Forum Post: The Black Bloc as Defenders of the Protesters: Quotes from Press in Recent Brazilian Protests

Another teacher at the protest, Aline de Luca, said that despite the violence of last week's demonstration, she had come back because the education system needed to be changed...

Black Bloc protesters carried banners depicting molotov cocktails and slogans reading "The people's rebellion is justified". They handed out leaflets outlining their position, which said: "Relax people. It's us, the Black Bloc. What you can't do, we can. We don't just attack, we defend people against police abuse and defend our right to protest."...

"Without the police, there is no violence. When they are there, there always is," said anarchist Hugo Cryois, 23, who had a gas mask dangling from his neck. "I came prepared," he said. "You can't trust them."

Student Ariane Santos, 26, who was wearing an Anonymous mask (which means she was not Black Bloc), said the Black Bloc protected protesters. "The Black Bloc always defend the demonstrations when the police come here," she said. "They protect the teachers in various situations."...

Local media blamed the violence on Black Bloc members who are a feature of protests in Rio, but protesters said the black-clad youth had formed an unlikely alliance with striking teachers, shocked by heavyhanded police tactics at previous marches...

Adolfo Tavares, 28, was treated by volunteer medics after he said he was hit in the leg by a rock thrown by police. "Police formed a barrier and began throwing rocks," he said...

The State Union of Education Professionals (Sepe) stated during assembly on Wednesday, unconditional support for the Black Blocs with respect to clashes with police occurred at the protest Monday. Was no vote on the matter during the meeting at the Municipal Club in Tijuca, Rio’s North Zone, which also defined the strike continuity of the category. Many teachers say they have been protected by masked the excesses committed by the police and, in addition, they would have done first aid to people injured during the confusion around the Town Hall. “Manifestations of education professionals continue to be organized by Sepe, but the Black Blocs are always welcome. Sepe What can not be responsible for prior acts, but the protests of the teachers were not causing conflicts but the Black Blocs the police, “said the general coordinator Alex Sepe Trentino. The report said that the DIA admiration of teachers by masked youths is evident in this fourth edition. In groups of teachers and other servers formed on Facebook, were posted since the beginning of the month phrases like “Black Blocs, admire you,” “Congratulations to the Warriors Black Blocs”, “Black Bloc is my friend. Moved with him, touched me. “ A woman who identified herself as the teacher classified as “young fearless.” Another, more direct, called them “cute”...

Political analysts believe that while many Brazilians deplore the violence, their disillusionment with the police and systemic corruption is fuelling support for the protesters and the anarchists who champion them. The member of Black Bloc claimed that the principal role of the activists was to protect protesters calling for social change from police onslaughts. "We are growing," he said, his clothes adorned with the names of punk banks. "Before, it was a small punk group from the underground culture, but now people from other social groups are coming along. Upper-middle class kids are agreeing with us. Young people have more destructive energy and see it as a way to express themselves." He said social media groups that helped them to organise themselves were infiltrated by police informers during the summer protests. Black Bloc spontaneously present themselves at left-wing demonstrations, such as last week's teachers' strike, and confront the police. Armed with gas masks and plastic shields, they say they want to help legitimate protesters to be heard. "Our goal is protection. We know the police are better equipped, with rubber bullets and teargas, which they often fire in large quantities," he said. "But if we stand our ground, the people will stay and the protest will go on."...