Last night, I went down to Occupy SF simply to add more peaceful bodies to the area in the event of a police raid. Thankfully, everything was ultimately rather calm and peaceful. I hung around the medic tent for most of the evening, meeting people and asking questions about how to deal with the kind of police violence we’ve seen so much of in recent weeks.

This poster gives a great overview of some of the stuff I learned. It reads as follows, edited only slightly to include what I learned last night talking with the medics at Occupy SF:

Occupy Wall Street!

This guide was made in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement and is not directly affiliated. Method below used by many, including photographers in Greece during protests.

DEFENDING AGAINST TEAR GAS

The following tips are to be exercised only for defense purposes and in the event of police/government officials using tear gas in peaceful protests. Never incite violence.

Items you will need:

• Painter’s/dust mask, found in hardware stores.
• Eye protection, found in hardware stores.
• Water spray bottle. Make sure [it’s] washed of any cleaning solution.
• Liquid antacid. Any [unflavored] in liquid form such as Maalox or Mylanta. [You can also use no-brand, generic milk of magnesia, available at many all-purpose department stores; read the ingredients on the bottle and make sure it contains no simethicone or alcohol.]

Know your enemy: Tear gas is a non-lethal chemical weapon that stimulates the corneal nerves in the eyes to cause tearing, pain, and even blindness. Tear gas works by irritating mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, mouth and lungs, and causes crying, sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing, pain in the eyes, temporary blindness, etc.

Tear gas relief—Liquid Antacid and Water (LAW): Be prepared for exposure. Tear gas is a particulate, not real gas, so painters/dust masks help.

“Greeks have become skilled at choosing the right protective gear. Maaloxis a must.” —Aris Messinis/AFP

1. Find a good size spray bottle and wash well.
2. Fill half of spray bottle with liquid antacid ([such as] Maalox).
3. Fill the remaining half of bottle with water.
4. When exposed, spray your eyes and mouth, then swallow.

[This is] also effective as pepper spray remedy. A University of California San Francisco-based study has found that topical application of antacids “for capsaicin-induced pain is effective, particularly in early treatment of exposure to refined capsaicin.”

Helping yourself and others: After using the liquid antacid and water method on yourself, hold up your spray bottle and start shouting for people to come towards your voice for help. Spray their face and mouth.

If you are wearing eye protection or a mask, be proactive and kick the canister away from the crowd. If you can kick it down a gutter, or douse it with water, you can minimize its impact.

Stay peaceful. Peaceful protest is the only way to be taken seriously and to be truly heard.

STAY VIGILANT. STAY UNITED. STAY INFORMED. PROTECT YOUR FELLOW COUNTRYMEN. DO NOT TRUST THE MEDIA.

Credits: deptofunitedwerise@hotmail.com

Sources: @JasonPicard, Global Post, Wikia (Medic Wiki): Pepper spray and tear gas, Wikipedia: Tear gas

Information courtesy of: Dept. “United We Rise” - Information Branch
Form #067-INFO-990368-2A (rev. 10.27.11) 

ecowalnut:

Stay Vigilant.