Wombles not welcome here!

national | summit mobilisations | opinion/analysis Tuesday May 04, 2004 12:52 by Irish Repuplican

Who are these 'professional rioters' who came over to Dublin to plan a direct confrontation with the Guards.
I dont know who they are but their tactics and methods were hopeless at Ashtown Gate.

I like a lot of people who have written to this site was there at the non-event of a riot at Ashtown Gate on Saturday evening. I call it a non-event as I have seen more confrontation with the Guards on a Saturday night in town.

Without going through the details of the night, which have been very well documented on this site and elsewhere I would like to pay attention to the so called 'Wombles' or 'Black-Bloc' and their attempts to break the police lines.

Now I am not going to say they were wrong to try and break the police lines - I can even say that I support their reasons to try and do so, but what were they trying to do?
Firstly what were their plans - did they honestly think a crowd of around 100-150 people at the front of a by and by peaceful crowd could break through a cordon of riot police aided by two water cannons.
Why did they do exactly what the police wanted on the day? Have they never heard of keeping them guessing or divertionary tactics?
I know the side roads were closed of but even if a few groups of 20 or so tried to attempt to break the lines somewhere else I am sure the guards would have had to re-think their plans and a sudden sugre of the crowd may have broke the police lines.
Also the attempt to break the police lines at the front was so riddiculous it would have made a good comedy apart from the fact people were getting hurt.
They had the chance to get through the initial uniformed police line, but they decided not to do anything but wait for the riot squad to replace their lines. Now I might be stupid but charging through a few rookies from Templemore who are terrified is much easier than what was an experianced and disciplined riot police with full gear and two water cannon.

The only thing I can say in favour of the so called 'rioters' is that when it kicked off they quickly fled and didn't start throwing bricks over the heads of the crowd causing more injuries.

Then on they way home - why did these crowd of brave anarchists - who we were briefed about in the media as being the veterans of many a street struggle - seem to be content in following the police back into town? Have they never heard of when the police have their back to you, you attack.

So what I want to know is who were these 'Wombles' and 'Black-Bloc' They all cannt be as stupid as believing in sensless sacrifice or were they content in just putting up a show for their pals in the police. Well at least I know why they cover their faces - I would as well - out of sheer embarassment.

In future they are not welcome on any demonstration until they learn what they are doing. How dare they hi-jack a demonstration with such a futile gesture.The original Wombles from Wimbledon could have put up a better show and are more frightening!