General theory of disorder at street protests
Order is when those in charge know where a crowd is and can manage the situation by re-routing traffic so business as usual can proceed everywhere else. From a police perspective, a bank occupation isn’t such a bad thing. There are a lot of banks, so having one shut down for a couple of hours is tolerable.
Disorder is the rare, exciting, spontaneous moment when internal and external systems of repression lose their grip. Suddenly anything can happen and no one knows what is going to happen next. Those in charge fear disorder because they’ve lost control.
When we confront the police, it often results in order, not disorder, because the police know precisely where we are and its only a matter of time before they can amass enough forces to surround and bust us if they so choose.
For disorder, we want to avoid ever seeing the police, but rather keep them guessing and confused while we’re free to cause chaos everywhere the police aren’t. Big protests often concentrate police forces and leave the rest of the city unguarded. The police are organized centrally, so multiple mobile groups can scramble their hierarchical structures.
Disruption and disorder can take many forms. The system loves a conventional war within traditional categories organized around force and violence where they hold the upper hand. Like guerrilla fighters, it’s our job to figure out forms of struggle where we have an advantage. Creating humorous, absurd or beautiful expressions of the world we seek to build — music, art, gardens, public sex, bicycle swarms, etc. — avoids the system’s us vs. them paradigm.
What to Bring
To be mobile and maximize the area that gets disrupted, you want to travel light and avoid bulky signs, props or costumes that slow you down. Wear good running shoes. If weather permits, water repellent clothes may help protect skin from pepper spray. Layers are good because they provide padding and can be used for disguise/escape. But in hot weather, avoiding heatstroke and dehydration so you can run is way more important than protection from chemical weapons or a disguise. You can carry water in a squirt bottle for drinking and to treat chemical weapons exposure. Use a fanny pack or bag that doesn’t get in the way in case you have to run. Don’t wear contact lenses, jewelry, long hair or anything the cops can grab. Think carefully about bringing drugs, weapons, burglary tools, sensitive information or anything that would get you in extra trouble if arrested. If you bring a cell phone, you may expose your personal information and your movements can be tracked — but on the other hand you can communicate with others and photograph stuff, so it depends what you’re up to. Gas masks, shields, goggles and helmets can put a huge target on you, can slow you down, and may promote the types of confrontations the system can digest and manage.
Affinity Groups & Action Decision Making
Affinity groups are small cells — usually 4-8 people — who share attitudes about tactics and who organize themselves for effectiveness and protection during protests, riots or for middle-of-the-night action missions. The best affinity groups are people with pre-existing relationships who know and trust each other intimately. Decisions can be made as collectively and quickly. In a chaotic protest situation, affinity groups can enable decision making (as opposed to just reacting to the police) while watching each others’ backs. Affinity groups with experience and a vision within a bigger crowd can take the initiative when a crowd is standing around wondering what to do next.
Some affinity groups use a code word which any member can yell if they have an idea for what the group should do next. Upon hearing the word, others in the group yell it too until the whole group gathers up and the person who called the huddle makes a quick proposal. A code word can also allow regrouping when the group gets separated in a chaotic situation. It is a good idea for everyone in the group to discuss their limits before an action. It can be helpful to scout locations and learn the area beforehand. During an action, taking time to check in about how everyone is feeling will keep the group unified. Don’t forget to eat, drink and pee. Some affinity groups have a division of labor in which some member stay away from the action to support members who might be arrested. An affinity group can send scouts on a bike to check out action opportunities.