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mythology

(9,527 posts)

42. There are a number of reasons

Thu Aug 31, 2017, 04:32 PM

Aug 2017

Some could be there to commit violence and want to make identification more difficult.

Some could be worried about reprisal from others. Whether it's a boss with different political beliefs or being worried about being doxxed from people online. Considering the incompetent online vigilante mob led by idiots like Shaun King inaccurately identified people like Kyle Quinn resulting in death threats against innocent people, it certainly lowers the incentive to join a protest given that some percentage of people on either side are happy to threaten murder and rape.

Some might have family members who would object. A woman at an anti-domestic violence rally might have an abusive husband at home.

Some might be worried about deportation if they are here without documentation.

Some might fear reprisal in a home country against themselves or family. China for one has been known to punish family members of dissidents.

Some could fear Trump will start a program of punishing his political opponents.

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Why would protesters on the left wear masks? [View all] MineralMan Aug 2017 OP

Some are anarchists and not there to do good. Sneederbunk Aug 2017 #1

Ah, I see. But anarchists are not on the left, as MineralMan Aug 2017 #4

Exactly! People on the left believe in liberal or progressive or socialistic GOVERNMENT -- pnwmom Aug 2017 #47

Agents Provocateurs?? sagesnow Aug 2017 #78

They've been disrupting protests in the Bay Area since the invasion of Iraq wryter2000 Aug 2017 #6

They have been very destructive in Portland. CentralMass Aug 2017 #33

And most are folks who understand the threat of a fascist president and a corrupt AG. Demsrule86 Sep 2017 #100

The ones in masks are there to cause trouble wryter2000 Aug 2017 #2

A mask won't prevent an arrest. MineralMan Aug 2017 #7

Many of the violent right were arrested after the fact wryter2000 Aug 2017 #12

It can create doubt about the identity of an assailant JustABozoOnThisBus Aug 2017 #16

A buddy of mine is a public defender or was a public defender Hassin Bin Sober Aug 2017 #25

In the south the antiKKK laws prevent protesting anything with a mask AngryAmish Aug 2017 #82

violence heaven05 Sep 2017 #104

THIS GaryCnf Sep 2017 #106

They should be kicked out of any demonstration if they are wearing masks. applegrove Aug 2017 #3

Amen. n/t wryter2000 Aug 2017 #10

Seriously... Zoonart Aug 2017 #19

I don't understand what your last 3 words mean. applegrove Aug 2017 #20

I mean costume play... Zoonart Aug 2017 #23

That is exactly what they are doing. applegrove Aug 2017 #29

Sure, but how? Wearing a mask is not a crime defacto7 Aug 2017 #31

Point to them and yell "black block". That was done in previous years applegrove Aug 2017 #37

do you even heaven05 Sep 2017 #105

No but when these masked indvidial show up at protest and burn cars and smash windows of businesses CentralMass Aug 2017 #40

Actually in several places in the US it is illegal to protest while wearing a mask. PoliticAverse Aug 2017 #63

That's good. Wish it were that way in all states. defacto7 Aug 2017 #75

AntiKKK laws certainly make protest masks illegal. AngryAmish Aug 2017 #84

In many parts of the US it is illegal to be protesting wearing a mask. PoliticAverse Aug 2017 #61

but didn't the black bloc wearing masks show up at Berkley last weekend?? riversedge Sep 2017 #101

You do it. They are armed and crazy. AngryAmish Aug 2017 #83

The police should do it. They could demand that they reveal their faces applegrove Aug 2017 #85

Why should the police be arsed to do so? AngryAmish Aug 2017 #86

Are we both talking about the black block on the left? applegrove Aug 2017 #88

because they are edgy, and cool, and F- the Establishment! We are the REAL PEOPLE snooper2 Aug 2017 #5

Cause they intend to cause some havoc jmg257 Aug 2017 #8

Then I don't want to be associated with them. MineralMan Aug 2017 #9

Good choice! jmg257 Aug 2017 #11

Until one is arrested and we find out who they are I am not buying into randr Aug 2017 #13

Bingo! spanone Aug 2017 #15

I don't know, there are some people here defending their violence FLPanhandle Aug 2017 #17

"they are nazis--and they should be destroyed on sight by any means available" Not Ruth Aug 2017 #44

Eradicted??? MichMan Aug 2017 #66

+1 leftstreet Aug 2017 #18

I was in Seattle during WTO (I live here), and the anarchists (as they were termed then) LisaM Aug 2017 #38

They were at the marches to protest the invasion of Iraq before we even invaded wryter2000 Aug 2017 #46

Yes, I went to a couple of anti-war marches before the fact too. Same thing. LisaM Aug 2017 #56

