Check In for the Massive Michigan Anti-"Right to Work" Protest Planned for the State Capitol Tuesday

[Fire Walk With Me]

7. Here is some info on getting started on your own if there aren't any streamers there...

http://www.ustream.tv/platform/broadcast-anywhere

If someone has an iPhone or Android etc. you can download the App and go live. Note that streamers should shut off their stream at a bit less than 2 hours and then re-start so things don't get unwieldy; also it helps to use the social stream and chat to co-ordinate with at least one person at home on a computer who can confirm audio and video, as well as helping to co-ordinate movement, warnings about cops (there are internet pages where you can listen live to most of the police frequencies) and co-ordination between streamers if there are more than one, as well as giving directions if anyone gets lost or on the spur of the moment decides upon a new target, or even to look up facts for the streamer to share with the group.

Note that cops watch livestreams as well so tell any streamer to not incriminate any of their fellows. Cops also listen for talk of destinations etc. so be careful, and use the phone's mute button before sharing sensitive info with anyone nearby. Streamers need to know that what they broadcast is forever so be mindful. Also note that cops target streamers at actions so it helps for them to have "wingmen" who would get between them and police if cops become aggressive, as is their wont. This is just the way of it.

Sometimes ustream viewers lose the signal; they should be warned that they might have to refresh the page if that happens, before chiming in on the social stream that A/V is down. Streamers also must sometimes start over if something cuts off. And ustream has commercials which interrupt, sometimes causing people to miss things. The commercials do not appear in the archive.

If cops etc. do anything wrong, download a copy of the stream for later for safekeeping.

If ustream is too stubborn, there is bambuser as well:

http://bambuser.com/

BTW, if cops use pepper-spray or tear gas, have people bring squeeze spray bottles of "LAW", which is half water and half liquid antacid. Gently spray it or pour it on affected areas, usually the face, and have the victim tilt their head so that it runs off onto the ground and not their clothes. DO NOT wipe either of them. Bag or get rid of clothes which have been exposed. Milk is also decent at this from what I've heard but LAW is the solution of choice, pun intended.

It also helps to have street medics around, people who are trained in first aid and more, with bandages, neosporin, sterile gauze, etc. Someone should wheel along cases of plastic bottled water if it's going to be a long action. And if it's going to be a long action, always go to the bathroom beforehand, and know where nearby bathrooms are, and that everyone knows. The same with food. Bring a backpack with sammiches etc. or have someone wheel a cooler full along with you.

If cops hassle you about recording, it is being increasingly ruled that it is legal to record police (Glik v. Boston) and that if you are arrested for doing so, you can sue the officer(s) involved. It is useful to speak the name and badge number of any cops hassling anyone onto your recording devices and livestream, although that can further make the streamer a target. If cops attack, do your best to get it recorded steadily, knowing you'll have a chance at justice later in court. Remind them with the chant "The whole world's watching!" and quote relevant laws, because they don't want to get involved in courts either. Most of the time they don't give a shit about any of that; you learn quickly which ones; they've got it in their grin and in their eyes and stance. These laws vary state-to-state so find out about your area. Best yet, contact the NLG in your area for this information, and to send several legal observers to join the action. They are priceless; please ask them.

Any time cops want to talk to someone, obviously record it. Know that they will be recording all of you so fight back. Any time a cop becomes uppity or violent, let your people know to both shout "CAMERAS" and for some (not all) camera people to record from up close. Some should always stay back because you'll need multiple angles. Sometimes cops grab people without warning just to troll arrestable responses from protesters; be aware of cops using confrontation and outrageous, angering actions, including arrests for no reason, to attempt to get someone or even the entire group upset. Cops just want a reason to use force and to make arrests. Don't give it to them. Laugh and smile a lot when cops are getting ugly. As John Lennon said, they need you violent so they know what to do with you. They don't know what to do about laughter and happiness (except becoming violent themselves). A good chant to start is "Don't feed the trolls" when they won't let you march where you want, or do a "pop-up" police line, set up blockades, etc. Don't let them upset you. Make sure everyone knows this. They consider groups to be prey and act as predators. They aren't like us; they just aren't. They'd be on our side if they were. Do not count upon them to even understand, much less treat anyone sympathetically. They'll attempt to break apart the broup; stand/sit firm. Don't let them. And don't let them distract you from your Target.

BTW, cops count on a few things to work in their favor: superior numbers on their part (they are of course less likely to attack far superior numbers against them) and they know people will get tired and go home, and they'll attack when numbers thin. So work in shifts of several hours each if you have the numbers. The Quebec students IIRC did three 8-hour shifts so there was always a fresh batch and no one suffered burn-out!

Spirits can be kept up through singing songs such as we shall not be moved, and through chants. These things keep the unity and energy up. The best marches I've been on had =continuous= chants. When one faded out, someone would begin another. This cannot go on indefinitely but you get the idea.

Suggestions:

"One: We are the people! Two: We are united! Three: The occupation IS NOT MO-VING!"
"The people, united, shall never be defeated!"
Some variation of "____ got bailed out; we got sold out!"
A call and answer chant with one leader: "Everywhere we go-oh" "People wanna know-oh" "Whooo we are" "So we tell them" "We are the people" "The mighty mighty people".
"Get up; get down; there's revolution in this town!"

If cops get in the way, especially blocking sidewalks and streets after complaining to you that you can't do that:
"Who's blocking traffic now?"
"We're doing what we want! You're doing what you're told!"
"You're sexy! You're cute! Take off that riot suit!"

Or if you're totally sick of the cops:
"One: This is a donut. Two: It is delicious. Three: You really want to fu-cking eat it!"

And even a little fun if a sit-in or march slows down:

"What do we want?" "Cats!" "When do we want them?" "Meow!"
"We're here! We're here! We're here because we're here!"
"Three word chants! Three word chants!"

Of course these are sourced from my time with Occupy; vary or discard as needed

My best to you and that you can peacefully create the change which must occur! Pardon my worst-possible-case scenarios but if it comes to it, you'll have a bit of foreknowledge. Peace! All power to all people!