Tag rlshorg

By White Baron
Our unequalled [sic] friend Skyman, semi-newbie Roswell (formerly known as Brother Keeper), and latest addition to the lifestyle, Kitty-Kat went out loaded up with several bags of snack-food, and basic hygiene. More common patrols begin after hours, but we got ourselves started around prime time, finding the usual sleeping places uninhabited. In the future, I think starting later might let us find more of those in need.
Reaching the end of the viaduct, a sight-impaired fellow with a cane had just exited the Ferry, and allowed us to help him find his bus stop. Afterwards [sic], we climbed the hills of Pioneer Square to reach a large regular multiple encampment, and discovered a few sleepers, and 2 or 3 more elaborate tents. The inhabitants, who recognized Skyman and myself, informed us that the police routinely move everyone out of this area at certain times of the day, which forces them to sleep under a nearby bridge, or the nearest wooded areas, or wherever hasn’t been taken by someone else.
We checked the sloped woods near the bridge, and saw no-one. Then, upon shining a spotlight under the bridge, the few camped there waved back to us, thankfully unintimidated [sic] by our attention. The portion of the chain-link fence bent down to allow access to the level area posed a challenge, as it was directly across the street without any signage that permitted pedestrian entrance. Skyman and Kitty took admirable initiative by racing across the busy street to meet the people, who came down to the fence to accept our goods.
Going back through the downtown parks and finding no one else at the time, we wanted to be sure to give the viaduct one last sweep, as it was close to midnight. We found widower Kevin, a man with a foam plastic bed, a wool blanket, a paper grocery bag of his own food, and chapped, cracked hands that startled me a bit. He explained that one heart-attack had bankrupted him onto the street, and having given his house to his daughter and her husband before the medical issues, was simply too proud to go them for help. I asked him what he did need, to which he answered, “Can you give me a new life?” I didn’t know what to say, and waited for the others to start talking with him to cover my embarrassment. He accepted a few band-aids, and reminded us that there were Third World children who would give anything to have what he had.
Perspective.
Finally, back at our starting point, we found 2 people. Kristine, who needed clothes, blankets and socks, provided courtesy of Kitty; and a sleeping man, camped several paces away, who awoke during our interaction with her. She remembered us form the larger meet up a month earlier. Kristine asked us to please stay and watch over her as she slept, and I explained that we couldn’t this time. We were parked close by, and as we were just about to call it a night, we overheard an argument. The man was accusing Kristine of stealing his lighter, and she called to us to intervene. I shone my spotlight just above the man so as not to seem directly threatening. “Listen, we’re not police, but we’re more than happy to call them. Cool it, alright?” He calmed down immediately. We maintained our distance throughout, and saw Kristine move her own gear away into the night.
Update: During the final stretch, Roswell accidently [sic] lost his phone. The next morning, I received a series of calls from our friend Kevin. He had picked it up, and was good enough to offer to return it.

