World
‘Nobody can stop them’: Who are Europe’s Black Bloc protesters?
The Black Bloc refers to anarchist activists dressed entirely in black who often clash with police during protests across Europe, from France and Italy to Spain and Albania. Emerging from Germany's 1980s autonomist movement, they have no leadership or formal structure, and intelligence services estimate their numbers in Europe at 5,000-7,000, with a few hundred appearing at each demonstration. Critics say their violence distracts from legitimate demands, while supporters argue they highlight social and economic inequality.