Little advice for protesters anywhere

[NNN0LHI]

1. If one of your fellow protesters walks up and suggests breaking something or doing anything illegal assume that person is an undercover cop because the chances will be just about 100% they are. Now they might look young and have long hair and be dressed disheveled and they might have been there right from the beginning, hell you might have even learned to like and respect this person, but they are still cops so don't be fooled by this standard operating police procedure.

2. Old cops are the best to deal with. Young inexperienced rookie cops not so much. The young ones tend to get scared and confused and do stupid and unpredictable things. Avoid young cops at all costs if possible.

3. If you notice other police agencies pulling up whether they are county or state that means that things are about to change quickly. If you didn't like the city police you really won't like the police from these other agencies even worse. Especially the state police. State are never called in to negotiate and try to ease the tensions. On the contrary when you see them understand that they are there to put the hurting on someone. That is what they are there for.

If anyone else who has been through this has any more advice to add let us hear it. I know there are more common sense things to remember but I can't recall them right now.

Don

[SoCalDem]

1. The only thing I might add is to have something planned out in your head to say

just in case someone interviews you. If you are caught flatfooted, you might end up saying something akin to the runner-up of a beauty contest or Rick Perry. It never hurts to have a thought out , succinct statement.. If you are very cute, are wearing an outlandish outfit, have a "hippie look" to you, are very tall/short, very old-looking/young-looking, or if you are wearing a uniform, a suit & tie, etc in a sea of tee-shirted people, you might stand out enough to be noticed..Be prepared:)

[PETRUS]

2. K&R

[KharmaTrain]

3. Come With A Buddy...

Ah...memories of the past. Your points are very important...especially the "trust no one". Just one fool can turn a peaceful protest into a "days of rage".

One pointer I recall was always pushed at organization sessions was to "buddy-up"...have someone you came with and plan to leave with. This should be a long time friend...not someone you happen to meet on the way. Having a buddy is invaluable if things get crazy...and lessens the chances of getting hassled by other protestors as well. (Especially if you're female)

[LiberalEsto]

8. And line up someone ahead of time to post bail

At May Day 1970, I was the designated bail person for two or three others. This was all arranged in advance by the organizers, because mass arrests were anticipated.

[mopinko]

4. always wear sturdy shoes.

[Celebration]

5. Required

Be in a group where everyone has a cell phone camera.

[tavalon]

6. While a newer thing,

that, along with the internet, may be the last bastion we really have.

[Major Hogwash]

7. The first rule of fight club is . . . not to talk about it.

So, don't talk about tactics or anything like that on the internet.
Don't talk about it on cell phones.
And for gawd sakes, don't text anyone and tell them what you are doing now!!

If you guys only learned one thing in the last decade, it should be -- Agent Mike is everywhere.

And he's listening.
You can bet your bottom dollar on that!

[LiberalEsto]

9. Hi Agent Mike

:hi:
Go fuck yourself, Agent Mike.

[Tesha]

10. We make it a point to always "engage" with the police.

When Mr. Tesha and I are at protests, we make it a point to
*ALWAYS* engage with the cops. Chat about the weather, the
protest, how well it's all going so far, how's your lunch, whatever
it takes.

The point, of course, is to pre-load the patrolmen and their officers
with the (correct!) impression that we're just average folk and could
even be their mom or dad. If they have that impression of the crowd
well-established early, it's that much harder for them to switch over
to acting like assholes later, even if their officers were to order
them to do so.

Tesha

[a kennedy]

11. kick just for things to think about......

:kick:

[Melinda]

12. Passive resistance... if seized by police, go limp.

Do not fight if detained. Let your body fully relax. Let law enforcement deal with picking up body weight. Be passive - do not fight.

[steve2470]

13. k&r nt

[PeaceNikki]

14. Know your rights. Have attorney and ACLU numbers written on your arm.

Look for ACLU legal observers.

http://www.aclu.org/files/kyr/kyr_english_2.pdf

[davsand]

15. Waterproof ink can be your good pal.

If you are incapacitated at any point, it can be a lifesaver to have your name and important medical info (diabetic, heart patient, etc.) written on your body someplace where a medic would spot it. The buddy system is a wonderful thing, but if a protest goes from sugar to shit you can get separated pretty quickly.

I also agree that it is a great idea to write lawyers' phone number on your arm.




