Adnkronos (Adnkronos) –
A "pocket guide to street protests for beginners," with "practical advice and useful information on repression and collective reaction." Titled 'Safer in the Street,' it's the document circulating in chat rooms linked to the October 17 Movement, accompanied by an invitation to "print and share" this information in the streets.
On social media, the Movement then announces an appointment every Saturday at 15 pm in the main Italian squares "until the fall of this thieving government": Piazza del Duomo in Milan, Piazza Nettuno in Bologna, Piazza Castello, Circo Massimo in Rome, Piazza Santa Maria Novella in Florence, Piazza Mazzini in Padua, Piazza Umberto I in Bari and Piazza De Ferrari in Genoa.
The text begins with situations that can arise even before a demonstration begins: checks, identifications, and searches in the streets, at train stations, and near highway exits.
Participants are reminded of the importance of carrying identification and are provided with general information on their rights in the event of a police stop or escort.
A significant portion of the guide is dedicated to what can happen during a demonstration. The chapter on "collective reaction" urges people to be alert to those who fall, are injured, have difficulty breathing, or are stopped, highlighting the risks associated with panic and the disorderly movement of crowds.
“Don’t run away in a disorderly fashion,” reads the text, which invites people to stay calm and help those in difficulty.
Then there are chapters dedicated to the various public order tools: tear gas, pepper spray, water cannons, and batons. The latter "hurt a lot," so "you can protect yourself by using construction helmets, motorcycle or skateboard protectors," the handbook suggests, but "they could hinder your mobility." The guide describes the effects of irritants and provides general advice for dealing with potential exposure.
“Knowing their effects is the best way to defuse much of their repressive power,” we read in the section dedicated to tear gas.
The document also addresses the possibility of arrest or detention. The message is to know your rights, seek legal assistance, and not make any statements without first speaking to a lawyer. Among the suggested phrases is: "I exercise the right to remain silent." And the invitation is to remain calm: "Try to appear calm."
There's also a chapter on documenting demonstrations. Photos and videos, it says, can be important for reconstructing what happened and even defending people facing trial, but they can also help identify protesters. "You are responsible for the materials you produce," the guide warns, urging people not to film anyone who doesn't want to be filmed and to carefully consider what you publish. It also states: "Be careful how and to whom you talk about any heated movements before or during the demonstration," and that "phone calls and text messages may be intercepted."
Particular attention is also paid to the presence of law enforcement officers in the images. The document supports the right to film officers performing their duties but also warns of the potential risks of doing so during tense moments. The general recommendation is to use photos and videos responsibly and not to share images that could unnecessarily expose others.
The guide extends to the "aftermath." The repression, 'Safer in the Street' argues, doesn't end with the dissolution of the march: there may be legal consequences in the days and months that follow. Hence the call for solidarity with those stopped or arrested and to follow what happens after the demonstration. "Don't limit yourself to the demonstration," it reads, because "participating in a protest, sending a letter, following a trial means not leaving those who suffer it alone." The document concludes with an invitation to know your rights and to get informed before facing situations you don't know how to handle. "Don't take anything for granted," is the final recommendation, accompanied by the invitation to seek information "from those with more experience (legal or in the streets)."
"Permanent mobilization every Saturday. Until the fall of this thieving government," the Movement announced on social media. "We understand we'll organize more," they wrote on the Movement's Telegram channel. "We'll spread the word and include as many people as possible in this group. Once we reach a certain number of members, we'll divide it up by city."
The October 17 Movement's Instagram profile description reads: "We are the ones in the streets. Those who see the only violence in the cops' truncheons." And in another post, they add: "You are the violent ones who have denied us our future, now we're taking that future."
News
webinfo@adnkronos.com (Web Info)