The concept of a separate identity for the group performing violence (self defence in this case) and those that are “non violent and reasonable” in order to provide cover for one another aa part of the same movement has been done a ton of times before.
It's done currently too. Primera Linea in Chile is one such example and it works exceptionally well. The "Front Line" are a drop-in drop-out group of whoever wants to take part that form the people who "protect the protesters". Their optics is "We exist to protect other people from the vicious police force so they can protest peacefully". Their MO is to form walls and block the police from reaching the protesters. It invariably always becomes combat because police can't fucking help themselves but it is combat away from the regular protesters.
Good image and good method all-round. The idea of superhero outfits probably makes everyone here cringe but it works.
It's done currently too. Primera Linea in Chile is one such example and it works exceptionally well. The "Front Line" are a drop-in drop-out group of whoever wants to take part that form the people who "protect the protesters". Their optics is "We exist to protect other people from the vicious police force so they can protest peacefully". Their MO is to form walls and block the police from reaching the protesters. It invariably always becomes combat because police can't fucking help themselves but it is combat away from the regular protesters.
Good image and good method all-round. The idea of superhero outfits probably makes everyone here cringe but it works.
https://observers.france24.com/en/20200103-frontline-activists-primera-linea-protecting-protesters-chile-santiago-super-heroes