Is "Black Bloc" hijacking Occupy Oakland?

Peaceful protests by the Occupy Oakland movement were overshadowed this week by violent clashes between a small group of demonstrators and police. Now there's concern among the majority of protesters that their message is being hijacked. CBS News correspondent John Blackstone looks into this latest development.

It could be seen as a battle for the image of the Occupy movement. One demonstrator struggles to put out the flames of a burning barricade as others masked and dressed in black pull him away.

It wasn't the only time during a huge Occupy demonstration in Oakland this week that protesters found themselves on opposite sides. When dozens of black clad marchers began attacking a supermarket, others urged them to stop -- finally linking arms to protect the store from further destruction.

One demonstrator, Sheik Anderson, distanced most of the protesters from the violence.

"We called the mayor's office the moment we understood what was going on over there," said Anderson. "That was an anonymous action, that was nothing to do with Occupy Oakland.

To many demonstrators, a sinister mask, fashioned on Guy Fawkes, the revolutionary who attempted to blow up the British Parliament buildings more than 400 years ago, has become a worldwide symbol of anarchy and revolution.

Occupy Oakland riots: More to come?
Occupy Oakland protesters clash with police

For years, these black-clad demonstrators, known as the Black Bloc, have been showing up at marches in Europe and the U.S. Although often small in numbers, by destroying property and challenging police, they can hijack the message of otherwise peaceful protests

"I see Black Bloc as a tactic, not really as a movement," said Ryan Andreola, an Occupy demonstrator. He said he believes in non-violence but is not ready to condemn the tactics of the Black Bloc.

"As individuals," said Andreola, "we respect people's freedom to act they way that they feel they have to act to make the changes they wish to see."

Those intent on violence may be on the fringes, but once the trouble begins, they often get the spotlight. In Oakland, city officials have warned that more violence could bring another order to close down the Occupy encampment.

[gawwwrrsh]

It is ironic in the EXTREEME that the GUY FAWKES MASK is most notably popularized by the movie, V FOR VENDETTA, was not even noted in the article! What don't they want you to know? Watch V FOR VENDETTA and **** of CBS!

[nobiggovduh]

The Guy Fawkes Masks ARE NOT Black Bloc!

[CounterClkws]

Why can they attribute their poverty to others?
I wondered if the haven't thought English rioters were lamed when they saw it.

[Ami0z]

This makes it clear how important it is to work to distance ones self from violence when involved in non violent struggle. The world is eager to associate your cause with behavior that will devalue your struggle.

It is not a simple thing, but it must be done.

Thank you CBS for the clarity in pointing out the facts; the two separate entities with distinctly different goals and methods.

One effort driven by wants the other driven by need...one in line with ageless madness of the times, the other aligned with the timeless needs of all mankind.

May God go with the 99.

[ParkerEast]

Here is my second video contribution to the movement. Pass it along.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx1wMmcPaks

Worth watching... subscribe if you like it.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MrParkerEast

[elmgreen11]

Oakland is famous for its mean streets.

[StrobeFischbyne]

Romanticize violence in your own town. Those of us who live on Oakland's mean streets don't celebrate murder. It's proven that the majority of anarchists arrested in Oakland are from elsewhere.

[Hutterite]

Time to stop hiding behind the mask. I don't think anyone in the legitimate occupy movement needs to hide their face, just the ones who are professional vandals.

[tantorocks]

Ah, the poor fools in the street not recognizing the partner they brought to the dance with them.

We know this is where the movement is headed, and pretending otherwise is foolish. The radical fringe is always part of these movements and is counted upon to draw attention to the protests, but more importantly, the fringe is used to intimidate politicians into accepting demands.

Here is a great article that projects how these protests will play out http://mywtfblog.com/2011/11/taking-the-occupy-movement-to-its-logical-conclusion/

Let's hope everyone realizes how this can end, and then have the courage to control them before they get completely out of control.

[Asok_II]

Riiiiiiight. Way to go, CBS! Just love how you defend the "peaceful" anarchists but trashed the Tea Party! I think that spelled B-I-A-S, right? Naw. Not CBS. No bias there.

But still, aren't you racist for blaming African-Americans for hijacking the peaceful anarchist riots and turning them into non-peaceful African-American anarchist riots?

I suppose you're operating on the assumption that the vast majority of Americans are stupid and uneducated and will believe your garbage. But, you know, there are a few of us out here in fly-over-America that are highly educated, very aware, remember contemporary history older han a week, and have fully functional, exquistly sensitive BS detectors.

[choptopford]

IT,S PLAN AND SIMPLE THEY ARE TERRORIST