Rules of Engagement

From AnonHouston

If you follow these simple rules, the success of your action is virtually assured. However, keep in mind that the success of the demonstration as a whole hinges on the good behavior of all those who participate. Ignore these rules at your own peril. Follow them, and victory will be yours.

[edit] Protest Checklist

Attire and Equipment

• Suits are preferred.
• Guy Fawkes masks are preferred, but if you don't have one, any old mask will do. Or try one of these alternatives.
• Consider coming with a second set of clothing. This allows a quick change of appearance, thus confusing any tails.
• If you can, buy a packet of dust masks. They're cheap, and you can give the spares to fellow Anon who came without a mask.
• Stay hydrated! DRINK WATER BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE PROTEST.
• Recognize the signs of, and basic first aid for heat injury, for yourself and your fellow protesters.

Beware the Scilons

• Scilons will bull-bait you. They will try to provoke you into doing something stupid. DON'T fall for it. Just walk away if you get angry for any reason.
• Remember that the Scilons will be taking pictures of Anon. Masks will be important if you want to avoid litigation.
• Scilons will try to infiltrate our ranks. Be on guard, and expect them. They will also try asking us "difficult" questions. If you don't know the answer well enough to answer, DIRECT THEM TO SOMEONE WHO CAN.
• Watch your back. Scilons will be tailing you. Keep your mask on as long as possible, and be aware of your surroundings if you do take it off.
• Scilons will try to split our ranks. They will appeal to our egos, our self-importance, and try to start a civil war between the Old Guard and new members in the same way they have disconnected families. Do not be fooled. We have no leaders. Stop thinking that you are one. This applies both in the real life protest, and online in the *chans and other forums.
• One possible way to deter/identify Scilons might be to carry around OT3 material, or to drop a name with no context (eg, just randomly say "David Miscaviage") and watch their reaction.
• Dealing with Infiltrators

Flyers

• You can never have enough flyers.
• Watch your flyers. DO NOT LEAVE THEM UNATTENDED. Infiltrating Scilons will try to steal unattended flyers, which leaves us with less of them to hand out.
• Be wary of who you give flyers to. DO give Scilons a single flyer, but DO NOT believe anyone who asks for a whole stack to help you with handing out - that is a surefire Scilon.
• DO remember the faces of those you give flyers to, because Scilons will keep coming back for more flyers. At your discretion, consider giving them a second flyer when they say they "lost" their previous copy, but absolutely DO NOT give them a third copy.

Police and the Law

• Notify local authorities prior to the protest. Set out the conditions you would like. If they don't like your conditions, try and compromise. For example, in Sydney, the police didn't want us wearing masks. We negotiated, saying that the masks are important to our identity as Anonymous. In the end, the police said we could wear masks, on the proviso that we remove the masks if asked by an officer. If the police say you can't do something, try and negotiate a compromise.
• Respect the Police and the Law. We have built up a good reputation with them.
• Anonymous respects the law during a protest. Any who do break the law will be denounced as "not with us" and handed over to the Police.
• For that reason, if the Police ask you to do anything, do it, no questions asked, BEFORE the situation escalates. This includes removing your mask.
• Avoid foul language. No usage of these words: fuck, scifag, fag, bitch, shit.
• These words should be fine in general: scilon.
• DO NOT SINK TO THEIR LEVEL. As the saying goes, "two wrongs don't make a right." We need to show we are better than them.
• We keep everything above board. Nothing hidden, because we have nothing to hide.

Security Precautions

• Let your friends and family know that they might be contacted by a Scientology PI seeking information on you. They may pose as police officers or potential employers. Establish a safety perimeter by warning people close to you not to give out any information, no matter what the pretense.
• Password protect all your accounts, including utilities. Scientology representatives will try to acquire personal information, including bank and phone records. If possible, arrange to be notified when a request for information comes through.
• Notify your neighbors to be on the lookout for strange vehicles in your neighborhood. Scientology operatives will often 'stake out' a target, as well as canvass the neighborhood asking questions about you.
• Never leave anything in your vehicle! Don't leave mail lying about in your car where addresses are visible. Make sure your vehicle registration isn't visible from the outside.
• Cross-cut shredder. Buy it, use it! Shred everything that might have information Scientology can use. There have been numerous reports of people having their trash gone through or even stolen. Dump kitty litter on top of the shredded documents to make it more attractive.
• Home and phone security. Practice basic security. Keep your doors locked and your pets inside when you're not home. Make sure your kids know not to give out any information to callers. Again, callers may pose as police or other officials. Make sure everyone is aware of that.
• Be alert for anything "strange." Keep a log of any and all unusual occurrences, time and date. It is important to maintain a timeline of these. If possible, write down the license plate of any mysterious cars following you or parked in your neighborhood.
• You can expect to be followed. False police reports may be filed against you. Your neighborhood may be fliered with libellous accusations against you. Get copies! Most importantly, be sure to publicize any and all threats, stalkers, information seekers, or intimidation. Communication, in cases like this, is of utmost importance. This type of intimidation only works if people keep silent about it. When people realize that they're not the only ones targeted, it becomes less intimidating.

