They’re not Al-Qaeda, but they are a type of home-grown terror group. The FBI describes the Black Bloc as individuals intent on using violence to their express their extreme ideological views.
The Black Bloc tactics include street fighting, vandalism and rioting. Private investigator Bill Warner, who researches organized violence, says Black Bloc members are self-proclaimed anarchists.
He says they use the Occupy Movement as a front, but have their own violent agenda. They dress in black from head to toe, carry a black flag, and create chaos when ever they can.
Members conceal their identity, but they don’t hide their disdain for capitalism and law enforcement.
“Tampa RNC is the biggest stage this year. These radicals, that’s what they like, that’s what they need, they like the publicity. But they are going to do bad things to get the publicity,” Warner said.
Just a few weeks ago, five Black Bloc anarchists were arrested for trying to blow up a bridge in Cleveland. The FBI foiled the plot by embedding under cover agents in the group.
Investigators say the men also planned to target the NATO Summit in Chicago and the RNC in Tampa.
On Saturday, during the NATO Summit, Chicago police arrested three more Black Bloc members.
Officers infiltrated the group and say they discovered plans to burn down buildings with Molotov cocktails.
Tampa Assistant Police Chief John Bennett, who was at the NATO Summit said to expect the same covert stings during the RNC.
“That’s part of our responsibility, and we will be taking the same measures of prevention on our end,” Bennett said.
Now with the RNC just months away, what could we expect from this dangerous, radical group?
Warner says nothing good.
“Tampa RNC is going to be a big problem, you’re forewarned. They already did it in Chicago, they already did it in Cleveland. They’re coming here for the bigger stage,” Warner said.