This guide, which has just been compiled and edited by Anonymous-affiliated veterans of prior revolutions and other occasions on which civilians have successfully fought security forces, will soon include translations in French and Arabic which will in turn be placed below in an update later today. Do not add any formatting, such as bold, which would require additional ink in printing. Distribute to Egyptians and other relevant parties via the fax technique as well as forums and other venues that are likely to be accessed by those who need them most or who can ensure that they receive it.
This is a special supplement to the Guide to Protecting the North African Revolutions series, which has been distributed over the past month to Tunisians, Algerians, Egyptians, and others.
Guide to Safety and Victory in Street Confrontations
The tips below are provided by veterans of street battles within various contexts. Everyone who seeks to use them should try to bring as many of the described materials as possible in order to provide extras to others. But don't carry too much, as it will make it harder to move quickly when quick movements may be required. Remember: When you record and document, you allow the world to watch, and to act; bring more than one recording device and keep one concealed if possible, and in such a way that you may set it to record without it being known.
Remember, the carrying capacity of the group also counts. Distribute supplies as per your group strategy and do so as evenly as possible among protestors.
- Head.
Bicycle helmets provide good protection. Those designed for down-hill racing provide full-face cover and are the most secure. Construction helmets (hard hats) will also help protect the head, and are as widely available as bicycle helmets.
A towel or thick cloth wrapped around the head can provide some protection, but is not optimal. It can then be covered with a metal bowl or pot for more protection but it is important that you are still able to see.
Remember: The momentum shock to the head can still cause internal injuries, even if the outside of the head appears uninjured.
Don’t wear things which can easily be grabbed (such as dangly earrings or other jewelry).
- Face
Masks make it difficult to identify individuals, and if everyone wears masks none will stand out. Hoods will cover most of your face and baseball caps protect you from most cameras mounted above. Some of the best masks are t-shirts. Put your head in a shirt, use the neck hole for the eyeholes and tie the sleeves around the back of your head
The best protection against chemical weapons is a gas mask. Any kind of mask should be tried on and sized before you’re in the streets fumbling with unfamiliar straps. When paired with goggles, respirators make an excellent alternative to gas masks. It is necessary to do some homework beforehand and find goggles that are shatterproof, don’t fog up, and that fit tightly on your face with the respirator. Respirators may be available at safety supply or welding supply vendors. Ask for filters for particulates and organic chemicals and tell the clerk what you’re filtering to double check.
A bandanna soaked in water or vinegar and tied tightly around the nose and mouth is a last resort. It is far better than nothing, but remember that it is merely a barrier and not a filter and so won’t do much for long-term protection. You can keep it soaking in a plastic bag until ready to use. Bring several, as multiple uses will render a bandanna as gassy as the air around you.
For protecting your eyes, swim goggles work well as they have a tight seal. Shatter resistance is very important (a rubber bullet to the eye can be disastrous). Most goggles have air holes to prevent fogging—fill these with epoxy. Covering these holes with duct tape can work in a pinch against an initial attack, though not for long term protection. Try them on with your respirator or bandanna to ensure that they are compatible and that both will provide a tight seal.
Don’t wear contact lenses, which can trap irritating chemicals underneath.
- Clothing.
Wear thick clothes if you will be in range of rocks or other objects being thrown. Multiple layers may help protect against broken bones or other severe injuries.
heavy-duty gloves if you plan to handle hot tear gas canisters
fresh clothes in plastic bag (in case yours get contaminated by chemical weapons)
- Shoes.
These should be relatively sturdy, but still comfortable to run in, and non slippery, and, if possible, resistant to chemicals. Dont wear anything that may slip off, make sure laces are double knotted, etc.
- Skin.
Avoid use of petroleum jelly, mineral oil, oil-based sunscreen, lotions, moisturizers, or detergents on skin because they can trap chemicals and thereby prolong exposure. Wash your clothes, your hair and your skin beforehand in a detergent-free soap. We recommend using a water or alcohol- based sunscreen (rather than oilbased). If your choice is between oilbased or nothing, we advocate using the sunscreen. Getting pepper sprayed on top of a sunburn is not fun. We also recommend minimizing skin exposure by covering up as much as possible.
- Arms.
