Germany is using the black bloc violence in Hamburg as an excuse for various repressive measures against leftists, violent or not.

Meanwhile, the violence provided the mainstream media with a useful distraction from the real issues at stake, such as global heating and globalization of low wages. Whether they are sincere but benighted, or thugs in disguise, they did the progressive cause no good.

The progressive organizations should declare the black bloc persona non grata at important peaceful protests.