There were a lot of Guy Fawkes masks worn during "Occupy Wall Street" nm MichMan Aug 2017 #67

This message was self-deleted by its author MichMan Aug 2017 #68

The "heroes of the civil rights movement" might not have done anything wrong............. socialist_n_TN Aug 2017 #71

Good point wryter2000 Aug 2017 #74

Yeah, becausing it was illegal for blacks to vote or sit where they want on a bus GulfCoast66 Aug 2017 #87

Martin Luther King was arrested about 30 times for protesting. He even wrote a book in jail. n/t PoliticAverse Aug 2017 #92

I agree entirely... Zoonart Aug 2017 #21

You mean like the bike lock professor? metalbot Aug 2017 #43

+1 uponit7771 Aug 2017 #59

It started in Europe leftstreet Aug 2017 #14

Aren't they breaking the law? ProgressiveValue Aug 2017 #22

In some states, yes Lee-Lee Aug 2017 #27

Of course they can cover their faces -- many of the KJKKers in CVille did obamanut2012 Aug 2017 #34

Depends on the state. Good try saying that the laws are the same everywhere. Epic Fail. X_Digger Aug 2017 #90

Defining them as on the left is a convenient way for reporters or those on the right Dyedinthewoolliberal Aug 2017 #24

Its the "Black Bloc" strategy Lee-Lee Aug 2017 #26

lulz obamanut2012 Aug 2017 #32

Kind of like these guys, gunz and all -- Hoyt Aug 2017 #48

Those guys are a lot less organized Lee-Lee Sep 2017 #93

Given the angry, heavily armed, bigoted people they are protesting, they might be for safety. LonePirate Aug 2017 #28

That's what I heard zipplewrath Aug 2017 #41

Because the ones with masks are cops obamanut2012 Aug 2017 #30

+1 MrsCoffee Aug 2017 #53

DU's former antifa black bloc member answers many of your questions Not Ruth Aug 2017 #35

Because masks are scary. nt LexVegas Aug 2017 #36

Mostly an affectation by young punks looking for fights. Warpy Aug 2017 #39

I'm not sure how smart that is. ProgressiveValue Aug 2017 #49

Police have been out of control and use these things on peaceful crowds Warpy Aug 2017 #52

I remember them. ProgressiveValue Aug 2017 #57

There are a number of reasons mythology Aug 2017 #42

It is part of the uniform, a way to distinguish themselves from the opposition and the sheep Not Ruth Aug 2017 #45

nah bonemachine Aug 2017 #54

Facial recognition technology. n/t Coventina Aug 2017 #50

I believe the history of the mask/helmet black bloc tactic was to avoid police harassment/arrest aikoaiko Aug 2017 #51

Some might be police personnel. guillaumeb Aug 2017 #55

Because they are "special" and doing something very "special" & "sincere" & they mean "well" Madam45for2923 Aug 2017 #58

Typical DU Pearl-clutching. maxsolomon Aug 2017 #60

THIS socialist_n_TN Aug 2017 #73

Realistically... forgotmylogin Aug 2017 #62

STAY PEACEFUL. Peaceful protest is the only way to be take seriously and be truly heard. Not Ruth Aug 2017 #70

A bandanna doesn't stop either smoke or tear gas. X_Digger Aug 2017 #91

I've come up with: "No Face, No Place!" Expecting Rain Aug 2017 #64

To not be tracked by the Fascists in the Trump Administration? WinkyDink Aug 2017 #65

I remember a lot of Guy Fawkes masks worn by "Occupy Wall Street" nm MichMan Aug 2017 #69

That got played out fast. Tommy_Carcetti Aug 2017 #72

I'm someone who did it. I can give you my reasons. politicat Aug 2017 #76

Thank you for your service dembotoz Aug 2017 #79

+1 bigtree Aug 2017 #80

Appreciate the insight - that was tremendously enlightening! bullwinkle428 Aug 2017 #89

Absolutely brilliant response. Thank you. (eom) CanSocDem Sep 2017 #94

I find your posts very interesting grantcart Sep 2017 #96

I can only talk about my local community. politicat Sep 2017 #97

Tear gas: the police are NOT liberal's friends. Nevernose Aug 2017 #77

Antifa is not bloc; bloc is not antifa. politicat Aug 2017 #81

Why not? alarimer Sep 2017 #95

Antifa activities now classified as domestic terror violence by feds Not Ruth Sep 2017 #98

They are being targeted by Sessions justice department ...recently he got a court order for every Demsrule86 Sep 2017 #99

becasue wearing white sheets is being done already..... beachbum bob Sep 2017 #102

While I have no sympathy for Black Bloc GaryCnf Sep 2017 #103