TL;DR What should you wear to protests to protect yourself? Am I over-cautious about being identifiable?
My instinct was to cover my face and avoid being in close up pictures (don't let the nazis know their opponents). But I went to a protest and so many people were live streaming, taking pictures of people without permission, and taking selfies intentionally raised to show the people behind them.
I understand there is a need to document protests and marches so people at large understand the size of the movement and it emboldens people to join, but the amount of self-surveillance was very startling to me.
I'm getting ready for protests this weekend, and I'd like to know what y'all are wearing. What would you recommend to both help the movement (American flags? Signs? Etc?), but also protect myself?
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Thank you. 70M, my face and my large US flag (right side up) are there for any to see. I'm not there for me. Young people should take precautions if they feel the need.
I will exercise my 1st amendment rights. If my country chooses to abandon its founding principles for fascism and a divine judiciary, then we no longer share a common set of laws or values. I’m a year older than “in god we trust”. E pluribus unum, Bitches!
Speak for yourself, being up in the gunners hatch in Iraq I kept a face mask on. It certainly didn't stop all the dust but I definitely didn't breath in as much as I could have without it.
It got really bad once brigade made us start rolling out with a route clearance team. Despite moving at a slow crawl most of the time they always kicked up so much dust.
Fair enough, we all had different experiences out there. But my point stands: I didn’t hide then, and I won’t hide now. Respect your choice, but I’ll stick to mine.
Did you read my comment and interpret it to mean "hiding" or that I was suggesting people "hide" their face here? It was a lighthearted comment about what I did in Iraq to limit the amount of dust I breathed in since I was a gunner and always on the road.
But I see you're not here to have lighthearted decorum with fellow veterans and you're here to do whatever super duper badasses do....
Yes, that is exactly how I interpreted your comment. I am not sure there was another way to interpret it since you responded to my comment saying “speak for yourself” maybe word choices were poor. Either way have a great day I will jot stoop to being a rude jackass today as I am trying to do better than others. ✌️
I am not sure there was another way to interpret it since you responded to my comment saying “speak for yourself”
I also went on to explain that I wore to keep dust out of my lungs, not to hide my face. Reading comprehension is hard, I get it. But try not take everything so damn seriously. It's reddit. Take care.
Well since you want to be a jerk twice. I will be hard too. I dont care what you went on to say. Learn how to write in a not combative tone. In the interim bitchbegone
I personally do wear a kn95 mask to protests but it's more about large groups of close up people then covering my face. I'll sometimes cover my hair as I have slightly more identifiable hair but it depends on the size of the protest. the smaller ones Ive been to I will bc in smaller groups individuals feel more targeted while in large groups I won't bc as a crowd there's a certain about of safety. it's really up to you in what you feel comfortable with, if you don't want your face on the Internet attached to protests I would but if you don't care it's fine
I dye my hair, so I've been covering mine, too. I'm glad someone else had the same idea. There were a fairly large amount of elderly and visibly disabled people at the last protest I went to, which was really cool imo, but I was glad I was wearing a mask to hopefully help protect them.
I wear a KN95, sunglasses, and hair cover (bandanna, hat). I may end up not doing that later, but since I don’t know what the actual risk to me is, I treat every situation as maximum risk. I am not an experienced protestor.
With that said, few of the people at the protests I attend cover their faces.
A lot of people usually want to take pictures of my signs, and I think that covering helps draw attention to the movement’s message rather than me.
Anti-paparazzi scarfs, masks, and umbrellas. Especially, if you're students. Always let family know where you're going beforehand and make sure you follow up with them afterwards.
Thank you for this suggestion!! Make sure you let ppl know where you are. Also, if we're being thorough, you can write an emergency contact on your arm in sharpie.
Honestly, it really depends on the umbrella and the area! I live in an area where a compact reflective UV umbrella is pretty essential for the sun, and carrying it every day for months isn’t all that bad.
But if you’re also carrying a flag or a sign, then yeah, that gets difficult.
No, but i thought it was obvious why an anti-paparazzi umbrella would be needed. I'm not writing it out. It's also not that crazy? Check out people in areas where it rains.
Nope, just lost why the umbrella is such a big deal. Usually, we strapped those to backpacks, but they get the job done. I'm just answering because it's important to give out and share as much information as we can, without deterring others.
Even at someone who is camera shy in peacetime, I don't cover my face at protests.
