,BREAK+ ,NEWS FROM ! ,PITTSBUR< ,G#b ,PROTE/S 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,CRIME?,9C4 

,TEXT 3 

,DISCLAIM]3 ,?IS WAS WRITT5 ! NI<T ( ,SEPTEMB] #b#d1 IMM$IATELY FOLL[+ ! EV5TS DESCRIB$1 )\T TIME TO V]IFY ALL ! REPORTS SUMM>IZ$ OR ASSEMBLE ADDITIONAL 9=MATION4 ,!RE MAY BE ]RORS2 IF SO1 WE WILL CORRECT !M %ORTLY4 

,?IS IS ON-!-SPOT REPORT+ JU/ 9 FROM ! FIR/ DAY ( ! ,G#b SUMMIT 9 ,PITTSBUR<1 :I* HAS SE5 A GREAT DEAL ( SPIRIT$ RESI/ANCE & CONFRONTATION--P]HAPS AS MU* AS HAS OCCURR$ AT ANY AN>*I/ MOBILIZATION 9 ,NOR? ,AM]ICA 9 HALF A DECADE4 ,?IS GU%Y1 HA/ILY COMPOS$ ACC\NT PRES5TS ! CONTEXT1 ATTEMPTS TO CONVEY ! SPIRIT ( ! DAY1 & RAISES A FEW PRELIM9>Y QUE/IONS4 

,! BASIC N>RATIVE ( ! DAY RUNS ?US3 ,! PROTE/]S ATTEMPT TO REA* ! SUMMIT SITE1 BUT >E BRUTALLY =C$ BACK BY POLICE4 ,!Y EV5TUALLY TURN >\ND & M>* ?R\< ,PITTSBUR< NEI<BORHOODS & %OPP+ DI/RICTS1 :]E ! POLICE PURSUE & ATTACK !M4 ,PROP]TY DE/RUCTION 9T5SIFIES 9 RESPONSE TO !SE ATTACKS1 & ! CONFLICT CULM9ATES 9 A /&(F BETWE5 POLICE & /UD5TS DUR+ :I* A BLACK BLOC DE/ROYS A BUS9ESS DI/RICT4 

,ONE MI<T 9T]PRET ALL ?IS AS LEGITIMATE ACTS ( REV5GE = ! POLICE MURD] 9 ,LONDON AT LA/ SPR+'S ,G#b SUMMIT2 BUT IT ALSO SIGNIFIES ! SURVIVAL ( MILITANT /REET RESI/ANCE 9 ! ,OBAMA ]A4 

,NEV] ,FELT ,MORE ,ALIVE 

,9 ! MONOTONY ( CAPITALI/ DAILY LIFE1 IT'S EASY TO =GET ?AT WE HAVE A NEGOTIABLE RELATION%IP TO REALITY4 ,/REETS >E = FACELESS TRAFFIC2 CR[DS >E IMP]SONAL ASSEMBLIES ( /RANG]S /UDI\SLY IGNOR+ EA* O!R2 W9D[S >E = DISPLAY+ M]*&ISE1 OR />+ \T ( AS WE WAIT = %IFTS OR CLASSES TO CONCLUDE2 DECORATIVE /ONES \TSIDE BANKS OR FA/ FOOD FRAN*ISES >E 9]T OBJECTS DEVOID ( 9T]E/ OR POSSIBILITY4 

,:5 ALL ?IS IS 9T]RUPT$ & ! UNKN[N OP5S BE=E US 9 EV]Y 9/ANT1 ! WORLD BECOMES A MAGICAL PLACE4 ,9 !SE MOM5TS1 WE DISCOV] NEW ORGANS )9 \RSELVES--OR IF NOT NEW1 !N ATROPHI$ OR ATAVI/IC--ADAPT$ = AN 5TIRELY DIFF]5T WAY ( LIFE ?AN WE >E US$ TO4 ,IT TURNS \T WE >E CREATURES MADE = ANO!R WORLD--& MADE WELL = IT6--:O >E B>ELY GETT+ BY 9 ?IS ONE4 ,*ANG+ WORLDS1 WE %IFT FROM MALAISE & MIS]Y TO 9CR$IBLE JOY & PLEASURE3 F9ALLY1 WE >E AT HOME 9 \R [N SK91 9 \R [N 5VIRONM5T4 ,*>G+ D[N ! /REET TOGE!R RA!R ?AN DRIV+ D[N IT SEP>ATELY1 FI<T+ OR \TRUNN+ POLICE RA!R ?AN SUBMISSIVELY ACCEPT+ !IR AU?ORITY1 WE COME TO LIFE4 

,NO WORDS CAN DO JU/ICE TO ?IS EXP]I5CE1 BUT IT IS REAL--ONE DAY ( IT IS REAL] ?AN A DECADE ( R5TAL CONTRACTS1 TRAFFIC TICKETS1 S]VICE WORK1 & NI<TS AT ! B>4 

,! ,T5SION ,M\NTS 

,! FIR/ \T-(-T[N AN>*I/S >RIV$ 9 ,PITTSBUR< APPREH5SIVELY4 ,! PROTE/S AT ! #bh ,DEMOCRATIC & ,REPUBLICAN ,NATIONAL ,CONV5TIONS HAD BE5 ALMO/ ! ONLY NATIONAL AN>*I/ MASS MOBILIZATIONS 9 HALF A DECADE1 & !Y HAD H>DLY BE5 UNQUALIFI$ SUCCESSES4 ,MANY >\ND ! C\NTRY SEEM$ SKEPTICAL ( MASS MOBILIZATIONS1 EV5 9CLUD+ ?OSE :O /AT$ !Y W]E GO+ TO ,PITTSBUR<4 

