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Title: Fashion Tips for the Brave and Fabulous Author: CrimethInc. Date: October 11, 2008 Language: en Topics: fashion, how to, protest Source: Retrieved on 29th October 2020 from https://crimethinc.com/2008/10/11/fashion-tips-for-the-brave
Nowadays, entirely apart from the question of whether you’re engaging in
illegal activity, it can be important to protect your privacy while
participating in public protests. Local and federal law enforcement
agencies are compiling extensive files on everyone they deem suspect; if
you don’t want them invading your privacy, it may be appropriate for you
to remain anonymous while exercising your supposed right to free speech.
The same goes double if you lack the privileges of citizenship or you
fear your employer may discriminate against you for your political
beliefs. In the light of the felony charges resulting from the recent
RNC protests, it is especially important for activists to be aware of
this.
We’ve already published extensively on this topic, most notably in the
guide Blocs, Black and Otherwise. The following is largely a refresher
for anyone who needs it before hitting the streets again.
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Do you desire to be an autonomous individual rather than a faceless,
mass-produced cog in the machine? Great! That is, unless you are
marching in a bloc—where conformity is a weapon that you can use to
smash the machine itself.
The goal of the bloc as a tactic is to have everyone look as similar as
possible, so that, ideally, no single individual can be identified
within the anonymous mass. This helps to keep everybody safer. If only
some people within a bloc take these precautions, the cops can more
easily spot and target individuals and groups, which is dangerous both
for those who are acting within the bloc and for those who are not.
Those who make the effort to stay anonymous can draw extra police
attention; those who don’t can be more easily identified, which can make
them easier targets. Neither of these situations is desirable.
Take this stuff seriously! If you’re setting out to accomplish something
risky, taking these precautions is crucial. If you’re not, you can help
to protect your comrades and avoid making yourself a target.
If you are captured on camera or witnessed at any point with your mask
off, you can then be easily identified with it on.
out of your mask and anonymous clothing; there should be no cameras or
hostile witnesses. If possible, explore the area in advance to find
appropriate spaces for changing. Remember that police are especially
likely to target masked individuals who are not in a crowd that is
similarly dressed.
prepared for any eventuality. Ideally, you should have one outfit for
getting to the site of the action without attracting attention, your
anonymous gear for the action itself, and then another outfit underneath
so you can look like a harmless civilian as you exit the area. Don’t
forget to stay hydrated, particularly if all those clothes get hot.
can do this with makeup or concealer, especially if you use heavy-duty
products designed for that purpose. Many actors and dancers use
Dermablend to cover up tattoos, burns, and scars. It comes in numerous
colors that can be mixed to match your skin tone, and it’s water
resistant and rated for 12 hours of wear. It’s expensive, but cheaper
than bail! If you can’t find Dermablend or a similar product, cover your
tattoos with clothing that won’t ride up. Tuck your clothing in if you
have to.
cover them up so they are sure not to be exposed.
it’s distinctive. Cops may be stupid, but they can probably match the
pictures of the masked-up person with the purple polka-dotted pants to
pictures of the same person in the same outfit minus the mask—even if
the pictures were taken on different days.
carry around in everyday life. No matter how perfect your outfit is,
it’s all for naught if your bag is recognizable—especially if, like many
people, you change bags much less frequently than you change clothes.
during the action than you wear every day. This is also important
because cops can attempt to use footprints or other traces from shoes as
evidence.
while in a bloc, unless everyone else has exactly the same ones in
exactly the same places.
they don’t conceal enough. Cover your head completely so your hair
cannot be seen—especially if it’s distinctive. In a black bloc, you can
do this by wearing a ski mask or making a mask out of a T-shirt—stretch
the neck hole across your eyes and tie the sleeves behind your head,
with the rest of the shirt covering your head and shoulders. In other
circumstances, you could try a wig, if that fits the aesthetic of your
action.
dual purpose of protecting your eyes from chemical weapons; nondescript
sunglasses could also work in a pinch. Both of these can be obtained in
prescription form and are better to use than your regular glasses,
particularly if your regular glasses are distinctive. Contact lenses are
not recommended in situations where you may come into contact with
chemical weapons.
gloves—leather and latex can retain fingerprints and even pass them on
to objects you touch. Wipe down tools and other items with alcohol in
advance, to clean fingerprints off them—you never know what might get
lost in the chaos. Don’t forget about the batteries inside flashlights!
before expecting to pull off cop-shocking feats of dexterity. You need
to be familiar with your outfit and comfortable moving in it; it’s
important that your vision isn’t compromised, too.
Assess your relationship to risk honestly; don’t do anything if you’re
not sure you could live with the worst possible consequences. Stay aware
of your surroundings and listen to your instincts. Make sure you know
and trust the people you’re working with, especially when it comes to
high-risk activities. Practice proper security culture at all times.
Know and assert your legal rights, especially in stressful situations.
Doing so may not make things better, but failing to do so will certainly
make them worse!
Don’t get caught! Stay safe(r), and smash the state!