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Black Bloc must die, say Jihad and Jama'a al-Islamiya

Wed, 01/30/2013 - 01:28 -- worker

From Egypt Independent

The Islamist party of the Jihad Organization and Jama'a al-Islamiya has said the ways of dealing with banditry specified in the Quran must be applied to Black Bloc members, which means they must be killed.

“God orders us to kill, crucify or cut off the hands and feet of those who spread mischief on earth,” said Jama'a al-Islamiya Mufti Abdel Akhar Hammad, citing a verse from the Quran. “The president must give that order.”

Mohamed Samra of the Jihad Organization said that the Black Bloc group is financed from abroad and must be killed, and that the National Salvation Front members must be arrested and charged with incitement to riot.

Last week, Cairo witnessed the first appearance groups describing themselves as the Black Bloc. Decked in black and wearing masks, they clashed with police forces at Qasr al-Aini Street on Thursday. They said they would fight with the police if it targeted protesters. Previously unknown, the Black Bloc's goals remain unclear and its members generally avoid media contact.

Officials from the Muslim Brotherhood and state-run media have accused the group of violence, including attempting to set the presidential palace on fire, attacking the Brotherhood's headquarters, looting government institutions, blocking the railways and exchanging fire with security forces.

However, it is still unclear to what extent the Black Bloc has played a role in any of the violent incidents reported over the past few days, or if they are actually armed. The group is a largely unknown one whose motives remain unclear, and its members generally refuse to speak to the media.

Earlier on Tuesday, Prosecutor General Talaat Abdallah ordered police and deputized members of the Armed Forces to arrest all suspected members of the Black Bloc.

State-run news agency MENA reported that Hassan Yassin, the head of the Public Prosecution's technical office and the prosecution's spokesperson, is claiming that the prosecution has proof that the Black Bloc is carrying out terrorist activities.

No further information was available as to the nature of this evidence or the alleged terrorist activities.

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm

Category: 

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

This calls for a measured response.
I suggest we take as our guide to the revolutionary subject the mighty Bakunin's ' God and the State ' and say ' later' for capital.
Capitalism needs the State to survive anyway.
DEATH to GOD - DEATH to the STATE - Later for Capital.
I call this ' revolutionary triage' and hope youse like it ( pr)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

it would be easier to take american critics of the black bloc seriously if they forthrightly called for cutting off our hands and feet or killing us, and meant it

Submitted by cynic (not verified) on

Many, if not most, Americans disapprove of the more violent tactics of blac bloc radicals. At the same time, they admire the idealism of our youth. The only ones who should have their hands & feet severed are those who advocate such an atrocity. May all blac bloc youth survive, without being maimed or imprisoned/traumatized, to become wiser more effective seniors. Perhaps the Egyptian neo-totalitarians are doing (A)narchists a favor by demonstrating the limits and inherent perniciousness of the state? The state will always attempt to terrorize its subjects, but when/if that doesn't work, it's truly up a creek without a paddle.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

Shut up.

Submitted by another cynic (not verified) on

"Many, if not most, Americans disapprove of the more violent tactics of blac bloc radicals. At the same time, they admire the idealism of our youth." BULLSHIT!!! most Americans hate black bloc folks and don't admire them in any way. We do not hate them because of their ideology or their actions but simply because they are privileged white sons and daughters of the petite bourgeois who took their parent's credit card to the mall and went to Spenser's to get some "cool" gear. I say smash them all and then find their homes and purify the stench of their collage educated parents and siblings.

Submitted by underthepavers (not verified) on

I believe a show of solidarity with the Egyptian anarchists is a must. I think it will be hard to do much more than symbolic actions, but I think we should try to be creative and treat this situation as serious as it is.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

I agree, and yes, it would be cool if we could move beyond symbolic actions even though it will be hard. I also think we should be really careful about what we do so as not to engage in Islamophobia and perpetuate the racist/anti-Muslim culture here in the US.

Submitted by Donny (not verified) on

Why should "be really careful about what we do so as not to engage in Islamophobia and perpetuate the racist/anti-Muslim culture here in the US"?

Would it be better if we embraced a religious dictatorship instead of condemning a group such as the Islamic Brotherhood who if given the opportunity would implement a strange version of "Islamic Law" on the world? Do we support a dress code for women? Do you think we should be silent when a group of fundamentalist Islamist shoot a little girl in the head for wanting to read? Do we want to be able to imprison someone for drawing a picture of someone? Do we want to support a group that would put someone to death for their thoughts. I'm assuming you also support capitol punishment for homosexuality, cohabitation and use of drugs also. This is what "Islamic law" is.