First thing to remember when helping people, keep in mind that they are in fact entirely too human. People make simple mistakes that can be dangerous to their safety, and to your’s. So you have to assume the safety of everyone in a situation when you arrive on the scene. You just might save someone’s life.. including your own!
Make sure the vehicle is safely out of the lane of flowing traffic. Either push it out of the road, or use tow straps. Be careful, as most people strain their back muscles during this phase and often have no clue, until later, that they hurt themselves pretty badly.
Make sure that that everyone from the stranded vehicle is warm and protected from the elements. A lot of people jump into their cars without a jacket because they think they’ll just be out for a few minutes and don’t need a coat. Make sure to carry a few heavy blankets in your trunk, if you don’t have a few old coats Some motorists also get soaked through even if they have a winter jacket, so they need to get them off immediately. Remember to stock extra gloves, knit caps, and scarves! Dress in layers so you can remove them as you heat up from working and shoveling. Stay away from cotton under layers as these retain moisture and keep you cold.
Having people sit in the vehicle you are working on isn’t a good idea. People move unexpectedly, they also add weight to the vehicle, and both conditions add stress to the support jack which can cause it to collapse. Have them wait in your vehicle if they have to stay out of the elements. And yes, I know.. you’re concerned about someone stealing things from your car. Take reasonable precautions, but safety and preventing cold related injuries are also important.
Even if someone has their own jack, I never use it. I carry my own, heavy duty scissor jack. I am familiar with it. It’s heavy duty so that I can use it even under a pick-up truck. And all I need to do is make sure it is secured in place on the frame to lift and support the vehicle. Even if someone has already jacked up their vehicle, I slide my jack under and tighten it up. Most people have changed very few tires, and if they have they might not have done so on their current vehicle, or with the current style of equipped jack they have.. this means they might not have done it right. Always assume that unless you’ve secured the vehicle yourself, it is not secure.
While I’m on the subject, I also carry my own tire irons, two of them. One standard measurements, the other metric. Never trust someone’s dealer equipped tire iron.. these are often cheaply made and likely to strip lug nuts, bend, or break. Wear heavy work gloves, and keep your first aid kit near by. Cuts and bruised knuckles are common injuries. You might even break a finger or hand if you’re not careful. Mother Nature loves to strand motorists in snow, or freezing rain, and these conditions make tools slip in the blink of an eye. Go at a steady pace.. this isn’t a race.
Wear a reflective, brightly colored vest if you can. Even in daylight you can go unseen, especially if there is snow blowing about. Some accidents happen because a driver passing by will unconsciously turn toward you and the vehicle you are working on because they have a tendency to steer slightly toward the direction they are looking. Wearing emergency colors helps, but does not eliminate this danger Have someone use a flashlight, or road flares, for warning traffic around you if you’re in or beside the road working.
Buy a good ergonomic shovel to help you shovel out. They’re worth the price! You can lift snow easier without killing your back. Have salt (and sand if you can get it) available too. Motorists often don’t have either a shovel or grit for traction, so you’ll have to provide both.
Standard Emergency Aid Supplies For Your Vehicle
Towing straps (cold, or old, chains sometimes snap and become shrapnel!)
Tire chains
Heavy duty jack
First Aid Kit
Heavy work gloves, and safety glasses (stuff gets splashed off the road, or rust flecks off tires and lug nuts)
Good ergonomic shovel
Salt and sand (grit) for traction
Extra blankets, old jackets, gloves, hats, and scarves
Granola bars, or other emergency food (some folks may have been stranded for hours without anything to eat)
Bottled water (though be careful storing in your vehicle in winter)
Flashlights (more than one is best), extra batteries too
Road flares
Emergency repair / jump-starting kit
Addendums:
In some areas you are not allowed to use tire chains while driving. But they can be used to help a stranded vehicle get unstuck, then remove them. Do not use tire chains unless they are in good shape, you are familiar with their use, and that they are secured properly.
Emergency battery powered glow sticks–which include a flash light, solid color, or blinking mode–can be used in lieu of road flares. (Thank you, Phantom Zero and Nyx, for this contribution.)

Before I begin, I will leave you with this word of caution: IF YOU COME UPON AN EMERGENCY FIRST CALL 911, OR HAVE SOMEONE ELSE DO IT! Then render aid only as your level of medical knowledge permits.  If a person is conscious and alert, you must ask permission before treating them, even if it’s just putting a band aid on.. you may not render aid if they refuse for any reason.
When you’re out on a patrol, or an Outreach, you should always carry a first aid kit with you as part of your standard equipment load out.
The typical First Aid Kit contains things like (and I’m using a general purpose military first aid kit as an example):

• x2 2” x 6 yds. Bandage Gauze
• x1 6” Elastic Bandage
• x2 3” x 4” Sterile Sponges
• x16 3” Bandage Strips
• x1 Ice Pack
• x1 Tweezers
• x1 Scissor
• x1 Pill Bottle
• x1 Eye Pad
• x1 Hand Soap
• x4 Pain Relievers (I carry both Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen)
• x1 Magnifying Lens
• x1 First Aid Instructions
• x6 Safety Pins
• x1 Pair Examination Gloves
• x4 Aspirin
• x1 First Aid Cream
• x1 Triple Antibiotic
• x1½” Tape
• x3 Alcohol Wipes
• x3 Iodine Wipes
• x3 Antiseptic Wipes
• x3 Clean Wipes.

