Community Intervention Skills 101
STREET JUSTICE & COVID verbal EDITION
How to support voices in your community
1. BEFORE YOU GO to a protest, consider what level of involvement you feel comfortable with: this can change daily, just keep checking in with yourself
2. AT THE PROTEST We want to be aware of surroundings so if we are in danger we can be aware of what our options are, including getting away quickly
3. CHECK-IN WITH YOUR PRIVILAGE. before you get involved (if u are white, listen & elevate BIPOC voices)
4. TRY USING AN ACTIVE VOICE: active voice describes a sentence where the subject performs the action stated by the verb. It follows a clear subject + verb + object construct that's easy to read.
Upstanders vs bystanders
GOALS OF INTERVENTION
reduce harm
demonstrate solidarity
show others an alternative to remaining passive
1. What’s the difference? An upstander’s goal is to intervene safely to support the targeted person and interrupt injustice in the community whereas a bystander is a witness role
RED FLAGS OF WHEN 2 GET INVOLVED - PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS -CHILDREN PRESENT
Try these phrases:
“No”
“Stop”
“That’s not funny”
“That’s not OK”
“That is hate speech”
“We all belong here”
USING A BOUNDARY SCRIPT
Name the behavior - “When you...” Say how it makes you feel - “It makes me feel...” Direct what needs to change -“So I need you to...” (See our 3-Part Boundary Packet)
being an active witness
SUPPORT THE TARGETED PERSON Let person/people know you are concerned. Ask if they need help. Puedo ayudarte? Give them power: ask what they need--- o
TACTICS // Pretend to know them, start conversation
Things to say
“This is not okay,”
“You don’t deserve this,”
“I’m here for you,”
“I love your coat, where’d you get it?”
“Would you like to walk away together?”
Principles of De-Escalation
SPEAK CALMLY and in a low, soothing tone. Avoid interruption, or talking over-each other Active listening // Acknowledge their perspective “I hear that you are upset right now”
SHOW PHYSICAL SIGNS OF LISTENING nod, lean-in
PRACTICE EMPATHY let them know you care. Avoid “You-statements” // Ex: “You are freaking out” o Use “I-statements instead" // Ex: “I need you to calm down”
AVOID DEMANDS // Ex: “You better...” instead: “Stop doing that”
USE STRONG BUT NON-THREATENING BODY LANGUAGE // Have hands up, to show you don’t want trouble // Stand tall and confidently, but give them space // Neutral facial expression
STRATEGIC LYING CAN BE HELPFUL! Lie if u must!
DISTRACT PERPETRATOR //Get between the target person and perpetrator if can do so safely (don’t get too close) o Tactics:
START AND INNOCENT CONVERSATION with perpetrator // Ex’s: Ask for directions // Tell them something is on their face or clothes // Spill or drop something // Sing a song
ENGAGE OTHER ALLIES or people in positions of authority (not police) to get involved // Single people out to engage them to help. People are more likely to help when asked directly than when a whole group is asked. // Ex’s: “You...go get a medic” // “Come with me”// “Call so and so” // "Go that way"
DON’T after care
POST VIDEOS or PHOTOS w/o checking first. People could loose their job, be deported, or worse.
STAY IF POSSIBLE and check in with person targeted--->
HELP THEM GET TO SAFETY – accompany /walk to their car or group of friends .
SUGGEST A SAFE HOUSE/SPACE or create a plan.
AIM TO GIVE THEM THEIR POWER BACK: “I’m sorry they did this to you” “ How can I support you?” "What do you need right now?"
Collective and Self After-Care
GET SUPPORT Focus on what you did and not what you didn’t do.
REMEMBER WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE– not you: shaming ourselves or others is never helpful. We have different levels of real and perceived risk depending on our race, class, gender, sexuality, national origin, immigration status, criminal record, disability, age, employment, and past experience of trauma