Friday's two things: Protective steps, collective glimmers

Julia Smith

Julia Smith

— 1 min read
Under a blue sky, protesters hold up signs with anti-ICE logos, such as NJ SAYS NO DICE TO ICE!
From a protest outside Delaney Hall in Newark a few months ago.

Item 1. Weekend wish

That in our gatherings–in-person, virtual, whatever they may be–we access glimmers like this. (J. Wortham's newsletter)

Item 2. Safety at protests

If you're taking your phone ➡️ consider these tips from Electronic Frontier Foundation or this guide via @imperfectactivista on Instagram.

If you're taking kids ➡️ Old but still relevant suggestions from ParentMap and ScaryMommy. (Also, hi, if you're gathering face masks and packing protest snacks while also making thank you cards for teachers and rereading summer camp checklists, I see you. So do Bess Kalb and Anya Kamenetz.)

If you're volunteering/organizing (or know someone who is) ➡️ New toolkit! Streetwise + Steady: A Workbook for Action Peacekeepers or Event Marshals. (Waging Nonviolence)

If you are a white person ➡️ Consider rereading some posts from 2020, like these protocols + principles from the Bay Area Solidarity Action Team or this one from AFSC.

And whoever you are ➡️ Kalaya'an Mendoza has wisdom to share about the before, during, and after:

Colorful graphic with Examples of De-Escalation Through Distraction such as offering compliments, dancing and singing, asking for the time or directions, etc. It explains that this works because you create a moment of pause, giving everyone's systems a break before further escalation. And/or you can draw the atention and energy away from the person being targeted.
Not clicking through because you've ditched Meta? Cool! Explore the links I added above and/or follow @kalamendoza on Bluesky.

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