This is a pretty standard set-up that you will find in most $10 store bought kits.  I suggest buying additional items for refilling the kit, or adding extras for items you may need more of.  I also suggest a First Aid pamphlet, or handbook.  But make sure you are familiar with the information before hand, so you don’t have to desperately look things up while someone is bleeding.
As you can see, such a kit would quickly become depleted after a few uses. But many of the most commonly used items can be bought at a $ dollar store, so making a kit from scratch, and having more uses than a standard kit, is relatively cheaper and easier.
I strongly suggest a couple pair of blue nitrile gloves.  Never treat a wound without a barrier between you and bodily fluids. (At the time of this writing, KnightOwl is working on an article about applying medical attention in the field.)
Of course, keep the kit water proof.?

Silver Sentinel
PostSubject: Painting / Recoloring Plastic Sat Dec 12, 2009 12:24 pm
Does anyone have any suggestions on how best to paint over plastic? I have motocross armor, but I need to recolor the black plastic to silver. It also needs to resist chipping and rubbing off.
Silver Sentinel
PostSubject: Re: Painting / Recoloring Plastic Sat Dec 12, 2009 12:29 pm
As an embarrassing side note… When ordering armor, make sure you’re not conservative with the estimate of your actual size. It turns out I’m less like Hercules and more like Buddha, so now I’m walking the treadmill of justice so I can fit into my suit!
We can lie to ourselves, but never lie to your tailor.
Z
PostSubject: Re: Painting / Recoloring Plastic Sat Dec 12, 2009 1:18 pm
Plasti-dip. Comes in a spray-paint version. Its basically a rubberized spray, is flexible when dried, so it will NEVER crack.
Don’t ever try to spray it on stainless steel, though. It’ll peel.
Z
PostSubject: Re: Painting / Recoloring Plastic Sat Dec 12, 2009 1:20 pm
Actually, I just missed the black to silver thing… I’d say visit your local Home Depot and ask the guy there how to spray a plastic chair that is made to bow and flex. They’re usually pretty helpful, i’ve learned more from the guys at Home Depot than from the internet.
the visitor
PostSubject: Re: Painting / Recoloring Plastic
actually, the plasti-dip isnt a bad idea. It comes in a clear spray, so just spray paint the armor silver, then spray the whole thing with the clear plasti. It will keep the paint from chipping and/or rubbing off. Since it is a “rubber” spray itwill also make it water proof. Ive used the spray paint/plasti-dip idea for a latex costme piece for halloween nce and it worked great!
Z
PostSubject: Re: Painting / Recoloring Plastic Sat Dec 12, 2009 2:54 pm
PLASTI-DIP COMES IN CLEAR??? WTF
Ive never seen any store i’ve ever been to carry clear. Dude.
Silver Sentinel
PostSubject: Re: Painting / Recoloring Plastic Sat Dec 12, 2009 2:56 pm
Dang.. ask and ye shall receive!
Thanks guys Smile
I’m changing the primary focus points on my uniform to silver to help banish the ninja / dark avenger look and to help make myself more approachable. I don’t want to scare small children or anything.
Big Simon
PostSubject: Re: Painting / Recoloring Plastic Sat Dec 12, 2009 2:58 pm
Yeah, they have a “make your own color” kit that comes with a 22oz can of clear Plasti-Dip and five tints, so you can decide what color you want.
the visitor
PostSubject: Re: Painting / Recoloring Plastic Sat Dec 12, 2009 10:11 pm
just check around ebay and such. Thats where I found mine. It was a single spray can just like the colered ones you can get.

Here is a list of some of the supplies that are good to hand out to the homeless
Food
Water
Jackets
Clothes
Underwear
Hats
Gloves
Blankets
Pillows
Shoes
Socks
Ponchos
Scarves
Backpacks
Travel bags
Deodorant
Hand sanitizer
Sanitary wipes
Toothbrush
Tooth paste
Mouth wash
Chap stick
Band aids
First aid supplies
Hand warmers
Wash cloths
Tissues

