Mental exercise - protest march options?

[HeavyHanded]

Been reading some of the news this morning. I'd like to keep things as non-political as possible, but thought I'd pose a mental exercise for the PracTac contributors re some of the current trend in protest actions.

Let's assume you have a need to "speak truth to power", and recognize that even if you remain completely peaceful there's a good chance other members of the assembly might not. Or you might be subjected to a large helping of whoop-a$$ by the Man just for failing to disperse or showing up in the first place.

Remaining committed to non-violence, what steps could you take to help protect yourself should contact occur? Solutions need to be unobtrusive - undetectable to the casual observer would be even better - no point in being singled out for an extra serving.

First off, I hear antacids or baking soda mixed with water can work wonders on OC exposure if treated quickly enough following exposure, so a squeeze-type water bottle filled with a blend might be a good idea.

A chemical ice pack might also be worth its weight in gold.

Minimizing the consequences of direct physical contact is a bit trickier. Pretty sure many localities have restrictions on use of hard body armor, and its mighty bulky anyway. I don't think walking around wearing BMX armor would go over real well, but there might be some examples of sport padding that could help. I would think a jock and possibly a cup is a no-brainer. Maybe a mouth piece on a necklace? Women would do well with a snug fitting sport-bra. All I can think of for one's head (IMO this is area #1 that needs protection) is a watch cap. That's not good enough. What improvised padding, either household stuff or sport adapted could fit under or be fashioned into a hat and not be totally obvious? Maybe coat the inside of a ball cap with fiberglass and wear a bandana under it? A Polo/equestrian helmet?

Keep in mind it just has to protect you long enough to be properly arrested, or stumble free of the overlap zone, so snug enough to hopefully stay on your head as you're dragged around - doesn't have to survive a car wreck, just take the edge off a baton, boot, sidewalk or tear gas can to the noggin.

[Yorkshire Boy]

You can buy "hard hat" baseball caps.

For tear gas, a pair of swimming goggles and a piece of thick cloth to cover the nose and mouth.

How about a hi-viz vest?

Depending on the kit you decide to carry, you might be charged with going "equipped" to a demo/riot.

[razorsdescent]

i'm not a huge fan of non-violent protests in civilized areas. If something is wrong enough that you feel the need to march en masse you should also feel that you have the right to defend yourself. Just look at some of the riots in greece, you saw guys in what approximates to civilian riot gear. They got their point accross and they werent harmed, nor were they overly blood thirsty. I just think that a complete commital to non-violence is a terrible tactic. If ghandi had the man power and arms he wouldn't have gone the non-violent route (granted people argue the point to this day, but he stated that disarming people was unethical).

Grow some spine if you believe that strongly, otherwise your among the likes of westboro baptist church. I think one of the reasons this country has gotten so bad is that no one knows how to make a meaningful protest anymore.

[stabman]

If you want to "speak the truth to power", do so on your computer.
They're just as likely to listen (they won't), and you won't get sprayed or clubbed.

That's practical AND tactical.

[HeavyHanded]

i'm not a huge fan of non-violent protests in civilized areas. If something is wrong enough that you feel the need to march en masse you should also feel that you have the right to defend yourself. Just look at some of the riots in greece, you saw guys in what approximates to civilian riot gear. They got their point accross and they werent harmed, nor were they overly blood thirsty. I just think that a complete commital to non-violence is a terrible tactic. If ghandi had the man power and arms he wouldn't have gone the non-violent route (granted people argue the point to this day, but he stated that disarming people was unethical).

Grow some spine if you believe that strongly, otherwise your among the likes of westboro baptist church. I think one of the reasons this country has gotten so bad is that no one knows how to make a meaningful protest anymore.

Man, if your first statement doesn't underscore the difference between the US and some other industrialized nations....

Ghandi realized the limits of non-violence for social change - if one is dealing with a largely moral institution, then non-violence is going to be the best chance for change without a lot of bloodshed. If one is dealing with a largely immoral institution (ex Hitler's Germany) then non-violence doesn't have a chance to work - go to plan B.

The problem with an even remotely violent protest in the current US - one will be demonized by the state media and your message will be ignored by the larger population, even if it has plenty of merit. Until your message is viewed by a clear majority of the citizenry as being blatantly criminally suppressed by the state, resorting to violence will doom your movement. That said I do believe there needs to be a potential or threat of violence within any movement that expects results - Tea Partiers with long guns at public meetings, the Black Panthers and Nation of Islam as a counterpoint to Dr King, the Communist Party working on the fringes of the Labor movement in the 30s....


