Start by not talking to cops, even if they’re just potential cops.
If you came with friends to an action then stick to talking with just your friends until you have more experience. If no friends then it’s better to go to events outside of protests to talk to folk.
Start by not talking to cops, even if they’re just potential cops.
I mean, I’m aware that’s considered good advice in general. FWIW though I’m assuming this is with 20+ protesters standing in easy earshot, not a private 1:1 conversation. Maybe there are better questions, or someone else should ask? Or is it better to ignore the potential cop? I feel like other protesters would want to be aware who is hiding among them.
Until you’re experienced in the situation it’s best to just ignore and keep distance. You can run the risk of fed-jacketing (calling someone a cop/fed without solid evidence). Observe others and learn from the experienced folk in your particular groups as to how this should be handled because it does vary from scene to scene.
This is also generally true for media/journalists. If you don’t have media training, don’t make a fool of yourself and by extension everyone else.
When you’re starting out, just get the feel for things and learn how to keep yourself and your friends safe. Learn how to calculate risk and threat model. Learn how to keep communication and coordination with friends in the chaotic environment.
So are you saying that asking questions (maybe not these specific ones) wouldn’t be helpful here? If so, what do you propose instead? Ignore the person? Notify the protest organizers?
I think the point here is to be aware of a combination of these items. e.g. If the person has a vest (more noticeable), they might also be wearing a wire (less obvious).
I’m not sure there’s a good excuse to bring handcuffs to a protest. Nothing wrong with being kinky IMO, but leave that shit at home.
I have no real experience with this but I understood the graphic to just be a starting point.
Couldn’t it just be resolved with a simple follow-up conversation? e.g.
“Hey you’re not a cop, are you?”
“No way man”
“Ok, lift up your shirt for a sec.”
If he won’t, he’s probably wearing a vest and/or wire.
Or alternative scenario: “Hey you’re welcome to join, but you gotta ditch the handcuffs.”
“What, you mean this tin of sour candy?”
Dawg asking someone in public to lift their shirt sounds exactly like something a cop would ask. Sketch, or something you saw in a show.
Ok, what’s a better way then? I flat out told you I don’t have experience with this.
Start by not talking to cops, even if they’re just potential cops.
If you came with friends to an action then stick to talking with just your friends until you have more experience. If no friends then it’s better to go to events outside of protests to talk to folk.
I mean, I’m aware that’s considered good advice in general. FWIW though I’m assuming this is with 20+ protesters standing in easy earshot, not a private 1:1 conversation. Maybe there are better questions, or someone else should ask? Or is it better to ignore the potential cop? I feel like other protesters would want to be aware who is hiding among them.
Until you’re experienced in the situation it’s best to just ignore and keep distance. You can run the risk of fed-jacketing (calling someone a cop/fed without solid evidence). Observe others and learn from the experienced folk in your particular groups as to how this should be handled because it does vary from scene to scene.
This is also generally true for media/journalists. If you don’t have media training, don’t make a fool of yourself and by extension everyone else.
When you’re starting out, just get the feel for things and learn how to keep yourself and your friends safe. Learn how to calculate risk and threat model. Learn how to keep communication and coordination with friends in the chaotic environment.
yeah none of those are suuuuuper productive lines of questioning. I can think of multiple plausible outs on all of them. maybe not the wire.
So are you saying that asking questions (maybe not these specific ones) wouldn’t be helpful here? If so, what do you propose instead? Ignore the person? Notify the protest organizers?
no im saying those specific questions aren’t as productive as they could be.
cops shoot at people; vests are a safety thing. the handcuffs are for my boyfriend. etc.
I think the point here is to be aware of a combination of these items. e.g. If the person has a vest (more noticeable), they might also be wearing a wire (less obvious).
I’m not sure there’s a good excuse to bring handcuffs to a protest. Nothing wrong with being kinky IMO, but leave that shit at home.
sometimes people are dumb. im just saying it’s plausible.