WOMBLES

The WOMBLES (White Overalls Movement Building Libertarian Effective Struggles) are a loose anti-capitalist group in the United Kingdom that dresses in white overalls with padding, helmets and breathing protection at protests.

They should not be confused with the animated British children's television characters, the Wombles.

They have participated in various protests, including Prague, Halloween 2002 protest, Mayday 2001 and Thessaloniki. They try to operate in a "non-hierarchical but self-disciplined way."

"[O]n Mayday 2000 the cops gave [the protesters] a good kicking," their website says[1]. In response to this, the group was started "to provide self-protection from the depredations of the constabulary" -- the police, or "few thugs with big sticks," as they call them.

Some of their aims include:

• to facilitate free movement and communication during protests;
• to stop attacks on demonstrators such as baton charges, horse charges, CS gas and sprays;
• be living examples of our libertarian solidarity, organisation and humour;
• to promote mutual respect and protection among demonstrators.

The group meets regularly at the London Action Resource Centre (LARC), a social centre in East London.

See also: black bloc, anti-globalization movement, anarchism, Civil and social disobedience, Disobbedienti, Tute Bianche, Ya Basta, Zapatista

External link

• www.wombles.org.uk