Overcoming fear of reactionary violence
Overcoming fear of reactionary violence
Without going into too much detail I’ll be participating in a strike action tomorrow related to the college encampments from the past month. While I’m excited to be a part of on the ground action, my anxiety over confrontation is flaring up quite a bit. Especially with there being such a big Zionist presence in my city, I’m worried about not just the police, but reactionaries coming to pick a fight. And while organizers say the likelihood of this is low, it’s something that will always be on the back of my mind. Is there any advice for overcoming these fears and making the most out of tomorrow?
You won't be alone, no Zionist freak has the balls to confront you when you're surrounded by like minded people that outnumber him by a lot. Hope everything goes well
Hey, look - not everyone is suited to be a warrior, nor should they be. That's not something to be ashamed of. If you get to a point where you feel you can go out and be on the front line please do, but if that doesn't feel right consider other roles you can take - providing transport, staffing off-site locations providing medical aid or supplies, helping to make banners or whatever before the event. If you can get in touch with an organizer explain that you're not comfortable with direct confrontation, they may be able to direct you to rear area roles doing logistics or something. Every revolution needs someone to watch children, make food, deliver supplies. It's not all front line fighters throwing down with fascists.
If you're like me and manage anxiety by preparing equipment, try getting your protest kit together - water! At least a few liters for summer protests. And snacks to maintain energy and electrolyte balance, something with sugar and salt. You can also make up the WHO oral rehydration formula. I don't have the recipe on hand but it's a mix of salt and sugar that you add to a dose of water to re-hydrate people. Works great to stay hydrated on hot, sweaty days. Pack some hard candies for anyone with diabetes, some pads and toilet paper bc periods happen at the worst time. Wrap ten feet of duct tape around itself so you have a small duct tape bundle, it's always handy. If you have some pack safety goggles and a respirator. Pack some n95s if you have any. Pack some sharpie markers, they're always useful for something. Basically - think of what you'd want on a slightly spicy day hike.
Snacks to share can be a nice way to meet people. If you've got any small board games, especially ones that are all cards, they can be nice to have if you're in one place not doing much for a while.
I agree that not everyone is suited to be a warrior, but you should still train like one. Everyone should know how to defend themselves and patch themselves up medically at the very least. You don’t need to be a tacticiool operator with John wick reflexes for this.
But more importantly, that medical training is essential and more likely to be needed than weaponry. But next to that, people resisting against inhumane crimes against humanity should still feel dangerous. By that, I mean you’re already a political threat to the system. To truly make them sweat and be efficient, you have to be a physical threat as well, and simply being heathy, active, quick, and physically strong will achieve that. And “physically strong” means becoming stronger than you are right now, whether it’s lifting an extra 5 pounds or 100 pounds.
Love this comment, thank you for the motivation/inspiration.
Also, it might be a good idea to bring your own pepper spray or other less-than-lethal self-defense tool.
Stay with others, stay behind a reinforced banner if possible, or off the front if you're still feeling nervous.
Personally, I find other people are the cure to these things. Get to know the people around you, make friends, care about each other, and you'll generally be alright whatever the case, plus it can be fun.
You know, ideally they won't show up and cause trouble. But if they do? Kick some fascist ass. You're already ready for cops, and compared to cops they're gonna be less organized, less armed, and much less capable of putting you in prison. Good luck tomorrow. Genuinely these political strikes in the US are world-historic and your part in them means a lot.
Cops were easily the more aggressive party. Came in with batons ready to crack skulls. It was hilarious to see them seething at not being able to beat up on citizens.
Basic protest tactics will help. Don’t try splitting up or scattering when confronted. This is how they pick you off. Safety in numbers.
And the other is for the future: become dangerous. By that, I mean work out. Become fast to escape and chase down a fucker if necessary. Become strong to be able to fight if necessary. Become big to intimidate. Pack heat or other kinds of weapons for last resort defense. Become competent in your tools. When you know you’re capable of killing a man, you become more confident in yourself.
Also remember this: zionists are cowards. They’re unable to sustain themselves since the very beginning. They always needed support from superpowers to oppress people. Tiny nations like Cuba and North Korea have been able to resist with and WITHOUT the help of larger nations. They’re paper tigers, but even paper can make you bleed. But just remember that the only things they do best is have a serial killer mentality. They’ll always be arrogant because they think their arrogance is earned and not a result of external ideology propping them up. They would never dare say any of the things they say unless they were with a crowd.
In a world where it’s either you or me? well it might as well be you.
I don't know that you actually want to overcome these fears. They are likely accurate. You need to make a continuous agency plan about how to handle the highlikelyhood. Depending on your comfort level we are talking about a solid plan to hit the bricks if shit pops off. I would rather not see good comrades hurt for no reason. To stuff like a goggles and a leather jacket to help protect against minor injury. Given that we have the power of the state apparatus on their side I don't think now is the time to consider adventurous options beyond that. Also if you were the type to do some adventuring and you needed to ask us the answer would be to simply not.
I think, fundamentally, you just have to be ready to suffer for your cause. But probably you won't suffer for doing this. You are part of a greater movement trying to stop people from suffer. It is hard, I know. It is kind of the hardest part of doing what's right; that you put yourself at risk. You have to really internalize that other people are real and as important as you are and then do what is necessary. This is the only way out of liberalism, to regard the other as yourself. Again, it is so so hard to do. Salute to you for practicing in line with it.