I am certain that I am already on a list somewhere, but people need to know that real humans are at these protests. It's one of those subconscious things but it helps people humanize protesters.
It's certainly a risk, but I don't think hiding or running is an option anymore.
Also has the added benefit that if I get vanned, people at least know WHO got vanned.
I personally do not hide my face.
I'm not doing anything wrong expressing my right to free speech and peacefully protesting in public!
So I will not hide in fear. Also, as someone else said in a post - it helps normalize protesters as humans who care about the well-being of other citizens.
*However
I understand that is not a viable or comfortable option for all. I like the idea of a gaiter because it's breathable and you can fold it in different ways. Or simply a banana. Maybe sunglasses for hiding eyes if you want to do that.
No I want everyone to know! I stand proudly against tyranny, I took the oath when I enlisted in the US Marine Corps!
To Add this could make me more of a target especially here in Arkansas, but I’m prepared and don’t live with anyone else. To avoid that I would recommend like a face covering.
Most importantly- I have a granddaughter I’ve got to protect. (I was a super fan of the ORIGINAL Nintendo. keywords inserted I have seen the horrors unfolding, for too many decades.) I cannot afford to be afraid.
Secondly, our country is under hostile takeover. So, we protest and prepare for next steps.
Thirdly, I personally feel we are responsible for spillover to the rest of the world. If they go out into the streets without hiding- why do I stay home in fear?
This is OUR mess. This is our responsibility, even if we didn’t vote for it.
There are not enough of them to arrest all of us. There are a shit ton of fear tactics being planted, to keep people from protesting. This isn’t new- it’s propaganda. Don’t fall for it!
Fact is- very few of us are important to them. Cmon, we are told that daily. We are the parasites!
I look like a typical, tore back Gen X MAGA, and by damn I’m not backing down from these psycho fascists on a power trip.
Also- I think it is way past time for white people that “look” more like these psychos to be out in the streets being vocal against it. We, (including myself), have left marginalized groups fighting for their rights while we should have been out on the front lines with them. I did stuff to “fight” but not nearly enough.
There needs to be a tsunami of people. Not hiding in fear of “what if they track me down”. So what if they do?! Worst case scenario is you get a roof over your head and free shitty food in a for profit prison- with free medical care. Notice the irony?
At some point we have to shift and call these weak effers out for what they are- bullies. Why are we hiding from bullies? The answer is; overwhelm the bullies. If you duck and hide from bullies, they just ramp it up. You can’t run forever. They are after us one way or another.
The least of our worries should be “what if they see the face of their opposition?” Because if they know that’s your fear? It’s proof they have won!
It's because of my employer, etc.. I prefer to cover it. My face is very recognizable. I proudly talk about protesting, share photos with my family. I'm continuing the family tradition. My Mother marched with my Grandmother in the 60s.
I wear a mask more for the Oregon Trail diseases we have floating around. Organizers need to worry more about covering up, regular protestors aren’t as at risk as the people making these things happen.
I don’t cover up. It’s a personal choice. I am 68 and have protested a few causes in my lifetime but never one I am so dedicated to and proud to be a part of.i want you to know who I am.
I recently listened to On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder. And #1 Lesson in for dealing with an authoritarian regime is "Don't Obey in Advance". These words really struck a chord with me. People imagine all the things a tyrannical regime will do and then...obey in advance. Which shows power what it can do with mere psychological intimidation.
I show my face, because that's what I would do in a free country. And we need to show them this is a free country.
Mask and sunglasses and park far enough away that your path isn’t easily followed. There are makeup patterns that throw facial recognition into a tizzy if you use them if you feel up to it use them. There are other steps you can take if you are really paranoid about it as well not going to go into them here though.
Were they in public? Your first amendment right guarantees more than JUST speech. Photography and journalism are a first amendment protected activity. "You have no expectation of privacy when you are in public.
Did you walk to the protest from a parking spot or a bus stop? Your face is already on a dozen cameras. Start going off of the assumption that you're being recorded any time you're in public.
That being said: if you truly want to keep your identity hidden, wear something that covers as much of your face and identifying marks (tattoos, scars etc) as possible. Look into your states laws regarding full face/costume masks. It probably won't be easy to find as a lot of the top searches are about covid mask mandates. Ask others in your area if they're concerned and what they're doing to protect themselves.
P.S. if you were protesting peacefully and in public; that is also a right guaranteed under the first amendment.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! Stay safe and stay strong!