Signs

• If you are bringing a sign, CHECK IT BEFORE YOU USE IT. Hold it at a distance of 20 meters. If you can't read it clearly and easily, the text isn't large enough.
• Avoid hate-messages in signs. If you see someone with a "Hate" sign, like "Honk if you hate Scientology", please give them one of your extra signs to carry instead. If they refuse, they're probably a Scilon plant.
• TOO MANY MEMES. If you want to have a meme sign, consider making the other side anti-Co$ so you can switch it around as appropriate.

The Public

• If you are asked a question you don't know how to answer, DIRECT THEM TO SOMEONE WHO CAN.
• If someone accuses you of Religious Bigotry, point out that we support FreeZone, but not Co$. An Anon might disagree with one, some, or all religions - but people are free to believe what they want. A belief does not necessarily infringe on free speech or other human rights directly. (TL,DR; We are fighting against the Co$ organization.)
• Try and march through places which are heavily trafficked, as long as the police are okay with this.
• Do not list private details of known Scilons, or anyone else except business information that is already public. (eg, business info for the Scilon HQ.)

[edit] Local Houston Protest Rules

Masks are OK

Use of

Boomboxes, megaphones, other sound amplification up to 75Db have been permitted, by law.

Sticks/PVC on signs are OK within size limits. See Legal Information for more

[edit] Global Anonmyous Protest Rules 0-22

see this video for a narration of these rules

Rule #0: Rules 1 and 2 of the internet still apply. Your memes are not, at this juncture, something that the real world can appreciate. Although meme speak between fellow Anonymous is acceptable, focus on the target and keep it to a minimum.

Rule #1: Stay cool. Rule #2: Stay cool, especially when harassed. You are an ambassador of Anonymous. Although individuals trying to disrupt your demonstration will get on your nerves, you must not lose your temper. Doing so will harm the protest and tarnish the reputation of Anonymous.

Rule #3: Comply with the orders of law enforcement officers above all else. Doing otherwise is harmful the demonstration as a whole and may compromise your performance as a human being. Do not request badge numbers unless you are being treated in a very abusive manner, as doing so will anger officers.

Rule #4: Notify city officials. Most jurisdictions either have rules about public protests, or would prefer to be notified that they are taking place. Know the rules for your jurisdiction and abide by them.

Rule #5: Always be across the street from the object being protested.

Rule #6: In the absence of a road, find another natural barrier between yourself and the target of protest. Doing so will make it more difficult for individuals hostile to your cause to come and harass you.

Rule #7: Stay on public property. You may be charged for trespassing if you do not.

Rule #8: No violence. Rule #9: No weapons. The demonstration is a peaceful event. Your weapons. You will not need them.

Rule #10: No alcohol or pre-drinking. Violating this rule may easily precipitate a violation of rules 1 and 2.

Rule #11: NO graffiti, destruction, or vandalism.

Rule #12: If you want to do something stupid, pick another day. These should be self explanatory. Violation of these rules during a demonstration will tarnish the reputation of Anonymous, harm the demonstration itself and leave you vulnerable to attention from law enforcement.

Rule #13: Anonymous is legion. Never be alone. Isolation during a protest marks you as a target for handlers who wish to provoke an angry reaction from you and other hostiles. In keeping with this principle...

Rule #14: Organize in squads of 10 to 15 people.

Rule #15: One or two megaphones per squad. A megaphone is helpful for maintaining the overall cohesion of a demonstration and spreading your message. However, too many will confuse the public and render you hearing impaired.

Rule #16: Know the dress code. Forming a loose yet reasonable dress code for protest members will help to maintain cohesion and get the public to take you seriously.

Rule #17: Cover your face. This will prevent your identification from videos taken by hostiles, other protesters or security. Use scarves, hats and sunglasses. Masks are not necessary, and donning them in the context of a public demonstration is forbidden in some jurisdictions.

Rule #18: DO NOT take ID or credit cards. This will prevent your definitive identification in case you do something unseemly and get noticed by law enforcement.

Rule #19: Bring water.

Rule #20: Wear good shoes. Following these rules will assure your comfort during the demonstration. Keep in mind that demonstrations may often be quite lengthy.

Rule #21: Signs, flyers, and phrases. Have yours ready. Make sure that signs are large enough to read. Also ensure that the text on your signs and your phrases are pertinent to the target of the protest. Finally, prepare legible, uncomplicated and accurate flyers to hand out to those who wish to know more regarding the motivations behind your actions.

Rule #22: Document the demonstration. Videos and pictures of the event may be used to corroborate your side of the story if law enforcement get involved. Furthermore, posting images and videos of your heroic actions all over the internet is bound to generate win, exhorting other Anonymous to follow your glorious example.