Protest Preparation
June 25, 2018 11:23 PM Subscribe
Help me prepare for a border protest.
On Wednesday, I am going to a protest at the border, at which I might or might not do civil disobedience. I am going with about 100 other people, with the NM Dream Team, an organization with which I have no prior association. We will be gone about 17-18 hours. The protest itself will be about noon to 4 p.m. Transportation and food are to be provided.
I am very white, so I will take a hat and probably wear long sleeves and pants, to avoid sunburn. I might also take a canteen and a small pack. I might or might not get a sign together in time.
Do you have any tips to help me prepare?
On Wednesday, I am going to a protest at the border, at which I might or might not do civil disobedience. I am going with about 100 other people, with the NM Dream Team, an organization with which I have no prior association. We will be gone about 17-18 hours. The protest itself will be about noon to 4 p.m. Transportation and food are to be provided.
I am very white, so I will take a hat and probably wear long sleeves and pants, to avoid sunburn. I might also take a canteen and a small pack. I might or might not get a sign together in time.
Do you have any tips to help me prepare?
If you plan to carry a sign, don't mount it on a stick or dowel or anything that might be classified as a potential weapon by the cops.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 2:08 AM on June 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 2:08 AM on June 26, 2018 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Two things I don't see in that thread penguin pie linked, specifically related to if you do decide to participate in civil disobedience or otherwise think being arrested is likely: try to wear shoes without laces, and if your phone has a fingerprint scanner, disable it and use a passcode.
The shoes thing because if arrested they may take anything from you that they think you could use to harm yourself or others, and that typically includes things like shoelaces (similarly, wear pants that don't need a belt). The fingerprint thing because the police cannot compel you to tell them your passcode, as it is a violation of your Miranda rights and the Fifth Amendment, but they can compel you to give them your finger to unlock the phone, because that is not considered to be you divulging information, it is simply a physical aspect of who you are.
posted by solotoro at 5:35 AM on June 26, 2018 [6 favorites]
The shoes thing because if arrested they may take anything from you that they think you could use to harm yourself or others, and that typically includes things like shoelaces (similarly, wear pants that don't need a belt). The fingerprint thing because the police cannot compel you to tell them your passcode, as it is a violation of your Miranda rights and the Fifth Amendment, but they can compel you to give them your finger to unlock the phone, because that is not considered to be you divulging information, it is simply a physical aspect of who you are.
posted by solotoro at 5:35 AM on June 26, 2018 [6 favorites]
Remove all jewelry, especially jewelry that's in piercings. (We used to say take out your earrings but that was before people had piercings and jewelry in other places.) Wear sneakers and comfortable clothing. Let friends know where you are going. Ask someone to be your designated contact person and check in with them when you arrive at the protest and when you leave. If possible, give this person bail money in case you need it. Some arresting agencies can be very arbitrary in what they will accept for bail- cash, debit card, check, etc.
Thank you for doing this.
posted by mareli at 5:41 AM on June 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
Thank you for doing this.
posted by mareli at 5:41 AM on June 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: If there is an arrest hotline number, write it on your arm in sharpie; take a sharpie. (People will probably provide one but you never can tell.)
If you are carrying a sign, you can use duct tape to make a sort of arm-holder like on the back of a shield so that if your hands get tired or you need your arms free, you can still carry it. You put two pieces of duct tape together sticky sides in to make each strap and use other duct tape to hold the straps to the back of the sign. The ones I've seen have straps much closer together than the shield does.
posted by Frowner at 6:14 AM on June 26, 2018
If you are carrying a sign, you can use duct tape to make a sort of arm-holder like on the back of a shield so that if your hands get tired or you need your arms free, you can still carry it. You put two pieces of duct tape together sticky sides in to make each strap and use other duct tape to hold the straps to the back of the sign. The ones I've seen have straps much closer together than the shield does.
posted by Frowner at 6:14 AM on June 26, 2018
Read up on how to deal with tear gas & pepper spray. Don't wear contacts.
posted by pi at 7:46 AM on June 26, 2018
posted by pi at 7:46 AM on June 26, 2018
Best answer: Memorize the phone number of your emergency contact. Wear sunscreen.
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 8:54 AM on June 26, 2018
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 8:54 AM on June 26, 2018
Will there be a legal briefing ahead of time, maybe on the bus? If not (or even if so) then read up on your rights in your state - the local chapter of the ACLU is a decent place to start. (And do not do civil disobedience with this group if they DON'T do a legal briefing because that's just malpractice)
In my response to that other post, I recommended against bringing anything besides keys, cash, and ID, but for this, I think it's the right idea to have a small pack. You'll want sunscreen, water, and some good snacks like a couple of protein bars, jerky, an apple, things like that. It'll be a long day and low blood sugar can make it longer.
Think about whether or not you need your phone at all. If you plan to do a FB Live of the protest or something like that, then by all means, bring it. Otherwise you may want to leave it at home so you can avoid the security concerns talked about above.
Chat with other people on the bus over, and during the protest. Make some friends. If you get arrested together, you'll want friendly faces.
posted by lunasol at 9:09 AM on June 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
In my response to that other post, I recommended against bringing anything besides keys, cash, and ID, but for this, I think it's the right idea to have a small pack. You'll want sunscreen, water, and some good snacks like a couple of protein bars, jerky, an apple, things like that. It'll be a long day and low blood sugar can make it longer.
Think about whether or not you need your phone at all. If you plan to do a FB Live of the protest or something like that, then by all means, bring it. Otherwise you may want to leave it at home so you can avoid the security concerns talked about above.
Chat with other people on the bus over, and during the protest. Make some friends. If you get arrested together, you'll want friendly faces.
posted by lunasol at 9:09 AM on June 26, 2018 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: I worded my question badly. I was more concerned about the civil disobedience and the long day. It was well organized and went off without a hitch. We had no trouble from authorities. We had about 250 people from four states. I believe New Mexico had the largest contingent, although the protest was in Texas. Here is more info. Thank you all.
posted by maurreen at 8:50 PM on June 28, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by maurreen at 8:50 PM on June 28, 2018 [2 favorites]
I engaged in CD yesterday and blocked traffic for about an hour in 80 degree heat. For future readers, do not be ashamed to wear a diaper. I limited my intake of fluids because I didn't want to pee myself while I was sitting there (and I was also anticipating jail). I wasn't arrested, but now I'm dehydrated and feel like shit. Just wear a diaper and drink the water the medics pass around.
Other things I learned: A hoodie or another shirt you can sit on makes it more comfortable if you're on concrete. Wear cargo shorts or put your wallet in your front pocket so you're not sitting on it. Don't take your phone, you won't need it. Know the names of the marshals and medics so you can easily get their attention. Learn a few words in Spanish because even if people speak English their brain might register Spanish more quickly (go, stop, right, left, help, police). Sharpie easily comes off your arm with an alcohol wipe.
posted by AFABulous at 6:24 AM on June 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
Other things I learned: A hoodie or another shirt you can sit on makes it more comfortable if you're on concrete. Wear cargo shorts or put your wallet in your front pocket so you're not sitting on it. Don't take your phone, you won't need it. Know the names of the marshals and medics so you can easily get their attention. Learn a few words in Spanish because even if people speak English their brain might register Spanish more quickly (go, stop, right, left, help, police). Sharpie easily comes off your arm with an alcohol wipe.
posted by AFABulous at 6:24 AM on June 29, 2018 [3 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by penguin pie at 1:57 AM on June 26, 2018