So you’re a white person or know a white person who wants to show up to an anti-racism/anti-police brutality protest while making sure you’re being truly effective and helpful? Then this thread is for you or your friend to think about and then act on! (1) #BlackLivesMatter

I did not personally take this photo, but it was taken yesterday during peaceful protests in downtown Columbus, Ohio that were met with police using mace, tear gas, and wooden/rubber bullets at close range against people indiscriminately. (2)

The image inspired me to type out some DOs and DO NOTs for white folks considering putting themselves on the front lines of protests. There are lots of ways to help that don’t require being on the front lines or even physically present! But this is for the front liners. (3)

THIS is the role of white people at protests: to take the brunt of the physical punishment intended for Black and Brown leaders of the movement. (4)

Though it does take courage, it is also what we MUST do for those of us who can do it and choose to do it. And it’s also nothing compared to surviving each day as a target of systemic racism. (5)

-DO make sure you are doing everything you can to prevent possible spread of covid! Wear a mask! You don’t want to accidentally spread sickness to the very POC you’re standing with in solidarity. Especially when we know the pandemic is disproportionately affecting POC. (6)

-DO NOT antagonize police. Anger is justified but white peoples’ role is 2 take the brunt of physical abuse meant for POC—antagonizing cops actually places POC at even more risk of harm. U should be angry. U shouldn’t let that anger give police an aleged excuse to attack POC. (7)

-DO speak up when you see other white people antagonizing police with words or objects (like throwing water bottles). Put an end to that shit immediately! Yell if you need to. (8)

Be very clear that you are talking specifically to white people who are antagonizing and name why they need to stop—because they’re putting POC at even more risk with their actions. (9)

-DO NOT police how Black and Brown people are showing up and expressing rage, grief, and hurt. It is not your place. No one cares what you do or don’t condone because this protest IS NOT ABOUT YOU. At all. (10)

-DO stay in your lane. Your lane is to listen to and follow the leadership of Black people advocating for their own lives. Do not expect a hero’s welcome for just showing up. Do not ask for allyship cookies. Do not only follow leaders who are nice to you when you fuck up. (11)

Do not try to lead the movement. Stay in your lane and follow the orders of the people you’re there to stand with in solidarity. (fuck 12)

-DO NOT go in with a white savior mentality. You aren’t saving anyone. Do not go because you want activist street cred. You are being a trauma-preneur by trying to personally profit from others’ oppression by gaining some kind of social capital. (13)

-DO go in with a mentality that you have a duty to shield the most vulnerable from harm by putting your own body on the line. This requires accepting the possible sacrifices before you show up, including accepting that you may be physically harmed and/or arrested... (14)

...as well as face social consequences from those who will condemn your actions. It has to be worth it to you and you have to know the risks or you will break and run when the police start advancing on you. (15)

-DO NOT physically freak out when the police advance on you. Mentally freak out all you want (and you probably will!), but do not let it make your body give up if you can help it. Hold the line as best as you can! (16)

Leaders are counting on you to dig into the depths of your soul and be brave at this scary moment. You have to be willing to hold the front line before you go to the front line. (17)

It’s part of the strategy & the safety of the POC behind you relies on you physically staying between police & POC as best as you can. Every bit of mace, tear gas, & wooden/rubber bullets that hits your body is one less physical threat to the POC who are standing behind you. (18)

-DO walk backwards as calmly as you can when the police advance on you in a way that completely breaks the ranks. For example, when mace and tear gas and wooden/rubber bullets are deployed. (19)

Hold the line if you can. Back up as calmly as possible if you cannot. You might not be able to see where you’re going if you’ve been maced. Do your best to fight through the pain and temporary lack of sight to calmly back up. (20)

-DO NOT run. Running leads to trampling and should be avoided if at all possible.

-DO go with a buddy if at all possible. (21)

-DO NOT film or photograph protestors who are injured without their consent. Do not film or photograph protestors’ faces or identifying features as much as possible. (22)

-DO film/photograph police. It helps prove that they’re the ones escalating a peaceful protest. Stay focused on filming cops’ actions instead of protestors’ faces. If you do film an act of brutality, do your best to be ethical about where you show footage. It’s complicated. (23)

We want police brutality to be indisputably captured on film but we also know that doesn’t guarantee that police will face any consequences. Make sure the safety and well-being of the victim of the brutality are the main goal. (24)

-DO NOT make it about you, including your personal hatred of police.

-DO make it about the fact that Black Lives Matter. (25)

-DO NOT over-exert yourself to the point where you become a liability to the group. Ex: if you have been pushed to an emotional edge and might make rash decisions that will result in additional risk for POC or if you are so hungry/tired/dehydrated that you can’t keep going. (26)

When you hit your stopping point, leave. (27)

-DO take care of yourself during and afterwards. Drink water. Eat high energy snacks. Be realistic and honest with yourself about your mental and physical limitations and boundaries. Rest. (28)

Self-isolate afterwards. Allow other people to help you do so. Continue to help the cause how you can in other ways while physically resting, such as donating to bail funds and educating/calling out racism on social media/in person. (29)

-DO keep doing the work. It makes a difference. Stay in the struggle how you can. We’re in this for the long haul because the arc of justice bends slowly but it needs all the angelic troublemakers we have to keep it bending. (30)

Spread the word however it is helpful! And stay as safe yet effective as possible out their, dear friends. Much love and strength to all—especially the Black folks who are courgeously leading this uprising against injustice all across the country! (31)