What to wear to a Protest?

[Bern Caughey]

Wonder what others carry when documenting a potentially volatile protest?

Some of my kit includes a Skateboard Helmet with GoPro, Goggles, cotton Bandana, fingerless Mechanix Gloves, & either a Sling Bag, or Super Hero Belt.

My current helmet is matte black, but switching to UN blue.

 

[laverdir]

Shoulder mounted camera with biggest dock you can get.

 

[jamedia.uk]

The thing is NOT to look like a protester. Looking like your avatar is not a good look.

It does depend on where the protest is.
Who is protesting and what they are protesting about.
Also who you are working for.

I find that a Press Card helps. Identifies you as not being part of either/any "side" nor just a passing on-looker.
This has helped me before with both the police and the protesters ad the same event.

Some times it is not just one side and the police but several conflicting groups and the police.
Then the groups often have sub groups with different agenda's Understanding the groups is important as I have seen press cameramen and photographers attacked.

Not that I usually wear it I also have a hi-VIs vest identifying me as a Press.

I don't normally use a helmet but a "bump cap" a basle ball cap with a hard liner. I have seen people with helmets on become targets. Again it depends on the time, place and who is protesting. Some [sub] groups go for the press.

Just as important what you wear is how you behave. You need to be neutral and impartial. Anything else marks you out as a player and therefore a target. This then puts other members of the press in to danger as the protesters start to see the people with cameras as working for one side or the other. It doesn't help if the police think that. Especially when you want to get out of an area wherelouare stuck with less than friendly people.

 

[jamedia.uk]

Shoulder mounted camera with biggest dock you can get.

That said I have seen a cameraman with a broadcast TV rig on his shoulder get beaten up in a protest/riot. He was not alone he had an assistant with him at the time who also suffered. Fortunately some of the stewards in the mob who attacked them managed to get the cameraman out to the police line for help.

There are no hard and fast rules but a helmet/bandana/goggle and a go-pro look does not say professional to me but one of the protesters getting some look at me footage.

 

[Spartacus]

Besides the obvious helmet, a colleague of mine has started to where one of those padded tight-fitting motorcycle jackets with elbow
and spine protectors, when documenting violent protest. Then some light rain jacket over it.
He says he sweats like a hog though

I would also add solid hiking boots. When there's a skirmish, Nike Air's don't give the support your feet need.
Oh and in case of getting pepper sprayed:
Keep two bottles handy, one with water mixed with no-tears baby shampoo (or just dish soap), the other with clean water.
Pepper spray is oil-based, so you need to get the oil off, before rinsing with clean water.

Good luck and stay save!

 

[jamedia.uk]

I tend to use less obvious lightweight hiking boots. Look more like trainers (with trousers over them) Also Dickies or similar plain black workmen trousers with the pockets for kneepads. The kneepads are not obvious but some times essential the point is not looking like you are geared up for a fight.


Also the helmet *IS* obvious. Ie it sticks out aa bit or all the protesters are wearing them hence the bump-cap. the idea is not lo be a target. See how many of the pro news teams actually wear helmets outside a shooting war. though to be fair the last one I was shooting next to had so much lacquer on his hair that it was effectively a helmet. (and a fire risk)

Good point re the water. I took that a read that you always have a litre of water top drink/wash wounds etc. However the tip of water/soap mix for paper spray is useful. It depends on what is being used in the area, CS, Mace, pepper etc. Just don't drink the wrong bottle

The one thing to remember is unless you are employed and insured to capture the images no image is worth your life or getting damaged over. I know, I know, like me you are indestructible and lucky. Except for the last time.

I know an experienced US freelance photographer working in eastern Europe who just had an unlucky day. Not his fault but he surprised the doctors by walking again after 6 months. Thought slowly and on crutches. It will be another year before he is walking normally again which doesn't mean he can work like he used to. so zero income for over a year now. This was in a country were there was a war going on, he was used to that, but he was a long way from the war in a "normal" town having some R&R when it happened. He is not sure if it was because he was foreign, press, had a nice camera or just random when he got attacked. BTW he is not small and a good martial-artist.

My point is no one is indestructible and no photograph is worth getting serious damaged or killed for. Take care.

One last point is that my last set of bruises caused by a riot were gained when I got home, the wife nearly killed me having watched the evening news and saw what I meant by a quiet afternoon doing street photography actually meant as I could clear be seen on TV in places she thought were unsafe. (that and the hole burnt in my trousers from the burning flare that hit me)

 

[Imamacuser]

I never been in that kind of a situation, but a crotch protector might be in order, as well as a walki-talky to let someone know it you need help. Depending on the region and city, you can get a permit to carry a concealed collapsible baton and stun gun; you might as well defend yourself if you're being attacked.

