a more useful and misinformation-free post about protesting from someone who has done it a lot
1. Yes, cops surveil protests. Unless you are a very well-known and high profile organizer who constantly organizes actions against police slash are known to make public threats against police slash are actively justice-involved the police are not actively surveilling you. It is still good to communicate over encrypted services and lock your phone using a 6 digit number code, but unless you are planning extraordinarily intensive shit having a burner phone for protests probably isn’t necessary. We do have an intensive surveillance state, but it is very inconsistent.
2. That elaborate “anti surveillance software” makeup doesn’t work. Wear a mask or bandanna if you don’t want to be identified in photos or Clearview AI. Wear one anyway bc we are still in a pandemic situation.
3. Wearing a lot of tactical gear, carrying a wooden shield, and especially carrying baseball bats are fantastic ways for cops to pay a lot of attention to you and find a reason to arrest you.
4. With how aggressive police have been, plan for getting arrested. Communicate an emergency contact, memorize your local NLG number, give a trusted person your name and DOB.
5. Yes, go with a buddy and a group.
6. Wear clothes that are comfortable, that you can move in, and that have ample pockets. Yes, allies and people in specific support roles should be dressed somewhat nicely because it conveys respect and that demanding racial justice is worth making an effort in your appearance. But don’t wear heels for fuck’s sake. And it does not matter who you are or how nicely dressed you are because cops will shove, baton, mace, and teargas you. Cops currently are in a completely mask off situation and have shown repeatedly that they truly do not give a single fuck anymore.
7. Plain water is the best for rinsing off teargas and doing eyewashes.
8. Different actions organized by different people and groups will have different guidelines on what is acceptable.
10. Have multiple plans for getting the heck out of dodge.
ellievsbear
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