What to wear to a Protest?

[jamedia.uk]

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

Carrying ANY weapons makes you a combatant/player and NOT a member of the Press. It's not the cops you have to worry about as much as the other protesters. Crying a firearm is more likely to get you into trouble than out of it in a protest situation.

The Press are (should be) like Diplomats neutral and not part of the conflict. As soon as you carry any weapon you are no longer neutral. Especially in hostile zones. I don't know a single reporter who ever carried a weapon when war reporting. (unless you count a small pocket knife that would do less damage that the screwdrivers and pens they also carry.

About the only thing I know anyone has carried is a small spray can of CS/MACE. About enough for a squirt and run which would be a common "civilian" carry in their part of the world. Normally pointless in a protest.

 

[Gweilo66]

"As soon as you are armed you are not independent Press and become part of the problem "
That depends on the precise circumstances..the poster mentioned it being concealed.
And regarding taking sides, what we've seen with some of the antifa is mere presence of a camera being cause for attack.

 

[jamedia.uk]

"As soon as you are armed you are not independent Press and become part of the problem "
That depends on the precise circumstances..the poster mentioned it being concealed.

Concealed weapons are even worse. I don't know any legitimate press who ever carry a weapon. This is from a protest, through riots to war zones.

And regarding taking sides, what we've seen with some of the antifa is mere presence of a camera being cause for attack.

That is the same with all groups in a riot. I have seen a 2 person TV camera team being attacked and all their equipment smashed by a right of centre group. No weapons would have saved them.

I have also been threatened by people on both sides of a protest, some times in the same protest! The political right and left are no different in this regard. Neither are any of the special interest protest groups. There is always a violent pack that want to have a fight. No weapon will save you it will only antagonise them.

Despite carrying weapons, openly and concealed in various situations I have never felt the need as a journalist. As I say it would make matters worse.

 

[Gweilo66]

Against a true mob? Perhaps. If singled out by an individual intent on taking advantage of you presumably being defenseless, not so clear-cut. It also depends on the perceived level of threat...i.e. the weapon. If a thug sees a greater threat of force being raised against them, they will back off out of self-preservation.
But you do recognize that the presence of a camera period can attract unwarranted attention..and yes, be "part of the problem" by increasing a protestor's perceived audience.

 

[Jim Feeley]

Depending on the group, wearing anything and taking out any kind of camera, even a smartphone, can provoke a reaction. Happened to me this weekend in Berkeley. Frank Somerville's experience was close to mine, though I was acquainted with some of the antifa/black-bloc people:

I experienced hate firsthand' at Berkeley rally
http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/KTVU-anchor-I-experienced-hate-first-hand-at-12071055.php

As for what a journalist should wear to a protest. How about dreads and a red tee-shirt as you protect someone you don't agree with?
https://www.revealnews.org/blog/reveal-host-al-letson-shields-man-from-beating-at-anti-hate-rally/



That stuff aside, my experiences parallel those of others here. Dress to fade in and not attract attention. Balance what will attract attention and ire of those most likely to become overly aggressive. One of many examples: I was covering a story where we recorded both the suit-wearing corporate types in a convention center and the much more street/black-wearing people protesting outside. On both sides, we attracted too much attention (too scruffy inside, to business-like outside)...and on both sides, specific people on that side came to vouch for us (they tolerated if didn't perhaps appreciate our attempts at objective coverage). Seriously: Inside we got handcuffed by burly security until a VP of the corporate organizers came to vouch for us. Outside people were starting to get aggressive towards us (me and a camera op), and one guy amongst them we'd interviewed a couple of times earlier came up and said in his outside voice, "Jim! How are you doing?" and started a kind of theatrical chat that made clear he at least didn't see us as bad guys.

Not the only such story, but it has a nice balance (and that stuff wasn't part of our final story...I'll save it for my memoirs )

As for weapons, besides all the other issues, what if you get arrested by even well-intentioned not-really-over-reacting police who are trying to maintain order? Then you'd be in a whole lot of trouble.

So what to wear? Good question that prompted some good discussion.

Bern, what do you think of this discussion so far? What are you planning to (or did) wear?

 

[jamedia.uk]

Against a true mob? Perhaps. If singled out by an individual intent on taking advantage of you presumably being defenseless, not so clear-cut.

If it is a riot there will be several mobs within it (on all sides). If you are singled out by an individual and pull a weapon any of the mob's *will* go for you. IF it is just an individual they will jump you in a way to give you no chance anyway. Should you get arrested for any reason i.e. in a fight with a lone person who attacked you, well you were the one who was armed. (malic aforethought: therefore guilty anyway) you will be locked up and more than probably charged. Then your card is marked and the Police will no longer ever see you as the Press but a problem.

It also depends on the perceived level of threat...i.e. the weapon. If a thug sees a greater threat of force being raised against them, they will back off out of self-preservation.

