I'm a protest (big ones anyway) virgin with a video camera

[shadowknows69]

any advice from veterans?

[obxhead]

1. Don't go alone.

Be aware of what the police are doing/saying, tear gas sucks from what I understand.

[alittlelark]

2. Dress 'professionally', smile nicely at the police-people

Look innocuous. Stay aware of your surroundings. I've been to a number of big ones here in SF - I've never had a problem. There will likely be a few agitators, but they will likely be ignored by other protest-goers.

[MnFats]

3. keep your head down. Wait, that might not work if you're taping..

...but if you think there might be some confrontation:
* take a couple of bottles of water, if not for drinking, then for rinsing irritants like mace or tear gas out of the eyes;
* use a buddy system. or a group of three. keep an eye on each other at all times. if somebody gets arrested, make note of when and where and, ostensibly, what for. note whether or not the individual had any injuries when they were hauled off...(hate to say it but you might need that for later comparison.
• have an escape route planned if at all possible....I mean if you're on a street and the cops/guard start busting heads, don't get trapped. plot a route to get the hell out.
• have your buddies take a couple cheap one-shot cameras, even if they're not experienced photographers. you may need to photograph the cops, demonstrators and possible provacateurs within your midst. You might have to show what they DID NOT do as well as what they did.
• if you;re taping and the cops demand your tape: have your buddies carry an identical tape in their jackets. hand them the fake one or work it out one way or another....the friend takes off after you said 'I gave it to her' and the cops chase off after her.. you get the real tape to safety.
• watch out for provacateurs, by the way. there is a famous U of Mn story...i think this happened elsewhere, too...of some tought-guy demonstrators mixing in with antiwar protesters shouting'kill the pigs' etc. and pitching rocks....after the demonstration they were seen getting into a cop car and driving off together.
• unless it's ungodly hot, wear long sleeves and long pants. Better to get mace sprayed on your clothing than your skin. Oh, same issue: wear something on your head, too.

there's probably more but hope this helps...and don't worry. the vast majority of demonstrations come off without trouble these days. Actually the cops have better training, too, which helps. But a lot of departments have thumpers so you can't be too cautious.

[Lerkfish]

4. never done it, but a couple of things I thought of if I did...

bring extra tapes or dvds –– Have a non-camera carrying confederate collect them from you periodically and spirit them to a safe place, maybe several safe places. You could even have dvd mailers and address them to a safe place and drop them in mailboxes as you go.

the main thing is that when you carry a camera, YOU will be the one they confiscate from, so the more efficiently and more often you can secret tapes and dvds as you go, the better chance of them surviving for others to view if necessary (or if you need to defend yourself or other protestors in court).

Fascists destroy evidence. Make it harder for them to do that. Maybe have a cadre of "designated holders" of tapes and dvds, memory cards, etc. Have these be dressed like bankers and do nothing at all suspicious. Have them periodically collect these items and get them OUT OF THERE into some safe waiting space.

[shadowknows69]

5. good advice everyone thanks

And a lot of it common sense but it's butterflies in stomach time and its good to have it in print in front of me.

[SeattleGirl]

6. I second the thanks

I'm going to the rally here in Seattle on 9/24, and have never been to one, so also have a few butterflies in my stomach. However, I'm hooking up with a friend who has been to many rallys and demonstrations, so I feel a little better about that. I admit I'm scared something bad might happen, but I am so angry and distressed about what is going on in this country that I decided any nervousness or fear I may have will have to take a back seat to my need to add my voice to everyone elses!

[shadowknows69]

8. I'm in an interesting position

in that I'm going as a protester and an independent journalist. does anyone know where i might register as a journalist and perhaps get some kind of credentials that might make me less of a target and help get the documentary home. Much as I'd like to yell and rage at the machine i'm willing to do this in an unbiased manner if it will get me more access.

[proud patriot]

7. wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers

:hi:

[shadowknows69]

9. I'd have a layer of kevlar if i could afford it

believe me. i bruise easy ;-)

[liveoaktx]

10. Here's a really good book

The Video Activist Handbook