,9 ! ANTI-W> ]A ?AT CONCLUD$ ) ! #bh ,D,N,C & ,R,N,C1 IT HAD BE5 /&>D = POLICE TO ALLEGE ?AT AB\T #e.0 ( EXPECT$ PROTE/]S W\LD BE 0BAD APPLES1 & TO CRAFT !IR >RE/ E/IMATES APPROPRIATELY4 ,BUT ?IS TIME1 :ILE ! POLICE SAID !Y ANTICIPAT$ #c PROTE/]S1 !Y ANN\NC$ ?AT !Y EXPECT$ TO MAKE UP TO #a >RE/S1 RAT*ET+ UP ! PROPORTION ( BAD APPLES TO #c#c.04 ,POLICE >RE/ E/IMATES 9 ADVANCE ( ! #bh ,R,N,C HAD PROV$ ACCURATE--DID ?AT MEAN ?AT PRACTICALLY EV]Y AN>*I/ :O ATT5D$ ! ,G#b PROTE/S C\LD EXPECT TO BE >RE/$8 

,ON TOP ( ALL ?IS1 ! /ORY CIRCULAT$ ?AT #a-#b 0NONVIOL5T0 9MATES W]E TO BE RELEAS$ FROM ,PITTSBUR< JAILS TO MAKE ADDITIONAL SPACE = PROTE/]S4 ,?IS ITSELF C\NTS AS A VICTORY ( ! MOBILIZATION1 BUT AT ! TIME IT S\ND$ OM9\S4 

,! CITY ANN\NC$ ?AT !RE W\LD BE SOME?+ LIKE #d POLICE ON DUTY1 AUGM5T$ BY ,NATIONAL ,GU>D4 ,D[NT[N ,PITTSBUR< WAS PRACTICALLY A MILIT>Y OCCUPATION ZONE1 ) ASSAULT-RIFLE-WIELD+ SOLDI]S /AFF+ ROAD BLOCKS & HELICOPT]S OV]HEAD4 

,! WEEK5D BE=E ! SUMMIT1 POLICE H>ASSM5T 9CREAS$1 ) POLICE PAY+ VISITS 9 =CE TO LOCAL COLLECTIVE H\SES ?\<T TO BE OCCUPI$ BY AN>*I/S4 ,SEV]AL AGGRESSIVE RAIDS & PREEMPTIVE >RE/S HAD PREC$$ ! #bh ,R,N,C2 !SE VISITS W]E TAM] BY COMP>ISON1 BUT /ILL BR\<T BACK BAD MEMORIES4 ,POLICE ALSO DETA9$ ! ,SE$S ( ,PEACE BUS ?AT WAS TO HELP PROVIDE FOOD TO PROTE/]S4 

,TUESDAY AFT]NOON1 !RE WAS A PICNIC = PROTE/]S AT ,FRI5D%IP ,P>K1 A MILE EA/ ( ,>S5AL ,P>K4 ,NUMB]S SEEM$ L[1 ?\< SOME LOCALS 9SI/$ !RE W\LD BE MANY MORE BY ,?URSDAY4 ,IT SEEM$ ?AT SOME PLANN$ BUILDUP ACTIONS W]5'T COM+ TOGE!R2 9DYM$IA REPORT]S GRUMBL$ AB\T HAV+ NO?+ TO DO4 ,! ,CLIMATE ,CONV]G5CE S*$UL$ TO CO9CIDE ) ! ,9T]NATIONAL ,COAL ,CONF]5CE ,SEPTEMB] #b#a-#b#c APPE>$ DISORGANIZ$4 ,NO ONE KNEW :AT TO EXPECT NEXT4 

,! ,EVE ( ! ,/ORM 

,ON ,W$NESDAY1 ,SEPTEMB] #b#c1 :ILE SOME BLOGG]S COMPLA9$ ( BOR$OM1 AN>*I/S & O!R PROTE/]S W]E SCRAMBL+ TO PREP>E = ! FOLL[+ DAY4 ,H[ MANY PEOPLE W\LD COME TO ! UNP]MITT$ MASS M>* S*$UL$ TO LEAVE ,>S5AL ,P>K AT #b3#c P4M48 ,W\LD ! POLICE BLOCK ! M>* 9 ! P>K1 OR ATTACK IT AS IT PROCE$$ S\?WE/ T[>DS ! SITE ( ! SUMMIT AT ! TIP ( ! P59SULA ( D[NT[N ,PITTSBUR<8 

,SOME PEOPLE W]E CONC]N$ ?AT ! PRESUM$ M>* R\TE WAS A DISA/] WAIT+ TO HAPP52 ! TWO-MILE CORRIDOR BETWE5 ,>S5AL ,P>K & ! CONV5TION C5T] PASS$ BETWE5 A RIV] & A CLIFF1 (F]+ ONLY A C\PLE P>ALLEL ROADS & LONG /RET*ES )\T EXITS ?AT SEEM$ P]FECT = BLOCK+ 9 CR[DS4 ,! NEI<BORHOOD WAS SP>SELY POPULAT$1 M>K$ BY EMPTY LOTS SURR\ND$ BY B>B$ WIRE2 IT WAS A FULL TW5TY BLOCKS TO ! %OPP+ DI/RICT \TSIDE ! CONV5TION C5T]4 ,SURELY ?\S&S ( POLICE W\LD BE ABLE TO CONTA9 & MASS >RE/ A M>* ?AT MADE IT F> 5\< S\?WE/ T[>DS ! SUMMIT4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 O!R PROTE/]S >GU$ /R5U\SLY AGA9/ M>*+ EA/ AWAY FROM ! SUMMIT1 ON ! GR\NDS ?AT ?IS W\LD LACK CLE> MESSAG+ & C\LD CREATE T5SION ) WORK+ CLASS RESID5TS ( ! NEI<BORHOODS ANY O!R R\TE W\LD HAVE TO PASS ?R\<4 

,! GEOGRAPHY ( ,PITTSBUR< IS *ALL5G+--CLIFFS1 /EEP HILLS1 & GULLIES BREAK UP ! CITY 9 SU* A WAY ?AT !RE >E FEW R\TES BETWE5 MANY NEI<BORHOODS4 ,! NOR!RN P>T ( C5TRAL ,PITTSBUR<1 :]E ! M>* WAS TO BEG91 IS %>PLY DIVID$ FROM ! S\!RN P>T1 :]E MANY ( ! MAJOR UNIV]SITIES & %OPP+ DI/RICTS CAN BE F\ND4 ,ANY R\TE = ! M>*1 :E!R T[>DS ! SUMMIT OR AWAY FROM IT1 W\LD 9VOLVE A V>IETY ( RISKS4 ,SOME AN>*I/S W]E ONLY EXPECT+ A FEW HUNDR$ P>TICIPANTS1 A NUMB] :I* W\LD BE COMP>ATIVELY EASY = ! POLICE TO CONTROL4 