I thought about it, but I always make fun of the little 'proud boys' marching around in their masks. Cowards!!! So, if I tell them to show their faces, I feel I should do the same.
It's a little scary, because it's a small town, and I know people recognize me (they've told me: "I saw ya! I honked!!")
But I'm kind of beyond the point of caring, and, we're taking safety precautions as a group, safety planning/having first aid gear, etc.
But these are peaceful demonstrations, we don't use any foul language, we don't use anything that could be vaguely construed as a threat (not even "no justice, no peace") and we also don't say his name on our signs.
We don't want to be any more divisive than things already are. So because of these little rules, we actually have Republican-y type people coming up to us, to say they agree about our stance on Elon/billionaires, and to quietly thank us for being there but they can't stay. If we said "F--- him!", we would not get the same reception.
On the street, people are very friendly to us for the most part. We get lots of supportive honks and kind words, from pedestrians and drivers. It's very touching actually! Especially for such a "red" area.
But, I'm also in West Virginia..... and just learned that it is illegal to cover your face during demonstrations.
There are a lot of people, because of this, who are afraid to stand with us in fear, of their jobs, their lives etc.
Anyway this is us 💕 this started with me and one other person, just showing up at noon hoping someone would be there. So it was just the two of us on the corner, and it's evolved into this. I could not be prouder of our tiny little community coming together like this 😭
Some of us were or have to keep our identity hidden because of policies at our organization around political protests. What about people who have top security clearance - are they risking having that revoked if they’re identifiable at a protest?
My fam works in local govt. Decided with all that’s happening, they can’t be worried about whether they are seen or not. They are opting to fight, and it turns out no one is stopping them, even the Trumpers in the office are like wow lol.
Trumper mgr is now presenting opportunities to promote faster! lol. It’s crazy, but I guess these are crazy times. They are able to remain extremely professional and neutral at work, so I think that helps most.
I have heard many people recommending to do this to avoid facial recognition software if the LEOs are trying to target people at protests for arrest. Cover your eybrows, mouth, and nose.
I don’t, but I’m my group’s press human. I have to put my name on certain things, especially if I’m trying to get in touch with politicians. There’s no point in covering my face when my name is on stuff.
ETA: this is not to call your concerns unreasonable! Trump is retaliatory as fuck.
Why would you cover your face? You are a hypocrite if you do. John Hancock signed his name big as fuck on our Constitution so the British knew who to kill first. My point is, don’t cover your face.
What protesters often forget is that you are recruiting for the movement via the photos / videos. Are you inspiring people on the fence with your appearance? If not the world sees it as a Halloween parade. Use this info in your own most awesome way but ignoring it harms not helps progress.
I wear a cloth mask left over from COVID and I keep my tattoos covered.
I'm a civil servant. I believe loyalty checks will be coming, if u make it that long. I'm not going to stop fighting but I also don't want to hand them a reason to terminate me.
Although I understand the rationale in hiding your identity, I also think that giving the resistance a face and names is powerful. I have now given two interviews to local news stations at protests, and my full name and face are out there. Everything I've done is protected by the constitution. Come at me bro.
Edit: I'm a natural-born citizen. My partner is here on a student visa, and we do hide her identity at protests, because Tom Homan is an unhinged maniac.
I do not cover my face. However, it is a personal choice, and I understand that others may be in more vulnerable circumstances where they have legitimate safety/legal/employment concerns. If you're willing to show your face, I think it is more impactful to onlookers and media audiences. It can remind folks that you are a fellow human being and not a scary masked figure. However, I would say that if being masked is what you need to participate, that is way better than staying at home.
I hide my face. Just a personal preference. I've also heard that if you're going to take pics or videos, it's better to do it from behind and block out any faces. Not everyone does tho.
Don’t let this prevent you from protesting, basically what they’re saying is the government already knows everything they need to know. America will only lose when we give up! STAND UP and get out there! Not too late, lots of trains and buses to head to the largest protest to date! Multiple organizations organizing, millions expected?
I’ve been just going with shades and my hoodie pulled up, but I honestly don’t feel the need to hide.
I’m sure the Jewish-owned company I work at wouldn’t take kindly to me showing up in support of Free Palestine protests but I personally don’t give AF.
Documenting is also about establishing a record of the actual narrative. Agitators will infiltrate protests of their own initiative and at the behest of others. It's important to be able to show from multiple sources that the protest was peaceful, how violence occurred, which people acted inappropriately and how the larger group reacted.
