Protest Safety and Community Care with Kalaya’an Mendoza

Understanding the LA Situation

• 🎯 The current situation in Los Angeles is characterized by an attempted militarized authoritarian takeover, with mainstream media misrepresenting the extent of unrest.
• ⚠️ Protests have largely been peaceful and contained, with significant police and National Guard presence disproportionate to actual events.
• 💡 The undocumented and Latino populations are experiencing profound fear due to a government terror campaign, with reports of wrongful detentions.

Protest Safety Framework

• 🛡️ Before an action, identify personal activation points (triggers) and anchor points (calming mechanisms), and share with a safety team or buddy.
• 🧠 During protests, practice situational awareness using the Observe, Orient, Decide, Act (OODA) loop, and move like water by knowing primary and secondary exits to avoid being kettled.
• 🫂 After an action, practice community care through debriefing with your group and conducting a holistic check-in: physical, psychosocial, energetic, and support needs.

Adapting Advice for Different Participants

• 🧑‍🦳 Older activists should develop a precise safety plan, go with trusted groups, and ensure personal needs like medication are met.
• 💻 Those unable to attend in person can provide digital peacekeeping or remote support by monitoring police scanners and live streams to relay real-time information.
• ⚠️ For those on the ground, be aware of limitations, carry necessary supplies like inhalers and medication, and research nearby hospitals, as EMT access may be restricted.

De-escalation and Community Resilience

• 🤝 De-escalation is primarily about regulating oneself and those in close relationship, focusing on staying cool, calm, collected, and connected.
• ⚡ Protective intervention involves acting as a third party to redirect aggression, serving as a lightning rod to help others exit dangerous situations.
• ✨ Seek out moments of radical joy, community, and connection, as these are revolutionary acts that counter the isolating nature of fascism and build a blueprint for a safer world.

Responding to ICE Actions

• 📝 When encountering potential ICE actions, use the SALUTE acronym (Size, Activity, Location, Uniform/Unit ID, Time, Equipment) to document and share accurate information, spreading power rather than panic.
• 👁️ Bearing witness and documenting events is crucial for countering narrative attacks and highlighting the human impact of these actions.
• ❤️ The driving force behind activism should be love and grief for affected community members, fostering solidarity and mutual care.