Skill Level: Beginner
Purpose
To teach resisters how to safely, accurately, and legally document government abuses—police misconduct, unconstitutional orders, unlawful arrests, censorship attempts, or agency overreach—so that future civil rights lawsuits, congressional investigations, or truth commissions have the receipts they need.
Why This Tool Matters
Authoritarian regimes thrive on fear, confusion, and silence. They rely on the public not keeping records, not connecting dots, and not preserving evidence. Democracy survives because ordinary people—protesters, journalists, activists, neighbors—write things down, take photos, maintain timelines, and refuse to let history be rewritten by the people who caused the harm.
Every future lawsuit, exposé, accountability hearing, or transitional justice process begins with the same thing: well-kept evidence from people who refused to look away.
Example of Why This Is Important
From the civil rights era to post-Weinstein workplace law, abuses that would have stayed buried only came to light because individuals documented what happened long before courts were ready to listen.
In today’s climate—with political purges, extremist policing, and federal agencies bending to executive demands—proper documentation is not optional. It’s resistance.
Step-By-Step Instructions
1. Write Down the “Five W’s” Immediately
Right after an incident, record:
• Who was involved (names, badge numbers, agencies, witnesses)
• What happened (specific actions, threats, illegal orders, violence, censorship)
• When it happened (exact date & time)
• Where it occurred (precise location, landmarks, coordinates if possible)
• Why it matters (law violated, rights infringed, context)
Write it as soon as possible—memory decays faster under stress.
2. Capture Visual Evidence — Safely
Photos and videos should include:
• Wide shot of the scene
• Close-ups of misconduct
• Identifying details (badges, nameplates, vehicle numbers, signage)
• Time and date metadata enabled on your device
Use a backup app (Dropbox, iCloud, Signal Notes) so evidence autosaves even if your phone is seized or destroyed.
If filming police is risky where you are, use a discreet camera angle or record audio only.
3. Preserve Physical Evidence
If misconduct involves physical materials (tear gas shells, zip ties, rubber bullets, unlawful paperwork):
• Bag and label them
• Record where and how you found them
• Store them somewhere safe and dry
Never remove evidence from a crime scene if it’s illegal to do so—photograph it instead.
4. Save Digital Evidence in Multiple Locations
Make at least three backups:
• One on your device
• One in encrypted cloud storage
• One offline (USB drive, external hard drive, encrypted SD card)
Do not store the only copy on social media. Platforms delete political content all the time.
5. Create a Timeline ASAP
Write a chronological summary of events:
• What you saw
• What you heard
• Orders given
• When escalation occurred
• When rights were violated
This helps lawyers reconstruct patterns and establish intent.
6. Collect Witness Statements
Ask witnesses for:
• Their name (or pseudonym if they fear retaliation)
• Contact info (Signal or email)
• A written or recorded statement
• Permission to share with legal groups
People forget details—capturing them early preserves accuracy.
7. Keep a File for Each Incident
Each file should include:
• Written account
• Photos and videos
• Screenshots of social media posts related to the incident
• Copies of public statements or press releases
• Witness info
• Timeline
• Relevant laws or policies violated
8. Store Everything in a Secure, Encrypted Folder
Recommended tools:
• Signal (Note to Self, encrypted backups)
• Proton Drive
• Cryptomator
• Standard Notes (locked folders)
If you fear retaliation, create a “dead man’s switch” — a trusted person who receives copies if something happens to you.
9. Log Patterns, Not Just Incidents
Courts take patterns seriously:
• Repeated targeting
• Consistent unlawful orders
• Same officers involved in multiple abuses
• Similar misconduct across agencies
Keep a running log to show systemic behavior.
10. Share With Legitimate Legal Organizations
If safe, document should be shared with:
• ACLU
• NAACP Legal Defense Fund
• National Lawyers Guild
• Local civil rights attorneys
• Trusted journalists who handle classified/sensitive info
Never send sensitive evidence through Facebook DMs or ordinary text messages.
11. Maintain Chain of Custody
For future court use:
• Keep original files untouched
• Note who had access to evidence
• Label physical evidence clearly
• Document when files are copied or transferred
Sloppy chain-of-custody is how good cases die.
12. Protect Yourself
Before documenting anything:
• Turn off facial recognition unlock on your phone
• Use a passcode instead of fingerprint/face ID
• Do not discuss sensitive evidence on unsecured calls
• Do not post raw evidence online until legal allies approve
Final Rallying Reminder
Documentation is resistance. Authoritarians fear receipts more than protests. Every photo, every timestamp, every written account is a future courtroom exhibit that says: We saw what you did. We recorded what you did. And you don’t get to rewrite what happened.
