How to attend a protest: What to bring

Given the recent events in Charlottesville, VA and the international solidarity rallys that are already underway, now is a good time to take a step away from the Conquest of Bread project and talk about protesting. There are steps both before and during that can improve both the success and therefore the safety of the protest for those who are showing up to demonstrate. The best way to do this is to be prepared for anything.

When you're attending a mass demonstration, you cannot control who shows up. Some people may use more aggressive tactics than you would for productive means, and others may show up with more chaotic destruction in mind. Many world power governments have a documented history of intentionally causing disruption and even violence (which in this blog is defined as harm against living beings) but going into the history of agent provocateurs is for another post. However, even with the calmest of demonstrations the police may use excessive force in many different forms, and it's important to be prepared.

Most demonstrations I've personally been to, I haven't needed most of these supplies. The aim is to be prepared for anything.

Knowledge of Your Rights: If the police detain you and ask you for your ID do you have to show them? If you're stopped for a Stop and Frisk do you have to comply? These answers vary not only country to country, but state by state. Unfortunately I cannot write a step by step guide for this because of variations in laws by country and state, but be thorough in researching the law and what your rights are where you plan on protesting. Take extra caution if you are an immigrant there, regardless of your legal status.

Two Sets of Nondescript Clothes: Or some way to change your visual appearance in a crowd. If there's a chance of the police radioing your description, they're going to rely heavily on general characteristics and your clothing. Cover your hair during the protest for even further obscurity. If you plan on showing up in black bloc, bring something to wear that's helpful to blend in a crowd. If you're not in black bloc try to wear dark colors anyway to help you hide in the dark, if you need to run away. No matter what, don't stand out. The idea is to be as unidentifiable as possible.

Earplugs: The LRAD, or sound cannon, a device known for being used against Somali pirates, is now one of the police's "nonlethal" responses to dealing with protestors. The Long Range Acoustic Device is a high decibel weapon can emit sounds up to 137 decibels, with decibels over 85 being capable of causing hearing loss. To adequately fully protect your hearing from these weapons, you need shooting range ear protection but if you don't have access to those, bring the best earplugs you can get your hands on. If you're on the peripheral of an LRAD attack it can make a difference at the very least.

Tear Gas Protection: is going to get its own post as soon as I'm finished writing this one but it will be a repost of this article so in the meantime you can read it here.

Digital Security: Smart phones can be our greatest ally and also our worst enemy when it comes to protesting. Pictures you take on it, conversations you've had on it, could get another protester arrested, or if they're undocumented, deported. But at the same time they can help you find the march, document police brutality, and stay in contact with your group. There are a lot of different ways you can protect the data on your phone from being used against you (link coming soon) but some very basics are to keep a passcode lock on your phone and disable fingerprint entry before you leave. That way the police can't force you to open it (a questionably legal act). I recommend backing up your data and doing a factory reset on your phone before you leave if you have a smartphone. Communicating through something like Wire or Signal is good but won´t do you any good if the police can gain access to the app.

Rations: Depending on conditions and the length of the march/rally you may be walking a long time in the heat. Bring water for yourself and if possible water to share with the people around you. Same goes with snacks, particularly salty ones for electrolytes. I can tell you there's nothing like seeing a comrade with a box of pretzel rods after marching for 4 hours in all black in the middle of summer.

Basic Medical Supplies: Often organized protests have designated medics, but even if yours does there may not be one around in the time of an accident or attack. If you have the supplies to quickly wrap an ankle or bandage up a gash when either is needed you could potentially be a life saver, even if the injury is minor.

A Buddy: It's always better to go to protests with someone else. You can watch each other's 6, provide as a witness for interactions with the police, and generally keep an eye on each other.

Important Phone Numbers: In ink, on your body. Many people in the United States keep the National Lawyer's Guild number on them. In case you're arrested and need numbers to call, don't rely on having access to them in your phone.

Not every item on this list is essential for every single person at a protest, but the more people who come proactive the better. Of course the more gear you have the harder it is to be inconspicuous and slip into a crowd so you have to weigh the risks/benefits to bringing or leaving each item.