Militant Clown Bloq Movement

What to make of this, I do not know. The use of clowning to push the limits of freedom of expression and right political wrongs is an ancient one, but I am unsure how this applies to political movements today such as the G20 and NATO. Nevertheless, they are colourful and fresh, and therefore interesting.

Clown prostester, supposedly in Toronto, Canada for the G20, 2011. What would be her message?

Clown prostester, supposedly in Toronto, Canada for the G20, 2011. What would be her message?

Clown Bloq is part of the Occupy Movement, which I know very little about. The Black Bloq, which may or may not be associated with the Occupy Movement, ran through Downtown Toronto destroying stores and property, and this is not cool. Why Clown Bloq would use a similar name, I am not sure.

Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army: Really? A clown army?

Clown Bloq is a collection of clowns and clownfinity groups that organize together for a particular action. The flavor of the Clown Bloq changes from action to action but the main goals are to provide hilarity in the face of a humorless police state and to provide a fool’s critique of organized and militarized repression of the people, their voices and their best interests.

Clown Bloq’s intention is to be both disarming and tactically militant. We are trained in traditional forms of hard blocks, soft blocks, de-arrest techniques as well as other historically significant tactics. It must be consistently reiterated that Clown Bloq is both a joke and NOT a joke.

Clown Bloq even have an online instruction manual. The manual is on one hand interesting and on the other scary. Using clowning for civil disobedience, and having clowns learn military tactics? Clown marching technique? Basic Armed Forces techniques?

I have never heard of this group before: Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army.

The Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army (or CIRCA) is a United Kingdom-based anti-authoritarian left-wing activist group that uses clowning and non-violent tactics to act against corporate globalisation, war, and on other issues…

Those participating in CIRCA actions typically dress in military-style camouflage clothing supplemented with brightly coloured trimmings and political logos. The costumes both create a comical atmosphere and serve to maintain anonymity during protests. ‘Armaments’ are usually limited to feather dusters, although some carry water pistols. The complete ensemble of the costume and traditional clown make-up (usually consisting of a white face and red nose) creates a sense of ridiculousness which seeks to challenge preconceptions of radical activists…

The Clown Army now has active groups in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Denmark, Germany, and Israel, and many other groups have appeared that have been inspired by the work of the original group.wiki