If it is your first time going to a protest, and especially if you only found it through compiled lists you protests on here, then you NEED NEED NEED to look up the groups that are organizing the protest, look at what they've done in the past, and what they have said about this protest. Are they a college groups calling for a sidewalk demonstration ? Are a left wing party calling to take over the streets ? Is this an unorganized spontaneous protest not organized by any one group ?
If you are showing up to a protest organized by a college group in all black with no phone ready to raise hell, then not only will you be putting the organizers at risk with their college and the police, but you risk being targeted walking to or from the protest by fascists or the cops. Your black clothes will make you stand out in the protest and you absolutely will be targeted by the cops. And if you didn't bring your phone then guess what, you have no way to call for help if you are targeted.
Likewise, if you show up to a spontaneous protest or one organized by more radical groups in brightly colored clothes with your phone out ready to record, you are also putting yourself at risk of being targeted by the cops and you are putting other people at risk of arrest by recording them.
These posts that go around every time there's a wave of protests telling people who have never protested that they need to show up ready for a black bloc is wildly fucking irresponsible. If you are experienced and know what to expect from your local organizers, then absolutely show up ready to raise hell. But if you show up like that to a fucking civillian sidewalk demonstration because you couldn't be bothered to see who was organizing it, the you're not a revolutionary, you're a cosplayer. People will be recording to post on social media because that was the point of that particular demonstration, and you are going to stick out like a sore thumb.
The first and foremost best advice I can give you if you've never been to a protest before is to GET TO KNOW YOUR LOCAL SCENE ! What groups are in your area, which ones are organizing this specific protest ? Do they have an online/social media presence ? Have they made any statements about what they want from the protest ? It takes literally 10 minutes of research in most cases.
Either way, the things you should always do at every protest no matter what is mask up, hide identifying tattoos, wear non descriptive clothes, and bring a bag with snacks and water if it's going to be a long one. Don't record people but if youre going to a normal demonstration but be prepared for other people to be recording with the intention of it being posted. If you're going to raise hell and need to leave your phone at home, then you NEED to have a plan for avoiding being tracked by other means like car GPS, street cameras, and regular police surveillance. Otherwise you're just putting yourself at risk.
Come with a group if you can, be extra extra vigilant if you're going alone, and always have a plan for if you're targeted by fascists, for if you're arrested, or if someone you know is arrested. And most importantly, don't listen internet anarchist grifters who give out of touch blanket advice to look cool online.