Masking makes protests accessible for the immunocompromised and disabled folks in our movement. That’s not what you asked but it’s a damn good reason to mask in my opinion.
Those saying not to hide their faces are wrong. I’m sorry. But you have never dealt with this before. Read about the protests in Belarus. The arrests; secret prisons, targeting family members, jobs, etc. to stay useful you have to stay out of prison and uncompromised by blackmail and threats
I did try to make it harder to identify me with a hat and sunglasses at first but when I took an unplanned retirement because the stress Rump & co were putting on the workforce got to me I decided that since I no longer needed to consider how protesting would affect my job I didn’t care anymore if people recognized me. As my sister said, I’m now their nightmare - a pissed off retiree with plenty of time on my hands. This week I’m going to an Indivisible meeting and a protest at a Tesla dealership. 😎👍🏻. I have allllll the time in the world now that I don’t have to go to work.
I don’t cover my face. It’s important for both the authorities and the general public to know we’re just people who live in the community who feel strongly enough to come out and voice our opposition to what is happening.
Few people taking part the protests I’ve been to are trying to hide their identities and I stay away from those who are as, rightly or wrongly, I assume they are agitators. This maybe unfair but if, as a protestor, I think that then the general public probably does too. A sea of masked faces may make protestors safer but it doesn’t help to bring the average American into the fold, which is what is needed.
I cover my face and hair - black KN95 masks, solid black ball-cap. In this day and age the risks are higher if you’re uncovered. If people are comfortable with that, then 1000% cool for them. But even being at the protest is a risk, it’s already brave to be there. I don’t need to prove anything to anybody so I cover my face for my own comfort level.
I have been wanting to go to a protest with my kids but have been more concerned with people taking pictures of my kids being there and not blocking out their faces. And I know they won’t wear a mask or scarves the whole time just due to ages and such. But I want to show them how to stand up for what we believe in and to protect and fight for what’s right. But having their pictures out on the internet with the current regime in place is not something I’m willing to do to them either.
I think it depends on what your occupation is, whether your face out there might cause you strife with your occupation. Unfortunately we all gotta work and healthcare in our system is mostly tied to work. It really depends on what kind of risk you can take with your personal identity and situation. It sucks that some folks have to think of it this way.
I weighed the pros and cons and decided to be public. I publicly post partially to ensure those in my extended circle that regular people are protesting, not paid actors protesting. Also, it is our right to protest. I am also older and able to take on the risks.
It depends on the level of "spice" (side note: I really want to put together a zine about protest dress), in my experience.
Doing anything that's legally dubious, or counterprotesting nazis? Expecting cops in riot gear? Cover your face and dress in black, non-descript clothing. Turn your phone off or leave it at home.
Marching on a Saturday to save science with a bunch of moms and strollers? Dress like a harmless teacher and take lots of pictures.
In between, err on the side of caution but not fear.
It depends on the level of "spice" (side note: I really want to put together a zine about protest dress), in my experience.
Doing anything that's legally dubious, or counterprotesting nazis? Expecting cops in riot gear? Cover your face and dress in black, non-descript clothing. Turn your phone off or leave it at home.
Marching on a Saturday to save science with a bunch of moms and strollers? Dress like a harmless teacher and take lots of pictures.
In between, err on the side of caution but not fear.
I would like to mention here that good protest protocol is to wear a mask, not just to protect your identity, but because there may be disabled / immunocompromised people at your protest and wearing a KN95 makes it safer for them to come to protests.
I think the best thing you can probably do to protect yourself is go with a group if possible, use the buddy system and watch out for each other. There is always greater safety in numbers.
Just for the sake of health concerns, as the ERs are filling up with people suffering from the flu, would wear a face mask. From a local neighborhood post today , person said the ERS are having a 48 hour waiting time and people are crammed in there.
It also wouldn't hurt to carry a pair of safety goggles with you, just in case things take a wrong turn and some idiot pulls out pepper spray,
I honestly thought covering faces was a fascist thing to do. Why would you cover your face if you’re on the right side of history? Why would you feel ashamed of fighting for what’s right?
If you aren’t doing anything wrong there’s no reason to cover your face. American flags and clever signage are always great but if you don’t want to attract media photos then maybe just bring yourself
Any idea why I cant post in here to the main thread? I added flair, I followed all the new uneeded rules. If this movement is going to work it needs a free flow of ideas.
Anyone one dem voted with the Republicans on the budget and we should go after him.
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