,ADD+ YET MORE SUSP5SE1 ! SPOKESC\NCIL ,W$NESDAY NI<T B>ELY CONCLUD$ 9 ! MID/ ( POLICE 9TIMIDATION2 P>TICIPANTS HAD TO SCATT] AS RIOT POLICE & UND]COV] AG5TS SURR\ND$ ! SPACE4 ,ALL NI<T HELICOPT]S & POLICE C>S ROAM$ ! CITY4 

,SEPTEMB] #b#d1 #bi 

,A /UD5T M>* >RIV$ AT ,>S5AL ,P>K >\ND #b P4M42 BY #b3#c1 ! P>K HAD OV] A ?\S& PEOPLE 9 IT4 ,?IS WAS A CONSID]ABLY DIFF]5T SC5>IO ?AN SOME \T-(-T[N P>TICIPANTS HAD ANTICIPAT$4 

,ONCE Y\ HAVE A C]TA9 CRITICAL MASS ( P>TICIPANTS1 EV]Y?+ *ANGES4 ,A CR[D ?AT EXT5DS FUR!R ?AN A CITY BLOCK IS MU* MORE DIFFICULT TO P5 92 EV5 IF POLICE CAN P5 ?AT MANY PEOPLE 91 !Y MAY LACK 5\< VEHICLES OR MANEUV]+ SPACE TO >RE/ & TRANSPORT !M ALL4 ,A BROAD] DIV]SITY ( P>TICIPANTS1 SU* AS G5]ALLY EXI/S 9 L>G] CR[DS1 CAN ALSO DISC\RAGE POLICE VIOL5CE4 ,& :ILE BO? POLICE & PROTE/]S CAN LAY CONCRETE PLANS = AN UNP]MITT$ M>* ( UP TO A FEW HUNDR$ P>TICIPANTS1 PA/ A C]TA9 ?RE%OLD NO PLANS CAN TAKE 9TO ACC\NT ALL ! UNPR$ICTABLE FACTORS ?AT RESULT FROM SO MANY PEOPLE ACT+ AUTONOM\SLY AT ONCE4 

,ONE MI<T EV5 EXT5D ?IS METAPHOR FUR!R TO DESCRIBE MOVEM5TS AS A :OLE4 ,SO LONG AS !Y REMA9 SMALL1 !Y CAN BE PR$ICTABLE & LIMIT$2 BUT PA/ A C]TA9 PO9T ( EXPANSION1 !IR 5]GY & DIV]SITY GIVE RISE TO A FE$BACK LOOP ?AT PRODUCES MORE 5]GY1 DIV]SITY1 & EXPANSION4 ,AN>*I/S 9 ! ,U,S >E NOT US$ TO ORGANIZ+ EV5TS 9 :I* MORE ?AN #a PEOPLE P>TICIPATE2 SOMETIMES IT EV5 SEEMS WE HESITATE TO TRY1 :E!R = FE> ( BE+ IMM$IATELY QU>ANT9$ BY ! POLICE OR \T ( LACK ( IMAG9ATION4 ,?IS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO \R [N SELF-M>G9ALIZATION4 ,! EXP]I5CE ( BE+ TOGE!R 9 SU* NUMB]S AT ,>S5AL ,P>K & 9 ,PITTSBUR< ?R\<\T ! REMA9D] ( ! DAY WAS UNFAMILI> & EXCIT+4 

,A TREM5D\S AM\NT ( CR$IT IS DUE TO ! ,PITTSBUR< ,G#b ,RESI/ANCE ,PROJECT = DO+ SU* AN IMPRESSIVE JOB 9VOLV+ P>TICIPANTS 9 ! ,?URSDAY ACTION4 ,! SUCCESSES ?AT OCCURR$ 9 ! /REETS TODAY W\LD HAVE BE5 DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE )\T SU* NUMB]S4 ,SOME AN>*I/S HAD 9ITIALLY FE>$ ?AT IT WAS A MI/AKE ?AT ! UNP]MITT$ M>* WAS NOT S*$UL$ TO TAKE PLACE CONTEMPORANE\SLY ) O!R EV5TS2 DAYS ( DIRECT ACTION AT ! #b & #bd ,R,N,CS ?AT W]E S*$UL$ NOT TO CO9CIDE ) O!R ACTIONS HAD BE5 UNSUCCESSFUL1 :]EAS ! ,SEATTLE ,W,T,O PROTE/S & ! #bh ,R,N,C PROTE/S BO? SUCCE$$ BECAUSE A WIDE RANGE ( PROTE/S OCCURR$ SIMULTANE\SLY4 ,BUT1 AS ,PITTSBUR< LOCALS HAD 9SI/$ IT W\LD1 IT PROV$ ADVANTAGE\S ?AT NO O!R ACTIONS W]E S*$UL$ = ! FIR/ DAY ( ! SUMMIT3 IT MEANT ?AT ! UNP]MITT$ M>* DREW TOGE!R EV]YONE :O WANT$ TO OPPOSE ! ,G#b1 LEGITIMIZ+ DIRECT ACTION & 9VOLV+ P>TICIPANTS FROM A WIDE V>IETY ( BACKGR\NDS4 ,ONE COMRADE REPORTS DISCOV]+ E>LY ON ?AT ,C9DY ,%EEHAN WAS M>*+ NEXT TO HIM 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! BLACK BLOC4 

,FIR/ ,MOVEM5T 

,AS L>GE AS ! CR[D WAS1 LEAV+ ! P>K /ILL LOOK$ DICEY--RIOT POLICE W]E BLOCK+ IT TO ! EA/ ON #d? ,/REET1 & IT APPE>$ !Y C\LD MOVE 9 TO BLOCK #c#i? AT ANY PO9T4 ,%ORTLY AFT] #b3#c1 A SMALL SEGM5T LEFT ! P>K1 MOV+ UP #c#i? T[>DS ,P5N & ,LIB]TY1 ! TWO P>ALLEL AV5UES LEAD+ T[>D ! SUMMIT TO ! S\?WE/ & 9TO ! ,BLOOMFIELD NEI<BORHOOD TO ! EA/4 ,! RE/ ( ! CR[D SL[LY FILL$ ! /REET BEH9D !M4 

