💾 Archived View for library.inu.red › file › crimethinc-staying-safe-in-the-streets.gmi captured on 2023-01-29 at 08:48:00. Gemini links have been rewritten to link to archived content
➡️ Next capture (2024-07-09)
-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Title: Staying Safe in the Streets Author: CrimethInc. Date: August 14, 2014 Language: en Topics: security culture, how to Source: Retrieved on 29th October 2020 from https://crimethinc.com/2014/08/14/staying-safe-in-the-streets
In view of the ongoing police violence in Ferguson, Missouri, comrades
have requested that we post some new material about how participants in
protests can protect themselves in the streets. If you are participating
in dangerous protests, especially if you are part of a group targeted by
police violence, please take steps to minimize the likelihood that
police and other repressive entities will be able to capture or identify
you. You deserve to be safe and free!
Here is a handout that was circulated during the protests in Durham,
North Carolina against the killing of Jesus “Chuy” Huerta in November
2013. You can read a collection of texts about those protests here.
In addition, here is a short guide to being prepared for public order
situations such as those unfolding in Ferguson right now. Thank you for
your courage, and good luck.
People conceal their identities from police and media during
demonstrations for many different reasons: school, employment,
immigration status, Child Protective Services, right-wing vigilantes.
This is important regardless of whether you intend to break the law. The
more common we make this practice, the safer everyone can be. Together,
we have tremendous power.
Bring multiple layers: one outfit to get into the area, another for the
action, and something that will help you blend in when it’s time to make
your exit. Take out piercings; conceal tattoos. Some protesters wear
identical clothing—black hooded sweatshirts, pants, and masks—in order
to be indistinguishable. If you do this, make sure your clothes have no
identifying features. Your shoes or backpack could also identify you.
If you wear a mask, put it on out of view of cameras or police and keep
it on the whole time you’re in action. Cover your hair completely. To a
mask out of a T-shirt, stretch the neck hole across your eyes and tie
the sleeves tight behind your head, with the rest of the shirt covering
your head and shoulders. Police may target isolated masked individuals,
so stay together until you reach a safe place to change clothes and
disperse.
Goggles can protect your eyes from chemical weapons; sunglasses can make
you less recognizable. Both are available in prescription form; beware
contact lenses trapping chemical weapons against your eyes. A bandana
soaked in apple cider vinegar may help you breathe if you are
tear-gassed or pepper-sprayed. Wear cloth gloves; fingerprints stick to
latex, and leather gloves leave their own fingerprint.
You could bring water, first-aid supplies, banners, flags, drums,
whistles, a megaphone, a sound system, a sign that doubles as a shield,
stickers, spray paint, flares, torches, Christmas tree ornaments filled
with paint, firecrackers, a hammer, or a police scanner. Wipe down
anything you might lose in the streets with alcohol ahead of time to get
the prints off. Consider using a temporary phone instead of your usual
one. Remember that your call history and text messages can be traced to
you on any phone connected to your name; the police will certainly check
these if they capture you. Make sure you know a phone number to call if
you are arrested or get separated from your friends and need help.
Stick with friends you trust using the buddy system. Talk ahead of time
about what you want to do and how you will communicate. Case the area in
advance for targets, materials, danger zones, and escape routes. Plan in
advance how and where you can disperse.
Stick together. Don’t let the crowd get stretched out too far; carry
messages between the front and back. Friends on bicycles can keep you
updated on what’s happening nearby.
Make it clear to the police as soon as they show up that they’re not in
charge. Your assertiveness and willingness to protect each other are
your permit. Like other bullies, the slightest compromise will embolden
them, but if they see that there is no way for them to take control,
they may back off. Police will bluff and lie, but you may be able to
predict their behavior by what they appear materially prepared to do.
Don’t let officers enter the crowd. Hold banners up along the sides;
link arms if you have to. If the police want to grab someone, get in the
way. Keep moving so they don’t get a chance to pen you in. If you see
them blocking off a street ahead, move fast before they can surround and
trap you. Keep them guessing. Quit while you’re ahead.
If the police address you, ignore them unless they specify that you are
being detained or arrested. If they seize you, don’t resist unless
you’re sure you can escape; resisting can get you higher charges. If you
are arrested, invoke your right to remain silent. Answer no questions
beyond your name and address, no matter what they say. Never tell the
police anything about other people, even if it seems insignificant.
Don’t post anything on Facebook, Twitter, or any other site that you
wouldn’t show directly to the police. Don’t brag about anything
potentially incriminating, or describe others’ actions. Only talk about
what happened in a secure environment with people you trust.
The corporate media will repeat the lies of the police. Politicians will
try to discredit you or get you to waste time in endless petitioning.
Don’t let them intimidate you or stunt your imagination; don’t get
sucked into a private grudge match with the authorities. Our power comes
from our courage, our dreams, and the connections we build with other
people.