So, this rolled across my screen in the memories section. I wrote the bottom half but not the top, but it is still all good information to remember if you are preparing to attend a protest or any kind of direct action.
When I saw this today, my first thought was that it was good timing. People have been in the streets all along over the last decade or two, but it is starting to get attention again. When these things get attention, they tend to grow, and tend to get more police attention as well. So, I am cleaning this post up a bit and reposting it.
So, here is a list of pointers for attending protests and direct actions. The original list (items 1 - 10) was distributed with the request that everyone distribute it as a copy and paste (as opposed to a share) without attribution. Feel free to do that now with this version.
The significance of copy and pasting rather than just hitting share (or your platforms equivalent) is twofold. First, it potentially helps to mask the source. Second, and perhaps more importantly, if an account gets taken down or a post gets deleted, and you hit the share button, then on most platforms that means your share of it disappears as well. By copying it to a new post, it makes it harder to erase the data. This is important, pass it on.
- Water makes pepper spray worse. Use milk or liquid antacid and water. Don't wear contacts.
- If you get tear gassed, when you get home, put the contaminated clothes in a plastic bag for later decontamination and shower with cold water to avoid opening your pores.
- Come with friends and don't get separated. Avoid leaving the crowd and watch out for police snatch squads.
- Beware undercovers, but beware snitchjacketing and collaborator 'peace police' even more.
- The far right is very good at combing through pictures and doxxing people. Mask up.
- Write any necessary phone numbers you may need directly on your skin in sharpie.
- Have an offsite plan for emergencies if you have not been heard from by X time coordinated with someone offsite.
- Make sure all mobile devices are charged!!
- If you plan on going to jail, plan it: bail, lawyer, time off from work, witnesses i.e.: a cadre. Don't just go to jail without training.
- Beware folks inciting violence. Most of them are police/ feds. Watch out for hook ups for the same reason. Get to know the crowd. They will set you up.
Please don't share this status. Copy paste it without attribution.
My personal addendum (feel free to copy this as well)
If you've got friends that are ex-military or have done security work, or have just been sprayed a time or two before, stay close. They will respond differently than someone being sprayed for the first time.
Also, to reiterate item 1: DON'T WEAR CONTACTS.
DO NOT WEAR CONTACTS.
Pepper spray has a chance of getting in your eyes.
CS gas, if they use grenades WILL get in you're eyes.
If you are wearing contacts, there is no guarantee doctors can save your eye. There is no guarantee that you will be allowed near a doctor before it's too late.
Get some good springy glasses that will cling to your face and not break easy. If you can afford a gas mask, try to get some that will fit in the mask.
It's better though to go without than to wear contacts.
This goes for journalists too. CS doesn't discriminate, and these days neither do the police.