Agree with Debbera Carson, this is a legit group (not right wing plant or russian bot) and don't think that more established group should squash it. If anything, those with more experience organizing protest should help them. I have been observing their round the clock work on Discord and am impressed with their passion. Seems like they are here to stay
If you look at the FAQ they have a permit. They seem to have their bases covered. They are using Discord to organize: https://discord.gg/CMvKjzZg
I think it's important to be open to other channels of organizing. These folks are not on Facebook and won't be. They've been using Instagram, Bluesky, Reddit and Discord. I plan to go.
Any protest/rally can go haywire. Do you think that tomorrow's event at Tillis's office can't go off the rails? Federal building, US senator's office? Yeah, a couple of bad faith actors and you all could end up in jail too.
Wow ok. That’s why we have safety marshalls and organization. From our indivisible organizer: “Remember that NC passed a bill recently that holds organizers responsible (and a felony charge) for any damages or riots during a protest so include a safety plan with marshals for managing interlopers”. Interestingly, in that website you cited they say that they are NOT responsible for that. They very well may have good intentions but we have gotten questions about it so wanted to share our thoughts. In addition, most people who get arrested at protests from organized groups in NC are trained and do this as a planned civil action. See NCPPC. We have been organizing across multiple channels with people whose identities we can verify. We don’t feel comfortable with anonymous organizers. But you do you!
NO longer anonymous, neither on discord or on their webpage. Sure they could use your help keeping their protest safe, and understanding the NC laws. This Protest is definitely happening their discord page has 300 at any time and their Signal group is full, they are organizing carpools. Seems their feeling is any protest ASAP, even if not "perfect" is better than no protest. On discord they are asking if anyone has experience marshalling. I share your concern, but feel they need support and advice.
Kavella — Today at 12:23 PM
Just curious if anyone on the safety team has experience marshalling a demonstration? I might be able to connect with local Triangle folks I know who have done this in the past (or maybe connect with someone willing to train for future events?) I'm sure there are online resources as well.
If the group behind the event is no longer anonymous then that is a difference from when this post was put out. My sense is that there are local folks picking up and not being anonymous but it's still unclear who started the trend. Which is why myself and many, many, many other longtime organizers have had concerns. I did speak to one woman who reached out to me who had been helping organize the NC event and she expressed gratitude for the thoughts I gave. If folks reach out to us we can try and help, but I don't have the time or energy (I also work full time and am a mom!) to reach out to these folks. Just want everyone to stay safe!
I understand, but I want to encourage this energy coming from this group. Also, we don't get to decide who the police arrest, they do. If they decide your group is going to jail, it's going to jail after being teargassed and beaten and accused of assault and other made up stuff.
I actually spoke with someone who was working on the event who reached out to me for help the other day. I was answering her questions over the last several days and she had thanked us for help. Don't jump to criticism without knowing the whole story. Please try and keep the attitude and responses in this group kind and positive, thanks so much.
I don't see where I've been negative or even critical. I've given my opinion on this situation and advocated for it, that's all. What I said about bad actors and the police at demonstrations and marches is unfortunately true as we've seen many, many times.
Yes, police brutality is certainly an issue. We want to make sure organizers are equipped and have experience. Like many, many other organizers, just wanted to go with my gut and provide caution and my thoughts on the issue. Always happy to have folks provide other opinions :)
Didn't know they had reached out to experienced progressives; glad they did and thank you for helping. I have been following them on Discord and am impressed that their first protest went so well. They think that the lack of opposition presence and minimal police was bc so few people knew about protest, and its size grew in a matter of days. They are concerned that next protest may have more challenges. Using Signal, an encrypted phone app gives them cover.
I followed the link and as of my visit at 9:50 am on February 5th they DO NOT have a permit. I copied:
This protest will no longer be associated with any permits. While we previously had one, as on 02/04, we've withdrawn our permit after speaking with someone from NLG:
1/ You do not need a permit to legally protest in North Carolina.
2/ The original permit was created before 50501's involvement and is not associated with and outside of the scope of the 50501 movement.
Practically, this means instead of being permitted to be on the lawn of the capitol, we must stay on the sidewalks. Please follow all local pedestrian laws and do not obstruct any walkways. We will still move forward with all planned activity - the plans to march/be stationary have NOT changed.
What I've come to understand about this protest is that those behind it did not want to go through the permitting requirements in each city to make it happen & are counting on folks showing up in whatever ways possible - they're saying if you cannot make it to the protest call out of work and if you can't call out of work, wear something blue
Agree with Debbera Carson, this is a legit group (not right wing plant or russian bot) and don't think that more established group should squash it. If anything, those with more experience organizing protest should help them. I have been observing their round the clock work on Discord and am impressed with their passion. Seems like they are here to stay
Not squashing, just urging caution and safety, and we always say the first rule of event safety is know your organizer.