 

[jamedia.uk]

I never been in that kind of a situation, but a crotch protector might be in order,

Not usually.

as well as a walki-talky to let someone know it you need help.

That would require a team and in urban areas walk-talkys are notorious at poor and flakey reception. Normally I use a spare old mobile phone with a couple of numbers on speed dial and everything else empty (in case it gets stolen). Mobile phones have better coverage and can call anyone. On the radio if you have picked a frequency to talk to you support on that other people are using/listening to you are screwed. Also 99% of the time the only people with radios are one of two groups
1 the activists organising the riot
2 the LEA stopping group one.
As soon as you pull a radio you will be identified as one of those two groups. And definitely not part of the group of the person who sees you with the radio.

Depending on the region and city, you can get a permit to carry a concealed collapsible baton and stun gun; you might as well defend yourself if you're being attacked.

ABSOLUTELY NOT. As soon as you are armed you are not independent Press and become part of the problem for all sides unless you are identifiable one of theirs.

Also in a lot of these situations there are non-uniform LEA out and about so seeing some one with concealed weapons pretending to be part of the press pack will get you stopped VERY quickly and VERY hard. Note that you are more likely to be "turned in" to the authorities by other members of the press s being susspect that you are not one of them but an undercover activist.
They will not want anyone affecting their neutrality.

 

[laverdir]

That said I have seen a cameraman with a broadcast TV rig on his shoulder get beaten up in a protest/riot. He was not alone he had an assistant with him at the time who also suffered. Fortunately some of the stewards in the mob who attacked them managed to get the cameraman out to the police line for help.

The trick is to use it as a shield or a weapon to defend your self. That's the reason why it should be big. Ikegami cameras with Sony BetaCAM decks and Canon XXx B4 lenses are ideal for that.
If you have assistant and/or sound guy, wooden legs tripod and steel boom is clear choice of supporting gear. And all should wear heavily padded earphones, but don't put them on ears to hear the danger.

And contrary to the given name, RED Weapon is not a good choice to secure yourself when filming riots / protests.

 

[jamedia.uk]

The trick is to use it as a shield or a weapon to defend your self. That's the reason why it should be big. Ikegami cameras with Sony BetaCAM decks and Canon XXx B4 lenses are ideal for that..

Difficult to do when your are focusing though the viewfinder The danger is not usually directly in front of you. The cameraman in question has a sound guy with him. However it is like filming in a load of sharks you focus on what you are filming but anyone from any direction and any time can pounce (in in a riot throw something from a distance) and then in an instant the whole environment changes. Then everyone is against you. Not nice.

 

[Imamacuser]

That would require a team and in urban areas walk-talkys are notorious at poor and flakey reception. Normally I use a spare old mobile phone with a couple of numbers on speed dial and everything else empty (in case it gets stolen). Mobile phones have better coverage and can call anyone. On the radio if you have picked a frequency to talk to you support on that other people are using/listening to you are screwed. Also 99% of the time the only people with radios are one of two groups
1 the activists organising the riot
2 the LEA stopping group one.
As soon as you pull a radio you will be identified as one of those two groups. And definitely not part of the group of the person who sees you with the radio.

Radios are more instantaneous than cell phones, so that's why I though that it might be a good option. Do you think you'd have a target on your back even if you were using a consumer version two-way radio?

ABSOLUTELY NOT. As soon as you are armed you are not independent Press and become part of the problem for all sides unless you are identifiable one of theirs.

Also in a lot of these situations there are non-uniform LEA out and about so seeing some one with concealed weapons pretending to be part of the press pack will get you stopped VERY quickly and VERY hard. Note that you are more likely to be "turned in" to the authorities by other members of the press s being susspect that you are not one of them but an undercover activist.
They will not want anyone affecting their neutrality.

I don't think being armed (with less than lethal weapons) inherently makes you partisan, anymore than the police being armed makes them partisan. With proper wardrobe and holster selection, not even law enforcement personnel can tell that you have concealed weapons; now if police suspect that you have concealed weapons, they will ask if you have a permit and for you to show it to them, at least that's how it's supposed to work in the USA. Granted a collapsible baton might be hard to conceal, but they make stun guns that look like innocuous objects like flashlights and lipstick. Using weapons should always be a last resort option, but if your life is truly in peril, use of weapons might give you enough of an advantage to run away to safety.

 

[jamedia.uk]

Radios are more instantaneous than cell phones, so that's why I though that it might be a good option. Do you think you'd have a target on your back even if you were using a consumer version two-way radio?

You mean of the type used by the activists controlling the riot? The police will notice. As will the activists because you are clearly one of them but not their group.....

