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Urban guerrilla refers to someone who fights a government or dictatorship using unconventional warfare in an
urban environment (see: guerrilla tactics). Often on the left-wing of the
political spectrum they claim to fight for the "liberation of their people". The urban guerrilla phenomenon is essentially one of
modernity and industrialised society.
Unlike rural guerillas, urban guerrillas have not been successful at overthrowing a government and talking power. During the
1960's, urban guerrillas such as the Monteneros in Latin America intended to destabilize
civilian governments and put into power an oppressive military government which they believed would cause the middle classes to
rise up in popular revolt. In many cases they did succeed on overthrowing the civilian government prompting a military government
to take control and brutally wipe out the guerillas with general disregard for human rights.
Historical examples include the Weathermen in the United states, the
Red Army Faction in Germany and the Red Brigades in Italy. However, not all urban political violence can be labeled as urban
guerrilla. The Black Panther Party does not qualify, due
to its public nature and pursuit of a policy of self-defence. Similarly the Italian Autonomia movement, and the German Autonomen engaged in urban political violence,
but not as urban guerrillas due to their policies of public, mass and non-deadly violence.
The line between an urban guerrilla or freedom fighter and terrorist is often considered to be a blurred one. The term urban guerrilla is also used to refer to
westerners who support subversive politics and take part in different forms of protest like culture jamming.
Urban Guerrilla is also the name of a
single record released in the United Kingdom by the band Hawkwind in 1974, but rapidly withdrawn following a
terrorist outrage.
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