Direct action originated as a political activist term for economic and political acts in which the actors use their power to directly reach certain goals of interest by, for example, revealing an existing problem, using physical force, highlighting an alternative, or demonstrating a possible solution. Both
direct action and actions appealing to others can include
nonviolent and violent activities which target
persons, groups, or property deemed offensive to the action participants.
Nonviolent direct action may include sit-ins, strikes, street blockades,
sabotage, and counter-economics.
Nonviolent direct action has historically been an assertive regular feature of the tactics employed
… Read more by social movements, including
Mahatma Gandhi's Indian Independence Movement and the Civil Rights Movement. Anarchists
organize almost exclusively through
direct action, this manifests as a varied set of actions,
non-violent or violent.
Direct action is used by anarchists due to a rejection of party politics, and refusal to work within hierarchical bureaucratic institutions.
Anarcho-punk is a genre of
punk rock that promotes
anarchism. Some use the term broadly to refer to any
punk music with anarchist lyrical content, which may figure in
crust punk,
hardcore punk, folk
punk, and other styles. A surge of popular interest in
anarchism occurred during the 1970s in the
United Kingdom following the birth of
punk rock, in particular the Situationist-influenced graphics of Sex Pistols
artist Jamie Reid, as well as that band's first single, "
Anarchy in the U.K.". However, while the early
punk scene appropriated anarchist imagery mainly for its shock or comedy value or at best as a desire for hedonist personal
freedom,
Crass along with neighbors Poison Girls may
… Read more have been the first
punk bands to expound serious anarchist ideas. Pioneering
crust punk bands Antisect, Anti System,
Sacrilege, and
Amebix all began in the
anarcho-punk scene, before incorporating their anarchist lyrical themes with elements of early heavy metal.
Anarcho-punks universally believe in
direct action, although the way in which this manifests itself varies greatly. Many
anarcho-punks are
pacifists (e.g.
Crass and
Discharge) and therefore believe in using
non-violent means of achieving their aims. These include
nonviolent resistance, refusal of work, squatting, economic
sabotage,
dumpster diving,
graffiti, culture jamming, ecotage, freeganism, boycotting,
civil disobedience, hacktivism, and subvertising. Some
anarcho-punks believe that violence or property damage is an acceptable way of achieving social change (e.g.
Conflict). This manifests itself as rioting,
vandalism, wire cutting, hunt
sabotage, participation in
Animal Liberation Front, Earth Liberation Front, or even
Black Bloc style activities. Many anarchists dispute the applicability of the term "violence" to describe the destruction of property since they argue that destruction of property is done not to control an individual or institution but to take its control away.
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