Something to protect forearms with as these are a natural guard to cover face/head. Chin guards or rolled up news papers are good alternatives.
Foam plastic is a handy and light-to-carry protection against all kinds of blows.
Chairs, and folding step ladders also work as personal protection.
- Supplies.
Keep blankets and water on hand to be used together in case of a person on fire. Use a wet blanket to put out the fire. Do not try to use water to put petroleum (gasoline) fires out.
Even a simple first-aid kit can prove very helpful in unpredictable circumstances (see below).
- Safety in numbers, remain alert and aware of your safety and the safety of people around you.
- Remember you must try to avoid violence to protect the legitimacy of your movement.
Food:
- Avoid heavy protein intake during active times. It is difficult to digest and will slow you down.
- Carbohydrates are recommended to keep your body in energy. Banana's are good.
- Sugar is a quick remedy in situations of energy lack, but it can cause your blood sugar level to drop rapidly later on.
- Take care of drinking enough.
- At downtime, when you will have a few hours to rest, try if you can to eat a healthy balanced meal, and get some rest.
List of objects needed to assist protesters:
Towels
Water, and fire extinguishers (do not take all fire extinguishers from an area, only extra's you can spare)
Blankets, and fire blankets if possible
Hard hats, bicycle helmets, and other head protection, sports protective gear, motorcycle and offroad equipment
Pots and metal bowls which can act as protection for the head in combination with a towel or other padding
Thick clothes
First Aid kits, supplies, and bandages
Ladders
Step ladders or other items which can provide some use as shields
Soap and disinfectants
Safety Pins and Tape
Some Recommended Contents for a First Aid Kit
Adhesive tape - Alcohol - rubbing and wipes - Aspirin - Cotton swabs -
Disposable latex gloves - Elastic bandages - Face mask for CPR - Flashlight -
Hot-water bottle - Hydrogen Peroxide - Safety pins - Salt - Scissors -
Sugar or glucose solution - Thermometer - Waterproof tape
The source of this document will have other documents for you soon. Also see the Guide to Protecting the North African Revolution series for additional expertise on defense, offense, tactics, and security; this may be found via Google.
If expecting tear gas
If you see it coming or get a warning, put on protective gear.
If able, try to move away or get upwind.
Stay calm. Panicking increases the irritation.
Breathe slowly and remember it is only temporary.
Blow your nose, rinse your mouth, cough and spit. Try not to swallow.
If you wear contacts, try to remove the lenses or get someone to remove them for you, with clean, uncontaminated fingers.
If exposed to tear gas
For the eyes: We recommend a solution of half liquid antacid (like Maalox) and half water. A spray bottle is ideal but a bottle that has a squirt cap works as well. Always irrigate from the inside corner of the eye towards the outside, with head tilted back and slightly towards the side being rinsed. It seems from our trials that it needs to get into the eye to help. This means that if the sprayed person says it’s okay you should try to open their eye for them. They most likely won’t be able/willing to open it themselves, and opening will cause a temporary increase in pain, but the solution does help. It works great as a mouth rinse too.
For the skin: We recommend canola oil followed by alcohol. Carefully avoiding the eyes, vigorously wipe the skin that was exposed to the chemical with a rag or gauze sponge saturated with canola oil. Follow this immediately with a rubbing of alcohol. Remember that alcohol in the eyes hurts A LOT. Anyone whose eyes you get alcohol in will not be your friend.
Secondary treatments can include: spitting, blowing your nose, coughing up mucous (you don’t want to swallow these chemicals!), walking around with your arms outstretched, removing contaminated clothing, and taking a cool shower. In fact, it is essential to shower and wash your clothes (this time in real detergents) as soon as you are able. This shit is toxic, and will continually contaminate you and everyone around you until you get rid of it. Until then, try not to touch your eyes or your face, or other people, furniture, carpets etc. to avoid further contamination. Remember, it is only temporary, and we are extremely strong.
Staying Safe & Sensible in an Action:
A demonstration where police might attack requires a higher level of tactical awareness than your run-of-the-mill picket. Here are some generally applicable suggestions to help you stay safe and effective in the streets.
