We are, unfortunately, not in normal times right now. If you haven’t looked outside or on the news or the internet lately, there are atrocities being committed across the United States. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE, as they’re more often referred to) has been detaining hundreds of individuals, based on nothing more than the color of their skin or the language that they speak. They’re entering schools and places of worship to attempt to deport anyone they possibly can, without due cause or due process. Families are being fractured, all for reasons that they’re making up as they go, or so it seems. Illegal immigration is a civil offense, not a criminal one. If you’ve ever jaywalked or talked shit erroneously on the internet, you’ve been involved in a civil offense.
People across the country are protesting to demand that our rights be protected and upheld. If you’re planning on protesting, please be safe and responsible. Here’s a (very short, absolutely non-exhaustive) list of resources. Be prepared before you go.
- SALUTE Guide to Informed Reporting
- Red Cards: Protect Your Constitutional Rights
- ACLU: Know Your Protestors’ Rights
- Amnesty: Civil Disobedience Toolkit
- Amnesty: Protect Your Phone And Identity
- What To Wear And Bring To A Protest
- NRDC: How To Protest Safely
- Meshkov & Breslin: Protest Safety Tips
- Human Rights Campaign: Tips for Preparedness
- PHR: Preparing For And Protecting Against Tear Gas
Be safe out there, everyone. Being punk is not just about a specific genre of music or a set of fashion choices. It’s more than just a style — it’s a movement where, at its core, it fights to be anti-establishment, anti-fascist, anti-racist, and anti-bigot. It’s fighting for a radical betterment of the world, not just for yourself but for those around you. Being a bigot is not and will never fucking be punk. Do not sit idly by while those around you suffer and fight for the society that you claim you want. Do not be a bystander. Know your rights.