- July 4, 2022: Black bloc protesters reportedly clashed with police during a reproductive rights march in Washington, D.C.*
- June 24, 2022: Several black bloc protesters joined a larger protest in Portland, Oregon, against the Supreme Court decision to overturn its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion. The black bloc protesters broke away from the main protest to break store windows at Pioneer Place mall and spray paint government buildings while chanting anti-police slogans.*
- November 19, 2021: During a protest in Portland Oregon, against Kyle Rittenhouse’s not-guilty verdict, about 150 protesters in black bloc attire threw eggs at the Multnomash County Justice Center and clashed with riot police. Protesters also broke windows and chased after people leaving the Justice Center, reportedly believing they were police at the end of their shift. Police forcefully pushed protesters back at times. Some protesters also attacked a KATU-TV news crew and damaged a camera while attempting to get the news crew to stop filming.*
- November 19, 2021: A group of about 75 protesters dressed in black bloc attire as well as helmets, shields, face coverings, and protective eyewear gathered in Seattle’s Cal Anderson Park to protest the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict. Seattle police arrived en masse but made no arrests and reported no significant property damage.*
- November 19, 2021: A group of approximately 40 protesters dressed in black and wearing face masks in the style of black bloc destroy cars and American flags in Queens, New York, in protest against the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict. One rioter also attacked a police officer who was arresting another protester in the middle of damaging a car. Five were arrested and charged with rioting.*
- September 4, 2021: Local Proud Boys leader Tusitala “Tiny” Toese was shot in the foot during clashes between the Proud Boys and black bloc and antifa protesters at an anti-mask and anti-Covid vaccination “Medical Freedom” rally in Olympia, Washington.*
- August 22, 2021: Approximately 30 protesters, mostly wearing black bloc-style clothing, confront a Proud Boys “Summer of Love” rally in Newberg, Oregon. One man fired a handgun at anti-fascist protesters who returned fire with their own guns. Some black bloc protesters also fired air pistols at the Proud Boys, who slashed tires, broke windows, and attacked a pickup truck driver.*
- May 1, 2021: A group of black bloc protesters marched on Capitol Hill in Seattle, Washington, damaging a Starbucks and fighting with police.*
- September 23, 2020: After a Kentucky grand jury failed to bring charges against police officers in the March 2020 killing of Breonna Taylor, a large group of protesters gathered in Seattle, Washington, for vigils in protest. Some of the protests turned violent as demonstrators clashed with police, resulting in at least 13 arrests. Several people were injured including officers and demonstrators. In March 2022, Jacob Greenberg was sentenced to five years in prison for attacking Officer Jose Jimenez with a baseball bat. He was also charged with arson in relation to Molotov cocktail attacks at Seattle’s East Precinct. Danielle McMillan agreed to a plea bargain on a lesser charge of reckless burning. Both wore black bloc attire during the 2020 protest.*
- August 2020: Protesters using black bloc tactics instigated violence and riots during demonstrations against police brutality in Seattle, Washington.*
- June 20, 2017: Masked protesters in Washington, D.C., smashed windows at a McDonald’s and a Starbucks, set fire to a limousine, and attacked at least one police officer during the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Some protesters carried hammers, crowbars, bricks, rocks, flares, and firecrackers. Washington police later referred to “black bloc” tactics used during the protest. Police arrested 231 people, 214 of whom were linked to black bloc tactics. *
- February 2, 2017: Ahead of a speech at University of California, Berkeley by right-wing commentator Milo Yiannopoulos, 150 black-clad and masked protesters threw rocks, M-80 flares, and Molotov cocktails at police and university facilities, causing $100,000 worth of damage to the student union center and other parts of campus and injuring at least six people. Two protesters were arrested after physically attacking two members of College Republicans. The university canceled the speech in response. The university largely blamed black bloc but some members of Antifa were also among the protesters.*
Rhetoric
- Anonymous black bloc protester, February 2017: “I subscribe to self-defense in the very same sense that the Black Panther Party does and that Malcolm X does.”*
- Anonymous black bloc protester, February 2017: “Which means for me to recognize one type of violence, which is people being beat up for having certain types of political views and being brazen about them, compared to the everyday violence ... like I go through the Bay Area and there are people sleeping in the doorways of million-dollar condos that are empty. Is that not violent? That is the most cruel and violent thing I think I have ever seen.”*
- Anonymous black bloc protester after protesters targeted bank machines and a Starbucks on the University of California, Berkeley campus, February 2017: “Starbucks is a symbol of global capitalization.”*
Social Media
Not determined.