The conflicts of the modern political environment is rich with strategic semantics, sabotage and coercion. Looking to the East, Egypt is the setting for the latest uprising of the masses against a powerful ruling party. For the past week, the people of Egypt have demanded change in their undemocratic governing body. Their protests have echoes throughout the world. With these protests there have been the usual reports of theft, looting and general destruction.
But there are reports coming out of the north African nation of agent provocateurs.
I would like to take time to examine the practice of releasing agent provocateurs into crowds of protesters and what those implications are of having a power structure that encourages such uses of thier police/military.
Here are a couple of examples of this practice, not in some country on some other continent, but here in America with our own police:
This is at the 2009 G20 meeting in Pittsburgh.
This is another video taken in Montebello.
Although these examples are not blatantly proven to cases of provoking riotous behavior, I feel that it is pretty obvious what is going on here. I would like to hear from you guys what is you opinion. Not only on the possibility of agent provocateurs, but what it means that American, Canadian, many countries use this technique to undermine the peaceful efforts of those that oppose the policies or administrations over them.
I never would think that this would happen, but after some contemplation I see how it happens.
I remember the 2001 race riots here in Cincinnati. Talk about a scary time. I doubt the CPD had any of these "provokers" in the crowds, but it would be interesting to hear if they did.
It's almost a conspiracy theory, in a weird kind of way
These provocateurs a definitely a disturbing concept, but to dissect the issue, all I can think of is the line: "Don't poke the bear." Yea, these provocateurs may be around to start riotous behavior, and that is horrible, but the protesters must make sure they maintain decorum and not devolved into riots themselves.
And, in the first video, it seems like they're purposefully getting agitated about the three men. I understand their anger, but they're only falling into the trap the provocateurs are setting.
Provocateurs could cause two very different situations. They could be placed in a peaceful protest and cause people to get out of hand, just so that they have a reason to take people into custody to end a movement.
Or, the protesters can simply keep their composure and not let the situation get out of hand.
Any result that can come of a situation with placed provocateurs is in the hands of the people.
Look at Egypt now, man. Masked men riding horses and trampling people. Starting fights with "peaceful protests" (I put that in quotes because I don't really know how peaceful something with hundreds of thousands of people can really be... well, maybe nondisruptive is the word I'm looking for.) and causing Tahrir Square to turn into, basically, a ring of Molotov cocktail fire.
The provocateurs are a scary thing. I know for a fact. I interviewed Paul Erb, who was at the G20 protests and he was saying anarchists basically undermined the entire protest and turned the event into something the media likened into a riot or some such. It's a shame, really, that they get tagged in people just looking to break a window and get a free TV or just looking to start a fight.
I agree with Elise. Provocateurs have the power to control the outcome in protests. Either they watch to make sure nothing happens, or they can stir the pot and cause a ruckus. I personally think it's really weird how they linger in the crowds. It's bizarre.
It's scary the effect provocateurs can have on a situation. It can obviously happen anywhere, too. I'd be surprised if this wasn't going on in Egypt right now and to more of an extent than we know yet.
This is so bizarre and creepy. I agree that it's up to the individual protesters to not lose their cool because of anything the provocateurs do. Still, it's hard to imagine people being strategically placed among protesters in order to raise the action.
I think a lot of people overlook the fact that provocateurs are purposefully thrown into protests to make them violent. People don't want to believe that their government could be doing this. However, after the Patriot Act getting passed after 9/11, I'm not surprised stuff like this would be going on. I'm really glad you are covering this subject because it's a controversial issue that the public needs to be informed about. In short, I think it's terrible that people can't just get together and protest like they should be able to. Freedom of speech is essential for a just government and society.
I never would think that this would happen, but after some contemplation I see how it happens.
ReplyDeleteI remember the 2001 race riots here in Cincinnati. Talk about a scary time. I doubt the CPD had any of these "provokers" in the crowds, but it would be interesting to hear if they did.
It's almost a conspiracy theory, in a weird kind of way
These provocateurs a definitely a disturbing concept, but to dissect the issue, all I can think of is the line: "Don't poke the bear." Yea, these provocateurs may be around to start riotous behavior, and that is horrible, but the protesters must make sure they maintain decorum and not devolved into riots themselves.
ReplyDeleteAnd, in the first video, it seems like they're purposefully getting agitated about the three men. I understand their anger, but they're only falling into the trap the provocateurs are setting.
Provocateurs could cause two very different situations. They could be placed in a peaceful protest and cause people to get out of hand, just so that they have a reason to take people into custody to end a movement.
ReplyDeleteOr, the protesters can simply keep their composure and not let the situation get out of hand.
Any result that can come of a situation with placed provocateurs is in the hands of the people.
Look at Egypt now, man. Masked men riding horses and trampling people. Starting fights with "peaceful protests" (I put that in quotes because I don't really know how peaceful something with hundreds of thousands of people can really be... well, maybe nondisruptive is the word I'm looking for.) and causing Tahrir Square to turn into, basically, a ring of Molotov cocktail fire.
ReplyDeleteThe provocateurs are a scary thing. I know for a fact. I interviewed Paul Erb, who was at the G20 protests and he was saying anarchists basically undermined the entire protest and turned the event into something the media likened into a riot or some such. It's a shame, really, that they get tagged in people just looking to break a window and get a free TV or just looking to start a fight.
I agree with Elise. Provocateurs have the power to control the outcome in protests. Either they watch to make sure nothing happens, or they can stir the pot and cause a ruckus. I personally think it's really weird how they linger in the crowds. It's bizarre.
ReplyDeleteIt's scary the effect provocateurs can have on a situation. It can obviously happen anywhere, too. I'd be surprised if this wasn't going on in Egypt right now and to more of an extent than we know yet.
ReplyDeleteGood questions and good comments. Should make for an interesting crowdsourced post, at least one.
ReplyDeleteThis is so bizarre and creepy. I agree that it's up to the individual protesters to not lose their cool because of anything the provocateurs do. Still, it's hard to imagine people being strategically placed among protesters in order to raise the action.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of people overlook the fact that provocateurs are purposefully thrown into protests to make them violent. People don't want to believe that their government could be doing this. However, after the Patriot Act getting passed after 9/11, I'm not surprised stuff like this would be going on. I'm really glad you are covering this subject because it's a controversial issue that the public needs to be informed about. In short, I think it's terrible that people can't just get together and protest like they should be able to. Freedom of speech is essential for a just government and society.
ReplyDelete