In a street robbery possibly, in a riot: not a chance. It doesn't work like that because when you pull the weapon everyone else around will se you threatening one of them. The mob will go for you.

But you do recognize that the presence of a camera period can attract unwarranted attention..and yes, be "part of the problem" by increasing a protestor's perceived audience.

Yes. Press are often the target by all and any sides. Including the LEA in some places. However being armed is NEVER the solution.

 

[Liam Hall]

I don't advocate carrying weapons when covering a protest or any event for that matter, though once when I got into a bit of scrap in Lagos I found my FSB8 on a carbon fibre monopod very handy for restoring order.

 

[Publimix]

Filming from the back of an elephant works all the time.

 

[Gweilo66]

Dunno..I think I would rather have some means of defense than none in a number of situations. We have seen entire planes held hostage by box-cutters. if you are in a parking ramp trying to get home and some thugs mit clubs walk up on you, flashing a pistol might make them think otherwise. Granted, I'm talking from a US concealed carry perspective. Preserving your press pass won't make you any less injured, brain damaged or dead.

 

[jamedia.uk]

Dunno..I think I would rather have some means of defense than none in a number of situations. We have seen entire planes held hostage by box-cutters. if you are in a parking ramp trying to get home and some thugs mit clubs walk up on you, flashing a pistol might make them think otherwise. Granted, I'm talking from a US concealed carry perspective. Preserving your press pass won't make you any less injured, brain damaged or dead.

You are now talking about a US street robbery situation not a riot/protest. That is a completely different situation.

 

[Publimix]

Dunno..I think I would rather have some means of defense than none in a number of situations. We have seen entire planes held hostage by box-cutters. if you are in a parking ramp trying to get home and some thugs mit clubs walk up on you, flashing a pistol might make them think otherwise. Granted, I'm talking from a US concealed carry perspective. Preserving your press pass won't make you any less injured, brain damaged or dead.


No wrong. Carrying weapons is stupid in these situations.
Nobody wants to see a member of the press with a gun on CNN. Your collegues won't appreciate it. Working in protests is just dangerous, you should have backup, someone who covers your back. And a thrown stone or bottle can hit you all the time when things become nasty. Or you can be beaten by the police or overrun by a police horse. (And if you are American citizen or living in another third world country the police will shoot you.) Look at the statistics.

Use your commom sense and get the hell out there if it is going to be violent. Or keep 'distance', that is what the press should do anyway.

Most of the times you can feel the tension rising, don't ignore these feelings and look for a better place to cover your story.

 

[Run&Gun]

You are now talking about a US street robbery situation not a riot/protest. That is a completely different situation.

Well... we saw video here last year of someone being attacked in a parking garage during the riots. True, it was not the large "riot group" outside, but a few individuals that had high emotions and felt emboldened by what was going on. It was not a robbery attempt, it was simply angry people attacking an otherwise innocent person as "retribution" for the perceived wrongs that they were rioting over.

 

[jamedia.uk]

Well... we saw video here last year of someone being attacked in a parking garage during the riots. True, it was not the large "riot group" outside, but a few individuals that had high emotions and felt emboldened by what was going on. It was not a robbery attempt, it was simply angry people attacking an otherwise innocent person as "retribution" for the perceived wrongs that they were rioting over.

In which case you need to always wear a bullet proof vest, a helmet, googles, boots, carry a gun and be afraid of your own shadow.

Oh yes.... don't do street journalism or go out at night.

Yes lightning strikes but it does not stop people playing golf.

 

[BrianMurphy]

Interesting post. My two cents ....and as the song says "been many places in my life and time"

The first thing you should be armed with is common sense and nothing else. I have shot in some pretty scary places in Europe, South America, the Carib, Central American, Eastern Europe, the Balkans and North Africa and the Middle East. Common sense has allowed me sit here in Montreal and write this now. A weapon of any kind would NEVER have found its way into my gear. Its just dumb. If you are working in a sketchy area, hire someone to watch your back and "fix" things.
If you are shooting a protest shoot the protest and expect to get pushed around, if you are in the midst and going for close coverage. Expect to have people be pissed off with you for shooting that close to them and possible compromising their position within the law. Then decide how much of that "up close and personal" you really need for whatever you are doing. The bump cap and water bottle as well as smart shoes and pants and jacket are all great points. But nothing replaces someone covering your back. I also think it is questionable to assume that if you are in the thick of it that because you have a Sony 320 ENG camera on your shoulder you will seem professional and safer rather than a smaller lighter camera. Maybe some have other experience than me but nasty crowds seem in my case to not discriminate between your choice of gear, especially now with everyone pulling out their smart phone to cover the event but that is just my experience.
I will admit that many guys I know also believe its good have a sturdy monopod on a quick release, I did but it never did anything but support the camera for me. I always carried a small but useful first aid kit and a few extra supplies in a light weight backpack along with swimming goggles which help a bit in certain situations.
Stay safe and when in doubt go for the wide shot.... you will live longer.