this post was submitted on 25 Mar 2025
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In Person Activism

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"Power wants your body softening in your chair and your emotions dissipating on the screen. Get outside. Put your body in unfamiliar places with unfamiliar people. Make new friends and march with them." -Tim Snyder

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[–] FireRetardant@lemmy.world 68 points 1 week ago (2 children)

There aren't enough pixels to tell if that bracelet has any blue on it. The evidence for wire seems to be a single keyring loop thing. The "cuffs" could just be a tin of chew.

Definitely still look out but idk if this is the best image to match with those captions.

Other things to look for include, holsters at belt and pit level, mechanic or medical gloves, a cheap necklace (could be a badge), large zipties (commonly used as cuffs during protests), eye protection, radio/walkie talkie.

[–] otacon239@lemmy.world 67 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (5 children)

I think the vest is the ultimate giveaway here. Chances are pretty low a civilian protestor will have access to one.

[–] FireRetardant@lemmy.world 30 points 1 week ago

That vest also doesn't look that bulky. It could be a security vest used more for stabs and impacts, which is a reasonable thing someone with access to one would wear to a protest if they thought things might escalate

[–] Buelldozer 17 points 1 week ago

Chances are pretty low a civilian protestor will have access to one.

In the U.S??? I can literally buy them in a store or order them online. I'm a "Gun Guy", but not a gun tard, and at least half of the other gun guys I know have one. You can buy basic Level III stuff like the guy in that picture is wearing for $300.

[–] Nasan@sopuli.xyz 14 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Want to say it's only illegal to purchase them in Connecticut and New York (unless for use within applicable professions). But yeah, rare to see people outside of law enforcement wearing soft armor in plain clothes.

[–] otacon239@lemmy.world 11 points 1 week ago

Yeah, that was more my point. Just that it would be unlikely. This guy could very well be a civilian, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

[–] peoplebeproblems@midwest.social 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Man it's fucking wild that you can't buy armor but you can buy weapons a plenty.

[–] dontpanic@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Can I make my own out of the bulletproof backpacks they market for kids?

[–] prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 1 week ago

What a sentence.

[–] peoplebeproblems@midwest.social 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Probably, but would it be cost effective?

[–] dontpanic@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 1 week ago

Doubtful but it seems like it could be a statement in and of itself.

[–] Vytle@lemmy.world 13 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Yeah, but would you try to hide it?

[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 11 points 1 week ago

Of course?! Same reason I conceal carry. Why the hell would I advertise my offense and defense? And advertising gives the pigs one more reason to target your happy ass.

[–] peoplebeproblems@midwest.social 7 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

Actually, that's a good question. Would I try to hide it?

Like if I'm at a protest and seriously worried about cops shooting me I don't know that the thin ass vest the guy is wearing is gonna do much.

[–] Buelldozer 7 points 1 week ago

Like if I’m at a protest and seriously worried about cops shooting me

You show up to party with the booze ya' got, not the booze ya' wish ya' had. The rate things are going you may soon wish you'd ordered yourself some.

[–] ProdigalFrog@slrpnk.net 3 points 1 week ago

Kevlar vests like that will reliably stop most pistol rounds, but rifle rounds will zip through.

[–] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago

Bruh you and I go to very very different protests.

[–] abcdqfr@lemmy.world 9 points 1 week ago

Color of the day armband, dead giveaway not labeled