J20: Perspective of a Nonparticipant

by Robin Banks
robinbanks@disinfo.net

I was not able to attend the counter-inauguration activites in Washington DC on January 20th, but I was able to closely follow the day's events via Indymedia. I also got firsthand reporting from two friends who had ridden a bus from their mid-sized Midwestern city to DC.

I had to work all day that Saturday, but fortunately I have access to a high speed Internet connection at work, so I was able to listen to an uninterrupted Indymedia radio feed all day long. Hearing reports about the actions of the black bloc were particularly exciting. First we heard that they had broken through police lines; then we heard they had been surrounded by cops; then we heard that members of the Justice Action Movement surrounded the cops and "undetained" the black bloc -- an inspiring display of solidarity.

Later we heard that the black bloc had replaced some flags along the inaugural parade route with black flags, and that they had broken through police lines once again to sit down in the middle of the parade route. Indymedia (and several mainstream media sources) reported that the Presidential motorcade had to alternately slow to a halt and speed through the streets due to actions of the protesters. Indymedia also reported that enraged anti-Bush protesters far outnumbered Bush supporters, which only seems natural given the numbers of the last election.

All of this gave great comfort and inspiration to those of us listening to the Indymedia radio feed for news from DC. Many liberals and Green Party activists often visit my workplace and when I told them I was following the Indymedia account of the J20 protests, they were eager to hear details. I told them everything but I emphasized the actions of the black bloc; all of them, without an exception, were overjoyed to hear about the black bloc activities. It wasn't so much an endorsement of black bloc-style direct action as it was a recognition of mutual loathing for King George II. One large group of Green Party types even broke into applause when I informed them that the black bloc had broken through police lines and was trying to blockade the parade route.

Some of my friends and loved ones were at the protests and I was worried that they would get arrested in some massive sweep by the overzealous DC cops. I found out later that my companions were fine, and that the number of arrests at J20 had actually been extremely minimal (less than ten, last I heard) -- quite possibly due to the ingenious people who spent their day jamming police communications!

When my friends finally came home I asked them if they had witnessed any of the minor victories achieved by the black bloc.

"No," they said with gritted teeth. "We were stuck with the liberals we went up with on the bus."

There had been large "permitted" demonstrations during the coronation of King George II, and by all accounts they were heavily attended by busloads of liberal reformists from all over the country. My (anarchist) friends said that the rally was incredibly boring and that they didn't feel like they were able to express their dissent by standing in the rain and sleet while listening to calls for reform. The liberals and radical reformists who rode on the bus with my friends insisted that they remain at the rally. Anyone caught with the black bloc today, the reformists insisted, would surely be arrested. And besides, what would be accomplished in a black bloc at today's counter-inauguration events? There were plenty of speeches to hear, and radical newspapers to read, and surely that was enough?

Disagreeing with this line of reasoning, my friends finally broke away from their group and went in search of the black bloc to assist in whatever ways they could. They had no luck, but they did encounter other anarchists who were taking different forms of direct action -- passing out leaflets announcing a J20-only pirate radio station for news and updates, for example.

Obviously there was a lot that could have been done at this rally. Passing out informational leaflets about anarchist events or perspectives was a great idea. Working as a medic was a vitally important task. I know there were many anarchists in the Justice Action Movement who performed numerous tasks. And of course, there was the black bloc.

The least effective action I can possibly imagine is to stand in the rain passively listening to various liberal "celebrities" denounce Bush and express support for the same old Democrat non-alternative -- or, if the speaker was especially "radical," she might have called for really radical reforms in the areas of campaign finance or foreign policy. "We're not going to take it any more," they would say. "We're going to fight back!" How? By resisting the confirmation of Ashcroft? By begging elected officials for some scraps of reform? By pleading for construction of flimsy social programs which could easily be dismantled by future elected officials?

When I spoke about J20 with people who visited my workplace, I noticed that they were very excited about all the signs of visible dissent. The more dramatic the dissent, the more excited people became -- liberals, radicals, and anarchists alike. I can't imagine them being inspired by the news that Al Sharpton and Ed Asner had vowed to get a Democrat elected to the White House in 2004. Oh, you mean like Clinton? Does this mean we have to wait another four years before we can again hope to beg on our knees for Leonard Peltier's freedom (only to be disappointed again, of course)?

The people who were in the streets expressing unpermitted dissent were an inspiration to everyone disgusted with this miserable system (for whatever reason). The main accomplishment of J20 protests was, in my opinion, a confirmation of this new era of dissent -- a further raising of the bar for everybody (not just anarchists!) in terms of what is possible, what is permitted, what is imaginable. The answer is: everything!