On May 1st in downtown Portland, 50-60 people gathered in a black bloc at the edge of the Palestine Solidarity March, which was comprised of several hundred people. Inspired by the combative student protests all over the country, our goal was simple: disrupt business as usual; bring the war home. There is no peace in genocide.
As the march wound its way through the streets, ten or so buildings were attacked. Banks, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Starbucks and Verizon were some of the targets, as “Intifada Intifada, long live the Intifada” rang out around us. There were no signs of police, and when the larger march ended back at its meet-up spot, the black bloc continued marching through the university, past the library occupation and on to the campus police station. The lone cop outside rushed inside to safety as rocks were thrown and windows smashed. It was a joyous moment in a hellish world.
After smashing the police station, the bloc attempted to enter the occupied library in good spirits, to meet up with more friends, get snacks, and to show solidarity with the occupation. The bloc was met with cheers and clapping from the crowd just outside of the occupation, but as the bloc was entering the library through the opening in the barricade, a few people stepped in the way to physically prevent the rest of us from getting in. These security guards had been acting in problematic and authoritarian ways for the past several days, stopping people they deemed “suspicious” for no particular reason, including someone they accused of “dressing too nicely” and another who was with a toddler because “kids aren’t allowed.” When it came to the bloc however, the security guards were even more aggressive, demanding they leave and laying hands on people when they did not comply. One person demanded that to get inside the occupied library one must show their whole face and not be masked, and tried to pull someone’s mask off but were not successful. A fight began as someone fought back to defend themselves from being grabbed and demasked. A full skirmish broke out as the security guards grabbed and punched people in bloc who were trying to enter the building. Some of the bloc were already inside, where they were confronted by several more people who accused the bloc of being “all white people” (not true), and “triggering Palestinians by wearing black” (complete nonsense). They accused the bloc of covering their faces because they were “scared,” and said there was no place in this movement for people who were scared. Of course, the vast majority of people who’d been in the library throughout the occupation covered their faces, as is only sensible.
Some of the self-appointed security team then ran throughout the occupied library “searching for black bloc” saying they were “possible undercovers”, reporting on their search via walkie talkies.
First off, lets make clear that covering your face to avoid doxxing and arrest is not a tactic one undertakes because they are scared. When we fight the police, the state, or any other enemy, it does not serve one well to hand over their personal information to the enemy.
Secondly, though I don’t think anyone in the bloc was actually scared, it should also be clear that one can be both scared and courageous. One can both be scared, and fight like hell for a better world. Having and feeling emotions does not make someone weak, nor a liability to the struggle.
One person screamed “this occupation is creating a Muslim image – it must remain non-violent – this (black bloc) is not welcome here” and “the actions of black-bloc will only get innocent people of color arrested”.
One Muslim individual can not represent the diverse desires of all Muslims. People who experience marginalization can’t be flattened into a fabricated monolith with a singular approach to liberation. People are individuals, not tokens. When we fight for our own reasons, with our own convictions for showing solidarity through action, and our own ideas for how to best stoke the embers of revolt, we are more able to resist coercion and co-optation. All of this isn’t to exempt ourselves from the necessary humility in listening to others’ lived experiences with an openness to seeing how we can unconsciously perpetuate the colonial mindsets we seek to destroy. However, simply acquiescing to the will of a single person of color with whom you don’t share relevant goals isn’t solidarity, it’s a scramble to preserve a self image as a “good” anti-racist person.
After that confrontational, confusing and splintered ending to the march, some folks hung around outside the occupied library to hear the speeches that 4 self-proclaimed “leaders” made about what had occurred. The so-called leaders announced via megaphone to all who were outside (hundreds of people) that “antifa” had arrived and “targeted” indigenous people, specifically an indigenous elder.
Lets pause here because this accusation is a heavy one. At one point an older indigenous person clearly felt disrespected by someone within the bloc and accused one person of removing their feather from their person during the hectic skirmish. If the feather was removed intentionally, which we do not believe to be the case, that is obviously a despicable act. Ceremonies and spiritual traditions are living lineages of resistance to colonialism. Even when someone is forced to defend themselves, discretion is vital to maintaining solidarity and mutual respect.
The so-called leaders of the occupied library continued with declaring the library as a “safe space”, despite having just punched and tried to de-mask people. One of them said “Don’t commit crimes and then expect to be welcome here” as if the entire occupation was not a criminal act. Another said, “Anyone being violent here is going to get beat up by me.” (the classic non-violent beat down).
Security Teams
This is just the latest iteration of a dangerous dynamic that is repeated time and time again, particularly during stationary occupations, wherein those who appoint themselves the security team are on a power trip and attempt to wield authority over other participants. This not only endangers the individuals that these people deem a security threat for whatever reason and target directly, but it also destroys the autonomous spirit of the occupation, turning it into a controlled little dictatorship where a few people call the shots.
Similar incidents took place in Portland at the Red House occupation in 2021 and at the CHAZ occupation, where people acting as security shot and killed Antonio Mays Jr., a Black 16 year old who’d gone to Seattle to join the protest. Of course it makes sense that those deciding to participate in an occupation would feel the need to also organize its defense from violent reactionary attacks, like what took place on the UCLA campus late on Tuesday. And it makes sense that those present would be worried about infiltration from undercover cops. So how might people address these threats without allowing these power dynamics to take root?
