The Basics
- Wear PPE
- Plan exit routes. Whenever possible, scout protest areas before the demonstration if you're unfamiliar with the layout of the streets, parks, and alleyways nearby
- Use the buddy system and check in regularly.
- Whenever possible, use encrypted messaging for coordinating movements, meet ups, and supply drops.
- Write your name, date of birth, and any emergency contact numbers you have on your arm. Keep it covered.
- Make sure everyone you attend the protest with knows your full legal name and date of birth--this information is vital in the event of your arrest for activist advocacy groups to be able to post bail.
- Listen to protest leaders and do nothing to disrupt the demonstration or detract from its speakers.
- If you're white, consider putting your body on the front line in front of BIPOC. You'll likely be attacked, but not as severely as those you're standing in front of. This tactic is known as the "white shield" and has been effective in tempering police violence against protesters.
- Follow all directions from protest leaders even outside of the protest eg if they ask you not to post protest plans on social media, respect that.
- If you've never attended a protest before, try to find someone to go with who as. Many cities have specific calls used to direct the crowd and minimize protesters' danger. These calls are not and should never be posted online (in the event they are, new calls need to be decided on by protest leaders).
General First Aid
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- Recognizing and treating shock
- Treating tear gas and mace injuries
- Recognizing and treating seizures
- Treating bleeding and/or puncture wounds
- Treating blunt trauma
Always seek professional medical attention for any in need as soon as it is safe to do so.
Recommended PPE
- Close toed shoes.
- Gas mask. Note that painter's masks and goggles with vents can trap tear gas smoke inside--do not wear them, ever.
- Always wear glasses and not contact lenses. Contact lenses will trap tear gas next to your eye.
- Do not wear makeup, lotions, sunblock, or any oily substances on the skin--they will worsen symptoms of mace/tear gas exposure
- Cover as much of your skin and hair as possible. This helps protect you from chemical weapons as well as protecting your identity.
- Wear plain clothes--avoid wearing anything with obvious logos or unique clothes to help protect your identity.
- Bring bottled water, snacks, and a first aid kit whenever possible. Never attempt to wash your face with standing water such as from a fountain after being exposed to tear gas--the chemicals form a film on standing water and will make your symptoms worse if you come into contact with it.
- Umbrellas and signs with glossy covers can help protest agains LRAD
- Tennis rackets, workman's gloves capable of withstanding high heat, and similar tools can been used to relocated chemical munition cannisters
- Water can disable teargas, however it takes a lot of it which is cumbersome to carry around. Hong Kong protesters were known for placing ample amounts of water in the area of the scheduled protest ahead of time and use traffic cones to defuse the weapon.
- Wear a hard hat and body armor--batons can shatter bones, including your skull
- If you are live streaming, do everything you can to avoid recording protester faces, and try to include some sort of landmark such as a street sign. This helps establish whatever video evidence you end up capturing as real and legitimate
Resources for Allies
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Resources featuring Black and Native voices strongly preferred.
How to support Protests When You Can't Hit the Streets
- Donate to individual protesters. Don't donate to large organizations or independent live streamers unless you're absolutely sure the money is going to benefit the overall movement
- Volunteer skills, resources
- Amplify activist's voices
Reading Materials for Non-Black Allies
- Racial terms
- Support Black owned business and artists
- Black Face, Historical and Digital
- Reparations
- Recommended Readings
- Cultural appropriation
- The toll of racism
- Examples of racial gaslighting/problematic allies