As for instant? who are you going to call? That would need at least one other person who is close to you, can't see you and not in trouble themselves. Use the phone besides if you have the tracking on for the phone your support people can see where you are.

BTW who are the se support people that are going to be there that quickly?

I don't think being armed (with less than lethal weapons) inherently makes you partisan,

It Instantly removes you from being legitimate press. You are now an armed person in a riot.

anymore than the police being armed makes them partisan.

You are not the Police. If you are you are not the Press. You can't have it both ways In fact even in war zones the press don't carry weapons. There have been a few exceptions but that is when the enemy will assume you are a legitimate target and not treat you as press undo any circumstances for example reporters embedded with troops in Vietnam on patrol. Though it is still rare even now.

With proper wardrobe and holster selection, not even law enforcement personnel can tell that you have concealed weapons; now if police suspect that you have concealed weapons, they will ask if you have a permit and for you to show it to them, at least that's how it's supposed to work in the USA.

They will quickly removed the threat of an unknown person in a riot carrying weapons with as much force as needed to ensure you can not actually do anything before they have ascertained who you are. NOTE this is a riot where the police are targets. Not a Sunday afternoon stop and search in a polite neigbourghood. You will be on the floor in handcuffs with two officers on your back yelling at you as to why you have a radio (like the other activists) and concealed weapons) saying you are a reporter won't be believed because the press don't carry weapons. So you are now a Lying activist with concealed weapons. They will throw you in the van until they can deal with you later. (tomorrow morning)

Granted a collapsible baton might be hard to conceal, but they make stun guns that look like innocuous objects like flashlights and lipstick. Using weapons should always be a last resort option, but if your life is truly in peril, use of weapons might give you enough of an advantage to run away to safety.

As soon as you pull a weapon in a riot you become the target of the group you are going to use it against. Generally in a matter of moments you get to find out how effective it is as weapon when they use it on you. There are a hell of a lot more of them then you. And if you take down the first one or two the rest will want revenge on that.

Before you ask yes I have covered riots as a photographer and always unarmed. However in another life I have cried firearms in and out of uniform.
the press do NOT carry weapons if you do you are not press and no one will treat you are press when, not if, you get caught.

 

[DLD]

... And contrary to the given name, RED Weapon is not a good choice to secure yourself when filming riots / protests.

There's a new version called Red AK-47, where instead of a Red Mag, you can insert a banana clip.

 

[Bern Caughey]

Appreciate the "Bump Cap" advice, & just order one in UN/Journalist Blue. Also a separate bump liner for my normal caps.

Been maced twice, so also appreciate the Water Bottle advice.

Thanks!

 

[markfpv]

Bern - I have so many questions for you now. I honestly initially thought this thread was a wink wink nudge nudge - or at least a touch of satire. But you're for real. Good luck & stay well.
Seems here in the US - this might be a good line of work to be in now - in that it might keep you busy for the forseeable future.

 

[Run&Gun]

My advice, stay out of them. We had a lot of rioting last year after (another) police shooting. It did get violent and there was a fair amount of property damage that occurred. The mayor and police chief handled it very poorly, giving the protesters too much leeway and freedom. While there were a lot of arrests, there was too much that was allowed to happen, including the blocking of highways. One of the still photogs that I know showed me pics/video of some protesters attacking a cameraman and trying to throw him into a burning trashcan.

I had a few friends that were called to work and they went in for major networks who provided security(ex-Navy SEALS and Rangers). Another buddy received a call to cover them, as well. When asked about security/protection, etc. they said there would be none, he told them NO.

 

[jamedia.uk]

My advice, stay out of them. .

That is probably the best advice so far in this thread.

Tomorrow night I am working in town to capture some "night life" for a video. I will not be working alone. I will have some one literally watching my back and this is a normal Saturday night with no civil unrest at all. (BTW you can ignore what Fox News says about Birmingham UK. I am not sure Fox knows what reality is)

 

[Roberto Suarez]