First, by remembering what we’re here for. In this case, to contribute to revolt against institutions funding and arming the genocide in Gaza. The goal of an occupation can’t be to preserve the occupation at any cost, but rather to escalate the larger fight. Sometimes that might mean defending against police raids from behind the barricades, but this is not the end goal; rather, it should be a space free from the normal surveillance, bureaucracy and obligations for people who want to work towards this larger goal to meet and coordinate further action. If it instead becomes an internally-policed and surveilled space where the voices of a few drown out those of everyone else, we’ve already lost. Many people were discouraged or even turned away from joining the occupation by some of the self-appointed guards, and this unwelcoming authoritarian atmosphere significantly weakened the strength of the occupation in the time leading up to the police raid, both in numbers and in spirit. When the police did raid the library, its remaining defenders could do little more than flee. Chile, and other places in the world, certain universities where police and military are barred entry serve as important spaces for preparing and launching attacks, both during wider revolts and on their own. People prepare their supplies on the campus, run out and lob molotovs at cops, and then run back behind the university wall, where cops aren’t permitted to follow. What can we learn from these approaches in terms of the relationship between liberated spaces and individual or small-group combative actions? How were these spaces fought for and how are they defended?
Second, by organizing security in a decentralized and informal way. This doesn’t mean that people can’t or shouldn’t form systems or agreements, but rather that no one individual or group should ever be allowed to have a formal monopoly on this role. Just like with any other role, such as medics or fighters, there may be certain individuals with specific skills that they wish to lend to the defense of the space. But the most important thing in an occupation or any combative setting is how they are putting these skills to use. By valuing each and every individuals’ unique skills and abilities, while refusing to allow those with arms training and fancy gear (or just the gear) to wield power, we are better protected against fascist and other reactionary attacks. “We keep us safe” means that everyone takes defense into their own hands rather than leaving it to just a few people. Those who stopped and fought off a driver attempting to drive into the crowd on May 2nd showed the bravery and in-the-moment flexibility necessary to diffuse a dangerous situation all together.
As far as undercovers go, an occupation or any open protest space is bound to attract them. Rather than trying to sniff them out based on “vibes” or dress code, we can use security culture [1] and opsec [2] to prevent them from getting any useful information, while keeping the open atmosphere necessary for the occupation to grow. Call out suspicious behaviors, don’t accuse people of being cops without strong evidence. Clearly, judging from the events listed above, undercover cops aren’t the only threats to autonomous movements, and the more we challenge any and all authoritarian behaviors, the better protected we’ll be from both police and those who only act like them.
Third, fuck a microphone or a megaphone. Those who decide that they’re the leaders of any rebellion don’t want that rebellion to spread, they want to control it. Anyone who takes this position to try to tell people what to do should be met with hostility, but those passively listening are just as much at fault. Holding informal assemblies (not one centralized, exclusive meeting), during occupations allows people to find different ways to participate and organize autonomously and informally among those present. By agitating against a unified leadership or representatives from the beginning, or by holding autonomous assemblies that challenge any “leaders” (maybe at the same time they decide to give a speech), we can confront these hierarchies as they form.
Peace Police
We heard some talk amongst the crowd around the library that people taking direct action and attacking the campus police station would cause the police to raid the library. Lets be clear, as long as the occupation stayed committed to acting in solidarity with those resisting the genocide in Gaza, and refused to capitulate for crumbs and empty promises from the administration, a police raid of the occupation was inevitable. When we take criminalized action against the university and the war machine, we need to let go of the idea that we can save ourselves by being “good protestors” and distancing ourselves from those taking action against the police. These moments of disorder are openings for us to unmask and attack the interconnected institutions and companies supporting Israel and the police protecting them. As long as we struggle we will face police repression, our task is to stay nimble, flexible and welcoming to new people while also protecting ourselves and our comrades.
Peace policing is always harmful, but especially in the present moment. People are being slaughtered by the tens of thousands, and every day we draw nearer to the invasion of Rafah. It is first and foremost this country that is responsible for these deaths as Israel alone without it’s US ally has very little power. It is therefore critically urgent that we act as fiercely as possible, with every tool available, to bring the war home until those in control of this country are forced to stop ignoring us, are forced to reckon with our power, to prevent the invasion of Rafah. Peaceful protest will NEVER get us there. No genocide in history has been stopped without violent and vicious uprisings. The time to act is now. Love to everyone who blocked the police vans, pushed the cops back, retook the library, defended each other against the pigs and pushed the limits of what feels possible! This is only the beginning!
For the total liberation of Palestine!
For the total liberation of all people under occupations and colonization!
!באַפֿרײַט פּאַלעסטינע
Some anarchists
1. For more on security culture, and particularly how to defend against infiltrators and undercovers, check out “Confidence, Courage, Connection, Trust”, and “Stop Hunting Sheep”
2. Short for Operational Security. For tips check out notrace.how (use Tor)
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