Street Guide for Protestors

Street Guide for Protestors

We were talking about writing up a guide for protesters after our experiences during the WTO battles recently, and decades of previous street battles, when we discovered the Mobilization for Global Justice (April 16 Anti-IMF/World Bank Protest) folks saved us the effort. We are pleased to refer you to www.a16.org/ because it has some an excellent information and advice on preparation, supplies and treatment of demonstration related injuries. Not to mention other important ideas and resources. The following section is excerpted from the site, the guidelines in their entirety should be studied and passed on as well.

The ESSENTIALS:

WATER: LOTS to drink and rinse off chemicals. Spray mister head or squirt head on bottle to help conserve water & minimize contamination.
RESCUE REMEDY from Health Food store - 4 drops per quart of water.
BANDANNAS SOAKED IN VINEGAR. A gas mask semi-substitute. Keep them in a heavy duty ziplock bag.
ENERGY SNACKS in an easy swallowing liquid or semi-liquid form to keep you going.
SHATTER RESISTANT EYE PROTECTION from plastic bullets. Prescription sports & shooting glasses are best.
SEALED GOGGLES like swimmers (available in prescription). Protection from tear gas & pepper spray.
FRESH SHIRT Sealed in plastic bag, to replace a chemically contaminated shirt.
CLOTH, 4x4 GAUZE, etc. to clean off chemicals.
PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASSES with STRAPS. Contoured eyeglass frames and goggles should fit inside gas mask, but most regular frames wont. Check out fit beforehand.
DO NOT WEAR CONTACT LENSES!!! Trapped chemicals may cause eye damage.
CHANTS & ATTITUDE! i.e. "Ain't no power like the power of the people - cause the power of the people don't stop!"
[Our South Korean sisters and brothers during the WTO battles recommended toothpaste under the eyes to cut down on the affect of tear gas. It seemed to help quite a bit.-StormWarning!-Ed.]
OPTIONAL SUGGESTIONS:

GAS MASK Preferably with shatter resistant lens & replaceable non-asbestos filters. M17A1 clones are good. Beware of police stealing them.
CHEMICAL/GAS RESPIRATOR with filters for hazardous gases or paint stripper. Hardware or safety supply stores $15 - $40. They cover mouth and nose only. Use swim goggles too.
NO: earrings, piercings, necklaces, ties, etc. that can be grabbed. (A Simpsons' show had the police use a giant magnet to capture protesters by their piercing)!
Dress for the weather: Average temperature: high 69, mean 55, low 46. Rain possible. Best to cover as much skin as possible.
Expendable water repellent or synthetics that won't absorb chemicals (unlike water absorbing cotton), washed with castille soap. Clinch/seal at wrists, ankles & neck.
Windbreaker, light rain gear, also for changing color if you need to disappear.
Non absorbent hair cover: plastic bags, swim or shower caps. Helmet, cup, jock, sports bra.
Comfortable running shoes.
Heavy duty gloves to handle hot tear gas canisters.
Replacement pants/shirt sealed in bag.
Consider treating absorbable materials including back packs with water repellent.
GLOVES disposable latex, vinyl, dishwashing.
Extra bags.
Vegetable Oil, Mineral Oil, Regular Dishwashing Detergent, Rubbing Alcohol (i.e. Isopropyl 70% Alcohol) for pepper spray decontamination. However, these are dangerous if used incorrectly. See Prevention & First Aid for Protesters.
Paper, pen, for notes, documentation, etc.
Money for food, transportation & telephone.