Hello from Havana, I am a Chilean living here and all the things I going to say applies to my home country, but some might help you. I going to try to answer without talk about politics, but if I fail please forgive me goods fellows of dvxuser, I really don’t want to break the rules of this great site.
As a film student and later as a young filmmaker I register some protest in my home country, Chile. Of course you can go to a protest with your camera and not much else, but is risky. The more seasoned photo reporters I saw weared helmet like yours with very big letters saying “press” on it (so, black helmet with white letters is ok), two cameras with tele (a must, or one with a super zoom) and normal zoom (we used pd-150 and latter the great dvx100a, strong as a bull, so lenses was not a thing for us), a gas mask and we all wear sport shoes for running and all the long walks. In Chile the police use tear gas shoot straight to the body (a very toxic kind, some doctors think is abortive), strong water cannons that throw water mixed with tear gas (in the 80’s was sewer water with sand and small marble size stones), rubber bullets straight to the body and batons. Because of the batons is very dangerous to get close to the police, a photographer lost is right eye in the 90’s in Valparaiso like that, and getting close to the masked vandals is dangerous too: if someone accuse you of being and infiltrate (undercover cop trying to pump up the violence, very common in Chile), you can get a very bad beating. So almost always we were between the cops and the vandals in no man’s land, so a helmet is great, but better is to be very vigilant when people throw rocks to the police: almost all the rocks falls short (baseball is not popular, we are a soccer country), so watch the stones fly and move to a side before they fall, because they will rain at you. Sport shoes to run is necessary, usually is everything fine just two or three streets away, you can run out and back in to a protest. Your cell phone in a zip bag because is almost certain that you will get soaked in. Money just enough to get out of jail when police take you for no reason. A document to identify you in jail. Gas mask is a bad idea because limits your vision, and also about that sometimes you will need to take photos or video without see because of the tear gas. When Augusto Pinochet died in 2006 we went outside the military hospital to record the followers (some of them Nazis), they were very angry and throw punches to us, our cameras (great, strong dvx) and to some bystanders, and to the center of the city to record the celebrating people: in the mid of the party cops started to attack and I was recording blind with the dvx, doing some short screaming interviews in the middle of the street level toxic cloud, getting great answers and also trying to save some precious MiniDV SP time. When we get home to review the material we discover that I was pressing the record button in the wrong sequence: lots of feets running, cutting out when we saw a face. All was great in my head, but it was really backwards.
Because you will be running try to travel light, a protest is not a great place to take fancy gear, a monopod is enough. Useful as well is a water bottle with a mix of water and pepto bismol, to cut the effect of the tear gas in the skin and in the throat. The old folks of the 80’s use salt and lemon, but they don’t work now. Patience is needed if the gas get you without the antiacid water, is just a couple of minutes of hell but it pass. Water cannons are dangerous: Chilean cops used this weapon too near of target people and the water beat you like a boxer, it can throw you to the ground with so much force that can send you straight into coma. It happens to a student three years ago. Last time I was hit by the water cannon I lose my four earrings, just like that, six or seven years ago when the pro Pinochet people show a pro torturer documentary in the Caupolican theater in the middle of the city and the whole ten street radius went into complete chaos. If the water cannon hits, brace your camera like a baby and present your back to take the punch: many years ago, some folks of a film school in Viña del Mar take the three pd-170, the three best cameras the school had (picture how many years has passed), to a protest, soaked the cameras in cannon water, and the cameras develop lens fungus right in time for the end of the semester.
Chilean cops can stole your record material. They can’t but they really can do it and get away with this, so is a good practice to have at hand some blank cards to give in while you protest and distract and put the good cards in your underwear. Don’t go alone, or at least get to know the other reporters: the competitive kind are just tourist, the regular guys are with you in the same boat, and the greatest thing of recording protests is the community.
I don’t see the point to the cotton bandana, the tear gas will get you just the same, but the bags are just right: don’t let the “social warrior” looks caught you, is all about functionality. The GoPro, because of the wide angle, will work only if you are taking the punches, maybe a waterproof point and shoot will serve you better or a bridge camera with a waterproof case, because of the zoom range: many things will happens at the same time and you can’t be right next to it.
So, I’m sorry for my broken English, and I think, letting aside the moral side of the endeavor (I never went into a protest that I don’t feel compelled to attend; and if the masked guys grab a cop and the cop is in the floor, he need help right now from you), getting a registry of a protest is a lot of fun. I hope it helps this Chilean tibits, we are as a country in the volatile protest thing every year since 1983

 

[jamedia.uk]

A wonderful post! BTW your English good enough to understand the points well.

Particularly this part:

Don’t go alone, or at least get to know the other reporters: the competitive kind are just tourist, the regular guys are with you in the same boat,

While you compete for sales (before and after the event), on the day on the ground the freelance press (well everyone bar the big players who have a team there) are all in same boat. You look out for each other.

I note that despite a lot of violence, some of it very serious, at those protests you do not mention carrying any weapons of any sort. I agree. Protective gear depends on the situation but it should only be passive protective. (Some USA types might regard a hand gun as "defensive" )

I still thing Run&Gun hit the nail on the head with "My advice, stay out of them." They are not the place for "adventure" or getting a buzz.

 

[Roberto Suarez]

About guns, I agree, carry them is a good way to get shoot, in protest cops don't stop to evaluate