Complexity and Social Movements: Multitudes at the Edge of Chaos ...

48 Identities, protest dynamics and technology
symbols’ to which individual allegiance could be temporarily aligned
producing a temporary collective. In Prague the process originated in the
selection of ‘empty signifiers’ by using colours ‘that didn’t have a [local]
political resonance’ though one interviewee ‘liked the idea of Commies having
to say they were Pink’ (Interview UK activist 2). Despite this, the Pink
march produced a lasting allegiance initiating a contemporary reformulation
of playful confrontation, previously used by peace and anti-nuclear
movements (Welsh 2000), and at subsequent summit sieges (Chesters and
Welsh 2004).
On 26 September, the intricacies of this plan proved unworkable and the
marches diverged immediately taking different exit routes from the initial
meeting place in Namesti Miru (Peace Square). This outcome resulted from
a combination of factors including the obvious affinity between certain
groups, confusion amongst those attending ‘on the day’ and the attraction
of being party to, or observing some of the more puzzling or obviously
confrontational protest repertoires about to be deployed. Thus, the visibly
padded, white suited, and multi-coloured helmeted ranks of Ya Basta!/Tute
Bianche! set out with an unexpectedly large contingent of followers/
onlookers including the majority of the IS/SWP grouping on the ‘yellow’
route. Two other groups – blue and pink set off almost simultaneously.
The Blue march was distinctively international in character and included
the Infernal Noise Brigade, a uniformed anarchist marching band from
Seattle complete with baton twirlers and flags. This march was largely
comprised of the widespread anarchist/autonomist movement who have
used a ‘black bloc’ tactic (wearing balaclavas, black clothing and being
prepared to defend themselves and confront the police) throughout northern
Europe over the last 20–30 years (see Katsiaficas 1997).
The Pink or Pink and Silver march as it had now been labelled left almost
simultaneously, variously described as ‘pink fairies’, ‘carnivalistas’ 3 or
‘samba’, 4 in actuality a combination of various Earth First! and Reclaim
The Streets activists from the United Kingdom as well as a recently assembled
Samba band and the self-declared ‘Tactical Frivolity’ group, a combination
of women activists from Lancashire, Yorkshire and the South West of the
United Kingdom, part of whose journey was documented for The Guardian
newspaper. 5
As the day progressed the clear demarcation between the colour coded
marches began to break down as groups from each manoeuvred to provide
support and seek tactical advantage. Towards the late afternoon the majority
of people still on the streets marched to the Opera House where IMF/WB
delegates were due to meet arriving just as the performance was cancelled.
During late evening the first damage to ‘global brand’ outlets and banks 6
began to occur in Wenceslas Square and riot police clashed repeatedly with
groups of protesters that were now becoming dispersed around the city
centre. At this point the first mass arrests began to take place, people,
including locals, were trapped in various side streets where they had taken