> (c) form into small intenselfy disciplined
> > anarchist groups of their own (the discipline of such groups is always
> > tighter and more onerous than that of Leninist groups).
>
> What, you mean like the 'black bloc'? :)
I would just like to remind everybody that black blocs only exist at demonstrations and direct actions. They are a visible display of anarchist pride and strength. The last black bloc in my neck of the woods took place at Millions 4 Mumia last April 24th in Philadelphia. We managed to turn out 3000 anarchists and remind the Left that we refuse to be taken for granted in the struggle to free Mumia, and end the death penalty.
> Seriously though, Leninists (or semi- or ex-Leninists) only shoot
> themselves in the foot when they see a movement as merely the recruiting
> ground for the 'real politics' of their organisations (in the Trotskyite
> camp, I'll note that the modern Spartacist League and the International
> Socialism tendency tend to do this).
I've seen an emerging ironic tendency among authoritarian Left groups (ISO, RCP, R&R) to try and capitalize on the new militancy in Seattle. What's ironic is that these groups, typically, did little to no legwork to make Seattle happen. There was nothing about the anti-WTO protests in their papers until after N30 happened. I suspect that they weren't involved because they saw the N30 campaign (if they knew about it) as reformist and too network-oriented. So know they smell fresh blood for their recruting efforts. I'm just glad that those efforts are just revolving doors.
In contrast to this opportunism, anarchists had been involved in many aspects of the planning and activities leading up to N30 in Seattle, and in numerous other places. There were anarchists involved in DAN. Others who went to Ruckus camps to learn creative direct action techniques. Other anarchists planned events for their local towns and cities, especially in the southern United States. Some anarchists, such as myself, spent hundreds of hours developing websites and keeping them updated as events were unfolding. Alot of this work was done in coordination and solidarity with groups who we don't always see eye to eye with, but who we recognize as comrades in the struggle against capitalism.
-- Chuck0
Mid-Atlantic Infoshop http://www.infoshop.org/
Leonard Peltier Freedom Month Executive Clemency For Peltier! http://www.freepeltier.org/lpfreedommonth.html
Free Mumia Abu-Jamal Now! http://www.infoshop.org/gulag/mumia_idx.html
"A society is a healthy society only to the degree that it exhibits anarchistic traits."
- Jens Bjørneboe