Tear Gas & Pepper Spray

Prevention: Wash before with unscented castille soap. Cover up with water repellent clothes & gear. Don't wear contact lenses, make-up, moisturizers or vegetable/mineral oil-based cream. Don't use Vaseline or mineral oil as skin barrier. Use gas mask, respirator, sealed (swim) goggles, and/or vinegar or lemon juice-soaked bandanna over mouth/nose.
General Treatment: Stay calm & focused. You are strong. The discomfort is only temporary & will not damage you. Don't touch face or rub eyes. Get to fresh air, eyes open, arms out (if tear gas), breath slow & deep. Blow nose, spit out chemicals. Consider water to flush eyes & gargle. Water or Witch Hazel soaked gauze or cotton balls on closed eyes are soothing. After treatment, wash off with cold water & replace contaminated clothes.
Tear Gas--Effects last minutes to an hour. Maybe rinse chemical off with water.
Pepper Spray--Effects last up to 2 hours. If still wet on skin, carefully sponge off. Don't spread it around.
The Seattle Facial: Seattle Solution (1 bottle w/10 - 15 % vegetable oil or mineral oil, the rest water & 1-2 tbs. of liquid dish soap.) 1 bottle of water - or - 'babywipes'. Wipe solution on skin. Rinse off with water-or-wipe off with babywipes.
The Protester Facial: Wipe mineral oil on skin. Immediately wipe ALL off with rubbing alcohol. Mineral oil will trap chemicals, so take it ALL off!

The Big Picture [Also Mob. for Global Justice (A16) commentary excerpted-Ed.]
...Those methods used by the police against us are not so much weapons of pain, as they are tools of distraction. The fear of pepper spray and tear gas is a diversion intended to control us, to cloud our vision and obscure the weakness of the corporate State - devoid of joy or love, knowing only the language of threats and fear. Fear thrives on uncertainty and lack of knowledge. There is a lot of information here. We urge that each Affinity Group or group of buddies to appoint a Medical Monitor who learns - or can effectively refer to this, and the other health documents on Supplies and Advice that we have issued. We want you to stay healthy and happy.
"What history really shows is that today's empire is tomorrow's ashes, that nothing lasts forever, and that to not resist is to acquiesce in your own oppression. The greatest form of sanity that anyone can exercise is to resist that force that is trying to repress, oppress, and fight down the human spirit." -Mumia Abu Jamal