,AS SOON AS ! CR[D REA*$ ! TOP ( ! HILL1 ! DIVISIONS OV] M>* R\TE EM]G$4 ,A SMALL BUT SPIRIT$ BLACK BLOC HEAD$ EA/ T[>D ! NEI<BORHOODS & %OPP+ DI/RICTS AWAY FROM ! SUMMIT1 :ILE O!RS BEH9D !M %\T$ ?AT !Y W]E GO+ ! WRONG WAY & DIRECT$ EV]YONE S\?WE/4 ,SOME ( ! LATT] REPUT$LY %\T$ 0,DON'T TAKE ! BAIT60--P]HAPS ALLEG+ ?AT ! ATTEMPT TO GO EA/ WAS A 9FILTRATOR PROVOCATION4 ,9 ANY EV5T1 ! BLACK BLOC RETURN$ TO ! CR[D MOV+ T[>DS ! SUMMIT4 

,! M>* ONLY PROCE$$ A C\PLE MORE BLOCKS BE=E RUNN+ 9TO A S]I\S L9E ( POLICE RESI/ANCE4 ,A PR]ECORD$ DISP]SAL ORD] C\LD BE HE>D PLAY+ OV] A L\DSPEAK]1 PUNCTUAT$ BY ! CRACK ( TE> GAS CANI/]S BE+ %OT2 ?IS E]IE REFRA9 WAS TO REPEAT OV] & OV] ?R\<\T ! DAY 9 V>I\S SITUATIONS1 L5D+ AN ,ORWELLIAN ATMOSPH]E TO ALL CONFRONTATIONS ) POLICE4 ,9 SU* A L>GE CR[D1 IT WAS DIFFICULT = ?OSE T[>DS ! BACK TO TELL :AT WAS GO+ ON AHEAD2 ! SI<T & SC5T ( TE> GAS 9 ! DI/ANCE WAS 5\< TO S5D MANY MOV+ D[N A SIDE ALLEY4 ,SOME AN>*I/S EM]G$ FROM ! ALLEY ) TRA% CANS & A MOBILE DUMP/]4 ,AT ! FOOT ( ! HILL AHEAD ( !M WAS ANO!R L9E ( RIOT POLICE & MILIT>Y VEHICLES1 %OOT+ TE> GAS & ATTEMPT+ TO =CE !M BACK ) MILIT>Y AUDIO WEAPONRY ?AT S\ND$ SOME?+ LIKE A C> AL>M4 

,IMAG9E1 IF Y\ WILL1 G5TLE READ]1 ! ANIMI/ V]SION ( ?IS /ORY 9 :I* DUMP/]S1 LONG ACCUS$ ( COMPLICITY 9 AN>*I/ 0LIFE/YLISM10 /EP \T ( !IR SOCIAL ROLE TO JO9 ! SOCIAL W>4 ,FREE FOOD1 EV5 :5 DI/RIBUT$ VIA PROGRAMS LIKE ,FOOD ,NOT ,BOMBS1 IS NOT 5\<--WE WANT FRE$OM ITSELF1 & ! DUMP/] DOES TOO1 & IT GA9S MOM5TUM D[N ! HILL AS IT ROLLS1 ALONE & MAGNIFIC5T1 DIRECTLY 9TO A PAIR ( OBLIVI\S POLICEM54 

,!RE FOLL[$ A P]IOD ( *AOS1 AS V>I\S CONT+5TS ( ! M>* ATTEMPT$ TO MAKE !IR WAY =W>D )\T BE+ P5N$ 9 BY POLICE4 ,?IS WAS MADE MORE *ALL5G+ /ILL BY ! *AOTIC ATMOSPH]E1 ! FACT ?AT MANY GR\PS HAD ALREADY LO/ TRACK ( EA* O!R1 & ! UNFAMILI>ITY ( MANY PROTE/]S ) ! T]RA94 

,9 SU* A HI<-PRESSURE SITUATION1 DECISIONS TAKE PLACE AN>*ICALLY1 & NOT NECESS>ILY 9 ! BE/ S5SE ( ! T]M4 ,NEI!R VOT+--NOXI\S AS MANY ( US HOLD IT TO BE--NOR CONS5SUS PROCESS >E POSSIBLE4 ,9/EAD1 IT IS AS IF ! HUNDR$S ( PEOPLE 9VOLV$ >E COLLECTIVELY OP]AT+ A ,\IJA BO>D1 9 :I* ALL !IR 9DIVIDUAL MOVEM5TS--CONSCI\S OR UNCONSCI\S--/RA9 AGA9/ OR FL[ 9TO EA* O!R1 BECOM+ SOME?+ DIFF]5T & UNFAMILI>1 EV5 SUP]NATURAL4 ,A P]SON OR GR\P CAN OCCASIONALLY HAVE AG5CY1 = EXAMPLE :5 ONE P]SON'S %\T+ VOICE HAPP5S TO BE HE>D ABOVE ! UPRO>3 0,G,O ,L,E,F,T6660 ,?AT P]SON MAY KN[ EXACTLY :AT HE IS TALK+ AB\T1 OR HE MAY BE A POLICE (FIC]2 USUALLY1 ONE HE>S SO MANY CONFLICT+ 9/RUCTIONS ?AT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO *OOSE RATIONALLY BETWE5 !M4 ,! CR[D SURGES TO ONE SIDE1 !N TO ANO!R4 ,ONE MAY HAVE P]SONAL GOALS ( ONE'S [N1 BUT AS ! CONTEXT IS CON/ANTLY %IFT+ ACCORD+ TO :AT O!RS >E DO+ & :]E !Y >E GO+1 ONE (T5 CANNOT SIMPLY C>RY \T ONE'S [N PROGRAM4 ,?IS MAY EXPLA9 ! S5SATION ( 0LOS+ ONESELF0 DESCRIB$ BY RIOT]S & PSY*OLOGY PR(ESSORS ALIKE2 IT IS SIMPLY A FA/-PAC$ MICROCOSM ( ! WAY 9DIVIDUALS /RUGGLE TO MAKE !IR [N HI/ORY AS 9F9ITESIMAL COMPON5TS ( A MU* L>G] SOCIETY4 

