TAKING A STAND FOR JUSTICE: THE DO’S AND DON'TS
BY: LEXI COYLE MCDONALD
LIFESTYLE HEAD
All sources linked to images.
One of the strongest ways to show your support for the Black Lives Matter movement is protesting. Signing petitions, calling those in office, calling out family and friends on racist outlooks, and donating are all very valid ways to support, but peacefully protesting is a physical, emblematic way to prove your dedication to the cause. So, as protests are sprouting up around America, with countless others to come, the questions of how to protest, what to bring, what to wear, and what to do are very important.
WHAT TO WEAR AND BRING:
Wear nondescript clothing in solid, muted colors, preferably with layers in case of exposure to chemicals. Alternatively, pack a pair of fresh clothes in a plastic bag. The less skin showing and the denser the fabric, the better. Cover up any defining features such as tattoos, bright hair, birthmarks, and anything similar to clothes or makeup. Protesters should wear comfortable, close-toed, running shoes with the laces tucked in and eye protection such as sunglasses or swim goggles and a hat for both sun protection and chemical weapons. COVID is still a threat, so face masks and gloves should always be worn. Tie your hair up if you have long hair so it is out of your face and will not get caught in anything.
Pictured: Man attending a protest in Portland, Oregon.
If you opt to bring a bag, use one that is lightweight and comfortable to carry, such as a backpack or drawstring bag. Bring a lot of water, more than you think you will need, especially if you are planning to be protesting for a considerable period of time and/or in direct sunlight. Others may need water too, so bring extra if you can in a squirt bottle. Pack healthy and energizing snacks like energy bars, nuts, trail mix, or fruit. Other items to bring are a wristwatch, a few extra days worth of prescription medications (in the original bottle to prove that they are your prescription), a little extra cash, different types of sanitizer, and menstrual pads for women (you may not have the opportunity to change pads/ tampons during the protest). If you need an inhaler, EpiPen, insulin, or anything similar, bring it! It can get loud at protests as well, so earplugs are good to have on hand. Do not forget a form of ID and emergency contact information written down somewhere on your person. It is also a good idea to write down your rights on a notecard in case you are stopped by police and forget what to say (here is where you can find them). General emergency supplies are a great idea: first aid kits, ace bandages, wash rags, and more can do a lot of good as a primary response to an injury.
WHAT NOT TO BRING OR WEAR:
Equally as important as what to wear is what you shouldn’t, for your safety. Opt to not wear any form of jewelry, in particular flashy jewelry (or anything flashy). Do not bring anything that you wouldn’t want to be arrested with, like drugs or weapons (including metal scissors, so leave them out of first-aid kits). Contact lenses are less than ideal, as chemicals can get trapped underneath them. Leave the cell phone at home, unless you will take the precautions of turning off Face/Touch ID, going on airplane mode, and disabling your data (here gives information on how to prep your phone). Preferably avoid wearing anything loose, dangly, or baggy which could easily be grabbed. Be very, very light, or take a pass on makeup, oil-based sunscreen, and lotion entirely, as tear gas adheres to moisture. A belt will be taken if you are arrested, so do not wear pants that need a belt. Do not bring credit cards!
WHAT TO DO/HOW TO PROTEST PROPERLY:
Social distance as much as possible, unless you see someone in visible need of medical assistance. Call the ACLU or National Lawyers Guild if you have a reason to believe your rights or someone else’s rights have been violated. Do not go alone, but if you do, make sure other protesters can give a description of you and know your name. Have a buddy watching out for you always, and have an action plan if the protest begins to go wrong, which includes where to meet (a specific, set location with landmarks). Do not engage in anything illegal that could discredit the cause or result in extreme legal action against you.
If you are filming anything a protester is doing that could be illegal or if it is an altercation, blur their face out if posting it publicly to avoid them being identified and charged (use apps such as ObscuraCam). Another tip for filming is that it should be done only when you are in a safe place and be aware of the fact that you may be filming police abuses, so protect the material by sharing, copying, or encrypting it in case it gets deleted or confiscated by police.
Stay calm if things go wrong, such as mass arresting or stampedes, and check-in with your safety network and follow the plan. If you are in the range of weapons like tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons, or police horses/dogs, be extremely careful. Get as much information as you can if you see/hear about excessive force. This means knowing the time it took place, the location, the appearance of the attacker, their name tag, their rank, and the general incident: before, during, and after. Also, do your best to avoid troublemakers or anyone advocating for violence as they could be an undercover cop or can be a witness against you later.
In protection against mace and tear gas, it is a good idea to soak a bandana in water, lemon juice, or vinegar beforehand to aid in breathing during chemical exposure and should remain damp throughout the protest. If you come into contact with mace or tear gas, do not rub! Instead, find cold milk/water and pour it onto your face or spray continually and directly from a spray bottle (cool water is the most recommended). The mixtures of 3 teaspoons of baking soda mixed with 8 ounces of water, canola oil/rubbing alcohol, or equal parts Maalox and water, can also work but there is a greater chance that you may irritate your eyes. If you are indoors, get outdoors immediately before flushing eyes/face in the liquids listed above. When you get home, remove your clothes (and make sure to wash them that day/night) and take a roughly 20-minute cold shower. After, soak your face using 1 part dish soap and 3 parts water. Again, do not rub the skin and instead submerge in the mixture completely for 15 seconds.
After the protest, get technical and legal advice if you are worried about the safety implications of sharing any information you gathered. Pursue justice for any mistreatment you faced, so consider complaining to relevant authorities and civil society groups after getting support from local human rights groups to back you up. Post everything you have gathered (that you are comfortable and safe sharing) on as many social media platforms as possible to get your experience and story out. If you see censorship occurring, speak out and demand answers from the platforms. Remember, making a stand is important, but not as important as you and your fellow protestors’ lives, so be safe and be smart.
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