Protecting ourselves at rallies
Press Clip Source: Oak Park
Link to Source: Here
Prior to the “No Kings” march in June, a number of groups offered online trainings on staying safe, should the National Guard, police, etc. arrive and cause (bad) trouble. I happened on an online training by the Nonviolent Peaceforce (NVPF), a group that came into existence in 2002 and has been providing training in conflict regions around the world ever since. In preparation for our next community rally, here is what I learned in case things ever get rough:
The OODA Loop stands for Observe, Orient, Decide, Act, behaviors for assessing the situation and leading to acting safely. “Activation Points” are frightening events that trigger some level of trauma response. These events could be hearing gunshots, being shot at, or witnessing someone shot nearby. Trauma responses to such events are: Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn (appeasing/capitulating).
It is interesting that our response may be different, depending on whether we are being threatened personally or witnessing threats to others. It is important to know what our wired-in response is so that we can override it and act in a safer way when necessary. In other words, think about it.
Also, at the rally identify your “Anchor Point,” something or someone representing safety or comfort. It might be as simple as someone to hold hands with, or to make eye contact with. Always have a buddy!
You may already know the ways to be an upstander when you see someone being threatened. NVPF teaches these “protective interventions”: (1) Protective presence (shifting the focus away from the one being targeted); (2) Protective accompaniment (join that person and talk to him/her); (3) Distraction (make a commotion to change the aggressor’s focus); (4) Holistic check-in (once the threat is over, find out how the targeted person is doing).
Quite interesting were descriptions of repelling materials that could be used to disperse protestors. Tear Gas and Pepper Spray are poisons and highly irritating. They can make it hard to breathe, cause disorientation and panic, coughing, sneezing and the overproduction of mucous. They can cause long-term damage to women, pregnant or not. Anyone exposed must shower in cold water and wash your clothes multiple times.
Who knew? Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRAD) used for announcements can cause vertigo, nausea, vomiting and hearing loss. Flashbangs and Concussive Explosive Devices can cause disorientation, temporary loss of hearing and vision, loss of consciousness, injury and death. Rubber bullets, Pepper Balls and Bean Bag Rounds can cause serious injury. And, if horses are used, stay calm around them and don’t swing your arms.
If you are inclined to sit down in protest, don’t. There could be a stampede.
They recommend that your Protest Safety Kit include:
Eye protection (goggles), Helmet, Eyeflush material (water or saline), Earplugs, Water to drink, First Aid Kit, N-95 mask for tear gas, Alcohol wipes for injuries
Electrolytes, Poncho or umbrella (can be a barrier to projectiles and Pepper Spray), Powerbank, Nitrile gloves (for helping others), Cough drops, and a Sharpie (to write phone numbers and lawyer’s number on your arm and/or underwear)
I sure wish we didn’t have to know this and hope we never have to use it!
Phyllis Rubin is a River Forest resident.