Here is the Raleigh group's web page: https://sites.google.com/view/50501-northcarolina/home?authuser=0
If you look at the FAQ they have a permit. They seem to have their bases covered. They are using Discord to organize: https://discord.gg/CMvKjzZg
I think it's important to be open to other channels of organizing. These folks are not on Facebook and won't be. They've been using Instagram, Bluesky, Reddit and Discord. I plan to go.
Any protest/rally can go haywire. Do you think that tomorrow's event at Tillis's office can't go off the rails? Federal building, US senator's office? Yeah, a couple of bad faith actors and you all could end up in jail too.
Wow ok. That’s why we have safety marshalls and organization. From our indivisible organizer: “Remember that NC passed a bill recently that holds organizers responsible (and a felony charge) for any damages or riots during a protest so include a safety plan with marshals for managing interlopers”. Interestingly, in that website you cited they say that they are NOT responsible for that. They very well may have good intentions but we have gotten questions about it so wanted to share our thoughts. In addition, most people who get arrested at protests from organized groups in NC are trained and do this as a planned civil action. See NCPPC. We have been organizing across multiple channels with people whose identities we can verify. We don’t feel comfortable with anonymous organizers. But you do you!
NO longer anonymous, neither on discord or on their webpage. Sure they could use your help keeping their protest safe, and understanding the NC laws. This Protest is definitely happening their discord page has 300 at any time and their Signal group is full, they are organizing carpools. Seems their feeling is any protest ASAP, even if not "perfect" is better than no protest. On discord they are asking if anyone has experience marshalling. I share your concern, but feel they need support and advice.
Kavella — Today at 12:23 PM
Just curious if anyone on the safety team has experience marshalling a demonstration? I might be able to connect with local Triangle folks I know who have done this in the past (or maybe connect with someone willing to train for future events?) I'm sure there are online resources as well.
If the group behind the event is no longer anonymous then that is a difference from when this post was put out. My sense is that there are local folks picking up and not being anonymous but it's still unclear who started the trend. Which is why myself and many, many, many other longtime organizers have had concerns. I did speak to one woman who reached out to me who had been helping organize the NC event and she expressed gratitude for the thoughts I gave. If folks reach out to us we can try and help, but I don't have the time or energy (I also work full time and am a mom!) to reach out to these folks. Just want everyone to stay safe!
I understand, but I want to encourage this energy coming from this group. Also, we don't get to decide who the police arrest, they do. If they decide your group is going to jail, it's going to jail after being teargassed and beaten and accused of assault and other made up stuff.
I actually spoke with someone who was working on the event who reached out to me for help the other day. I was answering her questions over the last several days and she had thanked us for help. Don't jump to criticism without knowing the whole story. Please try and keep the attitude and responses in this group kind and positive, thanks so much.
I don't see where I've been negative or even critical. I've given my opinion on this situation and advocated for it, that's all. What I said about bad actors and the police at demonstrations and marches is unfortunately true as we've seen many, many times.
Yes, police brutality is certainly an issue. We want to make sure organizers are equipped and have experience. Like many, many other organizers, just wanted to go with my gut and provide caution and my thoughts on the issue. Always happy to have folks provide other opinions :)
Didn't know they had reached out to experienced progressives; glad they did and thank you for helping. I have been following them on Discord and am impressed that their first protest went so well. They think that the lack of opposition presence and minimal police was bc so few people knew about protest, and its size grew in a matter of days. They are concerned that next protest may have more challenges. Using Signal, an encrypted phone app gives them cover.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55yf3AstpQI
8pm zoom is maxed out at 20,000. You can follow the livestream and they are recording it.
You are on top of all this. ⭐️ Thank you.
Thanks, Anna. Had this thought too.
PERMIT WITHDRAWN
I followed the link and as of my visit at 9:50 am on February 5th they DO NOT have a permit. I copied:
This protest will no longer be associated with any permits. While we previously had one, as on 02/04, we've withdrawn our permit after speaking with someone from NLG:
1/ You do not need a permit to legally protest in North Carolina.
2/ The original permit was created before 50501's involvement and is not associated with and outside of the scope of the 50501 movement.
Practically, this means instead of being permitted to be on the lawn of the capitol, we must stay on the sidewalks. Please follow all local pedestrian laws and do not obstruct any walkways. We will still move forward with all planned activity - the plans to march/be stationary have NOT changed.
==========
Clearly this is getting more and more complex.
I hear there's a rally in Watauga County soon, but it's not on Wednesday. :-)
Thank you for being sound…
What I've come to understand about this protest is that those behind it did not want to go through the permitting requirements in each city to make it happen & are counting on folks showing up in whatever ways possible - they're saying if you cannot make it to the protest call out of work and if you can't call out of work, wear something blue