Always have a safe space in mind. All demonstrators need to be aware of a safe place to get to if a situation grows out of hand. You define “safe” and “unsafe” for yourself. For some, safe is among the locked arms of fellow activists, right on the front lines; but there’s no shame in a lower threshold, for any number of reasons. Safe spaces change depending on movement and barriers by other demonstrators and the police, etc. In some cases they include wide open spaces or public areas. Other times they may take the form of an alleyway or similar hiding spot. There’s no hard and fast rule about finding a safe space, but the time to have one in mind is before the shit hits the fan.
Always have an exit in mind. Assess how to leave a bad situation. Maybe it is best to be in a large group for protection. But if the police are herding you like cattle, then the large crowd is their focus and you may need to break up and leave in small groups. Getting away one moment might be your only chance to be active the next. Arrange with your buddies how to leave, and how to re-connect if you get separated.
Use the buddy system and move in a group. If at all possible, make sure to have a partner you can trust, to whom you will always stay close. That way, at least one person always knows your whereabouts and condition. Working in small groups of people, all of whom you know well and trust with your own safety, is another important factor. Even if you are not part of an organized group with a plan of action, it is helpful to at least be with folks you can rely on.
Be aware of crowd dynamics and dangers. You need to know what is going on - not just in view, but around the corners and a few blocks away. Pay attention to the mood of the crowd and the police. Certain actions like property destruction and violence will likely be caused by or result in violent behavior on the part of police. Be aware of police movement and different groups of protestors entering or leaving an area. Try to monitor the vibes and focuses of friends and foes at all times.
Know what is going on out of view by regularly sending out scouts to investigate what the police and other demonstrators are up to. Since the situation at a dynamic protest will change frequently and rapidly, scouts need to check around and report back often. It’s a good idea to appoint a pair of group members as scouts.
Don’t act on rumors. It’s common at demonstrations for someone to approach a group of activists shouting, “The riot cops are coming!” As often as not, of course, there are no police coming at all. These people may simply be panicking, or they may be agents trying to confuse you. Acting on bad information is disruptive at best, and often dangerous. All critical information needs to be verified. If the person conveying info can’t claim to have witnessed something directly, or if he or she is a stranger, then that information is unreliable.
Assume the riot cops may be coming. While acting on rumors and fear-mongering can be disruptive and dangerous, it shouldn’t be surprising when the “authorities” do decide to blockade, surround, penetrate or break up a demonstration. This happens frequently, and the key to not being caught off guard is to stay prepared.
Don’t panic; help others stay calm. Sometimes at actions, the situation grows just plain frightening. But panic reduces critical judgment, adapting and coping abilities, and it can spread rapidly. Our best defense in a crisis is our collective cool - keeping each other centered & focused. If you can’t stay focused and centered, then you need to quit the demo to calm down. Similarly, if someone else can’t be calmed down, they need to leave.
Your best offense and defense is being part of a solid group. Groups combine various skills and powers. Savvy groups practice often, plan, and develop amazing strategies and tactics that are beyond the abilities of individuals. They have the numbers to do the various tasks: act, scout, medical, communicate with others, security, etc, yet they are small enough to act quickly.
Fighting Police Tactics
Often, the police strategy at a protest they want to end is to disperse the participants. They tend to operate in coordinated units, and use the following tactics:
Show of force to intimidate and scare people away.
Surprise attacks by troops hidden in reserve.
Surround and isolate entire crowds – sometimes not allowing people to leave or enter. They may also try to divide the crowd by moving into it at its weakest point. If you see the police about to attack your weak spot, try to reinforce it. When dispersing demonstrators, they may try to drive them like cattle towards certain areas and away from other areas. Your group can avoid the cattle drive dynamic by splitting off from the crowd. This can be effective if the police are operating as small units and not splitting up to deal with smaller groups outside the crowd.
Police will often use snatch squads to perform surprise arrests of individuals they have chosen at random from the crowd, or whom they identify as “leaders” or “troublemakers”. Snatch squads often are made up of, or collaborate with undercover agents, and can strike at any time. The best time to stop a snatch is as soon as the snatch has happened. You need a group of people to break the police’s grip and some people to act as blocks. An important and low risk role in the de-arrest involves simply placing your body between the police and their target. Once you have your person back, all should link arms and disappear into the crowd. The police may try to snatch back or arrest one of the de-arresters. Surrounding police vehicles containing arrestees and preventing them from moving might lead to them being released. Cars don’t move very well when they have flat tires, but keep in mind that when tires are punctured they can be loud.