Street Guide for Protestors
We were talking about writing up a guide for protesters after our experiences during the WTO battles recently, and decades of previous street battles, when we discovered the Mobilization for Global Justice (April 16 Anti-IMF/World Bank Protest) folks saved us the effort. We are pleased to refer you to www.a16.org/ because it has some an excellent information and advice on preparation, supplies and treatment of demonstration related injuries. Not to mention other important ideas and resources. The following section is excerpted from the site, the guidelines in their entirety should be studied and passed on as well.
The ESSENTIALS: WATER: LOTS to drink and rinse off chemicals. Spray mister head or squirt head on bottle to help conserve water & minimize contamination. RESCUE REMEDY from Health Food store - 4 drops per quart of water. BANDANNAS SOAKED IN VINEGAR. A gas mask semi-substitute. Keep them in a heavy duty ziplock bag. ENERGY SNACKS in an easy swallowing liquid or semi-liquid form to keep you going. SHATTER RESISTANT EYE PROTECTION from plastic bullets. Prescription sports & shooting glasses are best. SEALED GOGGLES like swimmers (available in prescription). Protection from tear gas & pepper spray. FRESH SHIRT Sealed in plastic bag, to replace a chemically contaminated shirt. CLOTH, 4x4 GAUZE, etc. to clean off chemicals. PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASSES with STRAPS. Contoured eyeglass frames and goggles should fit inside gas mask, but most regular frames wont. Check out fit beforehand. DO NOT WEAR CONTACT LENSES!!! Trapped chemicals may cause eye damage. CHANTS & ATTITUDE! i.e. "Ain't no power like the power of the people - cause the power of the people don't stop!" [Our South Korean sisters and brothers during the WTO battles recommended toothpaste under the eyes to cut down on the affect of tear gas. It seemed to help quite a bit.-StormWarning!-Ed.] OPTIONAL SUGGESTIONS: GAS MASK Preferably with shatter resistant lens & replaceable non-asbestos filters. M17A1 clones are good. Beware of police stealing them. CHEMICAL/GAS RESPIRATOR with filters for hazardous gases or paint stripper. Hardware or safety supply stores $15 - $40. They cover mouth and nose only. Use swim goggles too. NO: earrings, piercings, necklaces, ties, etc. that can be grabbed. (A Simpsons' show had the police use a giant magnet to capture protesters by their piercing)! Dress for the weather: Average temperature: high 69, mean 55, low 46. Rain possible. Best to cover as much skin as possible. Expendable water repellent or synthetics that won't absorb chemicals (unlike water absorbing cotton), washed with castille soap. Clinch/seal at wrists, ankles & neck. Windbreaker, light rain gear, also for changing color if you need to disappear. Non absorbent hair cover: plastic bags, swim or shower caps. Helmet, cup, jock, sports bra. Comfortable running shoes. Heavy duty gloves to handle hot tear gas canisters. Replacement pants/shirt sealed in bag. Consider treating absorbable materials including back packs with water repellent. GLOVES disposable latex, vinyl, dishwashing. Extra bags. Vegetable Oil, Mineral Oil, Regular Dishwashing Detergent, Rubbing Alcohol (i.e. Isopropyl 70% Alcohol) for pepper spray decontamination. However, these are dangerous if used incorrectly. See Prevention & First Aid for Protesters. Paper, pen, for notes, documentation, etc. Money for food, transportation & telephone. Tear Gas & Pepper Spray Prevention: Wash before with unscented castille soap. Cover up with water repellent clothes & gear. Don't wear contact lenses, make-up, moisturizers or vegetable/mineral oil-based cream. Don't use Vaseline or mineral oil as skin barrier. Use gas mask, respirator, sealed (swim) goggles, and/or vinegar or lemon juice-soaked bandanna over mouth/nose. General Treatment: Stay calm & focused. You are strong. The discomfort is only temporary & will not damage you. Don't touch face or rub eyes. Get to fresh air, eyes open, arms out (if tear gas), breath slow & deep. Blow nose, spit out chemicals. Consider water to flush eyes & gargle. Water or Witch Hazel soaked gauze or cotton balls on closed eyes are soothing. After treatment, wash off with cold water & replace contaminated clothes. Tear Gas--Effects last minutes to an hour. Maybe rinse chemical off with water. Pepper Spray--Effects last up to 2 hours. If still wet on skin, carefully sponge off. Don't spread it around. The Seattle Facial: Seattle Solution (1 bottle w/10 - 15 % vegetable oil or mineral oil, the rest water & 1-2 tbs. of liquid dish soap.) 1 bottle of water - or - 'babywipes'. Wipe solution on skin. Rinse off with water-or-wipe off with babywipes. The Protester Facial: Wipe mineral oil on skin. Immediately wipe ALL off with rubbing alcohol. Mineral oil will trap chemicals, so take it ALL off! The Big Picture [Also Mob. for Global Justice (A16) commentary excerpted-Ed.] ...Those methods used by the police against us are not so much weapons of pain, as they are tools of distraction. The fear of pepper spray and tear gas is a diversion intended to control us, to cloud our vision and obscure the weakness of the corporate State - devoid of joy or love, knowing only the language of threats and fear. Fear thrives on uncertainty and lack of knowledge. There is a lot of information here. We urge that each Affinity Group or group of buddies to appoint a Medical Monitor who learns - or can effectively refer to this, and the other health documents on Supplies and Advice that we have issued. We want you to stay healthy and happy. "What history really shows is that today's empire is tomorrow's ashes, that nothing lasts forever, and that to not resist is to acquiesce in your own oppression. The greatest form of sanity that anyone can exercise is to resist that force that is trying to repress, oppress, and fight down the human spirit." -Mumia Abu Jamal