🥾 Skill Level: Advanced
Why You Need This Skill
When the cops show up with zip ties and tear gas, your artful sign and righteous rage aren’t enough. Street actions—especially in a fascist regime—can escalate fast. A well-prepared rapid response team (RRT) isn’t just helpful, it’s the backbone of protest survival. These squads provide first aid, legal support, communications, de-escalation, and backup when shit hits the fan. They keep the protest alive—and the people in it alive, too.
Why It’s Important
Courage is great. So is coordination. RRTs turn chaos into organized defense. Whether you’re supporting a walkout, a march, or a spontaneous uprising, an RRT can:
- Stop a violent arrest.
- Patch up someone hit with a rubber bullet.
- Track detained comrades.
- Guide the crowd out of a kettle trap.
In short: they make sure resistance doesn’t become a bloodbath.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Assemble your crew.
An RRT is typically 5–10 people who are trained, trusted, and fast. Roles can rotate, but you’ll want people assigned to:
- Medic(s) – Trained in protest first aid (ideally street medic certified).
- Legal observer – Knows how to document arrests and brutality.
- De-escalator – Talks down chaos, keeps the peace.
- Runner – Moves supplies, intel, or people quickly.
- Communications – Maintains radio/Signal contact with other teams.
2. Train before the fight.
You don’t want to practice first aid for the first time next to a bleeding comrade. Run through:
- First aid for pepper spray, impact wounds, heat stroke.
- Arrest protocols and jail support.
- Evacuation drills (how to get out fast without trampling people).
- Basic radio or encrypted phone comms.
3. Pack your bag like a resistance paramedic.
Each team should bring:
- Goggles, masks, gloves
- Water, snacks, electrolyte tabs
- First aid kits with trauma supplies
- Duct tape, Sharpies, maps
- Signal jammer (if legal in your area), burner phones or radios
- Bandanas, extra masks, black tape for camera lenses
4. Know the protest terrain.
Scout the site in advance if possible. Map out:
- Entry and exit routes
- Police staging areas
- Med zones, bathroom spots, choke points
- Rooftops or high-ground for overwatch if needed
5. Communicate clearly—and quietly.
Use encrypted apps (Signal, Briar) or shortwave radios with code words. Keep messages brief. Have a pre-set check-in time (every 10 minutes, for example). If one team goes dark, the others should respond.
6. Document everything.
Your legal observer should note badge numbers, arrest names, time and location of any violent acts. Photos/videos are great—but get consent from the people involved, and never post faces without permission. Always back up to encrypted storage.
7. Aftercare is part of the mission.
When the streets clear:
- Tend to wounded
- Account for every member
- Debrief and download what happened
- Connect arrested comrades with legal aid
- Document your wins and losses—anonymously—for the next round
Kitty’s Note:
If your RRT’s motto isn’t “Fast, loud, and hard to arrest,” you’re doing it wrong. No one resists alone—and no one walks into a street action without knowing who’s gonna drag them out if it goes sideways. You don’t just have a rapid response team—you are one.