DISCLAIMER

I do not condone violence. None of the guides prersented share violent acts. The purpose of this page is to PROTECT regular people from violent and hateful police practices. I support freedom of speech, this does not include violent or hateful speech. These tactics are intended to be used by the oppressed not the oppressor.

My experiences that I cite do not reflect the experiences of all who protest.

An aside about weapons:

Don't bring anything that can be easily taken from you or pointed against you. If it can be wrestled away from you and used to hurt you then leave it at home.

Multi-Page Guides

ESSENTIAL PREFACE

You need to train your body and mind for a protest. There are places you can go for classes to do this, I won't name them for infosec reasons but all great civil rights protestors had some kind of training before they acted. The most notable example was Rosa Parks who worked for the facility that traioned her. A lot of people don't know this, because it was erased from our history books so we would never rise up like they did. If you look into the history of black liberation however you will find the place Rosa Parks was trained and worked.

Suffice to say, you're starting with a major handicap if you don't have some kind of idea of what you're going to deal with.

Another thing protests of the past utilized was the agreement that people who could afford bail would stay behind in the event of police interference. So if you can't afford bail, every day better be leg day! Or upper arm day if you are wheelchair bound.

Before you go:

A lot more goes into protesting than you would expect. I highly reccomend also reading my page with 1st aid and other life saving information because if there is any police presence, they are not trained to de-escalate conflict nor are they instructed to in most cases. There are also police that go to protests undercover to observe and possibly instigate conflict. Of course, there are other parties that have something to gain from harassing you at a protest. It's an entire right wing niche on youtube, they love humiliation. Did you now that protests can be super spreader events too? So many things!

A single humble webpage can't prepare you for all of that! Even when this page finishes I highly reccomend searching for information outside of it. I'm just like one disabled guy so I will be the first to say that I don't know everything, I just make these sorts of pages because I like thinking that I'm helpful in giving people a starting point for information searches.

HOW TO PREPARE BEFORE A PROTEST OR ACTION #WeKeepUsSafe Here are some things you can do in advance to prepare for a protest or action to keep you and your community safe. Check out our tips! THREAT ASSESSMENT Identify likely threats, risks, vulnerabilities and capacities. WHAT TO BRING WHAT TO WEAR HOLISTIC CHECK IN Check in with yourself and your team – mentally, physically, and emotionally. BUDDY SYSTEM Plan to bring a buddy, or have a buddy you can check in with periodically (who is not at the protest). MEETING PLACE Make a plan with your buddy in case you get separated. DIGITAL SECURITY Deactivate your phone’s facial recognition or fingerprint unlocking feature. ACTIVIST SELF-CARE Caring for yourself is caring for your team. Take care of your essential needs to have a clear mind, strong body and engaged spirit. Small Backpack Water in plastic bottle with squirt top Shatter resistant goggles Non-perishable snacks Small spray bottle of 70% isopropyl alcohol ID (if you have one) Ear plugs Emergency contact info (not in your phone) Cash Basic First Aid kit Paper and Pen Wet wipes and tissues Several days of medication Fully charged phone and portable charger Menstrual pads (not tampons) Extra clothing (in a plastic bag) Face Mask Comfortable Shoes Hat to protect you from the sun Bandana Weather read clothes (covering all of your skin) Water-based sunscreen Glasses (not contact lenses) ACROSS FRONTLINES ACROSS FRONTLINES ACROSS

What to wear:

the proper protestor graphic drawing of a man with the following descriptions of his attire Shatter proof goggles with good seal. Bandana soaked in apple cider vinegar. long sleeves and long pants. Closed-toed shoes or steel toed boots. Hat to protect hair from chemicals and face/eyes from sun. Comfortable backpack or fanny pack filled with food, extra clothes, hygiene products, hand warmers, band-aids and lots of water. Out in the streets, style takes a backseat to utility. When the state is breathing down your neck with an arsenal of chemical or less lethal weaponry, looking good means being dressed for safety. Paul(ine) models the latest spring protest fashion. How to make a ninja mask out of a tee shirt Step 1: put the shirt over your head inside out, with the tag sticking down, hold the sleeves out to the side. Step 2: Take the sleeves and tie them into a knot behind your head. Step 3: Fold the top part of the collar up and under close to your brows. Step 4: Pull bottom collar over nose and fold the tag inside the shirt. Step 5: perform a wicked karate chop to establish ninja skills and intimidate enemies and bystanders.

What to bring:

Basic protestor starter pack respirator 3M 6500 and Gas and Vapor cartridge 3M60926 airtight goggles Decathlon Swindow 100 or Airtight and bulletproof goggles ESS Striketeam SJ and Decathlon Anti-fog Marker construction helmet or bike helmet Elbow and Knee pads anticut gloves or fire-resistance gloves (for picking up tear gas rounds) Umbrellas (for deflecting rubber bullets, one time use only.) or Swimming kickboard (for deflecting rubber bullets and baton strikes, reusable.)

