Skill Level: đž Intermediate
đ§ What This Is
In Trumpâs America 2.0, peaceful protest doesnât just risk tear gasâit now gets tracked by drones, facial recognition, and social media scraping software like Babel X and Voyager. That floating blinky thing above your march? Itâs not a cool weather droneâitâs probably watching you. This guide teaches you how to protest safely and smartly when Big Brotherâs upgraded his lens.
𧨠Why It Matters
Fusion centers are feeding live protest data to DHS, ICE, and local cops. That data includes:
- Your face (from drone or CCTV footage)
- Your location (from your phone if it’s not off or shielded)
- Your online posts (if your account isnât locked down)
Activists have already reported being visited or harassed after protests where they were just observers. If we want to keep resisting and not get doxxed, detained, or surveilled into silenceâwe need to fight smarter.
đž Step-by-Step: How to Avoid Becoming a Government Case File
Step 1: Disappear Digitally Before You Arrive
- Leave your primary phone at home
- Bring a burner phone or turn your real one to airplane mode before you arrive
- Donât post in real timeâwait until youâre home and safe
Step 2: Shield Your Face and ID
- Use layered face coverings: mask, hat, and big sunglasses
- Donât wear anything unique or traceable (like custom shirts or logos)
- Ditch RFID-enabled cards (Metro cards, ID badges) that track location
Step 3: Encrypt, Always
- Use Signal or Session for any protest organizing
- Turn off location sharing on all apps
- Never organize actions in public group chats on apps like Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter/X
Step 4: Counter the Drones
- Carry an umbrella or signboard and use it when you hear or see drones overhead
- Avoid congregating in open plazas where overhead surveillance is easiest
- Know your local airspace rulesâsome cities have legal drone limits
Step 5: Aftercare is Security Too
- Donât brag onlineâespecially not with tagged photos or identifying details
- Rotate outfits, shoes, and bags so you donât create a digital âpatternâ
- Debrief with your group using encrypted voice or in-person convos only

â Real World Example
At a protest in LA last month, facial recognition drones IDâd three medics. Two were later questioned by ICE about âantifa affiliations.â Their mistake? Matching outfits, uncovered faces, and using real-time Instagram updates. Donât let a livestream become your arrest warrant.
𧡠Bonus Tips
- Bandanas dipped in lemon juice help with tear gas and partially obscure features
- Burner phones are cheapâget one, label it âGrandma,â and only use it for actions
- Black bloc isnât just a lookâitâs a safety tactic
Final Claw from Resistance Kitty:
Theyâre watching. Not because you’re dangerousâbut because youâre effective. So protest like a ghost with a mission. Be blurry in the footage, encrypted in the signal, and loud in your message. The sky may have eyes, but the streets belong to us.
