Protest chic – a guide on what to wear and bring on N9 demonstration
N9 Anarchist Bloc | 06.11.2011 14:39 | Policing
Many anarchists, especially those on the internet, are concerned about what to wear for the N9 anarchist bloc. Most internet anarchists see protests as a fashion challenge and can spend days debating what they should or shoudn’t wear before deciding not to go to a demonstration anyway. To make things easier N9 have drawn up a catwalk list of essential items all anarchists, indeed all protesters, should consider when preparing for a demonstration.
Hat
Woolly hats are ideal old skool headgear to keep in your body warmth but a baseball cap is more useful for preventing photographic intrusion and preserving a degree of personal privacy. Preferably one without distinctive logo. Wear low for that extra fashionista look.
Scarf
With the winter cold of November a scarf is essential clothing on a demonstration to keep yourself warm, especially wrapped around the mouth and nose area. Remember it is NOT unlawful to cover your face during a demonstration [it is unlawful to refuse to remove facial coverings when asked by police but only when a Section 60 order is in place - see our N9 legal page]. Plus the more active you are the more you need to keep your face warm.
Big Jacket
Practicality dictates a good, strong jacket with plenty of pockets and a big hood is essential demonstration-wear at any time of year. Padded if possible for that extra little bit of security and protection. Preferably something nondescript and generic without any obvious standout features. Colour of course is at the discretion of the fashion-conscious anarchist.
Hooded top (street name: hoody)
Layer, layers, layers. The classic hooded top will never go out of fashion and it has definitely earned its place as part of the arsenal of essential garments in the radicals wardrobe. Not only good for keeping you warm, but also good for making a positive id from unwanted sources more difficult. One with a draw string hood is ideal protester-wear for keeping out the cold and camera lenses.
Sturdy boots
Comfortable yet strong. Should be able to withstand being accidentally stamped on by the forces of law and order as they go about their business but good for running in if you find yourself needing to move quickly. Keeping mobile is the healthy option – good for the blood circulation and raises the body temperature.
Gloves
Necessary to keep your hands from going numb (especially when holding flag and banner poles etc). Good for gripping otherwise slippery or difficult objects and a little extra padding if one of Tomlinson’s killers decides to pull you out of the crowd. But perhaps most useful, gloves don’t leave smudgy finger marks behind.
Bike helmet
An optional extra. Even if you are not a bike rider reinforced headgear could be a lifesaver in certain situations especially if Tomlinson’s killers are out and about in full riot gear. A useful accessory in difficult situations and one that will substantially protect your skull against any ‘stray’ baton strike. Ironically, in law, police batons are deemed offensive weapons as they are specifically “made or adapted for use for causing injury to the person”. Go figure.
Rucksack
To keep all the things you need to take on a demonstration - most of the stuff listed on this page. Something practical and not too cumbersome. Again no obvious identifiable features should be foremost in your mind when chosing an appropriate rucksack.
If a section 60 order is in place police can search any bags you have with you but only for weapons. Keep this in mind when you pack your rucksack.
Mobile phone (with credit)
Make sure it’s fully charged and with enough credit that you can safely make all the calls to need to make during the day. If you can discard non-essential contacts for the day then do so. Text messages, if saved, should be non incriminating – if you need to tell your friends what you got up to, do it after the demo. (Remember if you can access all your personal contacts, details and messages, so can the police). Phone with a camera is extra useful but remember the police look at youtube as much as we do.
Bustcard
No-one ever thinks they are going to get arrested on a demonstration, and regardless of what you have or haven’t been doing, it’s good practice to have a bustcard with you at all times just in case. This is there to help you during the arrest and detention process and contains invaluable basic information about your rights.
More legal information and advice about demonstrations:
♦ Legal Defence and Monitoring Group:
http://ldmg.org.uk/
♦ Green and Black Cross: http://greenandblackcross.org/
See rest of the list here: http://n9anarchistbloc.wordpress.com/2011/11/06/protest-chic-a-guide-on-what-to-wear-and-bring-on-a-demonstration/
Woolly hats are ideal old skool headgear to keep in your body warmth but a baseball cap is more useful for preventing photographic intrusion and preserving a degree of personal privacy. Preferably one without distinctive logo. Wear low for that extra fashionista look.
Scarf
With the winter cold of November a scarf is essential clothing on a demonstration to keep yourself warm, especially wrapped around the mouth and nose area. Remember it is NOT unlawful to cover your face during a demonstration [it is unlawful to refuse to remove facial coverings when asked by police but only when a Section 60 order is in place - see our N9 legal page]. Plus the more active you are the more you need to keep your face warm.
Big Jacket
Practicality dictates a good, strong jacket with plenty of pockets and a big hood is essential demonstration-wear at any time of year. Padded if possible for that extra little bit of security and protection. Preferably something nondescript and generic without any obvious standout features. Colour of course is at the discretion of the fashion-conscious anarchist.
Hooded top (street name: hoody)
Layer, layers, layers. The classic hooded top will never go out of fashion and it has definitely earned its place as part of the arsenal of essential garments in the radicals wardrobe. Not only good for keeping you warm, but also good for making a positive id from unwanted sources more difficult. One with a draw string hood is ideal protester-wear for keeping out the cold and camera lenses.
Sturdy boots
Comfortable yet strong. Should be able to withstand being accidentally stamped on by the forces of law and order as they go about their business but good for running in if you find yourself needing to move quickly. Keeping mobile is the healthy option – good for the blood circulation and raises the body temperature.
Gloves
Necessary to keep your hands from going numb (especially when holding flag and banner poles etc). Good for gripping otherwise slippery or difficult objects and a little extra padding if one of Tomlinson’s killers decides to pull you out of the crowd. But perhaps most useful, gloves don’t leave smudgy finger marks behind.
Bike helmet
An optional extra. Even if you are not a bike rider reinforced headgear could be a lifesaver in certain situations especially if Tomlinson’s killers are out and about in full riot gear. A useful accessory in difficult situations and one that will substantially protect your skull against any ‘stray’ baton strike. Ironically, in law, police batons are deemed offensive weapons as they are specifically “made or adapted for use for causing injury to the person”. Go figure.
Rucksack
To keep all the things you need to take on a demonstration - most of the stuff listed on this page. Something practical and not too cumbersome. Again no obvious identifiable features should be foremost in your mind when chosing an appropriate rucksack.
If a section 60 order is in place police can search any bags you have with you but only for weapons. Keep this in mind when you pack your rucksack.
Mobile phone (with credit)
Make sure it’s fully charged and with enough credit that you can safely make all the calls to need to make during the day. If you can discard non-essential contacts for the day then do so. Text messages, if saved, should be non incriminating – if you need to tell your friends what you got up to, do it after the demo. (Remember if you can access all your personal contacts, details and messages, so can the police). Phone with a camera is extra useful but remember the police look at youtube as much as we do.
Bustcard
No-one ever thinks they are going to get arrested on a demonstration, and regardless of what you have or haven’t been doing, it’s good practice to have a bustcard with you at all times just in case. This is there to help you during the arrest and detention process and contains invaluable basic information about your rights.
More legal information and advice about demonstrations:
♦ Legal Defence and Monitoring Group:
http://ldmg.org.uk/ ♦ Green and Black Cross:
http://greenandblackcross.org/ See rest of the list here:
http://n9anarchistbloc.wordpress.com/2011/11/06/protest-chic-a-guide-on-what-to-wear-and-bring-on-a-demonstration/
N9 Anarchist Bloc
e-mail:
n9mobilization@gmail.com
Homepage:
http://n9anarchistbloc.wordpress.com/
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