Protesting 101: Share your experiences (good or bad) and tactics here

[prolesunited]

We'll have a lot of DUers out in the streets across the country tomorrow and I thought it would be useful to share our experiences and tactics for dealing with certain situations.

Certainly, we have a lot of seasoned protesters here who could provide insight on what they've learned over the years as well as articulate if and how protests have changed over the years.

We also have a lot of people who are new to the protest scene. Will tomorrow be the first protest for anyone? Or perhaps second or third? What has made you finally get involved? Do you have any concerns?

Finally, what do you see as the value of protesting? Why is it important?



Say it with me now: This is what democracy looks like!

[havocmom]

1. since many places shunt people with signs off to 'free speech zones'

I was wondering about umbrellas. If people could get umbrellas, paint their messages on them and then just happen to be walking to the same area as other people with umbrellas.... and they everybody thinks it may start raining....

[prolesunited]

2. Here's some links of interest

How To Guide On Civil Disobedience and Direct Action

http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=112


Demonstrator's Manual (very comprehensive)

http://www.actupny.org/documents/demomanual/Demomanual.html


A Primer on Protest Tactics

http://www.pulplit.com/display/generic.php/373.html


So, you want to protest the looming war in Iraq?
Good for you! It’s a nice day outside, and you just got a new pair of cargo pants.
But this isn’t about you, it’s about the looming war in Iraq, which you’ve already decided is wrong, thus your interest in protesting. But what if you’ve never protested before? How do you know you won’t wind up in the wrong protest, and next thing you know, you’ll find yourself in jail, covered in a paper-mache mask of the sun, and spray painted with the words “Death to Denny’s”? That would blow. You actually *like* Denny’s!
http://www.lettuce.org/protest/conspire.htm (more light-hearted, but interesting)



Protest Primer
Taking children to a political protest is usually no more dangerous than taking them to a parade or an amusement park.
http://yomamasays.org/archives/000345.html

[stevedeshazer]

3. #1 Rule

Go.

Wear sensible shoes! Marching on hard pavement requires it.

Bring drinking water, too.

Almost all protests are peaceful. If you haven't been to one before, be ready to see a lot of police types in riot gear. It might be a shock at first, and some protesters will fear them, and some will taunt them. Neither reaction is necessary. Remember, a lot of the police feel the same as you! They are doing their jobs...and they are union members. There are always provocateurs in every crowd, cops and protesters alike. Avoid both unless you are prepared for the consequences.

Be ready to see "Free Mumia" supporters, Palestinian supporters, Israeli supporters, flag burners, Chavez supporters, and everything in between. Agree or not, they always show up at any sizeable demonstration. Most people will be there simply because they are fed up in one way or another. That's just the way it is.

Make a sign ahead of time. Some groups may provide you with pre-made signs at the start of a march, but the most effective are your own hand-made signs, with your own messages. One of the fun things about these events is reading other people's signs.

Take a camera. If you're worried about losing or damaging your own camera, by one of those one-time use cameras.

Be prepared with a sound bite, because it sometimes happens that a TV or radio reporter will stick a microphone in your face. Keep it simple, a sentence why you are opposed to the war. If you just say "I hate Bush" your bit won't get aired.

You will come away tired but refreshed that there are a whole lot of other people that feel the same as you do.

Go out and do it. I'll bet you will have a good time if you do. It can be frustrating and energizing at the same time.

[bryant69]

4. Record the Demonstration

Obviously not necessarily with a tape recorder or a video camera (although there is nothign wrong with that) But keep an ey on what you see, take some pictures, talk to other people. If you have an outlet (a web page or a web log or conversatinos with friends or e-mails or what not) tell people what you saw.

The key thing is that the fringe element is the most telegenic and photogenic; it helps to get out the news that there aer some very reasoned arguments against the war. That you and your fellow protesters aren't protesting because you hate America, but because you love it and so on and so forth.

That's my two cents.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[davsand]

5. Write your lawyer's phone number on your arm in ink.

Preferably in ink that won't run under water. You typically can't keep your purse or backpack or anything in your pockets if you are arrested, so plan for it and write it on yourself.

I'd suggest putting your name and an emergency contact person's name and number on your body--someplace covered by clothing*--in case anything awful happens and you need emergency medical care and can't speak for yourself. It might not be a bad idea to list any meds you need regularly as well (insulin or anti seizure meds--life sustaining stuff) as well. At a bare minimum, do wear a medic alert bracelet or tag.

On a purely practical note, try and make any signs or banners something you can carry happily for a distance. Carrying that HUGE piece of poster board over your head may not sound too bad NOW--but after a couple hours it can be a real drag.

IF your local municipality allows it, put your poster on a stick or narrow board to carry it like a picket sign... It will make it visible, and a lot easier to carry. Some localities don't allow that, however, because it might be used as a "weapon". (I know--it sounds dumb as hell, but why stand and argue with John Law if you don't have to?)

Take a lot of water, and leave any booze or drugs or paraphernalia at home.

Just my two cents...

Laura

*I suggest on your body trunk--stomach for instance--as a good spot for this. If the EMS guys need to get you stabilized usually they hook up monitors and whatnot to keep an eye on your heart rate. You want that info visible to them--but not to the police or other antagonistic lookers on.

[rdfi-defi]

6. know your rights

go to the aclu website, bump around and see what applies to you. see if you can find some info on your local (city) protest sight. keep it tight with people you trust if the man goes into fascist mode. have fun, stand up, be heard, because............

............THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE

[prolesunited]

7. That's a very good idea

Anybody have any links on your rights or what to do if arrested?