I always enjoy the fucked up opinions of white suburban folks who can't say something is wrong without fearing being viewed as a bigot. Fuck Islam, Fuck Christianity, Fuck it all as it has all been used to oppress and not free people. If you think an Islamic State is so great there are a couple you can move to, just be sure you don't end up like avigation, search James Alexander Malcolm Caldwell.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

I have a close friend named "Muhammad" who is probably a more hardcore atheist than even I am. Guess who gets harassed by random profiling.

I can hate Islam/theocracy while acknowledging that Islamophobia is a fucking bad idea, since it pretty much always just turns into bigotry racism.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

And then there's my Sikh and Hindu friends who see the same.

Islamophobia is not a thoughtful or well-rounded critique of Islam, it's a hatred of brown people and an endorsement of white supremacy.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

just an fyi Islamophobia refers to unfounded fear of and hostility towards Islam not people from India. If you want to meet some folks frightened of Islam go to India or do you live under a rock and haven't seen the attacks by Islamist on Sikhs and Hindus?

Islamic law is pure bullshit that imposes a medieval ideology on the unwilling. This differs from your bourgeois white guilt that prohibits you from condemning something that you understand is wrong.

Submitted by SO? (not verified) on

Given the fact that Islamist like to strap explosives to their body and explode themselves killing innocent people, considering Islamist shot a kid in the face because she wanted to read, and considering Islamist hijacked a commercial airliner and drove them into buildings, I would say most of us are ok with profiling. It's like when I see a wealthy Saudi, I don't think he looks like a good guy, I think that fucker puts his wife in a bag, cuts the heads off of people he doesn't like, owns slaves, fucks over workers which he imported and funds world wide terrorism. Tell me I'm wrong.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

Wow, that makes sense. Kill them, because they're violent. Who's violent now, motherfuckers? Especially if the State is expected to go on a witch hunt, treating ANYONE as if they have ever or will ever participate in a block.

Terror terror terror terror terror. Everyone's a terrorist, so the state must terrorize everyone. Great logic. Here in the US branches of govt are spying on each other, because their might be potential terrorists in the govt dontchya know?

Submitted by underthepavers (not verified) on

Witch hunts are nothing new to Egypt. In the 90's the govt. of Egypt went on a witch hunt for "satanists" using black clothes and metal music as "proof". This will probably end poorly for egyptian anarchists, but it does have the possibility of great things, if the movement can garner public support or sympathy. Lines are being drawn

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

ahhh yes, that unmatchable force of victory, public sympathy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

well they're certainly going to have a hell of a lot harder time without it

Submitted by Luke_From_DC (not verified) on

Islamophobia IS a witch-hunt

As a Pagan myself I feel qualfied to speak on what exactly is a witch-hunt. We have an Inquisition in the US, it's called the Department of Homeland Security. Muslims are treated by the US much as people accused of being witches were once treated. Profiled, arrested, sometimes even lynched in the street. Not only that, people MISTAKEN for Muslims, Sikhs in particular, have been both profiled and lynched by right-wing Christians, the same kind of people who ran the Inquisition.

The main difference is that people aree being buried alive in Guantanimo Bay and the various Black Site prisons instead of being burned alive at the stake. Other than that, there are a hell of a lot of common elements.

Submitted by haha (not verified) on

lol... "I'm a pagan" Yea and I'm a druid, go back to playing D and D..... Dingus

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

yeah, your bourgeois hobby (paganism) qualifies you to speak about lynching and oppression. Better call the pagan panthers to come guard your crystals and incense boutique from the raging mobs.
Yay, i has oppression! now i can talk

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

whoa!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

Here, here!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

THE STATE MUST DIE.

SOLIDARITY WITH ALL THOSE WHO KILL TYRANTS.

MAY THE FIERY SPIRIT OF REVOLT SPREAD TO ALL PEOPLE!

THE STATE IS COMING DOWN. LETS GIVE IT A SHOVE TO THE DEPTHS OF HELL.

