Seeking advice for handling agitators
Seeking advice for handling agitators
We had a situation evolve at my small local no kings. After an hour chilling, a trump supporter pulled up in a truck, unloaded a giant MAGA flag and planted himself right in the middle of the group. He was non violent, said very little, and mostly just stood there.
The supervising police would not remove him, and told us he had "the same right to be there that we have".
Obviously we were all quite uncomfortable having this shit flag overshadowing us, but no one was sure what could be done about it, so we sucked it up and continued on as if he wasn't there.
How would you have handled this situation? Is there anytime that can be done in the future to prevent this?
Ps Fuck trump and his cult.
The fact that only one counter protestor showed up to your event proves how many people are actually on your side. I would have shifted all the focus to the single guy representing the other side. His presence was a gift to your message.
I always make an extra sign that says something like "Doesnt Wash Ass" with an arrow pointing or "Pillow Princesses For Trump". Just switch signs and stand near them for a few minutes. The laughing and negative attention usually drives them off.
At our pride festival entrance they used multiple chains of balloons tied together to create a curtain blocking the protesters and their signs from view.
Second best thing is to just move away from him like an unbathed person on a hot day.
Point and laugh. Then laugh some more at him. Have fun with it.
The idiot wants you to be violent, or angry. That's all these types of people want. That's what gets him off.
But what he doesn't like, what he would hate, is people thinking he is a fool and a laughing stock.If it happens again show them just how pathetic and laughable they are.
Making them feel silly is infinitely better than getting mad, trying to debate rationally, or engage on relevant issues.
Anti-anti-protest signs are the great, as is clever retorts like having a clown wig and nose in your bag and standing next to them with a "clowns for fascism" sign
If you are unprepared for counter protests, the next best thing you can do is ignore them and drown them out. Let them be there but let their numbers show.
Things like loud instruments, if you have speakers, playing "baby shark" on full blast, etc. while otherwise ignoring them can easily work.
Remember at all times they are here to get you to engage with them directly. Don't give them what they want.
You know how the British do their football chants? Do that, but mock that flag. Make it almost seem like he took it so it could get mocked.
We had an agitator trying to shout over the crowds at ours, and someone had brought out really loud bell and just started going to town until they left.
Eh you handled it right for that situation. He was there hoping someone would start a fight so he could shoot back and claim "leftist violence". No reaction and ignoring them like a child having a tantrum is right.
Actually, it is supposed to be a dilemma position. You get called a coward-lib if you don't react and a dirty violent immigrant if you do.
Thank them for coming out to support your cause.
I thought someone had a good response by bringing a pre-made anti-anti-protest sign saying something like, "My favorite flavor is BOOT!" or, "Making Nazism Great Again ⬇️".
Ah if only I had the foresight, love this idea.
Hand him a water. Let him know he’s not an enemy, and he may come to understand you’re not either.
You could also ask him how much his flag and other merchandise cost him 😂. Then just whistle appreciatively and tell him you had to make your own.
Physically box them out. Form a line and expand it so they have to use force to get past you.
Can you elaborate please, or maybe there's a video or something demonstrating? If we made a line and advanced we'd eventually reach their position and then... what? Assuming this guy still wouldn't move, we'd either have to push inward or abandon? Is it still "non-violent" to lock arms and progress foward? Nobody wants a charge, but seemed impossible without physical contact in some form.
Box him in on 3 sides, everyone link arms and take one step forward. Another step forward, he can step back or be moved by the flow of traffic.
I would've sat down next to him and read "They Thought They Were Free" to him.
Edit: or The Anatomy of Fascsim
Learn from a master?
Point, laugh, and move on. They're there to make you feel uncomfortable, draw catcalls and insults, but above all to be taken seriously. Treat them like a joke and, if they don't actually skulk away, you'll at least put everyone else at ease.
Completely ignore him. Attention is what he wants.
Encircle them with backs twords them so their view is completely obstructed.
Alternative, encircle facing them and all begin to chant something about them.
Make them embarrassed to be there.
Surrounding them may be a problem as there's a potential legal justification for them to use violence.
We had one lady walk through the crowd draped in a Trump flag. We ignored her and she left.
Lol we had another that just passed through like that wearing a maga hat and carrying an american flag, but they didn't stick around long and no one really minded because I mean, hat was subtle and if you wanna be counted on the line, go for it... Didn't feel like trying to hijack the protest. Flag guy was much more tenacious.
Bring them taller Trump flag poles, made of metal
Take a picture of their face, reverse image search, find their Facebook, and show it to them.
"Is this information up to date?"
If anyone has a more intuitive way to search for people based on facial recognition feel free to chime in because if they're gonna use it on us we might as well make use of it ourselves
From what you described it doesn't sound like he was agitating anything. Freedom of speech goes both ways. Just because his opinion is wrong doesn't mean you can silence it. Don't act like them.
Paradox of tolerance much? What if he has a Nazi flag, people are just supposed to sit there and protest under a giant fascist symbol?
Your viewpoint is wildly out of touch. You can't tolerate the intolerant.
His position is antithetical to our movement and maga symbols taint everything around it. Inserting himself as he did is an aggression. There are three other corners on this square he could have occupied with the asshole sized flag.. no one is silencing anything. There was only agitation and reaction in this behaviour.
In chicago there was one guy with a bullhorn off to the side at one point of the march and the crowd pretty much just drown him out chanting shame but I mean this is a big city with a lot of people although there is only so many people passing by the spot at any particular time. Its inspiring though having so many voices out volume the machine.
Not directly to the troll, but I would shout and chant any leftist and liberal slogans and talking points, and then get the crowd to go along with you to make him uncomfortable.