The quick method: something simple like the sleeve off a t-shirt or a scarf, best coupled with a hoodie and/or sunglasses and/or a peaked cap.
The best method: the demonstrator starts by putting on a t-shirt, but instead of pulling the head hole over their head simply uses the opening as a slit for their eyes, using the shirt sleeves to tie a knot around the back of their head (see picture). This gives complete head coverage except for the eyes which can be covered during daylight with dark sunglasses. If coupled with a hoodie, virtually impossible for a copper to rip off quickly or at all as the hoodie protects the shirt sleeve knot. Add gloves and sunglasses to the mix and they won't even know the colour of the happy protester's skin (racial equality? in the presence of a copper?? whatever next).
General points (aka the small print): Best to use plain black material to avoid your mask becoming a distinguishing feature in itself. Masking up can earn you a very invasive stop&search if a Section 60 is in place (as it's probably best to assume will be the case throughout London for the next few months), in particular when leaving kettles or other flashpoints those wishing not to be searched tend to duck out of sight for a moment to swap outer layers of clothing for those prepared in a backpack and demask, and from then on use hands to hide facial features (s60 only applies to hiding face with clothing). A peaked cap is acceptable to wear in day-to-day situations (unlike a mask) and protects from most CCTV (being higher than your head) especially when coupled with a hoodie. Turn the cameras on the cops - take your best snapper along on a demo and send the pics to fitwatch.
Comments
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Facepaint
14.12.2010 13:44
It was quite funny watching the Millbank protest, various people took off their masks to talk to the TV interviewers. Nothing wrong with that, they obviously hadn't done anything and the fact that innocents masked up would stop the targetting of masked protestors.
Danny
Finger cots
14.12.2010 14:00
The Daily Mail made a lot of play that the twat Dave Gilmour was photographed wearing latex gloves, and they assumed it was either to hide his fingerprints or protect from spraypaint. Use cut up fingercots to hide your fingerprints, ordinary woolen gloves to protect from spraypaint.
I had my first 'sex-lecture' from my mum when I was 17 and she found 200 finger cots in my pocket, which cracked me up, she must've thought I was both sexually voracious and endowed with a tiny dick.
Danny
distinctive clothing
14.12.2010 14:13
-
not said enough......and PAIR UP as well
14.12.2010 14:52
This can't be said often enough.
There are too many photos in the papers of 'wanted' 'hooligans'
Having your face on show doesn't only open you to probable arrest and charge, it also allows the police and media to focus on certain 'troublemakers' using the 'wanted poster' tactic as seen in the tabloids.
Also bear in mind that once the situation on the ground is deemed to be a major public order situation by the senior officer attending, anyone within the melee acting in a way deemed to be violently disturbing the peace can open themselves lawfully to be charged with riot, violent disorder or affray- whether they are masked or not- (eg-being in the wrong place when the snatch squad miss their intended target, or being caught a glancing blow with a truncheon and stumbling into a police advance).
All this is caught on camera by police intelligence/cameras (FIT teams,helicopter footage, drone footage(possible), individual officer's testimony, CCTV already in situ (in shops etc)
So, MASK UP REGARDLESS once you are in this environment
Also, as stated above- either have something to change into, or be prepared to jettison a top layer of clothing
However- something that is not said enough- and is just as important is-
BUDDY UP!!
Have at least one mate to pair up with.
Keep an eye on each other all the time when possible
Hold hands/link arms when in a frontline crowd situation (eg- before the police first charge), and don't just link up with your mate but with other people too. This is a good method for preventing snatch squad arrrests and sometimes for breaking thru police lines(especially when they are first forming)
MASK UP, PAIR UP, STAY FOCUSED, STAY FREE
sorry, gotta go.................................
masked avenger
e-mail: wehavenoface@supersecretanarchistmail.com
Homepage: http://super_secret_anarchist.com
Watch it ;^]
14.12.2010 15:32
Not telling you
Phones and traceability
14.12.2010 17:10
Similarly if buying travel tickets withdraw the money from an ATM and buy your ticket in cash.
This seems like rank paranoia but it is respected collective knowledge accumulated by a long line of committed activists who have faced their share of hideous police repression. It really doesn't take much effort to be on the safe side.
felipe
Stronger than linked arms.
14.12.2010 17:54
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvyfxghZLK0
The reason cops do this is because it is so strong and hard to break. One hand should do it too, suggest your left so that your right is free should you need to use it.
stopcops
Do like the cops
14.12.2010 18:24
anon
full security handbook
14.12.2010 20:23
worth checking out
To Felipe
15.12.2010 02:14
cheap handsets are available for a tenner which avoids using your regular telephone which contains a number (IMEI) that is quite separate from the SIM. For this reason, the actual handset is identifiable separate to the SIM. It is this number that the Telephony industry uses to identify stolen telephones. 10% of IMEIs are not unique as they can be cloned.
The IMEI is usually available by typing *#06# or is located on the plate underneath the battery and reference tools are available online. ( http://www.numberingplans.com/?page=databases)
Logie Baird