Always be on the look-out for where your friends are, and be ready to act clearly and sensibly at a moment's notice.
Outmaneuvering The Police
Don’t let yourself be intimidated onto the sidewalk. Police will push marches onto sidewalks in order to thin them out and divide them into smaller groups. Once the police force a march onto the sidewalk they can much more easily direct its movements and single out troublemakers. Street crossings can be used to move into the roadway though groups may have to turn. In instances like this people walking bicycles can help form barriers, which will slow down police trying to push into the march.
Police move slow, so move quickly and in a large tight group. Occasionally running in a coordinated manner will help to keep the police always behind you. Countdowns will not only intimidate the police but they get you all charged up before running. Moving the wrong way down one-way streets my thin out the demonstration (as people have to make room for stopped cars) but it makes it very difficult for large groups of police to follow.
Look outwards from the crowd. If someone is being administered first aid, face away from them.
Form cordons around anything the police want. (buildings, sound equipment, etc.)
Sitting down is good for dissuading police charging but only in large numbers. Sometimes sitting is not really worth it. Horses and camels are unpredictable. Particularly violent cops, especially those employing gases or rubber bullets, may be dangerous to sit in front of.
Throwing is a defensive act. It may not be wise to throw stuff at the best of times – that will only provoke them and make them want to hit you harder. If you want to throw, do it defensively, strategically, and en masse – a constant hail of debris will create a ‘sterile area’ where the police will not want to go. Remember: don’t throw to attack or cause injury. Throw from the front and then disappear into the crowd. Only jerks throw from the back.
Gas canisters can be thrown or kicked away from the crowd before they explode. Be careful! Don’t pick up with your bare hands, as they can be very hot. They will explode.
Barricades can be more hassle than they are worth. Impassable blockades may be an inconvenience to you when you need to run. The best barricades are random material like newspaper boxes, dumpsters turned on the side, and road or construction material, strewn all over. One or two groups can lift small parked cars and place them in the street with out damaging them.
The best defense is chaos. If situations change constantly the police cannot keep up. Keep moving. Change your appearance. Open new directions and possibilities. Be unpredictable.
Watch out for provocateurs including but not limited to “peace police”. These self appointed enforcers of “peace” infiltrate demonstrations and try to prevent people from walking in the street or engaging in many forms of protest. They sometimes wear armbands (usually white) and will report people to the police or attempt to apprehend them personally. Also watch out for individuals trying to instigate violence against obvious non-targets. These people are often police or employed by them to discredit us.
Countering the Police
With any rowdy crowd, the police will be trying to break it up.They will try to intimidate and disperse crowds using baton line charges, horse charges, vehicles, gases, rubber/wooden bullets and a few violent arrests. The dance steps will include one or more of these:
- Cops in lines will surround you.
- Either from the middle or one side, the cop lines will force everyone onto the sidewalk trying to create ‘spectators’ & ‘actors’ out of the crowd.
- Baton/horse/gas attack to lower morale.
- Loud speakers, and concussion grenades, to disorient and breakup the crowd.
- Line charges will slowly push the crowd down the street to where they want you (rush of cops à fall back à strengthen line à repeat).
- The police cannot arrest large groups of people unless they have lots of little plastic handcuffs.
- The police won’t use tear gas unless they have their own gas masks on.
Stop the lines from forming! Surrounding you, preventing you from going where you want to go, and pushing you down the street to where they want you to go, all require the police to be in a tight line. It is important to prevent the first lines from forming. If the crowd seems volatile, they will hold back and form their lines a distance away. But if the crowd is hanging around looking confused and passive they will sneak in and form the lines amongst you.
Don’t stand and watch them. Always stay moving
Don’t look like you’ll let them anywhere near you.
Spot gaps in the crowd and fill them. stick together.
Figure out where they want to go and get there first.
Protect your escape routes by standing in front of them.
Get those people who turned into ‘spectators’ back into the crowd and moving around.
Now they may just charge and start arresting. At least you are in a stronger position to deal and your escape routes are secured. Whatever happens next, don’t stand there waiting for it. Keep moving and acting defensively.