By Silver Sentinel
To become a reliable eye witness, an aspiring field operator should practice developing skills in providing quick, accurate descriptions. When attempting to describe events, vehicles, or persons, write down the details of what you have observed while they are still fresh in your mind, so your descriptions to law enforcement officials will be as accurate as possible.
When describing events, write down:
• What happened;
• When it happened;
• Where it occurred (note the nearest cross street, home address, or landmark in relationship to the event);
• Whether injuries are involved (Be prepared to report visible or suspected personal injury. Be as specific as possible – this could save a life!);
• Whether weapons are involved (this information, whether observed or suspected, is vital to responding officers).
When describing vehicles, write down:
• Vehicle license number and state, make and type of vehicle, color, and approximate age;
• Special designs or unusual features, such as vinyl top, mag wheels, body damage, pinstripes, etc.;
• Direction of travel.
In preparing descriptions of persons, it is important to write down the following:
• Sex;
• Race;
• Age;
• Height (estimated from eye contact level measured against your height);
• Weight;
• Hair (color and length);
• Hat;
• Facial Hair (beard/mustache);
• Shirt/tie;
• Coat/jacket;
• Trousers/pants/shorts;
• Shoes;
• Any peculiar or distinguishable mannerisms, physical disabilities, dis-figurations, scars or tattoos;
• Voice characteristics;
• Direction of movement.
A good article on mis-identification of suspects can be found at; “Reliable witness identification of suspects”
Try your hand at an on-line Observation Skills Test here; “Observation Skill Test Video.”
Learn how to practice Improving your Observational Skills here; “How to Increase Your Observational Skills”

Note: This is the last of several articles about Superheroes Anonymous 4, a gathering of Real Life Superheroes being held in Portland, Oregon. This series, written by Treesong, is a collaborative project of Heroes in the Night and Song of the Trees.
I’ve already given a description of each day’s events in my previous entries. Now, I’d like to write a quick entry to sum it all up and thank the people who made it all possible.
On the whole, I would say that Superheroes Anonymous 4 was a great success. There were some logistical issues, some interpersonal issues, and some lessons to be learned for future events. But this is par for the course when you get together a group of people from different cities and try to bring them all together for a common set of activities. The important thing is that we met up, got to know each other better, and did some good work together. I’ve been to numerous conferences, and I felt that this one went quite smoothly.
This event has been a great inspiration for me. I get the impression it has been for other people, too. Becoming a part of the Real Life Superhero movement in general has motivated me to get active again, and this conference has definitely amped up my inspiration and motivation even further. I also have new contacts now in other cities, and we can support each other in the local work that we’re doing. We’ve pledged to stay in touch so that we can share ideas, offer support, and meet up again as soon as we’re able to do so, whether it’s in the context of Superheroes Anonymous 5 or some smaller regional meet-up.
I’d like to thank Zetaman, Apocalypse Meow, and anyone else involved in organizing the weekend’s events. Like many event organizers, I could tell that Zetaman was starting to stress out as we encountered a few delays and changes in logistical details along the way. But between the good work on advance planning and the attention to detail as the weekend went on, we were able to pull off all of the weekend’s main events: the food bank, the Red Cross training, the coat drive, the patrol, and the Race for the Cure. Thanks for being good hosts and bringing it all together.
Thanks to my fellow Real Life Superheroes for showing up, putting in the time and effort, and keeping it real. There are still plenty of RLSHs who I’ve met online and would like to meet in person. But it was a pleasure to meet some of you in person, and it was great to work and play and learn side by side with all of you.
Thanks also to Tea Krulos for inviting me to contribute to his blog. I’m sure Tea would’ve liked to make it out to SA4, but since he couldn’t, I’m glad we were able to work together in getting the word out about how the weekend went.
On a personal note, I’d like to send out a special thanks to everyone who made my own participation in Superheroes Anonymous 4 possible. I am a low-income worker with no savings, so I was only able to make it out here with the support of my community. Thanks to the several anonymous donors who supported my trip out here, and thanks also to Castle Perilous for matching these donations to ensure that Southern Illinois’ own Real Life Superhero would make it to Superheroes Anonymous 4.
Now, it’s time to return home to my own home town and resume my own efforts here. Good luck to everyone else as they do the same.

