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For those planning to attend the #LDNBLM march. First, consider all the risks involved with marching, particularly as a black person, under lockdown. Be ready for the violence you may face. Be ready with your legal rights. Know how to survive while being held under a restraint.
Go with 2/3 friends who can run for help. This is not a joke, you may lose your life at this protest. We’ve witnessed it before in the UK. Please make your decision armed with a full knowledge of all the risks.
Sidenote: Please do not attend any protest if you are showing signs of Covid. Please do not forget that it is disproportionately affecting BAME communities.
Here is a list of thing you can do to prepare...
Here is a list of thing you can do to prepare...
1. Double check who the organisers of the protest are, before you attend. We need to make sure that we do not find ourselves in a trap, as several white supremacist groups in both the US and UK are setting up false protests to brutalise black protesters when they show up.
2. If you decide to keep your mobile data on, use IG Live to keep yourself safe and document any brutality. Avoid capturing the faces of fellow protesters.
3. Masks, gloves (tear gas is hot, use gloves to throw it back), sneakers, backpack. Wear two layers of clothing if you can, if you are being chased by fed you can take off a layer and this will make it harder to identify you in a crowd.
4. Inside your backpack, carry snacks (that can sustain you for the day ahead) water, a charger, and CASH. No ID, no credit/ debit cards.
5. Drench a washcloth in milk (with baking soda)/ white vinegar to protect against tear gas. Avoid Vaseline, mineral or oil based moisturiser/sunscreen as these can trap chemicals from the tear gas.
6. You may decide to turn your data off, for it can be used to track you.
7. Wear neutral, non-clothing that is hard to identify. Ideally all black. If you are wearing a hoodie, make sure it has a drawstring hood and it fits suitably. Tie it tight around your face, hiding your hair. Avoid all jewellery. Make sure you wear shoes you can run in.
8. Keep your signs nondescript and do not take pictures of them at home, especially if you use iCloud, as you will be tracked.
9. Make sure you attend each march with a group of friends. Always pair up, so no one ever ends up alone. Have a short code word, such as ‘ice cream’ to communicate in a crowd if you are separated, and a different code word if one of you is in danger.
10. Have people on the outside who will watch your back. Tell all your friends where you’ll be, what time you arrive and what time you leave. If they fail to hear from you, they should raise an alarm.
11.Write down the name of a key contact on your arm. Use clear nail varnish to coat this, so it doesn& #39;t rub off.
12. Make sure to try and maintain a 2m social distance while you march. We are still in the middle of a lethal pandemic.