Laura

[MrsBrady]

16. dont groups protesting sometimes lawyer up

before they actually protest?

that would seem helpful.

[coalition_unwilling]

17. Avoid the 'Berkeley Shuffle,' if at all posible, where4by police herd

you and your cohort into a dead end alley and block it off, so they can then beat the shit out of your and your cohort. Always try to have a quick exit planned out ahead of time.

[CoffeeCat]

21. I would also suggest...

...that people view the Brooklyn Bridge herding as a test run. Don't allow the cops to her you
anywhere. If they tell you to get off of a road or to move or whatever--that's fine. However, at
this point, I would assume that if the police are leading this protest somewhere--that nothing positive
will happen.

The corporations are like rats in a cage at this point, and didn't one of the big banks recently donate
millions to the NYPD?

These people are not your buddies. Follow the law, be peaceful--but do not allow yourselves to be led
anywhere as a group.

[Drew Richards]

18. Advise from and Old Fart

Operational:

1. I agree the radicals in the crowds are usually plants trying to encourage violence and destruction, don't just avoid them, point them out to the crowd so that the word gets around.

2. NEVER get in an argument with another protester even a plant...this just detracts from the movement.

3. Be Nice, even in the face of overwhelming hatred and abuse, be Nice...it doesn't always work but...it is the right thing to do.

4. Always always always have a plan prior to marching on where you're going, where you're going to end up and where or how to escape from entrapment.

5. Contact numbers help numbers lawyers, aclu number, medical alerts written on your arm in indelible ink.

6. When you see the police mobilizing to create a barrier or forming up to attack, start shouting this and call for the women, children and the imfirmed to move behind some support. I would rather take 30 stitches to the head from a police baton than see another woman, child or disabled get beaten down by these animals...

7. MOST important policy in protests is to form protective Cells, each group should attempt to form in a sense a family/military unit that stays together to protect the weaker members and to provide a sense of security and moral support.

In the 70's one of the things the pigs seem to take great pleasure from, even Glee, was if they could not beat you they would catch whatever woman or child was attached to you and beat them down so that you would then come close...don't bother refuting me I speak from experience and a dissenting opinion of this fact is just a fart in the wind to me.

supplies:

Always bring a backpack with supplies if you don't then you are just a burden on others.

include:
towel
change of clothes
pepper spray handy wipes
water bottles
energy bars
toilet paper
3 trash bags, one for yourself as a rain coat, one for a friend, one to pick up trash.
some ziplock bags
lighter and matches
a camera if you can.
cell phone
money/credit card.
identification.
indelible marker to write down stuff.
small notebook

Also TAPE a copy of identification inside your bag or mark your initials/birth date inside bag to prove that it is yours to diffuse conflict through mistaken ownership or attempted theft...yes people steal, many just have poor impulse control...protect yourself, your loved ones and your property.

Always always always have a money belt, or tape at least enough change for a phone call in your shoe AND in the shoes of every person woman or child.
One of the most frightening things that can happen is getting lost or fleeing from brutality only to not have the means to be recovered safely...blah blah cell phone...so what ..what if it got broken or stolen? Always have change for a phone...

I am sure there is more but this is what came off the top of my head.
Sorry for any typos just wanted to beat it out and stop remembering the past...

[dreamnightwind]

19. Thanks for this

excellent post with experience to back it up.

[CoffeeCat]

20. Thank you for this post...I hope NY reads this...

...because it is obvious that dirty tricks will be played.

I am bothered because I see a change in strategy. At first, the cops were brutal
and heavy handed. This was done to dissuade the protesters with fear and make them
go home--and also send a message to anyone else who might think of joining.

But then the pepper-spray incident backfired.

The cops realized that everyone has cell phones and that heavy-handed tactics only villianize
the police and fuel the protest.

So, they changed strategies. Notice how nice and gentle the cops were when they corralled the
protesters onto the bridge? They'll be manipulating the protesters into all kinds of situations
and behaviors--in order to make the public turn on the movement. That includes doing as you
suggested--planting trouble makers.

I wouldn't be surprised if we get some kabuki theater. Corporate America has a bottomless bank account.
They can fund some disruptors, and other dirty tricks.

It's more serious now, because corporate America and the neocons realize that this thing isn't going away--but
they need it to go away--otherwise their party is over. Never underestimate the actions of sociopaths who
know they're about to lose everything.

The protesters should expect the worst. And NEVER allow the cops to lead you anywhere!