Dear ones,
Many of you likely already know that I reside in the DC metro area and help oversee a massive group of activists there. This weekend, white supremacists are descending on the capitol for a "Unite the Right" rally, and many of our members are eager to show up as counter-protesters.
That said, one of our members received intel this morning from a friend in law enforcement that the white supremacists are planning to provoke violence in hopes of getting counter-protesters arrested. Naturally, this has me extremely distressed. On the one hand, we cannot stand by while white supremacists march on the capitol - in a city that is predominantly black, no less. On the other, I'm afraid of what may happen to our members if they go.
My fear is preventing me from getting an objective read on this. My heart races when I think about it, my mind is replaying images from Charlottesville, and I can't tell if those emotional responses are a warning of what's to come or a sign that my anxiety is getting the better of me.
Does anyone have any gut instincts about what may happen in DC this weekend? I'd be grateful for any input that may help me guide my group toward an informed choice about whether to put themselves in harm's way.
Hi Vida,
Congrats on being the person who pulled me off lurking and back into the discussions here, on this, the 4th anniversary of arriving here in CA after leaving NoVa. I have certainly been missing everyone on this forum.
As to gut feelings, I agree with the intel you received. I'm feeling that the alt-right guys will have imbedded agent provocateurs within the ranks of the opposition.
As someone also involved in resistance activities, I have some pointers that may help that you can feel free to share with the group. It's long, but here goes:
1. Have everyone in your group download the ACLU Justice app. This app records phone video and immediately uploads it to the ACLU so that if a phone is lost, confiscated and/or searched, the videos will be safe even if deleted from the phone. It is state-specific, so look for the one for DC.
2. Call a meeting or phone conference with EVERYONE who plans to attend the counter-protest. Coach them on these things I'm telling you.
3. Assign roles - decide who, if anyone, is willing to be arrested. Make no judgments either way, it is an individual choice. Assign one or two people to stay home and near a Landline. They can be the point of contact for any emergency. Make sure they have necessary resources - lawyer phone number, a way to collect bail/bond monies, and emergency contact info for those who are ok with going to jail. Assign 2-3 people to be bail runners - the ones who go to where the prisoners are to post the bonds.
4. For the people willing to be arrested:
- they must be US citizens and not be in any kind of medical need for a minimum of 24 hours (e.g., diabetics needing insulin should not volunteer for this)
- they must be willing to go completely limp and provide no active resistance, especially if they are people of color. They can also choose to be handcuffed and led away standing. THEY MUST REMAIN CALM. People of color in particular need to remain extra-calm and not even speak out, only answer questions as needed while interacting with police.
- Tell them to write the phone number of the emergency/landline on one thigh (use Sharpie), and a lawyer phone number on the other.
- Tell them not to bring any personal items to the protest except for one government issued photo i.d. and their cellphone.
- They should not be the people carrying signs or anything that might vaguely be construed as a weapon.
- Except for that i.d., NOTHING in any pockets whatsoever. NO jewelry of any kind except wedding band.
- Wear comfortable, gender-neutral clothing and shoes (this is not the time for a statement dress) that does not have any political logos.
- At the start of the protest, make a video of these volunteers, showing that they are empty-pocketed and not carrying any objects other than the i.d. and phone.
5. For the people trying to NOT get arrested:
- write the emergency/landline phone number on a thigh or forearm.
- Make sure phones are charged and bring extra battery chargers.
- Bring minimal possessions, water, snacks.
- Wear comfortable clothes WITH political messages.
- Make sure signs do not have wooden stakes holding them up.
- Bring pepper spray but do not conceal it.
6. KEEP EYES PEELED - you want to look for 2 groups: 1) ACLU or other Designated Legal Observers (they usually wear neon-colored vests and hats); 2) Agent provocateurs - these are the people in your midst who will attempt to incite violence against the alt-right marchers.
7. If agent provocateurs are spotted, EVERYONE LAY DOWN IMMEDIATELY. Try to get the attention of the legal observers, they can't do anything but can record what's happening. Also use that ACLU app to record interactions that seem "off". Counsel your people to maintain PEACEFUL DISOBEDIENCE at all costs. Tell them to examine their consciences and decide if they are ok with arrest, injury or death for this cause, those that are not should be the folks who remain at home to relay info as needed.
8. If approached by any media whatsoever, everyone should be coached to say "I'm not in charge here, please go talk to someone else". Let the organizers of the counter-protest itself be the ones to represent in media.
9. If any officer of any stripes gives anyone an order or instruction, you are allowed to say "Is that a lawful order?" Most likely they will say, "Yes! Now move!", in which case you are obligated to follow the order. THIS is where you have to decide if those willing to be arrested will ignore the order and risk arrest. You have to weigh it in context. For example, if the officer says "Move over there!", well, that's not really affecting anyone's ability to continue protesting. But if they say something like "You! Lay down and hands behind your back!" with no cause, THAT'S the line in the sand right there.
10. Agent provocateurs aside, be prepared to NOT engage with the other side at all. They will try to goad you. Keep it peaceful but if that becomes impossible, defend yourselves as a group. Consider locking arms in an inward facing circle for protection. Use the pepper spray to defend yourself if needed.
11. Always keep present thought that people of color will be suffering more from any hostilities and police intervention. Encourage white members of your group to the the ones to "take the front line" and be the ones willing to go to jail. Put white bodies between police and people of color as much as possible.
I know this is a lot to put into practice, if you are well prepared, none of this will be an issue. "Expect the best, prepare for the worst."
Good luck and check back in here when all is done and let us know how it went. Sending you peace and strength.
Laura F. Thank you for helping any and all who read this. It opened up minds to the realities of what true resistance requires and entails and just how deep and true pure warrior spirit must be.
It made me think of the Four Agreements and the concept of Impeccability.We must be impeccable in spirit even when supporting others in spirit.
Vida, my heart swells up with pride to know there are so many willing to be so brave and work so hard with faith in what is right and just.
God(dess) Bless you all with pure hearts, truth, power, and strength. May you all be protected and well.
Link to the news on this event
https://www.npr.org/2018/06/21/622144455/white-civil-rights-rally-approved-for-d-c-in-august
I was on Daily Kos earlier today and on several independent sources on YouTube, I saw that the rally backfired. The number of counter protesters outnumber the number of supremacists. Does this mean that something good will happen later on?
It's actually not that uncommon for rallies of this sort to have a counter-rally that is even bigger than the original. I live near a place where there's a yearly EDF rally on St George's Day and a counter-rally that's even bigger, it's becoming almost a tradition now.
I think they feed off each other and it would be better if everyone just went home. But I suppose nobody dares to stop because the first group to go would be seen as the losers. What strikes me is that both groups seem mostly composed of angry white men, and both groups seem definitely less diverse than the composition of normal passer-bys in the street after the rally. When I've said that to political friends, they look funny at me like I've suddenly become a Nazi, but I'm simply reporting what I see.
I think there has to be a better way than organizing counter-demos, but I don't know what it is.