If they have blocked your only exit try counter advancing: this involves moving your lines into theirs thus gaining more space and opening up more exits. Use the front line as a solid wall, linking arms and moving slowly forward. Try a countdown for a faster advance. Use the banner as a plow (this prevents them from breaking your line). Dumpsters on wheels, saw horses and fencing also work.
If they have blocked your only exit try reforming: always look for ways to increase your number, by joining up with other groups and absorbing stragglers. Everyone has to get out and you’ll stand a better chance of getting out unharmed, with all your belongings and equipment if you leave together at the same time.
Urban Guerrilla Summary (aka: how to CS:S)
It is very important to have someone on each team who can drive a car, ideally understand mechanics, radio, telephone, electricity and have some knowledge of electronics techniques too. It is also important to have a knowledge of topographical information, to be able to determine one's position by instruments or other available resources, to calculate distances, make maps and plans, draw to scale, make timings.
Remember when you have a car - you are cavalry. Act accordingly! use the car to break up crowds (you don't need to be in it to do this)
In the area of "makeshift" medicine, the urban guerrilla has the special role of being a doctor or understanding medicine, nursing, pharmacology, drugs, basic surgery and emergency first aid.
The basic question in the technical preparation of the urban guerrilla is, nevertheless, to know how to handle weapons A knowledge of various types of ammunition and explosives is always helpful. Among the explosives, dynamite must be well understood. The use of incendiary bombs, smoke bombs, and other types is also indispensible prior training. To know how to improvise and repair weapons, prepare Molotov cocktails, grenades, mines, homemade destructive devices, how to blow up bridges, tear up and put out of service railroads and railroad cars, these are necessities in the technical preparation of the urban guerrilla that can never be considered unimportant.
The urban guerrilla's weapons are light arms, easily obtained, usually captured from the enemy, purchased, or made on the spot. Light weapons have the advantage of fast handling and easy transport. In general, light weapons are characterized as being short-barrelled. Go easy on your ammunition, men who are poorly trained convert automatic weapons into an ammunition drain.
Hand grenades and conventional smoke bombs can also be considered light weapons, with defensive power for cover and withdrawal.
Long-barrelled weapons are more difficult for the urban guerrilla to transport, and they attract much attention because of their size. Among the long-barrelled weapons are the FAL, the Mauser guns or rifles, hunting guns such as the Winchester, and others.
Shotguns can be useful if used at close range and point blank. They are useful even for a poor shot, especially at night when precision isn't much help. A pressure airgun can be useful for training in marksmanship. Bazookas and mortars can also be used in action, but the conditions for using them have to be prepared and the people who use them must be trained.
The urban guerrilla should not attempt to base his actions on the use of heavy weapons, which have major drawbacks in a type of fighting that demands lightweight weapons to ensure mobility and speed.
Homemade weapons are often as efficient as the best weapons produced in conventional factories, and even a sawn-off shotgun is a good weapon for the urban guerrilla fighter.
Training in explosives and sabotage, must be organized ahead of time. Molotov cocktails, gasoline, homemade contrivances such as catapaults and mortars for firing explosives, grenades made of pipes and cans, smoke bombs, mines, conventional explosives such as dynamite and potassium chlorate, plastic explosives, gelatine capsules, and ammunition of every kind are indispensible to the success of the urban guerrilla's mission.
The methods of obtaining the necessary materials and munitions will be to buy them or to take them by force in expropriation actions specially planned and carried out. The urban guerrillas will be careful not to keep explosives and other materials that can cause accidents around for very long, but will always try to use them immediately on their intended targets.
Francais
Guide pour la sécurité et la réussite dans les confrontations de rue.
Les conseils suivants sont donnés par les vétérans des combats de rues dans différents contextes. Celui qui cherche à les suivre devrait essayer d'apporter autant de matériel que possible pour munir les autres. Mais n'apportez pas trop, pour que cela ne soit pas trop difficile à transporter quand les mouvements rapides seront nécessaires. Souvenez-vous : Quand vous enregistrez un document, vous permettez à tout le monde de le voir, et d'agir; apportez plus qu'un appareil et gardez-en un dissimulé si possible, et placez le de manière à pouvoir enregistrer sans être reconnu.
