protests
In my city, there have not been any protests that I can attend. This is basically the list of dos and don’ts I would have wanted to have seen if I was protesting. A lot of the information that is being circulated around social media that, though well intentioned, is incorrect or harmful. Keep yourself safe while protesting.
WHEN ATTENDING THE PROTEST
*Please don't assume that just because you're protesting, the Corona Virus has taken a break. You never know who might be positive or a carrier, so make sure you have a mask on at all times (bring multiple, in case one is contaminated), bring sanitizers and use it after you touch anything.
*Always keep your mask on, especially if you're chanting, yelling or speaking loudly, because it releases more droplets and increases the risk of spreading COVID-19. Do your best to keep a distance.
*Use plywood, or any other hard object, to make your signs on, this way, if the police start shooting rubber bullets, your signs can act as shields.
PROTECTION AGAINST TEAR GAS
*If you come into contact with mace or tear gas, DO NOT rub or touch your face and eyes, it will only rub the chemicals in and burn more.
*To diffuse the tear gas faster, put a traffic cone on top of it and then pour water through the top.
*You could use heat resistant gloves to throw the tear gas cannister away (or towards the police).
*Take multiple bottles of water to pour on your eyes, if you do get affected by the tear gas, and to hydrate.
*Carry water in a bottle with a squirt top.
*Chilled milk will help wash away the tear gas from the skin. Do not pour milk directly into your eyes, if you are tear gassed, all milk is contaminated and can lead to eye diseases.
*Wear swimming goggles to protect your eyes form the tear gas.
*DO NOT wear contact lenses.
*Leaf blowers can help blow away the tear gas.
*Do not wear makeup, because the oils present in the make-up can help the tear gas cling to the skin.
PROTECTING YOUR PHONE
*Use encrypted messages to assemble and keep in touch with your friends, the 'Signal' app encrypts your messages. DON'T ASSEMBLE USING SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.
*There will be signal jammers present, but they can't jam your signal if it is 5G. Keep your hotspot on if you do have a 5G signal. If you don't, go to your settings and manually choose a signal, any that is different from your usual one.
*Do not post your location on social media.
*Do not click 'attending' on the protest events on Facebook. The police can use this to make arrests.
*Disable location services on all your apps because they will track you in the background.
*Don't put your phone on airplane mode so you can still be reached by your friends.
*Disable facial ID or fingerprint unlock on your phone, use a passcode only. The police have been known to force people to unlock their phone using these.
*Leave your phone locked when you're filming or taking pictures and wipe the metadata from your phone by taking a screenshot of the photos and posting the screenshots.
*Wear multiple layers, stay covered. Make sure you wear closed toe shoes.
*Keep all tattoos, identifiable marks and distinguishing features covered so that face trackers cannot identify you.
IF YOU ARE ARRESTED
*Carry the exact amount of cash you will need for bail money.
*If you need any medication, carry it in a clearly labelled bottle.
*Do not wear any jewellery. Make sure that there is no metal in the hair accessories you use.
*Do not resist arrest, know your rights and contact your lawyer.
*Write down an emergency contact's phone number on your skin. DO NOT write the numbers of the people who were at the protest with you, it may help the police identify them. You could also write the number of the local lawyers who are known to support the movement.
IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND
*Keep food prepared for the people who have attended because they will be physically drained.
*Keep a first aid kit ready in case they are injured.
*Be an emergency contact to your friend and family who have attended.
*Keep a substantial amount of chilled milk ready, so people can wash off the tear gas off the skin, but avoid getting the milk in your eyes.
*You will need to wash the clothes that the protester wore at least twice, to get off any residual tear gas or germs and viruses.