,! ROLE ( ! /RESSFUL DISCUSSIONS ?AT (T5 TAKE PLACE BE=E !SE EV5TS1 !N1 CANNOT BE TO PLAN \T EXACTLY H[ !Y WILL GO1 BUT SIMPLY TO FAMILI>IZE ! P>TICIPANTS ) SOME ( ! QUE/IONS & POSSIBILITIES4 

,SECOND ,MOVEM5T 

,SOME PROTE/]S REMA9$ 9 ! NEI<BORHOOD = OV] AN H\R1 NEV] MAK+ IT MORE ?AN A C\PLE BLOCKS FUR!R S\?WE/1 H>RI$ BY POLICE AT EV]Y TURN4 ,ANO!R BODY ( M>*]S1 NUMB]+ APPROXIMATELY #b1 SL[LY BEGAN TO MOVE \T ( ! >EA1 RETURN+ EA/ ALONG SMALL] /REETS & SOON CEAS+ TO 5C\NT] POLICE4 ,MANY ( ! NEI<BORHOOD RESID5TS1 ESPECIALLY ! POOR] ONES1 CAME \T TO WAT* & %\T SUPPORT FROM !IR DOOR/EPS4 ,! M>*]S EM]G$ FROM ! NEI<BORHOOD ONTO ,MA9 ,/REET1 & %ORTLY F\ND !MSELVES ON ,LIB]TY ,AV5UE :]E IT TURNS TO MOVE S\!A/ 9TO ! ,BLOOMFIELD NEI<BORHOOD4 ,ONE WAY TO VIEW ! EV5TS ( ,?URSDAY AFT]NOON IS AS A PROCESS 9 :I* ! IDEA ( GO+ EA/ RA!R ?AN WE/ SL[LY GA9$ LEGITIMACY4 ,AT FIR/1 P>TICIPANTS HAD REJECT$ IT \TRI<T AS A VIOLATION ( ! GOALS ( ! M>*2 N[1 ?IS RETREAT+ GR\P RELUCTANTLY ACCEPT$ IT AS 9EVITABLE1 ?\< NOT P>TICUL>LY DESIRABLE4 

,AS ,LIB]TY ,AV5UE MAKES ITS WAY S\!A/ ?R\< ,BLOOMFIELD1 IT PASSES ?R\< A %OPP+ DI/RICT FULL ( SMALL RE/AURANTS1 B>S1 & BANKS4 ,! M>* WAS REM>KABLY TIMID 9 ?IS 5VIRONM5T1 CONSID]+ ?AT !RE W]E NO POLICE >\ND :ATSOEV]4 ,P]HAPS IT REALLY IS TRUE ?AT PROP]TY DE/RUCTION L>GELY OCCURS AS A REACTION TO POLICE VIOL5CE2 IT MAY EV5 BE ?AT SELF-PR(ESS$ 9SURRECTIONI/S F9D IT PSY*OLOGICALLY EASI] TO SMA% ?+S 9 ! COMP>ATIVE DANG] ( A POLICE CONFRONTATION ?AN 9 ! ABS5CE ( ANY AU?ORITIES4 ,9 ANY EV5T1 !RE WAS PRACTICALLY NO PROP]TY DE/RUCTION UNTIL F9ALLY A BANK ON ONE SIDE ( ! /REET WAS ATTACK$4 

,POLICE C>S EV5TUALLY APPE>$ AT ! BACK ( ! M>*2 !Y DID NOT ACT UNTIL AN ! SIR5S ( AN AMBULANCE APPROA*+ FROM ! FRONT W]E MI/AK5 = POLICE RE9=CEM5TS1 CAUS+ ! CR[D TO PANIC & BEG9 TO DISP]SE OR MOVE ONTO ! SIDEWALK4 ,! POLICE TOOK ! 9ITIATIVE1 & ! M>* WAS DISPELL$4 

,MEAN:ILE1 ! COMMS (FICE WAS BE+ RAID$ BY POLICE4 ,ONE P]SON >RE/$ !RE IS BE+ HELD ON @s#c1 BAIL AS ( ?IS WRIT+1 & ANO!R ON @s#e BAIL4 ,! COMMS SY/EM KEPT WORK+1 H[EV]4 

,?IRD ,MOVEM5T 

,AT ?IS PO9T1 IT WAS ALMO/ #d P4M4 ,FRI5D%IP ,P>K HAD BE5 H9T$ AT AS A POT5TIAL RECONV]G5CE PO9T1 & N[ ! ANN\NCEM5T W5T \T OV] ! ,TWITT] SY/EM TO REGR\P !RE4 ,! P>TICIPANTS 9 ! M>* EA/ D[N ,LIB]TY W]E ALREADY 9 ! NEI<BORHOOD1 & MOV$ NOR? & WE/ TO MEET !IR COMRADES AT ! P>K1 :O W]E FILT]+ 9 FROM ! DEADLOCK TO ! WE/4 

,SOON ! CR[D WAS A FEW HUNDR$ /RONG4 ,SOME ( ?OSE PRES5T HAD NOT EXPECT$ ! DAY'S EV5TS TO GO AS F> AS !Y ALREADY HAD4 ,N[ !Y W]E 9SPIR$ BY ! EXP]I5CE ( TAK+ ! /REETS TOGE!R1 BUT NOT YET SATISFI$4 

,9 CONTRA/ TO E>LI] 9 ! DAY1 ! G5]AL CONS5SUS N[ SEEM$ TO BE ?AT !RE WAS NO S5SE 9 ATTEMPT+ TO GO WE/ TO ! CONV5TION C5T]1 & ?AT 9/EAD PEOPLE %\LD HEAD S\!A/ T[>DS ! PLU% %OPP+ DI/RICTS ( ! ,%ADYSIDE & ,NOR? ,OAKL& NEI<BORHOODS4 ,?IS WAS /ILL A RISKY PROPOSITION1 AS ?OSE NEI<BORHOODS W]E SEP>AT$ FROM ! ,BLOOMFIELD NEI<BORHOOD--9 :I* ,FRI5D%IP ,P>K WAS LOCAT$--BY GEOGRAPHICAL B>RI]S4 

