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.

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.