I am finally in a place where I'll be able to attend a protest but don't know what to expect.
I've got the basic understanding of leaving behind phones, don't drive and take public transit, bring first aid supplies, and wear nondescript comfortable clothing that will cover most exposed skin and is easy to move in, but what actually happens at these? Any good ideas for signs?
Other tips appreciated!
Go with comrades and have a meetup spot several blocks away for if you get separated. Pay attention to where cops are. If you can identify cool people leading the protest follow their direction. You'll know they are cool because they prioritize safety and will make this very clear. You can rule out people trying to get you to break the law as some rando they've never met. Those people are either feds or callous people using you as a tool (cool illegal things get planned in advance with consent).
If you feel uncomfortable, leave. If you leave, do so with a buddy.
Expect there to be reactionaries, including fascists, trying to get you and others to react. This is a trap to get you arrested or score some videos of "triggering" people. Ignore them and if you feel comfortable doing so, deescalate. At minimum don't escalate. Cops will notice a fight and use it as an excuse to arrest you and everyone nearby.
Wear a mask (like for COVID, it's a good cover). Wear anonymous clothing. No brands unless they're super common. No identifiable print shirts. If you notice tear gas, leave (use the buddy system) because you're probably not equipped to handle riot cops (you would want a helmet, ballistic goggles, and an organics respirator).
You'll probably be fine and nothing will happen but if you're prepared you'll be ready just in case.
Thanks, definitely planning on a mask. I think it should be pretty calm since these protests are unfortunately fractions of the BLM era's in size. Always good to plan for shtf though
They are smaller but Zionists are frothing. I've been to several and every single one has Zionist agitators harassing people, including touching them.
bring food and water - as much as you're comfortable carrying and hand it out to people who need it. if you're the talkative sort, talk to people who are having a rough time. don't get sucked into anything that's spicier than what you're comfortable with - you'll only be endangering yourself and the people around you (painful lesson I learned the hard way after a comrade forced themselves to come along for something that was too hot for them and nearly drew the cops straight down on us when they panicked at an inopportune moment). take people you trust and stick to a buddy system - that way, if your group gets split up, you're not alone and trying to navigate a potentially dangerous situation alone. if people start running because the cops pulled some shit, that's dangerous and you should stop them. however, don't yell "don't run" - they'll only hear "run". yell "walk" instead. any protest can turn from lib and peaceful into something more antagonistic - never put it past the cops to start shit at the drop of a hat and for no discernable reason. never talk to the cops. NEVER TALK TO THE COPS.
Good point on the bit about the running! Will be a shut the fuck up type of weekend when it comes to cops for sure
depends on country tbh
if british expect to be kettled for hours
If American expect liberals with megaphones to make it about themselves and their instagram accounts
If Australian expect to be arrested and told to get a job
Will be in the US, seems like it'll most likely just be annoying counter protestors or antagonists
Depending on the protest leaving behind phones isn't a hard rule imo. Think about the people going and what the protest is about. Is there something that will actually happen where the police will put enough effort and resources to track you through your phone but not use cameras around the city to track you?
I think there is a very small amount of stuff in that tiny area. If they're willing to track people down through phones, they'll most likely also be willing to pull camera footage from everywhere in the city and in that case, having no phone won't protect you. Now you're getting into tracking your movements throughout the entire city + machine learning tracking your walking movements, body shape, etc. in which case it doesn't sound like you're prepared to defeat those methods
If you're not in a city though I guess there might not be enough cameras and ditching your phone is a good idea
But otherwise, phone is good to coordinate with the people you're planning with and most importantly, filming the cops in case they decide to do a brutality
Plus you could always just turn off your phone if you really need to
It'll probably be some walking, some chanting, some standing outside Bank of America learning about their role in Israeli apartheid.
Maybe some zionists try to hit you with sticks.
Maybe some police spray chemicals in your eyes.
Maybe some right wingers film you looking for content.
Occasionally police will be so violent the crowd fights back, smashes bank windows. That kind of thing.
Cops might follow you home if they see you with a megaphone or in black bloc. They might nab some people as they leave.
It's a powerful feeling, I'm glad you're getting to do it.
This was pretty accurate, thank you! Lots of walking, not many Zionists or aggressive pigs surprisingly, and many more supporters than I had anticipated. Hoping to be able to go again next weekend
