Activist Support and Recovery - Post-traumatic stress is a normal response to abnormal circumstances

"One of the most amazing things about activists is that we often deliberately expose ourselves to brutality when we believe it is necessary. What is sometimes equally surprising is how little we know about the psychological effects of this violence. We need to prepare ourselves and learn how to support each other through the physical and emotional consequences of trauma.

People's reactions to traumatic events vary enormously; some may become withdrawn, others may be tearful or angry. The time it takes to recover from trauma also varies from hours or days to weeks, months and sometimes years - though most people recover within a month [...]"

Source: https://www.activist-trauma.net/en/downloads.html

#selfcare #medical #mutualaid #document #link

How to win at kettling – a guide for non-policemen
Created January 2011

"But how, exactly, do you play kettling? Well, first you'll need to split into two teams – attackers and defenders. Team A, the defenders, will be formed of disparate groups of individuals with broadly similar but occasionally conflicting aims. So as to best identify themselves, they should wear hoodies, masks and an expression of determined optimism. For Team A the aim of the game is to remain free and at liberty for as long as possible while expressing their opposition to the status quo.

The offensive team, Team B, will be smaller in number, better armed, and dressed like angry glowsticks. The aim of the game for Team B is to trap Team A in as small a space as possible and stop them from leaving, thereby eliminating their right to free expression. [...]"

Source: Anarch*ish* (Link, Blogspot)

#tactics #police #strategy #bloc #discussion #link