Note: This is the first of several articles about Superheroes Anonymous 4, a gathering of Real Life Superheroes being held in Portland, Oregon. This series, written by Treesong, is a collaborative project of Heroes in the Night and Song of the Trees.
In a few hours, I’ll be boarding a Greyhound bus here in Carbondale, Southern Illinois. After two days on the road, I’ll arrive in Portland, Oregon for a conference called Superheroes Anonymous 4, where I’ll be spending about two days in the company of fellow Real Life Superheroes. Considering the amount of time, energy, and support that has gone into making my trip to this conference a reality, I thought I’d take a few moments to reflect on what it is and why I’m going.
A Real Life Superhero is just what it sounds like: someone who wears a special costume or uniform, adopts a special name, and goes around providing various forms of community service.
Some of us are self-appointed urban guardians, conducting neighborhood patrols to prevent crime and ensure the safety of people in our communities. Some of us are charitable volunteers, offering our time and energy and money to people in need and the community organizations that serve them. Some of us are activists or advocates, choosing one or more social or environmental causes to organize around in our community. Many of us are some combination of the above, or choose our own way that is hard for others to define. At the end of the day, we are people of conscience who love our communities and have chosen a bold new way to serve and protect them.
When I first heard about Real Life Superheroes online, I knew immediately that it was right for me. It was what I had been trying to do with my life for years without fully understanding how to put a name to it. However, I definitely understand the initial skeptical response of some people. Why superheroes? What’s the point of adopting a superhero name and dressing up in a costume or uniform?
Really, I can only speak for myself. Some people’s approaches are very different than mine, and some don’t even like to be called Real Life Superheroes. For me, though, what it comes down to is the difference between despair and hope.
For about ten years, I was what most people would call an activist. It started when I was a college student and continued well after graduation as I decided to stay in the Carbondale for the long haul. I would join community groups, organize community events, and speak out about political causes that were near and dear to my heart.
This was an intense way of life. At first, it felt very empowering and rewarding. I learned more about the world, I met wonderful people, and I felt like I was starting to make a difference. But as time went on, it started to seem more and more like an endless struggle. There were so many problems in our community, and even more in the world beyond it. I had a growing sense of urgency about what needed to be done, but a diminishing sense of what I or anyone else could do about it.
For a few years, I sank into a rut of despair, without the time or energy or hope necessary to do much in my community. But then, I came across this Real Life Superhero movement, and something clicked.
Superheroes are archetypal figures of inspiration, empowerment, and hope. Most efforts to increase community involvement focus on some combination of guilt (“If you don’t help this cause, you’re not a good person!”), anger (“Look at what they did to that forest!”), or fear (“The world will end if you don’t help this cause!”). This may work in the short term, but it leaves people feeling guilty, frustrated, afraid, and ultimately powerless. It emphasizes the idea that we’re surrounded by troubles, and that we’re constantly in danger of being overwhelmed by these troubles.
The Real Life Superhero approach to community involvement, on the other hand, is rooted in the idea that each of us can become a beacon of hope and an agent of change in an otherwise bleak and apathetic society. Real Life Superheroes are everyday citizens just like you who have simply chosen to go the extra mile and do some good in our community. We have no superpowers, and some of us don’t even have any fancy gear or special martial arts training. We also don’t have all of the answers to the problems facing our community. What each of us does have, though, is our own unique set of skills, experience, and passion that we bring to our work. We see some problem or need in our community, and we take simple and direct action to resolve it. It’s that simple for us — and it can be that simple for you, too.
Learning about and talking to Real Life Superheroes from around the world has been an amazing experience. Embracing the superhero archetype and becoming a Real Life Superhero myself has given me the renewed energy and vision that I needed to start being active again in my community. Taking action, in turn, has been the antidote to my despair, leaving me with a sense of hope for the future. Now, instead of seeing community service as a “chore,” I look at it as an adventure.
And THAT is why I’m going to Superheroes Anonymous 4. I feel inspired again, and I want to follow that inspiration wherever it leads me. I also want to meet up with other people who feel the same way and see what we can do in the span of two days to learn together, to grow together, and to serve the people of Portland and beyond.
I realize that most people don’t “get it” the first time they hear about it, and some people will never “get it” at all. This approach to community service certainly isn’t for everyone, and I don’t recommend it for everyone. But I find it profoundly inspiring. Other Real Life Superheroes find it inspiring, and many people in our communities find it inspiring too. As long as we’re doing good work and inspiring others to do the same, that’s the important thing.
However this weekend’s conference goes, I hope that this spirit of inspiration will continue, and that more and more people will discover their inner superhero. Even if you don’t feel a need to adopt a new name and costume, know that you have the power within you to make a difference for the better. And stay tuned for more updates on Superheroes Anonymous 4!
 