,& ! POLICE W]E NO LONG] CONC5TRAT$ TO ! WE/1 EI!R4 ,N[ !Y TOO W]E GA!R+ AT ! P>K & 9 ! SURR\ND+ >EA4 ,BE=E !Y C\LD GET CONTROL ( ! SITUATION1 A NEW M>* />T$ \T HEAD+ DUE S\? T[>DS ! 9T]SECTION ( ,MILLVALE & ,LIB]TY4 ,MILLVALE CROSSES ,LIB]TY & SPANS A LONG BRIDGE S\? 9TO ,NOR? ,OAKL&2 BUT SU* A BRIDGE W\LD (F] AN EASY OPPORTUNITY = POLICE TO SURR\ND A M>*1 & !RE WAS A L9E ( POLICE ALREADY AT ! 9T]SECTION4 ,A GREAT P>T ( ! M>* CONT9U$ EA/ D[N ,LIB]TY1 PICK+ UP :]E ! M>* AN H\R PRIOR HAD LEFT (F4 ,A BANK 9 ! >EA SUFF]$ BROK5 W9D[S4 

,ANO!R GR\P MANAG$ TO CROSS ! ,MILLVALE BRIDGE 9TO ,NOR? ,OAKL&1 :]E ! W9D[S ( A ,B,M,W DEAL]%IP W]E SMA%$ & /R5U\S GAMES ( CAT & M\SE 5SU$ ) POLICE =CES4 ,VIDEO FOOTAGE FROM ?IS >EA ALSO %[S FATIGUE-CLAD ?UGS KIDNAPP+ A PROTE/] FROM ! >EA4 

,MEAN:ILE1 ! RE/ ( ! M>* CONT9U$ D[N ,LIB]TY1 AT FIR/ \TDI/ANC+ ! POLICE4 ,SPE$ WAS ( ! ESS5CE AT ?IS PO9T4 ,HAD ! M>* MOV$ ANY SL[]1 DIRE CONSEQU5CES W\LD SURELY HAVE 5SU$ = ! P>TICIPANTS2 HAD IT MOV$ FA/]1 ?+S MI<T HAVE TURN$ \T BETT]4 ,DESPITE ?IS1 !RE W]E /ILL SOME P>TICIPANTS :O 9SI/$ ON %\T+ 0,WALK60 :5 O!RS1 AW>E ( IMM95T DANG]1 W]E CALL+ \T 0,M,O,V,E60 OR1 MORE RESPONSIBLY1 0,SL[ JOG6 ,SL[ JOG60 

,! M>* TURN$ ONTO ,BAUM1 HEAD+ S\?WE/ T[>DS ,NOR? ,OAKL&2 L9ES ( RIOT POLICE APPE>$1 ATTEMPT+ TO SECURE ! >EA & ATTACK+ M>*]S4 ,! FRONT ( ! M>* HAD RU%$ AHEAD TO GET >\ND POLICE L9ES1 BUT SOME D\BL$ BACK TO DEF5D !IR COMRADES BY P9N+ ! POLICE D[N UND] A RA9 ( PROJECTILES4 ,! POLICE RESPOND$ BY %OOT+ BEANBAG R\NDS1 CAUS+ 9JURIES4 ,MEAN:ILE1 A LITTLE FUR!R D[N ,BAUM1 PROTE/]S DRAGG$ A L>GE SECTION ( *A9-L9K F5C+ 9TO ! ROAD TO OB/RUCT PURSUIT4 

,A FEW SECONDS LAT] ! M>* TOOK (F AGA9 D[N ,BAUM1 N[ AT A RUN4 ,A ,BO/ON ,M>KET FRAN*ISE HAPP5$ TO BE ON ?IS CORN]2 PROTE/]S W]E 5RAG$ FROM ! POLICE ATTACK1 & IT LO/ T5 W9D[S TO A HAIL ( ROCKS4 ,REGRETTABLY1 !RE W]E PEOPLE 9SIDE ! FRAN*ISE1 :O C\LD BE SE5 FLEE+ ! W9D[S2 H[EV]1 !RE IS NO 9DICATION ?AT ANYONE WAS 9JUR$4 

,N[ ! BRIDGE 9TO ,NOR? ,OAKL& APPE>$1 & ! M>* CROSS$ IT AT FULL SPE$4 ,ON ! O!R SIDE1 A BANK & ,K,F,C FRAN*ISE SUFF]$ BROK5 W9D[S1 & ! M>*]S1 AW>E ?AT POLICE W]E SWOOP+ 9 FROM ALL DIRECTIONS1 BEGAN TO BREAK 9TO SMALL] GR\PS1 ULTIMATELY DISP]S+ & DISAPPE>+4 

,= ! FOLL[+ SEV]AL H\RS1 ,NOR? ,OAKL& WAS FILL$ ) >MOR$ VEHICLES & RIOT POLICE1 ROV+ ! /REETS & BLOCK+ (F >EAS TO SEEM+LY NO PURPOSE4 ,:5 A P]SON HAS AN ALL]GIC REACTION1 IT IS (T5 NOT ! POISON ?AT CAUSES ! NEGATIVE EFFECTS SO MU* AS HIS BODY'S REACTION TO IT4 ,LIKEWISE1 ! RELATIVELY SMALL ACTIONS ( AN>*I/S PROVOK$ A DISPROPORTIONATELY DISRUPTIVE POLICE RESPONSE4 ,EV]Y:]E AN UNP]MITT$ M>* PASS$1 A L9E ( POLICE C>S & MILIT>Y VEHICLES FOLL[$2 EV]Y:]E A W9D[ HAD BE5 BROK51 TRAFFIC WAS HALT$ BY POLICE BLOCKADES4 ,ALL EV5+ ,PITTSBUR< LOCALS C\LD BE HE>D ON /REET CORN]S & CITY BUSSES DECRY+ ! POLICE PRES5CE1 ! HASSLE ( ! SUMMIT1 & ! HYPOCRISY ( !IR RUL]S4 

