So far we at UASR have had four successful protests. The number of people at our protests have ranged from 2-15 and yet we we have been able to shut down streets, be disruptive, and make people face the fact that systemic racism is a a major issue that cannot be ignored. Just as important is that despite police interference, we have not had a single arrest or injury during any of our protests. That is because we know how to plan and execute disruptive protests in a way that doesn't put everyone in unnecessary danger.
Here are some important tips that can help you to have a low injury protests
1. Do not engage in small talk with police: Police will try to have seemingly benign conversations with protesters. Some believe that police do this in order to just connect with people in the movement. That is not true. Police are trained to study body language and gain information on people through casual talk. This information is then passed along to intelligence apparatuses in the police department. Talking to the police will let them know what your hobbies, where you usually hangout, what you are afraid off, and other information that will make it easier for them to follow you and know your weaknesses. This can increase your risk for becoming a target for arrests during future protest.
2. You can just walk away from a police officer: If a police officer tells you to come to them, ignore them and keep walking or marching. Unless the police officer has detained or arrested you, you are under no obligation to talk to them.
3. Ask if you are being detained: If police officers push you into a corner or restrain you, ask if you are being detained. If they say "no", walk away. If they say "yes", say as little as possible to them. Simply saying "yes" and "no" to the cops questions and concerns will be enough. The less you say, the less likely they will have anything to arrest you on.
4. Do not confront police during a protest unless you have to: The police are well armed and trained to attack people. Trying to confront them for no strategic reason will only get you hurt. This is how many mass arrests and injuries happen at protests. If the goal of a protest is to shut a store down, then shut the store down without having to deal with police. If you can get around the police then do it; do not go out of your away to confront them. Police can't hit you or even pepper spray you if you are far away from them. If the police surround you and you have no choice, then take appropriate measures to deal with the situation.
5. Stay with the protest group: Police usually are afraid to go into a crowd of protesters. This means that the safest play to be is with everyone else protesting. Leaving the protest to go talk to a cop puts you at risk for being arrested and injured by the police.
6. Be aware of your surroundings: Police usually try to attack protesters from behind, or from the sides. This is why it is important to look around and listen. If you are seeing or hearing impaired, make sure to have a protest buddy with you who can assist you.
7. Know who is leading the protest: Sometimes people will try to take over a protest and lead people into dangerous situations. These people are usually political opportunists, people who do not check their white privilege, and/or undercover cops. Actually knowing who is leading the protest can prevent this from happening. Usually the organizers will announce themselves before the protest begins. If you are the one leading a protest make sure to tell everyone exactly who is leading the protest in order to avoid confusion.
8. Live to fight another day: Avoid being arrested during a protests at all costs. If you and all your comrades in the movement are locked up, who is going to continue the organizing? Also purposely getting yourself arrested forces everyone else to put huge amounts of resources and time to get you released. Before you risk arrest, ask yourself "If I don't get arrested today what will I have accomplished?" If you can't answer that question then don't risk arrest.
These are a few tips to help you have successful protests. Please take these tips seriously and add on to this list if you need too. Stay safe and Shut Shit Down!!
Here are some important tips that can help you to have a low injury protests
1. Do not engage in small talk with police: Police will try to have seemingly benign conversations with protesters. Some believe that police do this in order to just connect with people in the movement. That is not true. Police are trained to study body language and gain information on people through casual talk. This information is then passed along to intelligence apparatuses in the police department. Talking to the police will let them know what your hobbies, where you usually hangout, what you are afraid off, and other information that will make it easier for them to follow you and know your weaknesses. This can increase your risk for becoming a target for arrests during future protest.
2. You can just walk away from a police officer: If a police officer tells you to come to them, ignore them and keep walking or marching. Unless the police officer has detained or arrested you, you are under no obligation to talk to them.
3. Ask if you are being detained: If police officers push you into a corner or restrain you, ask if you are being detained. If they say "no", walk away. If they say "yes", say as little as possible to them. Simply saying "yes" and "no" to the cops questions and concerns will be enough. The less you say, the less likely they will have anything to arrest you on.
4. Do not confront police during a protest unless you have to: The police are well armed and trained to attack people. Trying to confront them for no strategic reason will only get you hurt. This is how many mass arrests and injuries happen at protests. If the goal of a protest is to shut a store down, then shut the store down without having to deal with police. If you can get around the police then do it; do not go out of your away to confront them. Police can't hit you or even pepper spray you if you are far away from them. If the police surround you and you have no choice, then take appropriate measures to deal with the situation.
5. Stay with the protest group: Police usually are afraid to go into a crowd of protesters. This means that the safest play to be is with everyone else protesting. Leaving the protest to go talk to a cop puts you at risk for being arrested and injured by the police.
6. Be aware of your surroundings: Police usually try to attack protesters from behind, or from the sides. This is why it is important to look around and listen. If you are seeing or hearing impaired, make sure to have a protest buddy with you who can assist you.
7. Know who is leading the protest: Sometimes people will try to take over a protest and lead people into dangerous situations. These people are usually political opportunists, people who do not check their white privilege, and/or undercover cops. Actually knowing who is leading the protest can prevent this from happening. Usually the organizers will announce themselves before the protest begins. If you are the one leading a protest make sure to tell everyone exactly who is leading the protest in order to avoid confusion.
8. Live to fight another day: Avoid being arrested during a protests at all costs. If you and all your comrades in the movement are locked up, who is going to continue the organizing? Also purposely getting yourself arrested forces everyone else to put huge amounts of resources and time to get you released. Before you risk arrest, ask yourself "If I don't get arrested today what will I have accomplished?" If you can't answer that question then don't risk arrest.
These are a few tips to help you have successful protests. Please take these tips seriously and add on to this list if you need too. Stay safe and Shut Shit Down!!