#protest gear

[the-eccentric-eclectic]

Main points of the links:

Fashion tips for the brave:

Keep your mask on at all times.

Be careful when and where you change into and out of your mask and anonymous clothing: look out for cameras and hostile witnesses. Police are likely to target masked individuals in a 'regular' crowd.

Wear different outfits layered one upon the other; ideally one civilian for entering, one anonymous for the protest, another civilian for leaving. Stay hydrated!

Cover up identifiable marks like tattoos, take out or cover up piercings.

Don't march in a bloc in your regular clothing, especially if it's distinctive.

Carry a bag that's different from your everyday one.

Different shoes from your everyday ones. Also in case of footprints.

No patches or other identifiable insignia on your clothing while in a bloc, unless everyone else has exactly the same ones in exactly the same places.

Don't just cover your face, cover your hair as well, with a ski mask, a makeshift mask made from a shirt, or a wig.

If possible, cover your eyes. Both for indistinguishably and protection from chemical weapons. Don't wear contact lenses if you might come into contact with chemical weapons!

Be careful not to leave fingerprints and DNA evidence! Wear cloth gloves as leather and latex don't protect enough from leaving fingerprints, wipe down tools and other items with alcohol in advance, don't forget the stuff you might have touched but is not immediately visible!

Practice wearing and changing your outfit at home! Mind that your vision isn't compromised, and that you can move in it.

Don't let this give you a false sense of security. Assess your relationship to risk honestly; don't do anything if you're not sure you could live with the worst possible consequences.

The Femme's Guide to Riot Fashion

Cover up your hair. Hoodies, hijab, balaclavas, beanies, wigs are named as examples. Make sure it is comfortable to wear for long periods of time, provides full coverage, and won't slip or come off if you need to engage in physical exertion. Also make sure you won't have to take it off to put on a gas mask or respirator if you might use those. Also, make it small enough to conceal if you suddenly need to flee or blend in with civilians.

Don't wear oil-based makeup, contaminants stick to your skin and are harder to remove. Oil-free sunblock is suggested instead.

Glitter or highlighter can show which side of your bandana was touching your face and which has tear gas on it. Waterproof mascara is also mentioned as riot-safe.

Masks should be comfortable to wear, provide full coverage, be a tight enough weave to serve as a barrier between chemical weapons and your respiratory system. You may want to consider layering a few different masks on top of each other for effect, as long as you don't overheat!

As for your outfit, choose something that allows you to blend into the crowd around you, doesn't restrict your movement, and covers distinguishing features such as scars, birthmarks, freckles, piercings, tattoos. The article suggests a lightweight, full-coverage under-layer and additional layers over it, both for insulation and in order to conceal your identity.

Make sure the outfit allows you to bend, kneel, run, jump, reach, and climb, and make you feel good about yourself; confidence is key of both style and riot safety.

Organic materials (cotton, wool) will absorb chemical contaminants, while synthetic materials (nylon) will help keep your body insulated and provide a better barrier between say pepper spray and your skin, but will melt if they come into contact with something hot like a tear gas canister. So consider layering to get the best of both worlds.

Form-fitting clothes give less risk of being grabbed by adversaries or getting stuck on fences, while looser-fitting clothes are better for concealing your body type and protecting your privacy. Neither is inherently better, do what feels best for you.

Footwear: something that is comfortable and easy to move in, and don't let your shoes make you stand out in a crowd. The article suggests squishy, supportive insoles for steel-toed combat boots or sneakers. Sneakers don't provide as much foot protection or ankle support but are easier to run and climb in. They even say it might be an idea to have a designated set of riot shoes you don't wear for any other purpose, and even keep them at someone else's house.

Jewelry is usually a bad idea.

Umbrellas are great for obscuring your identity or blocking chemical weapons spray.

You might consider a utility belt for supplies you need quick, easy access to.

Also consider bringing bandanas, first-aid supplies, and snacks for comrades.

Liquid antacid and water can help counteract the effects of tear gas and pepper spray.

NO CONTACT LENSES, they trap chemical contaminants against your eyes and cause lasting damage! Glasses can be shattered right in front of your eyes. The article suggests wearing contact lenses, and then wear protective goggles like ski goggles to preserve your privacy without risking long-term eye damage.

Gas masks and respirators should fit snugly around our nose and mouth, seal appropriately, and have a filtration rating appropriate for your needs. For most situations, an N95 rating should be sufficient, but for pepper spray, those with asthma or who are otherwise sensitive to chemical contaminants you should consider an R- pr P100-rated filter instead. If you have a beard, shave a day or two before the action, not the day of as tear gas or pepper spray sucks when it gets into little cuts; gas masks and respirators don't seal properly over hair.

Community matters in protests!

