Are You Protesting Today?

Advice from Hong Kong

Bring a burner phone instead of your regular phone. Yes, this means you’ll need to make an ink on paper list of contacts that you know you’ll absolutely NEED in case of emergency. I mean, do YOU remember anyone’s number anymore? Hell’s bells, off the top of my head I don’t even know my own.

IF you can’t get a burner, be sure you secure your phone. Read about how to here. More phone safety info, tips, and such here. 

Taking pics? Of course you are. Check out this site for the full skinny. 

Be Mindful of Other Protesters in Your Photos and Videos #

If you are taking photos or videos of people at the protest, be mindful of what you post. If you post photos online where protesters or bystanders’ faces are identifiable, law enforcement or vigilantes might track them down and arrest or harass them. Obscure the faces of anyone in the image. There are a handful of ways to do this:

• You can edit photos in the default Android or iOS photo editing apps. Be sure to block out or blur other identifying features such as tattoos or unique clothing (blurring can sometimes be reversed so blocking out is better if you have the option).
• If you're using Signal, the app has a blurring tool built into it. You can create a message conversation with yourself (the app refers to this as a "Note to Self") to easily save the image to your phone for sharing.
•  Image Scrubber is an online tool that can be used on either mobile or desktop devices to blur or block out a face.

Scrub Metadata on Photos #

Once you are ready to post your photos, it’s a good idea to scrub the metadata contained in the image files so you don't leak personally identifying information. Metadata on photos can include information such as the model of camera the photo was taken on, the exact time and location where the photo was taken, and even your name. You have a few approaches to handling this:

• Remove any original photo metadata by transferring the photo onto a desktop computer, taking a screenshot of the image, and posting the screenshot instead of the original photo.
• You can also take a screenshot of the photo on your mobile device to remove the metadata, but the image quality may not be as high. You can then post that screenshot instead of the original photo.
• Send yourself a copy of the photo in the Signal app (which strips metadata when sending images), then download the sent image for posting.

From the ACLU on picture taking and shooting video at protests:

Your rights

• When you are lawfully present in any public space, you have the right to photograph anything in plain view, including federal buildings and the police. (On private property, the owner may set rules about photography or video.)
• Police officers may not confiscate or demand to view your photographs or video without a warrant, nor may they delete data under any circumstances. However, they may order citizens to cease activities that are truly interfering with legitimate law enforcement operations.
• If you are videotaping, be aware that there is an important legal distinction between a visual photographic record (fully protected) and the audio portion of a videotape, which some states have tried to regulate under state wiretapping laws.

What to do if you are stopped or detained for taking photographs

• Always remain calm and never physically resist a police officer.
• Police cannot detain you without reasonable suspicion that you have or are about to commit a crime or are in the process of doing so.
• If you are stopped, ask the officer if you are free to leave. If the answer is yes, calmly walk away.
• If you are detained, ask the officer what crime you are suspected of committing, and remind the officer that taking photographs is your right under the First Amendment and does not constitute reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.

What to do if you believe your rights have been violated

• When you can, write down everything you remember, including the officers' badge and patrol car numbers and the agency they work for.
• Get contact information for witnesses.
• Take photographs of any injuries.
• Once you have all of this information, you can file a written complaint with the agency's internal affairs division or civilian complaint board.

Be aware. This ain't no party, this ain't no disco. This ain't no fooling around.