Body Armor For Protests

[Organic Revolution]

Here is a good link for making shields, what works and what doesn't.

http://www.devo.com/sarin/bodyhammer.html

Post experiences with shields in protests.

[silentprotest]

Wow, that is very informative, alot to read through. I've never been in a protest that required shields, I haven't been to many, though I have contemplated making a shield for future encounters.

The full body shield does seem to be the most useful on the defence, though it would be bloody enormous. Not exactly inconspicuous either.

[guerilla E]

I've read this before, it is a very detailed, although outdated, book.

I've not encountered any shields, but I've seen the use of tires or other objects as mobile barricades. Shield warfare is outdated since police generally outnumber the militant elements of protestors, since we know pacifists consider anything remotely active to be a no-no, holding a shield will brand you as a target for snatch squads.

Body armor, or protective clothes, seem to be a mix of protection vs. mobility, the same consideration going for shields - if you intend to stay and fight (with numbers to back you up) a shield is a good idea. If you think its just you and the brave 30 man 'Black Wolves' renegade squad of anarchists; don't bother with a shield, just have good running shoes.

Thats my two cents.

[Y Chwyldro Comiwnyddol Cymraeg]

Yes...If you are a large group defending yourselves against rubber bullets etc. a shield is useful.
But for a mobile attack then it will only slow you down

[Knight of Cydonia]

it's worth to try....

back then in 1997 when i follow a march with thousand protestor, i didn't wear any body armor, and my weapon is just rocks...a lot of rock

[Organic Revolution]

Originally posted by [email protected] 05, 2007 11:08 am
it's worth to try....

back then in 1997 when i follow a march with thousand protestor, i didn't wear any body armor, and my weapon is just rocks...a lot of rock
Just last week (or two weeks ago) in Seattle, we used shields very effectively while attempting a break-away march, which failed, but we used the shields to block off cops trying to arrest members of the bloc.

[guerilla E]

Originally posted by Organic Revolution+November 05, 2007 08:47 pm--> (Organic Revolution @ November 05, 2007 08:47 pm)
[email protected] 05, 2007 11:08 am
it's worth to try....

back then in 1997 when i follow a march with thousand protestor, i didn't wear any body armor, and my weapon is just rocks...a lot of rock
Just last week (or two weeks ago) in Seattle, we used shields very effectively while attempting a break-away march, which failed, but we used the shields to block off cops trying to arrest members of the bloc. [/b]
To block off snatch-squads or an aggressive police line?

I can definetly see how shields, even in small deployments, can work against a snatch squad, but it seems too risky to attempt to deploy against an overwhelming police line.

O-R it might depend on the numbers, experience and 'balls' of the bloc with shields; but I'd imagine going toe-to-toe outnumbered against a police line would result in very not nice things happening.
Exception to this was the Genova 'shield walls' but even they were outflanked eventually.

[Red October]

I've made two shields from traffic barrels cut in half. I haven't had a chance to use them yet, but they were fairly easy to make and seemed sturdy enough. A good idea for handles is to buy some cheap metal door handles (of a bar like sort) and attach them to the back.

[Organic Revolution]

Originally posted by Red [email protected] 05, 2007 05:36 pm
I've made two shields from traffic barrels cut in half. I haven't had a chance to use them yet, but they were fairly easy to make and seemed sturdy enough. A good idea for handles is to buy some cheap metal door handles (of a bar like sort) and attach them to the back.
The best shield would be a Plexiglas shield, or at least something you can see out of. Traffic barrels don't make the cut.

[Y Chwyldro Comiwnyddol Cymraeg]

Originally posted by Red [email protected] 05, 2007 11:36 pm
I've made two shields from traffic barrels cut in half. I haven't had a chance to use them yet, but they were fairly easy to make and seemed sturdy enough. A good idea for handles is to buy some cheap metal door handles (of a bar like sort) and attach them to the back.
didnt you have a thread going as you made them?

[Red October]

Originally posted by Y Chwildro Comiwnyddol Cymraeg+November 06, 2007 11:47 am--> (Y Chwildro Comiwnyddol Cymraeg @ November 06, 2007 11:47 am)
Red [email protected] 05, 2007 11:36 pm
I've made two shields from traffic barrels cut in half. I haven't had a chance to use them yet, but they were fairly easy to make and seemed sturdy enough. A good idea for handles is to buy some cheap metal door handles (of a bar like sort) and attach them to the back.
didnt you have a thread going as you made them? [/b]
Yeah, there a pictures in it too. I'll try to find it.


Here's the thread:
http://www.revleft.com/index.php?showtopic=64493&st=0

The pictures are on page 4 I think.