Physical, Emotional and Digital Protection - Ideas & Tips for Street Medics

Physical, Emotional and Digital Protection While Using Home As An Office... Ideas & Tips for Human Rights Defenders (https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/resource-publication/physical-emotional-and-digital-protection-while-using-home-office-times-covid)

This December 2020 article from Frontline Defenders was published to aid human rights workers in establishing secure physical and emotional environments during the COVID pandemic. The guidance and recommendations in the article are directly applicable to the work that we do, and the risks that we face, as street medics, today.

Street Medics are frequently targeted by police while providing first aid and support to victims of police violence.

In addition to physical attacks at protests and demonstrations, street medics may also be subjected to a pattern of false arrests and detentions, attacks on homes and friendships, and attempts to impede medics from peacefully assembling and supporting protests and demonstrations anywhere, at any time. Harassment can be systematic and pervasive.

Police Targeting ‘Street Medics’ at US Protests (https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/06/17/police-targeting-street-medics-us-protests)

Cops Have Repeatedly Attacked and Obstructed Street Medics During BLM Rebellion (https://truthout.org/articles/cops-have-repeatedly-attacked-and-obstructed-street-medics-during-blm-rebellion/)

“A Targeted Attack on the Bronx” - Police Violence and Arrests of Health Workers at a New York City Protest (https://phr.org/our-work/resources/a-targeted-attack-on-the-bronx/)

ACLU Sues Feds, Portland Police for Attacking Medics at Protests (https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-sues-feds-portland-police-attacking-medics-protests)

Medics Say Seattle Police Fired Flash-Bangs at Them During Protests (https://www.newsweek.com/medics-say-seattle-police-fired-flash-bangs-them-during-protests-1512312)

JBLM DES Protection Division Still Illegally Spying On You (https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2022/01/03/18847078.php)



While we care for others, we must also take appropriate steps to protect our own mental, emotional, and physical health and well-being.

In addition to the resources provided by Frontline Defenders, we recommended additional Personal Protection for PNW Street Medics here in our blog: (https://pnwstreetmedics.blogspot.com/2023/08/personal-protection-for-pnw-street.html)