Staying Safe In the Streets: Stuff that hasn't been mentioned in the previous articles yet.

Come prepared: The article mentions examples like water, first-aid supplies, banners, flags, drums, whistles, megaphone, 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 it down with alcohol beforehand to get rid of any prints.

Consider using a burner phone.

Stick with friends you trust using the buddy system.

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; friends on bicycles can carry messages between the front and back.

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.

If you are participating in protests, encampments, or occupations, you should understand how to dress to minimize your risk factors.

Most importantly—if you wish to protect your privacy, you will need an outfit that conceals your identifying features. You should change into it in a location that is not under surveillance, wear it for the entire duration of the activity, then change out of it in a location that is also not surveilled. You should not be seen with any elements of the outfit before or after.

Consider reading these short instructional guides:

Fashion Tips for the Brave

https://crimethinc.com/fashiontips

The Femme’s Guide to Riot Fashion

https://crimethinc.com/riotfemme

[vladolak]

Flashing Lights Warning ⚠️

Heard about the protests in the country of Georgia and how the cops were using rubber bullets, water cannons and tear gas and more

Then a dude (who I call Firework Man) pulled up with a firework minigun and it brought to mind some metal gear music

EDIT: Update, I have come to find out that the individual in the video was in fact Firework Woman 👍

[cinemaocd]

I love you Helena, I love you Olenka, I love you Basia...the blonde ladies of Trylogia...I love you...

[cheeseknives]

So I happened to catch second half of the patagonia special and it might have made me bit mad

I understand protesting, I understand hatred towards British (and Europeans) but what I don't get it is violence, towards what? A license plate?? They're just making a TV show, even if it was 'teehee remember this' it feels like reach because its not a strong stance on anything, especially when they have said and done way more offensive things in other countries. And even if you must throw rocks at people, why do it at the film crew who are just doing their job? I doubt many of them would have much of an audience if they had some less than stellar opinions to share, since they aren't really public figures. It just comes off as violence for the sake of violence.

[panicbones]

i think one of the biggest most egregiously contradicting shit religion wise ive seen is big ass (christrian esque) churches actively putting up wards against homeless people. bro i thought your whole thing was helping the needy what the hell is this

[crvwly]

in order to get a passport i now have to remove my affirming gender marker "x" from my license and change it back to my assigned sex at birth. surely unrelated to any recent developments in the us government.

[trans-yllz]

apparently someone drove a car through a crowd of student protesters at psu and then maced a bunch of people...

[luxaofhesperides]

hope the president of my uni dies in a fire btw ✌️

[iwatcheditbegin]

Watching mainstream news coverage of these university protests pisses me off. If it was in a non western country you would be calling for a massive regime change

[sexuallyactivepopes]

long island is a fucking terrifying place

[saturngalore]

i wish that there was more stop cop city info on here but all im seeing is random fanfics 😭

[beardedmrbean]

NEW YORK (AP) — Open Society Foundations said Wednesday that they plan to limit new grantmaking until February, as the nonprofits transition to a new operating model run by billionaire investor George Soros’ son, Alex. A spokesperson for the foundations said that the pause will not affect current grantees.

In a letter addressed to “friends and partners,” Open Society Foundations President Mark Malloch-Brown wrote, “Technological, environmental, political, and socioeconomic shifts are challenging open society ideals around the world. This flux demands that we reimagine our philanthropy.”

Part of that reimagining will cut OSF’s global staff of 800 in 20 countries by 40%, which Malloch-Brown called, “painful news for all concerned.” It also means changes to the length of OSF grants.

“This will often mean multiyear commitments enabling our partners to invest in ambitious, long-term action—with clear, measurable goals that would not be met without Open Society’s involvement,” wrote Malloch-Brown, who said OSF would honor existing financial commitments, but may not renew some of them.

[macrotiis]

Lmao so Kellie Jay Keen might be banned from coming to NZ bc of how she let those Neo Nazis attend her event & throw up their Roman salutes in Australia.

[motorclit]

CEO got his hands on that fucking DIP.

Also, toons aren't legally allowed to have an internet presence unless contractually cleared by WB; a loose allegory on copyright laws as a way to limit what toons are allowed to do due to the greedy company that owns them. There's probably other allegories that could be great here that I'm not thinking of right away since I woke up not too long ago.

Anyway, make the toons unionize and like, maybe the IWW can help them or something.

[radicalgraff]

"May thy riot gear chip and shatter"

Seen inside the occupied Portland State University library, where student protesters are preparing for a police raid

[eklaysea]

Another from my OAS Protest collection. The odd thing about this protest was they corralled the protesters in a so-called "Free Speach Zone" which was largely fenced in, and had lines of cops from many different forces in SoFla.

https://wp.me/pfXTa2-PG