Tips for when you're actually there:

HOW TO STAY SAFE DURING A PROTEST OR ACTION #WeKeepUsSafe Things happen fast at a protest or action – it’s important to be ready on the ground for what might come up. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS DE-ESCALATION Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act to come up with a plan of action to keep yourself and others safe. De-escalate yourself and your people in order to stay safe and grounded. EXIT STRATEGY COVID SAFETY Always be aware and keep an eye out for exits in case you need to leave a dangerous situation. Practice social distancing, wear a mask and sanitize your hands to keep your community safe. SENSES OPEN PROOF AND EVIDENCE Keep an eye and ear on the cops & other white supremacists to create a plan in real time in case there is violence. Document everything! Film, photograph, or write down police/ white supremacist actions, brutality, and injuries. REGULAR CHECK-INS COMMUNITY CARE Regularly check in with yourself and your buddy/team to support one another in the heat of the action. Care for those around you, whether you know them or not. Care is an act of resistance. ACROSS FRONTLINES ACROS KNOW YOUR HUMAN RIGHTS AT A PROTEST OR ACTION It’s important to know your rights, especially since law enforcement often does not honor those rights. #WeKeepUsSafe PROTECTION OF THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY Law enforcement must facilitate and not restrict a peaceful public asseambly. In the policing of non-violent protests, police must avoid the use of force. FREEDOM FROM THE USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE RIGHT TO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE If you are injured you have a right to medical assistance without delay. RIGHT TO COMPLAIN If your rights have been violated you have a right to file a complaint and to be provided information on how to do so. • Make sure to state “I do not consent…” • Document everything! Film, photograph, or write down in as much detail as you can. • Call the National Lawyers Guild Legal Support Hotline. Look up the phone number for your location: nlg.org/massdefenseprogram/ IF YOU FEEL YOUR RIGHTS ARE BEING VIOLATED If you are arrested you have a right to be told of the reason for your arrest, you also have FREEDOM FROM ARBITRARY ARREST AND DETENTION the right promptly after your arrest to have access to a lawyer and to your family. ACROSS FRONTLINES ACROSS FRONTLINES ACROSS FRONTLINES

Understanding "non-lethal" crowd control:

Dealing with Tear gas

DEALING WITH TEAR GAS & PEPPER SPRAY #WeKeepUsSafe Tear Gas and/or Pepper Spray are sometimes used as tactics against protestors by law enforcement. Tear gas is considered a chemical agent under the Geneva Convention and is banned in warfare. ACROSS FRONTLINES ACROSS FRONTLINES ACROSS FRONTLINES ACROSS FRONTLINES This is part of our Protest Safety Series to help you stay safe out on the frontlines! More at: acrossfrontlines.org/protestsafety. Decontaminate your hands before you touch any part of your body. DO NOT RUB IT IN Use clean, cool water to flush and clean out your eyes, nose and mouth. If you do not have access to clean water, use saline. FLUSH YOUR EYES Blow your nose, rinse your mouth, cough and spit. Try to get as far away from the source as possible and keep your distance from others. CLEAR OUT, CLEAN OUT Remove the lenses or get someone to remove them for you, with CLEAN, uncontaminated fingers. Destroy the lenses after exposure. REMOVE CONTACT LENSES Gas masks provide the best facial protection, if properly fitted and sealed. Alternatively, goggles, respirators, or a wet bandana over the nose and mouth will help. STAY CALM. Panicking increases the irritation. Breathe slowly to ground yourself and remember it is only temporary. PROTECT YOURSELF Here are some tips in the unfortunate event you get tear gassed and/or pepper sprayed. NOTE: The effects of pepper spray can last longer than teargas. Cultivate calmness. Do not panic. Continue to decontaminate at a safe distance from others. in partnership with

Afterwards

WAYS TO PROVIDE CARE AFTER A PROTEST OR ACTION #WeKeepUsSafe An action is NOT over until everyone is home safe and healthy. In order to ensure everyone’s holistic safety and security here are some suggested guidelines. HOLISTIC CHECK-IN Check in with yourself and your team – mentally, physically, emotionally. TEAM DEBRIEF What went well, what can you improve on and what were the challenges? SUPPORT WHEN DECOMPRESSING If you don’t have a team ask a friend to hold space for you as you share your experience with them PERSONAL GROUNDING TOOLKIT Incorporate practices to get you back to a state of regulation where you are calm, cool, collected and connected. HEALTHY ACTIVIST, HEALTHY MOVEMENT Drink water, eat nourishing food, do what you need to feel comforted and cared for. ACROSS FRONTLINES ACROSS FRONTLINES