Activist tips

Non violent protest such as non violent direct action (NVDA) have a dynamic role to play in any democratic society, empowering ëordinaryí people to do take action. Some activists exhibit a commitment to a cause that may result in arrest, financial hardship, and physical injury. NVDA is used by environment groups such as The Wilderness Society (TWS), Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth (FoE). The most important principle is to avoid physical and verbal violence (eg swearing, yelling etc). If you decide to get involved in NVDA, there are several basic guidelines.

Do not wear jewellery or carry sharp objects. Do not feel obliged to do something you do not want to do, and if you feel panicked, move away from the action. Distracting police and security guards with something as simple as shaking their hand and introducing yourself, or diverting them to another area, may aid other protesters. Although the police can commit abuses, they are not the enemy. In order to manage citizen protest, police must seek a balance between forceful intervention and even-handed supervision, adjusting responses to dissent that is vocal, highly energised, and logistically challenging. Itís fun to keep the police thinking!

If grabbed by security or police, drop any implement you are holding. Sit down. Link arms and legs with the person next to you and hang on to each other ñ it takes them ages to pull you apart. Once you feel yourself being pulled free, or you are being hurt and have had enough, let go (tell other protesters to let you go) and go limp (except in the Northern Territory where this is considered to be resisting arrest). Donít kick or lash out. Tell the police or security as calmly as you can if they are hurting you: they may stop and carry you away more gracefully.

Intervene if you see anyone losing it, but be calm with the police and the protesters, or they may turn against you, and the situation may escalate. Talk to the person directly and calmly. Reassure police or security, that you/they are not going to hurt them, and that your target is the Government/company, not them. Emphasise with fellow protesters that this is a peaceful protest, and take them away from the situation and let them calm down. Ensure your team knows that NVDA also means defusing any potentially violent situation.

If you witness an arrest or assault, note it, and write down what happened as soon as possible. Write down the citizenís full name, the police officerís number (on their shoulder) (they are obliged to wear a number, even if they are from the Tactical Response Group) or a description of the security guard, the time, place, scene, and dialogue. If possible, take a photo. Hand this to legal liaison. If you get arrested, insist that you have the right to see either a Legal Aid solicitor, a legal team or legal observers (if there is a police protocol established between local police and the organisers of the demonstration, blockade, action etc). Contact local police or organisers to check as protocols have recently been established for most major protests. Above all, keep calm and keep your sense of humour.

For more information on NVDA and monkey wrenching, visit the websites of EarthFirst! and NEFAís web page, or see http://www.green.net.au/adan/index2.htm
 
 
 

Next | Previous | Green Guide Home | ANU Environment Collective Home