Sound can be a weapon, deterrent, and a defense. There are different items that utilize sound that can be very useful to real life superheroes.
Sound can help scare away criminals and attackers by bringing attention to them. The last thing a criminal or attacker wants is people to start paying attention to what they are doing. A loud enough sound can slightly stun and disorient a person.
A cheap and effective tool to have is a whistle. There is a reason police officers have them.
You can buy a run of the mill whistle anywhere, but for a RLSH I would advise buying the loudest whistle in the world the Storm Whistle. This is the loudest whistle in the world going up to 120 decibels.

You can buy and read about them here
http://www.wind-storm-whistles.com/index.htm
Personal Alarms are a good choice. They can go up to 130 decibels and many are activated by a pull pin. Some even come with flashing and strobing light to get extra attention.
Here’s a few to check out
http://www.naselfdefense.com/alarm.htm
http://www.womenonguard.com/-strse-205/personal-alarm/Detail.bok
http://www.internationalspyshop.com/secuirtypluspersonalledalarm.aspx http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?
productnumber=869126&utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=free&utm_campaign=20946
Another item that can be used on different occasions is a bullhorn/megaphone . It can be used if you are doing events, demonstrations, or protests. It is a great way to get attention and have the public hear you.
I don’t suggest doing this, but I have used it to help drive dealers out of their spots by bringing unwanted attention to them.
A simple online search will help you find one. Just make sure to see what wattage it has.
http://www.google.com/products?q=megaphone&hl=en&aq=f
http://www.google.com/products?q=bullhorn&hl=en&aq=f
Keep sound on your side and stay safe.
-Dark Guardian-

Motor Mouth, Hell-Hound, and Citizen Change were out protecting Oakland during the riots. This is Motor Mouths account of the night.

