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I’ve seen quite a bit of liberal handwringing about antifa and the black bloc being mean to reporters/photographers this past weekend in DC and have a few thoughts to share as someone who 1) was there, 2) is regularly stalked by white supremacists, and 3) is a member of the press
First off, when reporting on this kind of protest, an actual understanding of the black bloc as a tactic is crucial. It’s not just for funsies or to look intimidating. The bloc serves a simple function: protection.
Masking up protects individual identities. It gives cover for individuals who pursue autonomous actions, and protects protestors from being targeted by police and fascists with cameras. Doxxing is a very real threat when you’re dealing with unhinged, violent white supremacists.
DC ain’t Charlottesville. I had a cop come up to me on the subway saying he liked my sign.
The tourists are broadly sympathetic, too, and the #MAGA hatters look distinctly uncomfortable.
I’ve been writing for @NPR for over seven years, and have always been proud to say as much - until today’s absolutely appalling decision to provide a platform to Jason Kessler, the murderous, racist white supremacist scum who engineered the carnage in Cville last year. For shame.
Saying “no platform for fascists” isn’t just a fucking slogan. It’s a survival tactic for those of us they seek to subjugate and exterminate. There is no other acceptable option.
If they’re so devoted to airing views from “both sides,” I’ll welcome their invitation to come on and describe exactly what it looked like the moment when Heather was killed, or what it felt like to be locked down in a church with one of Kessler’s armed Nazis outside the door.
