Sick in Quarters (SiQ), a collective of disabled and chronically ill artists and activists, published this black and white brochure online (alt link) in 2020 with advice for decreasing the chance of viral spread during and after direct action events. The brochure also contains information about protest rights and how to stay safe while interacting with police.
— Mara Mills
BROCHURE FULL TEXT
Format: Printable PDF Brochure
Creator: Sick in Quarters (SiQ)
Link to File: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oMiDct-nioTmAmkC-yNcacE_U2a64-6I/view?pli=1
Date: 2020
Captured: 19-July-2024
Title: COVID-19 PROTEST RESOURCES
Preparing For Direct Action
Assess risk levels, both personally and within your community. Do you live with, or otherwise interface with individuals who may be at risk for mortality from covid? If you are exhibiting any symptoms associated with COVID-19, stay home.
Treat yourself as though you could potentially be an asymptomatic carrier: suit up with PPE for the protection of those around you. It is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of the spread of the virus, but taking protective action can drastically decrease the possibility of contagion.
Sanitize hands before, during, and after direct action.
Try to also bring extra masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer to share with those who may not have brought their own.
Keep masks on at all times when speaking and/or chanting: any form of speech will propel viral droplets forward into others’ eyes, mouths, and noses.
Remember that covid-19 affects and kills Black people disproportionately in this
country. Recognize that standing up in support of Black lives should extend beyond the act of protesting itself. COVID-19 mortality rates are 2.4 times higher for Black Americans than they are for white Americans. Social distancing is an act of social
solidarity; prepare to self-quarantine for 14 days following being present in a crowd.
Following Direct Action
Immediately after an action event, take the clothes you wore in public off and toss them in aplastic bag. Tie it and store it away for a min of three days, and then thoroughly wash the clothing.
Don’t forget your shoes: heavy viral droplets tend to settle on them, so be sure to take off and sanitize shoes immediately before entering your home. Additionally, cellphones can be hotspots for viral activity; be sure to thoroughly wipe your phone down if you did bring it with you.
After you have taken off and stored your clothing, shower: don’t forget to wash your hair.
Self-quarantine after participating in direct action: isolate as much as possible for a period of 14 days. During this time, keep away from loved ones and community members who are elderly or immunocompromised.
If you must go out in the two weeks following this action, do not leave your house without a mask and/or gloves. Wash your hands constantly.
Learn patient advocacy: if a loved one or friend has tested positive or is unable to receive a test for any reason, understand that knowing how to protect them from the medical-industrial complex can help ensure that they receive proper care and potentially save a life.
Your Rights
Stay calm. Make sure to keep your hands visible. Don’t argue, resist, or obstruct the police, even if you believe they are violating your rights. Point out that you are not disrupting anyone else’s activity and that the first amendment protects your actions.
Ask if you are free to leave. If the officer says yes, calmly walk away.
If you are under arrest, you have aright to ask why. Otherwise, say you wish to remain silent and ask for a lawyer immediately. Don’t say anything or sign anything without a lawyer.
You have the right to make a local phone call, and if you’re calling your lawyer, police are not allowed to listen.
You never have to consent to a search of yourself or your belongings. if you do explicitly consent, it can affect you later in court.
Police may “pat down” your clothing if they suspect you have a weapon and may search you after an arrest.
Police officers may not confiscate or demand to view your photographs or video without a warrant, nor may they delete data under any circumstances. However, they may order citizens to cease activities that are truly interfering with legitimate law enforcement operations.
What To Do If You Believe Your Rights Have Been Violated
When you can, write down everything you remember, including the officers’ badge and patrol car numbers and the agency they work for.
Get contact information for witnesses.
Take photographs of any injuries.
Once you have all of this information, you can file a written complaint with
the agency’s internal affairs division or civilian complaint board.
(Source: ACLU – Protest Rights)
Resources
National Lawyers Guild
212-679-6018
Bail Project
1-833-425-6TBP
Creature Friend Finder
creaturefriend.org
COVID-19 test site finder
https:/my.castlighthealth.com/corona-virus-testing-sites/
Stay Safe
Stay Informed
Stay Secure