SF Black Block and Breakaway // Report by SF-IMC Radio

The attached mp3 is just over five minutes long. It's a recording from today's SF-IMC radio stream. An IMC volunteer reporter talks about what he saw breakaway / black block people doing. According to the report, the breakaways targeted Citicorp, the British Embassy, Victoria Secret, Starbucks, the INS building and the San Francisco Chronicle building (perhaps more... just keep an eye on the newswire). Included is an audio clip of the scene at the INS building. The mp3 ends at that point because SF-IMC radio moved directly to a music track thereafter.

I don't endorse these actions. I post this only as news and to stimulate debate. I'm against violent protests in general -- that's just me. I have a hard time understanding how breaking windows is going to accomplish much -- again, that's just me.

I tend to think creative "direct action" is a powerful tool. For example, Philip Berrigan leading the first draft card burning action held substantial symbolic value that many people identified with and fully supported. Another similar example was the first sword to plowshares action, when they busted into a General Electric nuclear bomb components facility and started pounding on equipment. Maybe the fact that these actions were so powerful indeed explains part of the reason why the Government was so intent on keeping Berrigan in the slammer off and on for 11+ years.