Submitted by Dick (not verified) on

Nice sloganeering, did you write it from your Apple tablet at the Starbucks?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

Shoosh, you.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

I think a call for international solidarity marches with martyrs of egypt this weekend or next would be a really smart move. & with finess it could go viral.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

i usually don't agree when people say this but uh... yeah. a holla back is needed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

I hope the Egyptian anarchists move to low intensity guerilla warfare,

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

hmmm... when was the last time that worked? oh yeah, almost never. ok! sign me up!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

So what you are saying is that you are just a bored over privledged white 20 something and that your entertainment is paramount to all other causes?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

yes, absolutely.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

Recently-created Egyptian anarchist Facebook pages have 40,000+ "likes"; recognizing the fact that probably a lot of those people are just foreign supporters, a great deal more anarchists in Egypt probably don't fuck with Facebook at all.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

no

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

lol

Submitted by JB (not verified) on

I know you are joking (at least I hope):
still I urge you to get the fuck out of here

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

The Egyptian state is now arresting, or threatening to arrest, anyone wearing the black bloc uniform on charges of terrorism:

"Prosecutor General Talaat Abdallah ordered Tuesday the arrest of all members of the group, as well as whoever joins or puts on their uniform, claiming the group performs “terrorist” actions.

Security forces arrested four masked people whom they said were Black Bloc members, while they were on their way with other demonstrators to the prosecutor general’s office to protest. Three of the suspects are being held inside the court, while the fourth was taken into a police vehicle that left to an unknown location.

Authorities meanwhile imposed high security measures around the High Court. Cairo security deployed 15 armored vehicles, as well as hundreds of Central Security Forces troops to arrest the group’s members. It also evacuated all citizens and employees from the building, fearing riots."

http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/dozens-protest-solidarity-black-blo...

http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/public-prosecution-orders-arrest-al...

All the while ElBaradei is calling for talks with Morsi.

Divide and then recuperate.

If it's just a matter of advertising anarchy, then maybe drop the black get-up and start graffiting circle A's next to the charred police stations and Muslim Brotherhood offices? If the tactic doesn't provide offensive anonymity as it does elsewhere due to the generalized revolt that "may lead to the collapse of the state" then it's an expensive ad to place. Communiques claiming actions could serve just as well to put the face of anarchy on the insurrection. I have no idea though, obviously they fucking know what they're doing more than I do. Info is hard to come by, as it damn well should be. But I'd like a source for more information, and I wish insurgent yet public lines of communication could be opened up.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

as many people have pointed out, the tactic doesn't actually provide offensive anonymity, but quickly gets recuperated as another identity, and turned into a group, a terrrorist organization, etc...that's the drawback of black bloc, it's benefits aside, and it looks they manifested really quickly in Egypt.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

On the flip side of the coin, the black bloc doesn't have a uniform other than wearing black. In pretty much every region on earth, especially the middle east, all black is a fairly common outfit. If the state starts using "all black" as a qualifier for arrest and sentencing as part of a terrorist organization (and therefore would probably lead to some level of torture), this would only result in arresting friends and family of those who would otherwise at least nominally support the democratically elected government. With shit like this, people will pretty quickly see that nothing has changed, and some portion of those will realize that statism is one of the major causes of their ills.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

Eh, I get all the critiques of the bloc, and I'm far from being an uncritical defender, but at the same time: people in Egypt picked up on the tactic. We can talk all we like about what other methods of faceless resistance we think are better, but it seems kind of empty unless we start off by acknowledging, and hopefully attempting to account for, the fact that people are into this tactic, and they're not into others.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

Seriously, lets call for solidarity marches/events, anyone know if there is a big day of action in Egypt planned? Could be the day before their action to amp them up??

Submitted by Dick (not verified) on

And that would be as effective as the May1, 2012 General Strike which did not include the working class.

It time to re brand the image as the majority of people view the black block uniform as a bunch of over privileged white 20 something nihilist who can't even organize their own place of employment no less a revolution. It has to be more than bourgeois white guilt if it is to lead anywhere. The movement should also stop stealing images of Indians for their own use, it's another blow to the cause.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

IGTT 1/10. This is not creative trolling. Try a more up to date slander. Barricada liked this one in 2000. It worked real great for them, and attracted lots of overalls wearing workers to their cause.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

Barricada actually *did* attract some overalls-wearing workers which is exactly what made nefac so awkward.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

twerking class

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

If the news coming out of Egypt is any judge, leaders from both the military and Islamic factions are pretty scared that the state is about to fall. Even Hillary Clinton's now warning about it. Not bad for a bloc which has materialized only in the past few weeks.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

The question is whether they're actually scared this is going too happen, or just see an opportunity to expand their power using the threat of a failed state.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

a thousand points to the person who understands how power works off irrational fear

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

Do you remember 2011? I would really not be complacent if I was an Egyptian politician right now.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

IGTT 0/10 for using a copy/pasted response twice on the same page.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

Likewise!

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