PLEASE SHARE THIS THREAD IF YOU'RE IN HAMILTON:

I can't figure out how to post videos on Twitter so I'm writing a thread on what went down at Gage Park at 2PM in #HamOnt

Do NOT show up to protests if you don't know know who the organizers are. No organizers showed up today 1/?

The person who made the protest poster, we don't know who, didn't come but 80 people did come to protest and the park was surrounded by police. Luckily my friends and I who are trained at marshalling brought PPE, made sure people socially distanced, led the chants & were safe 2/?

We showed up 2 hours early, spray painted the floor telling folks to stay 2 meters apart and made sure all the minors were safe. We made sure people left in pairs. White kids still wanted to stay with no saftey plans 3/?

This is the same park where last year people were beat up by nazis after pride on the way home. If we weren't prepared everyone could have been fined, harmed, or worse 4/?

When we reached out numerous times to the Toronto people who posted the Hamilton poster where it came from and how we could help... we got crickets... 4/?

I am not a pacifist. I am not anti protest. But to show up to things when you don't know who is organizing could lead to infiltration, setups, or worse. This isn't about celebrity culture, it's about knowing that #Hamont is small enough 5/?

for folks to reach out and ask for support from folks with resources if you're planning shit. The cops in Minnesota were caught on film instigating violence. Be aware of what's happening so that you're safe if you choose to show up 6/?

Especially if you're white. Because it's the black people in #HamOnt, it's the black kids who show up who can get hurt. It's your responsibility to learn about the safety and strategic planning around organizng. Don't just show up 'cause it feels good. 7/?

I'm hearing about anther rally in #HamOnt on Monday and none of the organizers here know who is planning it. Me and my friends are not planning to go to it. There is no saftey plan for it. It is not organized. Our advice is do not go. 8/8

Last point: this isn't even about celebrity organizing culture or none of that shit. It's organizing 101. If none of the organizers you know who've been on shit for years know anything... it could be a set up

Things to look out for: the poster that was circulated had very little information on it. It said Gage Park but no location information (the park is huge), no contact or organization on it, no end time on it. It was called a peaceful protest, didn't say what was being protested

Like I also wanna clarify that I am immunocompromised and in a wheelchair. Wisen up so the most vounerable people in our city don't end up putting ourselves on the line to protect people who know better.

UPDATE: it ended up being a teen who made the poster and sent it to the toronto people. Talking to them tomorrow. I'm *not* trying to get everyone hyped up. Just saying you use critical thinking skills and don't just think every action you see online is spontaneous