direct action resources

Hello,
WHENEVER there is a large or small action planned, people bring there experiences, tactics, etc with them. Here is a list of stuff that could be useful for people doing action for first time or building on there skills and resources.
Below is a compile of resources for direct actions, it covers logistics, skills, decision making models, pepper spray, media etc It could be of use for anyone preparing for direct action.
Enjoy!

Spokes councils , affinity groups, diversity of tactics.
http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23525/20020211-0000/www.woomera2002.com/sp...
http://www.nycga.net/files/2011/10/Spokes-Council-v4.pdf
http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23525/20020211-0000/www.woomera2002.com/af...

‘ don’t slag each other off in the media.’
http://www.pressaction.com/news/weblog/full_article/zakkflash152012/

media work
http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23525/20020211-0000/www.woomera2002.com/me...

General assemblies decision making model
http://www.occupylv.org/topics/relationship-between-general-assembly-and...
http://boingboing.net/2011/12/17/occupy-wall-street-hand-signal.html

consensus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consensus_decision-making

mutinous swagger styles vs. spokes-councils.
http://zinelibrary.info/files/longlivemutiny.pdf

Setting up large action camps.
http://www.atcoop.org.uk/drupal/sites/all/files/recipe-book.pdf

action / self defence and police tactics resources
http://anti-politics.net/distro/2009/ccr-read.pdf
http://euro-police.noblogs.org/files/2012/03/ACPO_Manual_2004.pdf

some what to bring and what not to take to actions
http://n9anarchistbloc.wordpress.com/protest-chic/

how to split police lines and get where your going
- see half way down
http://www.redpepper.org.uk/five-fingers-beat-16-000-g8-cops/

How to set up the basis of an occupation structures real quick
http://www.crudeawakening.org.uk/node/9
see video 5 - 1min 47 seconds.
road block tripods quick at 55 seconds
video 4 - using nvda to defend space

how to surge and take a space / swoop
http://irregularrhythmasylum.blogspot.com/2007/10/another-g13-report.html

how to protect yourself
http://www.devo.com/sarin/shieldbookbw.pdf

affinity groups, medical support etc
http://antimedia.net/cookbook/
http://www.activategr.org/organizing/howto/affinity-groups/

consensus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consensus_decision-making

why mask up?
http://notmytribe.com/solidarity/troublemaking/protest/mask-up
http://www.indymedia.co.uk/en/2010/12/469356.html?c=on

dealing with cops
http://www.activategr.org/organizing/howto/dealing-with-police/
http://www.fitwatch.org.uk/
http://www.schnews.org.uk/diyguide/guidetopublicordersituations.htm
http://notmytribe.com/solidarity/troublemaking
http://notmytribe.com/solidarity/troublemaking/protest/self-defense
http://delicious.com/dr.woooo/self-help-guides-for-radicals

movements and media
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/04/428061.html
http://activistsecurity.org/

Don’t try this at home
https://earthfirstnews.wordpress.com/2012/06/06/moms-sure-fire-recipes-f...
http://www.eco-action.org/rr/

Pepper spray

here is the lowdown on pepper/capsicum spray for those who couldn't get to our direct action workshop yesterday. i handed out photocopies based on starhawk's action medics manual here: http://www.starhawk.org/ctivism/trainer-resources/teargas.html but i just want to say that while the information is excellent, the language is a liiiiiiiiiiiiittle bit hysterical, so here is my opening spiel, followed by a condensed version of how to deal. THIS IS NOT A DEFINITIVE GUIDE. i encourage you to read the entire manual, use your common sense & look out for your friends & anyone on their own. whatever happens on saturday, it looks like we will be running more direct action trainings in the future, but in the meantime please take this advice seriously. nothing here is a miracle cure & i don't want to give people a false sense of security, but if you are calm & sensible & follow this advice, you can reduce your risk of being sprayed & recover a bit more quickly.

opening spiel:

there is a lot of shock & awe associated with the use of tear gas and capsicum spray, as reflected in this literature. often it is used as much as a psychological weapon, to deter people from protesting, as a physical weapon to control crowds. we here at occupy melbourne have not experienced the use of tear gas yet.

we want you to be aware of ways you can look after yourself & others but not to freak out too much.

we also want to mention that the type of policing we have seen at occupy melbourne so far, while brutal & violent & completely unacceptable, is not significantly different or heavier than the violence & humiliation that poor people, especially homeless & Indigenous people experience at the hands of the state on a daily basis.

we aren't trying to imply that what activists experience at protests is not completely fucked up. no one should ever have to experience what happened in melbourne on friday the 21st of october.

we would however like to encourage you to learn from this experience & perhaps gain some empathy with poor people, especially homeless & Indigenous people & move towards a place of genuine solidarity.

the lowdown:

1] capsicum spray causes extreme pain & irritation to your mucus membranes [nose, mouth & throat], eyes & skin. the molecules can get trapped between any oily layer on your skin such as makeup or oil based sunscreen & between your eyes & contact lenses. please use a water or alcohol based sunscreen.

how to deal:

2] being capsicum sprayed can be a terrifying experience & often causes panic attacks. TRY NOT TO PANIC. easy to say & sometimes very hard to do. panic makes you breathe faster & can make the symptoms worse. remember that you are not alone. remember that you are very strong. if you are sprayed you are in for a very painful time that can last from about 30 minutes to a couple of hours, but you can & will get through it.

3] prevention - if you think you are about to be capsicum sprayed you can leave the area. sun tzu said tactical retreat is NOT a defeat. obviously he said that in ancient chinese, but you feel me, occupy melbourne facebook group? there are options available to you other than remaining & taking a spraying. dispersing, regrouping & returning are all options. having said this, leaving the larger group on your own or with a few people can have it's own risks, so you will have to use your best judgement, based on the circumstances . people with asthma, heart conditions, eczema-like conditions [including bad sunburn], elderly people, children, pregnant & nursing women & people wearing contact lenses are at added risk from capsicum spray & should be encouraged to consider leaving & given assistance if needed. we must look out for our brothers & sisters who are more vulnerable than