,F\R? ,MOVEM5T 

,ON ! O!R SIDE ( T[N1 AT ! ,UNIV]SITY ( ,PITTSBUR< 9 ,OAKL&1 PEOPLE GA!R$ AT ! ,PUBLIC ,HEAL? ,AUDITORIUM AT #e? & ,DE ,SOTO1 :]E A RADICAL CULTURAL EV5T WAS TAK+ PLACE4 ,! NEWS CAME 9 DUR+ ! P]=MANCE ( A P>TICUL>LY 9SPIR+ SPEAK] ?AT ! POLICE W]E RAID+ ! ,WELLNESS ,C5T] AT :I* 9JUR$ & TRAUMATIZ$ PROTE/]S W]E BE+ TREAT$4 ,IT WAS LAT] ANN\NC$ ?AT ! POLICE HAD NOT ACTUALLY RAID$ ! SPACE1 BUT ONLY ?REAT5$ IT2 REG>DLESS1 AT ?IS PO9T NO ONE PRES5T W\LD HAVE BE5 SURPRIS$ BY ANY \TRAGE ON ! P>T ( ! POLICE4 

,NE>BY1 /UD5TS HAD GA!R$ CLOSE TO ! BRIDGE TO ,S*5LEY ,P>K1 :]E ,OBAMA HAD VISIT$ ,PHIPPS CONS]VATORY4 ,HEAVY-H&$ POLICE REPRESSION 5SU$1 9CLUD+ ! USUAL ELECTRONIC DISP]SAL ORD] & TE> GAS1 BUT ?IS ONLY ATTRACT$ MORE & MORE PROTE/]S & ONLOOK]S1 & SOON ! CR[D NUMB]$ UP TO #a4 ,REPORTS DESCRIB$ /UD5TS ) T-%IRTS WRAPP$ >\ND !IR FACES *ANT+ 0BE] PONG60 & 0,L,E,T',S ,G,O ,P,I,T,T602 VIDEO FOOTAGE %[S !M *ANT+ MORE EXPLICITLY POLITICAL SLOGANS4 

,%ORTLY AFT] #a P4M41 A ,BA% ,BACK6-!M$ BLACK BLOC A HUNDR$ OR MORE /RONG APPE>$ ON ,=BES ,/REET BETWE5 ,ATWOOD ,/REET & ,OAKL& ,AV5UE4 ,! M>* WAS PU%+ HALF A DOZ5 OR MORE DUMP/]S1 :I* W]E UP5D$ 9 ! 9T]SECTIONS :ILE SEEM+LY ALL ! CORPORATE BUS9ESSES ON ! BLOCK LO/ !IR W9D[S4 ,ANO!R DUMP/] WAS ROLL$ FUR!R D[N ! /REET & SET ALI<T BE=E BE+ UP5D$ AS ! BLOC FL$ NOR?4 

,WE CAN IMAG9E ! ATMOSPH]E ( ! /REET AT ?AT 9/ANT3 ! RUNN+ FIGURES1 ! EXPLOSIONS ( BREAK+ GLASS REV]B]AT+ (F ! BUILD+S1 ! DIM /REETLI<TS ON MASK$ FACES1 ! S\ND ( NE>BY SIR5S REM9D+ EV]YONE ?AT MILIT>IZ$ RIOT POLICE 9 FULL =CE W]E ON ! WAY FROM ONLY A C\PLE BLOCKS' DI/ANCE4 

,PAMELA'S ,D9]1 ,PAN]A ,BREAD1 ,MC,DONALD'S1 ,BRUEGG]'S ,BAGELS1 ,SUBWAY1 ,RITE ,AID1 ,F$,EX ,K9KO'S1 ,AM]ICAN ,APP>EL1 ! ,PITT ,%OP1 & O!R BUS9ESSES SUFF]$ DAMAGE4 ,AN ,H@&,R ,BLOCK NE>BY ON ,ATWOOD ALSO REPORT$ V&ALISM4 ,! BLOC MOV$ NOR?1 5C\NT]+ A POLICE SUB/ATION ON :I* A P>TICUL>LY BITT] REV5GE WAS EXACT$4 ,POLICE VEHICLES W]E ALREADY 9 PURSUIT & PRESUMABLY SPE$+ AHEAD TO SURR\ND ! M>*2 H[EV]1 ! T]RA9 ( ! COLLEGE DI/RICT WAS TOO OP51 & TOO POPULAT$ BY CIVILIANS1 = ! POLICE TO EASILY 5TRAP !IR PREY4 ,SOME P>TICIPANTS BROKE (F FROM ! M>* AT ?IS PO9T2 O!RS CONT9U$ TOGE!R AS F> AS ,CRAIG ,/REET1 :]E ,QUIZNO'S ,SUBS1 ,P,N,C ,BANK1 ,IRI% ,DESIGN ,C5T]1 ,B,N,Y ,MELLON1 & ,CITIZ5S ,BANK W]E DAMAG$ BE=E ! BLOC F9ALLY DISP]S$4 

,IMM$IATELY !REAFT]1 ! POLICE ISSU$ ANO!R PR]ECORD$ DISP]SAL ORD] TO ! /UD5TS GA!R$ 9 ,S*5LEY ,PLAZA & >\ND ! SO-CALL$ 0,CA!DRAL ( ,LE>N+10 !N FIR$ SEV]AL DOZ5 TE> GAS CANI/]S AT ! CR[D4 ,! FOLL[+ H\RS SAW MASSIVE POLICE OCCUPATION ( ! UNIV]SITY >EA & ONGO+ CLA%ES ) /UD5TS EXT5D+ 9TO !IR DORMITORIES4 ,AS 9 ,/4 ,PAUL AFT] ! FIR/ DAY ( ! #bh ,R,N,C1 COMP>ATIVELY MODE/ AN>*I/ DIRECT ACTION PROVOK$ SU* A P[]FUL POLICE OV]REACTION ?AT ! POLICE 5D$ UP PRECIPITAT+ CONFLICT ) ! PUBLIC AT L>GE4 