Souvenez-vous, la capacité de transport d'un groupe compte aussi. Distribuez des provisions pour chaque stratégie de groupe et faites-le aussi souvent que possible parmi les manifestants.
- Protection de tête et habillement .
Les casques de bicyclette fournissent une bonne protection. Ceux fabriqués pour les vélos de cross protègent tout le visage et sont donc les plus sécurisants. Les casques de chantiers vous aideront aussi à vous protéger la tête, et sont aussi disponibles que les casques de vélos.
Une serviette ou un tissu épais autour de la tête peut apporter une certaine protection, mais ce n'est pas optimal. Il peut alors d'un bol en métal ou d'un pot pour augmenter la protection mais il est important de garder une bonne vision.
Portez des vêtements épais si vous allez être à portée de jets de cailloux ou autres objets qui seront lancés. De multiples couches peuvent aider à éviter les fractures d'os et autres blessure graves.
Souvenez-vous : Un coup élancé à la tête peut causer des blessures internes, même si l'extérieur de la tête apparaît épargné.
- Chaussures. Elles doivent être relativements résistantes, mai aussi confortable pour courir, et non glissantes, et si possible, résistantes aux produits chimiques. Ne portez rien qui vous empêche d'esquiver, soyez sûrs que vos lacets soient noués deux fois. etc.
- Gardez des couvertures et de l'eau à portée de mains pour l'utiliser ensemble en cas d'une personne victime d'incendie.. Utilisez une couverture humide pour arrêter le feu.
- N'essayez pas d'utiliser l'eau pour éteindre une incendie de pétrole ou de carburant.
- Quelque chose pour protéger les avant-bras peut être utile, comme ils sont des guardes naturelles pour couvrir la tête. Les gardes-mentons ou des le papier journal enroulé sont des bonnes alternatives.
Le plastique léger est très transportable et permet d'atténuer toutes sortes de coups. Les chaises et les escabotes conviennent aussi pour une protection personnelle.
- Même un kit de premiers soins peut se trouver très utile dans des circonstances imprévues ( voir en-dessous).
- La sécurité est dans le nombre, restez vigilant et attentif à votre sécurité et celles des gens autour de vous.
7.Souvenez-vous : Vous devez essayer d'éviter la violence pour protéger la légitimité de notre mouvement.
Nourriture :
- Evitez les repas lourds et riches en protéines pendant les phases d'action.Il est difficle de digérer et cela vous ralentit.
- Les carbohydrates sont recommandés pour garder votre corps plein d'énergie.
- Le sucre est un remède rapide dans les situtations de manque d'énergie, mais il peut causer une perte d'énergie rapide, plus tard.
- Faites attention à rester hydraté.
- Pendant les temps morts, quand vous aurez quelques heures de repos, essayez de manger un repas équilibré, et de prendre du repos.
Liste des objets utiles pour aider les manifestants:
Serviettes
Eau, extincteurs (ne prenez pas tous les extincteurs d'une zone, seulement ceux que vous pouvez détacher)
Couvertures, et couvertures de feu si possible.
Chapeaux solides, casques de vélos, et toute autre protection pour la tête, du matériel de protection pour le sport, de l'équipement de moto ou de cross.
Pots et bols en métal qui peuvent servir de protection à la tête en combinaison avec une serviette ou autre complément.
Vêtements épais.
Kits de premiers soins, provisions, et bandages.
Echelles
Escabots ou autres objets qui peuvent servir de boucliers.
Savons et désinfectants.
Epingles de sûreté et bandes.
Elements recommandés dans une trousse de premiers soins.
Rouleau adhésif - Alcool - Essuie-tout - Aspirine - Serpillères en coton -
Gants en latex jetables - Bandages élastiques - Masque de visage pour CPR - Lampe-torche -
bouteille d'eau chaude - Peroxide d'Hydrogene - Epingle de sûreté - Sel - Ciseaux -
Sucre ou solution de glucose - Thermomètre - Bande waterproof
La source de ce document aura d'autres documents pour vous bientôt. Regardez aussi Le Guide de Protection de la révolution nord-africaine pour de l'expertise supplémentaire concernant la
