Risk and Responsibility

---

Why This Matters

Acting without understanding risk puts everyone in danger. Understanding risk helps you:

• Make informed decisions under pressure
• Reduce harm to vulnerable people nearby
• Protect community trust and long-term relationships
• Sustain resistance efforts over time

The strongest teams aren't the boldest—they’re the most prepared.

---

Types of Risk

Type	Example	Mitigation Strategy
Physical	Confrontation with ICE or police	Situational awareness, de-escalation
Legal	Arrest, surveillance, phone seizure	KYR knowledge, legal observers, anonymity
Emotional	Witnessing violence or trauma	Grounding techniques, buddy systems
Digital	Phone tracking, chat leaks, metadata exposure	Signal, burner phones, E2E encryption
Reputational	Breaking trust with allies or partners	Consent protocols, transparency, follow-up

---

Personal Risk Assessment

Before you act, ask yourself:

1. Who am I?
   What privilege, risk, or visibility do I carry?

2. What am I carrying?
   Are there legal risks, warrants, sensitive data on me?

3. What am I entering?
   Is the action volatile? Am I wanted or needed here?

4. What’s my exit plan?
   Do I have a safe exit strategy if things go wrong?

5. Who could be affected by me?
   Might my presence increase risk for others?

---

Collective Risk, Collective Care

You're not alone in this. Smart teams plan ahead:

• 🔍 Pre-brief every action (roles, map, fallback plans)
• 🧭 Check-in regularly using duress codes or Signal
• ✋ Signal needs with discreet gestures or words
• 🛠️ Debrief after actions — process, repair, learn

---

When to Say “No”

Saying no can be a form of leadership. Step back if:

• You’re unwell physically or emotionally
• You haven’t been trained for the role
• You don’t understand the context
• You’re not ready to absorb the risk

"I’m not ready" is responsible — not selfish.

---

Safety by Role

Role	Common Risks	Mitigation
Legal Observer	Intimidation, gear seizure	Vests, legal backup, documentation prep
Medic	Vicarious trauma, crowd panic	Buddy system, psychological first aid
De-escalator	Targeting, aggressive confrontation	Partner work, exit strategy, body language
Rideshare Coordinator	Tracking, compromised contact info	Pseudonyms, pre-verified passenger lists
Media Support	Arrest, doxxing, data leaks	No live-streaming, encrypted storage

---

Worst-Case Scenarios

Prepare for what you don’t want to happen:

If Arrested:

• Say only: "I want a lawyer. I do not consent to a search."
• Stay silent. Don’t explain or justify.
• Do not unlock your phone or give passcodes.
• Contact the legal support hotline as soon as possible.

If Your Device Is Seized:

• Use encryption + auto-lock timers.
• Turn off fingerprint/unlock before actions.
• Never carry sensitive data unless needed.
• Wipe unnecessary apps/media beforehand.

If You Suspect an Infiltrator:

• Don’t accuse publicly. Escalate privately.
• Watch for inconsistent stories or pushy behavior.
• Use trusted internal channels (not Signal groups) to flag concerns.

---

Scenario: What Would You Do?

You're de-escalation certified. You arrive at a shopping plaza ICE raid. A family member is screaming. Tension is rising. A crowd is forming.

Decision Point 1:
Do you…
A. Run toward the agents to stop them
B. Approach the family member to help ground them
C. Start recording from a visible spot

✅ Correct: B. Calm and support the vulnerable first. Presence is protection.

Decision Point 2:
You see someone filming with their face uncovered. Do you…
A. Warn them about doxxing risk
B. Ignore it — it’s their choice
C. Ask them to tag you in the footage

✅ Correct: A. Share safety tips privately — protect your team.

---

Preparation Checklist

• You know your role + risks
• You cleared unnecessary data from your phone
• You shared your emergency contact plan
• You packed basic gear (mask, ID, legal number)
• You have a check-in time post-action
• You’ve practiced or reviewed safety protocols

---

Key Terms

Term	Meaning
E2E Encryption	"End-to-end" — Only sender and recipient can read messages (e.g. Signal)
Duress Word	Code that secretly signals distress to teammates
KYR Training	"Know Your Rights" — legal self-defense training
Metadata	Hidden info attached to media (e.g. GPS in photos)
Doxxing	Public exposure of private info to harass or threaten

---

Summary

• Risk is not avoidable, but it is manageable
• Your preparedness impacts everyone around you
• Saying “no” is a sign of maturity
• The best protection is collective readiness