The Safety Thread

This is a thread I decided to make for any new anons and old anons with new ideas about how to keep it safe.

The CoS is now very aware of what's going on. They tried to brush us off for the first two protests but now they're shitting their pants in fear. They're going to try to find out who we are, and we don't want to let them know.

So - safety ideas. Obviously, if you can bring an anon you know and trust, do it. Safety in numbers.

Cover up as much hair and face as you can.

Don't wear anything extremely distinctive. This includes odd T-shirts, cell phone covers, hats, or even cigarettes (if you smoke like I do). Make yourself Anonymous in appearance as well as name.

If you have to drive in, see about parking relatively far away from where we're gonna meet, depending on how much hiking you feel like doing. It's a Saturday so parking in downtown Reno is free all day. There are a shit load of parking garages in Reno so there's no reason to not having parking, although you really do only want to use the parking garages if you have a buddy.

Bring a camera, and try to make it a camera that isn't your phone (which is distinctive).

If you want to you can bring clothes to change into afterward.

If you are being tailed, head to the police station stat. Luckily there's one within a half a mile of where we're going to be protesting. Better to seem completely crazy to the cops than have a bunch of Scilons following you. If someone knows any Reno PD that could possibly keep an eye out at the protest for things like that it would be awesome - I have police connections, but only with the Carson cops.

And as far as general safety goes, I'll have a first aid kit because I'm weird like that, and everyone should bring at least one bottle of water or buy one at the Walgreens when we get there (be aware that if you enter Walgreens you will have to take your mask off - stores don't like it when masked people come in for occasions other than Halloween). I also suggest either eating prior to the protest or bringing a lunch (or money for pizza!).

Any other tips can be put here. I'll be directing people to this board if they ask about the local protest, so this is for newbs as much as it is for those of us who have been there for a while.

I like the pizza idea.

Also, another tip is to never travel alone in the protest. Especially when being tailed, safety in numbers. Even if it's two people, it's safer than being alone.

Oh, and I like what the guy from Toronto said: to get a headcount before the protest to get the idea of how many police may be necessary.

That might be a little difficult if we're out flyering and we convince people to come but they just show up. People are unpredictable, too. I intended on going to both the Feb. and March protests and wound up not being able to because of transportation issues. Shit happens. Ya know?

The best we could do for the police is say "Well, we had about 15 - 20 people show up at the last two protests. We're trying for more."

That reminds me - does Reno require a gathering permit for groups of over 20? I know that Carson City does....

That might have to be checked out. There doesn't seem to be any rules against the gathering of people.

Although I like what the Toronto guy said in contacting the local authorities. At least that way, we're assured that we won't get suddenly attacked by killer Scions.

Should we just call the police office and be like "FYI, dudes, we're gonna be having a peaceful protest at the corner of 8th and Virginia from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m." ? I tried calling the Reno PD last time to see about regs regarding large gatherings of people. They didn't know shit.

I know that I had to get a permit for my wedding because there was going to be more than 20 people (it was held at a park). The people at the city planners office said that's pretty standard, which is why I'm wondering who we'd ask about that.

Yeah, just to let them know. Even if they don't do shit, it'll still be a heads up about the matter.