The above discussion aside - I really didn't want politics, just practical suggestions. How do you limit harm to yourself? Or is the thread a wash from the get-go, and you'd best practice fetal position and keep yours limbs nice and loose?

[powernoodle]

How do you limit harm to yourself?

So basically you are asking for advice on the internet as to how to stay safe while you are breaking the law? Your question did state that those with whom you choose to associate are likely to become violent (or at least there is a "good chance"), and/or that you would get "a large helping of whoop-a$$ by the Man just for failing to disperse or showing up in the first place." By "the Man", do you mean law enforcement?

[I edited the rest out for the sake of peace, harmony and good will.]

[HeavyHanded]

So basically you are asking for advice on the internet as to how to stay safe while you are breaking the law? Your question did state that those with whom you choose to associate are likely to become violent (or at least there is a "good chance"), and/or that you would get "a large helping of whoop-a$$ by the Man just for failing to disperse or showing up in the first place." By "the Man", do you mean law enforcement?

[I edited the rest out for the sake of peace, harmony and good will.]

Yes I mean law enforcement. No I am not asking for advice while breaking the law. First Amendment freedom to assemble is a recognized right. Entirely possible that one could, during the course of exercising this right, come into contact with other individuals who are only present to start trouble unlawfully - be they wearing black or blue.

I guess the mental exercise starts with "regardless of message, do you support an individuals right to peacefully assemble in public with like minded individuals to petition the government for redress of grievances?" and from there heads straight for the political forum or whine and cheese.

[ I edited the rest out to maintain the spirit of peace, harmony and good will you were kind enough to foster]

[sumtinfancy]

A helmet would definitely be a a recommendation whilst protesting

[jackburton9807]

Been present for plenty of these. Best plan is to be at the back of the line and beat feet when the cops go bats and hats.

[tyr_shadowblade]

"What kind of knife should I bring to a political protest?"

[HeavyHanded]

"What kind of knife should I bring to a political protest?"

Bad Tyr! Bad!

[djjonny]

"What kind of knife should I bring to a political protest?"

Good for horrible police PR. A lot like this

[RLLyon]

Are you familiar with the term "useful idiots"?

[HeavyHanded]

Necessity is the mother of invention




http://weaselzippers.us/2011/02/03/p...mets-in-egypt/

and a teaser:

[Murdamook]

A thick wool coat would be useful if it is a bit cold out. Wearing a wool coat in the summer may seem suspicious. In WWI they developed trench knives to push through the thick wool German coats. It won't protect you 100%, but it may prove sufficient enough to allow you to escape.

[Dieselashi]

How about a cup, a skateboard helmet, a disposable dust mask, and a pair of safety glasses? Nobody (should) see the cup, and dust/mask safety glasses are cheap and stow-able in a pocket until you need them. A skateboard helmet carried in a shopping bag should be lightweight, unobtrusive, and good to protect your noggin if hard things start moving at high speeds. If you're a skateboarder already (not a crime in and of itself, right?) and tend to bring your board strapped to a backpack, you won't have to bring much to worry about eh?

[Esav Benyamin]

And if the situation gets real bad, you'll have the skateboard handy to getawayfast.

My brother was in San Francisco some years ago and noticed people running around up ahead. He walked over to see what was up. it was a riot starting ... and as the police ran up behind him to respond, one of them reached over and smashed him in the leg with a baton. Um, ouch.

When he got out of the hospital, he sued the city, police dep't and the officer who hit him. Won.

[Charlie Mike]

Go streaking!

[WindyCityKali]

I don't understand protests. Seems to be a pre-Internet way of networking.

You don't protest and things change. You vote people out and other people, then things change.

I saw the protests from a relatively safe distance here in Chicago - that was close enough, thank you.

[Mitchell Knives]

Let's assume you have a need to "speak truth to power", and recognize that even if you remain completely peaceful there's a good chance other members of the assembly might not.

In that case, I'd plan to stay at home unless you have an acquired taste for OC and enjoy overnight visits to jail.

If you seriously believe that you are going to be beaten, why are you even contemplating going?

Most "protest marches" are filled with people who want to cause trouble, and see getting arrested as some sort of martyrdom.