Hey friends!
The fash have kicked off across England with extreme anti-migrant rhetoric and in one case they even managed to set fire to a hotel hosting refugees. It’s up to all of us to fight back and protect communities, so we’ve decided to write a quick guide on how to look after yourself when you go to a counter-demo.
Organise off social media. Don’t tell your friends about your plans on IG, either publicly or via DM. Signal app is your best option for organising. On the subject of technology, there is always the risk of getting arrested, so leave your phone at home. You can always use a burner phone for the day, or a burner phone for your group of friends!
Organise into affinity groups. Don’t go alone, meet with people you trust. Keep an eye on them, keep them safe, keep them mobile at all times.
Mask up properly and consistently. Unless otherwise specified by the organisers, dress in all black, with comfortable clothes that aren’t super tight so that your body shape isn’t an identifier.
A small, inconspicuous rucksack with a colourful change of clothes, a snack, a water bottle and some medical masks won’t go amiss.
Don’t talk to the cops. Not the yellow ones. Not the blue ones, not the ones that look like special ops. The orange ones will try to film your face. Cover their cameras with banners. Don’t talk to them either. If you actually get into shit and get arrested, say NO COMMENT, ask for a NETPOL recommended criminal solicitor (check their list online beforehand and write their name, cop shop visit is free) and never accept a caution.
Watch the police movements. They tend to nab agitators and they are prone to kettling. Keep moving and do not stand still so that someone can easily target you. Keep your friends close and make sure you’re looking out for them too.
The demos at the weekend were knee-jerk reactions, with many people not knowing how to organise. Nazis and fascists have now had a few days to actually plan shit, so expect the demographics to be less erratic and the demos more planned.
For more information on your rights have a look at NETPOL.
For more info on dates of demos and other antifascist work, check London Anti Fascist Assembly (LAFA) and your local antifascist groups.
Keep fighting Nazis, look out for each other and build the solidarity networks your community deserves.
See you in the streets!
EAT FASCISTS, NOT ANIMALS // NAZIS NOT WELCOME // NO PASARAN!
IMAGE BY PRAXIS, WHO SPED-DESIGNED IT IN A HANDFUL OF HOURS <3