– Once darkness fell over Oakland, the riot police finally made their move to start taking back the city. My 2 fellow RLSH’s & myself then went to work, weaving in & out of alleys and side streets, attempting to get ahead of the riot squads. We came across some Black Bloc anarchists attempting to break into an ice rink & luckily our very presence made them think twice. Finally we poured out onto Telegraph, which had people running here & there with burning cars and dumpsters littered in the streets. We fell upon alleyway connecting Broadway to Telegraph with a 19th Street subway station entrance in the middle. A group of African-American youths were there, having taken a 4X4 with nails in it they were using as a make-shift battering ram to bash in the side window of what appeared to be a bar. We rushed up on them, weapons out. The second I sparked my Electro Knuckles & screamed “Get the FUCK out of here”, they quickly got lost down Broadway.
– At this point, we finally could see the madness unfolding at the end of the alley on Broadway. Smoke from fires filled the air, people were running in every direction, explosions could be heard here and there. We come to the end of the alley & suddenly there’s an explosion from around the corner. Out of the smoke pouring out of the building, a monstrous black woman comes running out with tons of weaves/hair extensions yelling “Hey niggas look, I got all the weaves, bitches!” then ran off down the street amongst the fires. That’s when Hell-Hound & myself noticed a young black woman drenched in blood on the ground. We picked her up and dragged her into the alley. Hell-Hound got out some of his medical equipment, first starting the wipe the bleeding wound from over her eyebrow with alcohol wipes from KFC. Suddenly Citizen Change & myself looked around corner, we heard 3 loud firing shots, and saw tear gas grenades in mid-flight. The riot police were gaining ground and on the move, directly towards us. I sent Citizen Change to the other end of the alley to see if the coast was clear at all then I looked at Hell-Hound & asked “Can we move her?”. He replied back “I’m not sure, why?”, at which point I said “Cause we’re moving her NOW!”. We picked her up under her arms quickly taking her to the end of the alley when we ran directly into another riot squad on Telegraph. We put our free hands in the air to give the sign of surrender, asking the police if they could help the young woman with medical aid. A white police officer look the young black woman over, looked back at me, then said “Not my problem. You have feet so go walk 3 miles that way to Highland General”. At this point, we luckily came across a street medic (part of the peaceful protesters, I assumed). He took over taking care of the young woman for us & we were back on our way, away from the riot squads & back again after the looters and trouble-makers of the night.
– Weaving in & out of burning trash cans and dumpsters, we made our way behind a fast food resturant. We crouched down, downing what water we had available & trying to get our bearings to formulate a game plan. Some protesters came & hid with us which is when we noticed a glow of sorts coming off of their faces. We looked behind us & a couple of dumpsters and a car were lit on fire in the back of the parking lot for the fast food joint. We realized the riot squads were quickly gaining ground so we booked it, heading down Grand Ave towards Lake Meritt.
– We merged into a massive ground (approx. 200 + people) on the intersection of Grand & Franklin. A young black man with a 10 speed bike started saying next to us “Damn, I wanna get a fuckin’ drink”, staring at the bar on the corner. Him & 2 young women started for the door of the bar, at which point the bar owner shut & locked the door. The young black man then went around the building and started slamming his 10 speed into the bar’s giant main window, all to the horror of the bar owner & his 10 or so patrons inside. That’s when my 2 brave RLSH’s and myself sprung into action. We whipped out all the weapons we had (Change with his standard tazer, Hell-Hound with his 2 shivs, & myself with my Electro Knuckle and my riot pepper spray) and thrust out way against the window, all the while screaming for people to get away as we sparked our electrical devices. The crowd jumped back as we held our ground, with all of them staring at us with their fists balled and seeming to want our blood for us stopping their “fun”. As people started throwing things at us & the riot squads in the distance slowly came closer, Citizen Change jumped the street’s center divide to ward off would be looters from attempting to break into a resturant. As the angry mob in front of the bar started heading down the street, Hell-Hound & myself went to go back up Citizen Change. Suddenly an explosion around the corner and dozens of people were diving into a sake store. A freelance photographer & a reporter started trying to speak to us, asking who we were working with and what not when I noticed out of my peripheral vision that some of the angry mob from before were lobbing giant bottles of sake at us. We pulled the photographer & the reporter aside to their safety as the crowd took off down the street. The female reporter started asking Hell-Hound questions when he simply flashed his Pacific Protectorate badge at her. She gave a puzzled look which is when I yelled “Dude, not everybody understands and we have shit to do. Come on!” at which point we jetted down the street. We ran past a riot squad when I heard one of them yell “Hey, I think that guy has a gun” (in the dark, they mistook my pepper spray canister for a firearm). They flashed a light over but we kept going after the mob of looters & rioters.
– Once we reached the next block, we paused for a second. A second later, 5 or so unmarked cop cars swooped up upon us, drawing their guns and yelling “Get on the ground and put your hands out!”. We dropped to the ground immediately, following all instructions given to us. A female officer dug her knee into my back & put handcuffs upon me, helping me up to then stand. She then brought me over to a cop that seemed to be in charge, he said “Throw the big guy into the car. We don’t need shit from him”, and I was placed into the back of a squad car (keep in mind that Miranda rights were never once read to me nor was I told what I was being held for). I helplessly watched as Hell-Hound & Citizen Change were being handcuffed and sat up while the Oakland Police went through all of their belongings. After long while, they pulled me out & put me on the back hood of the squad car. While they were going through my belongings, a fat white police officer started telling me that they were going to charge me with Possession Of A Deadly Weapon (my Electro Knuckles). I immediately started reciting California State Penal Code on stun devices & weapons (with my Electro Knuckles being one of the legal ones). He was stunned and shut up then gave me a dirty look & shoved me back into the squad car. I watched as the photographer from earlier pleaded our case with the police, at which point they released Hell-Hound & Citizen Change then a minute later, the same fat white police officer opened the door next to me and asked “Do you want to go home or to jail?”. I replied “Home obviously” at which him & another officer helped me out of the squad car, un-cuffed me, gave me my belongings, and sent me on my way.
– After catching up with Hell-Hound & Citizen Change, we walked to the western edge of Lake Meritt & relaxed with some water and cigarettes. I applauded the both of them for their fine work in the field that night, at which point they thanked me for my ability to lead them through what seemed like Hell on Earth. We hugged each other, gave each other high fives, walked to the Lake Meritt subway station near Laney College and as they caught the train home to San Francisco, I walked to my vehicle about 6 city blocks away or so.
– Upon arrival to my vehicle, I realized that I head left my headlights on from earlier and that my battery was dead! Luckily, I had parked in front of The Haz Mat Warehouse & an old friend of mine walked out. He took pity of sorts upon my situation, welcomed me indoors, and I relaxed with his roommates & himself for a bit. Not long after, I went back out to my vehicle to fall asleep with my pillow & blanket so I could get a jump for my car battery in the morning.
Well there you have it, folks. That’s my story. We went to Oakland, we defended it’s businesses, we protected it’s people, and were bold in what we did. The Bay is our home and we stood our ground for it.
– MM