,RECESSION ,REPRESSION8 

,AS ( E>LY MORN+ ,SEPTEMB] #b#e1 CORPORATE M$IA REPORTS CITE #ff >RE/S1 ! MAJORITY ( :I* HAPP5$ DUR+ ! EV5+ & MAY 9CLUDE /UD5TS CAU<T UP 9 R&OM POLICE ATTACKS4 ,SOME ( !SE >RE/EES HAVE ALREADY BE5 RELEAS$2 O!RS >E FAC+ S]I\S FELONY *>GES4 ,SOME *>GES MAY YET BE FIL$1 BAS$ ON POLICE & ,F,B,I 9TELLIG5CE4 

,! QUE/ION REMA9S--:Y DIDN'T ! POLICE SUCCE$ 9 CONTROLL+ ! DEMON/RATORS8 ,W]E !RE SIMPLY TOO MANY PROTE/]S1 ACTIVE 9 TOO MANY P>TS ( ! CITY1 TOO MOBILE & (T5 TOO SAVVY TO KEEP UP )8 

,C]TA9LY1 ! RANK & FILE ( ! POLICE =CE 9 ,PITTSBUR< >E 9EXP]I5C$--MU* LESS EXP]I5C$ ?AN MANY ( ! PROTE/]S :O HAVE BE5 9 SITUATIONS LIKE ?IS BE=E4 ,VIDEO FOOTAGE %[S !M =M+ SLOPPY L9ES1 /RUGGL+ HELPLESSLY ) !IR EQUIPM5T1 DRAGG+ EA* O!R BACK FROM CONFRONTATIONS1 & G5]ALLY BEHAV+ LIKE 9COMPET5T BUFFOONS4 ,IT'S ALSO POSSIBLE ?AT ! CITY ( ,PITTSBUR< DIDN'T SUCCE$ 9 ASSEMBL+ !IR HOP$-= #d (FIC]S2 POLICE (FIC]S >E REPORT$ TO HAVE BE5 BR\<T 9 FROM AS F> AWAY AS ,FLORIDA & ,>IZONA4 

,BE>+ ALL ?AT 9 M9D1 ?\<1 ! POLICE W]E CLE>LY ORD]$ NOT TO MAKE MASS >RE/S--?AT MU/ HAVE BE5 AN EXECUTIVE DECISION FROM ABOVE4 ,!RE W]E SEV]AL SITUATIONS 9 :I* !Y C\LD HAVE TRI$ TO1 BUT !Y NEV] DID4 ,?IS IS A *ANGE 9 APPROA* FROM ! #bd & #bh ,R,N,CS & ! #bh ,D,N,C4 ,IT'S POSSIBLE ?AT IT IS SIMPLY A LOCAL DIFF]5CE1 BUT ?AT SEEMS UNLIKELY4 ,!Y PROMIS$ UP TO #a >RE/S & C>RI$ \T WELL UND] #a1 EV5 AFT] REPEAT$LY LOS+ CONTROL ( DEMON/RATORS ALL DAY LONG4 

,IS ?IS ! ,OBAMA ADM9I/RATION F9ALLY COM+ ?R\< = AN>*I/S8 7,/AY CALM--IT'S A JOKE1 PEOPLE47 ,S]I\SLY1 ?\<1 C\LD SOMEONE HI< UP HAVE SOME?+ TO GA9 FROM LETT+ AN>*I/S DE/ROY ,PITTSBUR<8 ,OR W]E !IR H&S TI$ BY FACTORS WE CAN'T KN[1 LIKE PRESSURE TO AVOID SEEM+ HEAVY-H&$444 OR ! F9ANCIAL CON/RA9TS ( ! RECESSION ]A8 

,AT MIDNI<T AT ! 5D ( ! DAY1 AN ANN\NCEM5T W5T \T ?AT POLICE W]E HAV+ TR\BLE GETT+ FUEL & W]E TRY+ TO GET A TANK] TRUCK TO COME REFILL !IR ,HUMVEES4 ,ANO!R REPORT CLAIM$ 0POLICE NOT RESPOND+ TO O!R CALLS3 'ALL UNITS >E 9 ,OAKL&4'0 ,P]HAPS ?IS IS JU/ MORE ( ! MIS9=MATION COMMON TO ! ,TWITT] ]A2 BUT IT ALSO S\NDS LIKE ! FIR/ SIGNS ( ! CAPITALI/ EMPIRE SUFF]+ FROM OV]EXT5SION AS ITS RES\RCES RUN \T4 

,WE CAN'T KN[ H[ MU* ?IS WAS A VICTORY UNTIL ! DU/ SETTLES & ! *>GES >E FIL$4 ,! #bh ,R,N,C WAS EXCIT+ ON ,SEPTEMB] #a1 BUT BY ! FOLL[+ WEEK SO MANY FELONY CASES W]E P5D+ ?AT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE IT AS AN UNQUALIFI$ SUCCESS4 ,WE'LL EXP& ON ?IS REPORT AS MORE 9=MATION COMES 94 

,BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO CONVEY ! FEEL+S WE HAVE AT ! 5D ( A DAY LIKE TODAY1 A DAY :5 WE GET TO LIVE ! REAL LIVES WE DES]VE1 ?AT WE %\LD BE ABLE TO LIVE EV]Y DAY4 ,! EXULTATION & JOY WE FEEL 9 MOM5TS LIKE ?IS IS REAL1 TOO--AS REAL AS \R FELONY *>GES & ! GRIM REALITIES ( LONG-T]M /RUGGLE4 

,P4,S4 ,ONE ,MORE ,QUE/ION = ,EXTRA ,CR$IT 

,:ATEV] HAPP5$ TO ! PUPPETS ( ! ANTI-GLOBALIZATION ]A8 

7,S\RCE3 ,RETRIEV$ ON #i? ,NOVEMB] #bb FROM CRIME?9C4COM47 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #a#c1 #bbb 3 ,BREAK+ ,NEWS FROM ! ,PITTSBUR< ,G#b ,PROTE/S -- ,ADD$4 

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
HTTP3_/_/REVOLTLIB4COM_/