Initiating the Street Activist: A Mini-manual

April 14, 2002

In this issue of the Free Arab Voice (FAV) we present:

1) Initiating Street Activists: A Mini-manual.  Practical advice for
empowering activists worldwide who engage in street protests deemed
'illegal' by oppressive regimes.  Read the text below which is extracted
from the experience of the pro-Intifada grass-roots movement on the Arab
Street, by the Student Movement for Resisting Normalization in Jordan.

2) (In Arabic) To read 'Initiating Street Activists' in Arabic.  Go to:
http://www.freearabvoice.org/arabi/tashqifNashaty.htm

3) Islam: A Call to Action, a viewpoint by Nabila Harb, a response to those
who make up "Islamic" excuses to not cooperate with non-Islamists in the
struggle, or who emphasize rituals over Jihad.

4)  A Different Military Tactic, by Ali Askari, a view towards making more
than human bombs.

5) Are We Going to Wake Up?! by Basem Bustami, a call to action to the Arab
Masses.

6) Pictures of the Right of Return Quilt.

7) A Critique of the ADC Booklet on the Palestinian Refugee Issue, by Masaad
Arbid

8) FAV Board's Response to Dr. Masaad Arbid's piece above.

9) Two Notes on the Margin of a Street Battle, by Ibrahim Alloush, a report
on two pro-Intifada demonstrations in Amman, and suggestions on the way
forward.

10) (In Arabic) To read the report above in Arabic, please go to:
http://www.freearabvoice.org/arabi/mlahazatani.htm

11) (In Arabic) Possible Horizons for the Intifada, by Ahmad Ashkar, a
political analysis on potential threats and possibilities from the viewpoint
of a Palestinian Arab living in the land occupied in 1948.

12) (In Arabic) An Interview with Naji Alloush.

13) (In Arabic) Pictures of the Right of Return Quilt.

14) (In Arabic) A Response to the Palestinian Intellectuals who Gave up the
Right of Return in their Letter to Jewish Intellectuals in Haartz on March
13, 2002, by Adel Samara and Ahmad Ashkar.

15) A Mother's Song, from a mother, to a daughter who became a human bomb, a
poem by Nabila Harb.

16) See reports on arrests and demonstrations in Jordan

17) Audre Pinque and the Right Direction to Palestine, a eulogy by Ibrahim
Alloush.

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INITIATING THE STREET ACTIVIST: A MINI-MANUAL

Soaring ABOVE the most heroic examples in the pages of liberation struggles
from Algeria to Vietnam to Che Guevara, the Palestinians have been giving
the world the example of the human bomb, the ultimate form of self-sacrifice
on the altar of liberation.  It is true that the Palestinian human bomb is
not the first time in Arab or international liberation struggles that a
freedom fighter has knowingly walked to her or his certain personal demise
to give life to the cause of the oppressed.  It is, however, the first time
in the modern history of liberation struggles worldwide that the human bomb
has become an all-encompassing socio-political phenomenon permeating large
strata of an entire people, and not merely a handful of dedicated
individuals.  In Palestine, an act of certain self-sacrifice has lost its
special uniqueness.  It has become instead the natural extension of a
CULTURE OF RESISTANCE.

Born and bred in the special circumstances of the Palestinian Arab struggle,
the circumstances of severe military disparity against a settler-invader
SOCIETY, the human bomb tactic will be pondered upon for many decades to
come by the oppressed of this world when the struggle reaches a military
stage.  Apart from this, however, other tactical skills are being
accumulated on Arab streets that are going to be very helpful in the coming
battles against globalization, imperialism, and oppressive regimes from
South America to East Asia.

On the Arab streets, the SPONTANEOUS grass-roots pro-Intifada movement has
been making headway in spite of the ongoing brutal oppression of Arab
regimes, and the spinelessness of "legal"
 opposition parties, spokespersons,
and unions.  Needless to say, nothing can be accomplished strategically
without political organization and planning, both of which are currently
lacking.  In the meantime, however, local grass-roots initiatives have been
growing steadily as the culture of resistance spills over from Palestine to
the Arab street in a special kind of popular "trickle-down" effect that is
making the U.S. government, Arab regimes, and Zionists very unhappy.

Below you shall find a translated abstract of a mini-manual for street
activists which was distributed by the Student Movement for Resisting
Normalization in Jordan.  "Normalization" of course is the term that refers
to the attempt to make political, economic, and cultural relations between
the settler-invader society called "Israel" and the Arabs normal.  For
overwhelming numbers of Arab people (but not the regimes), this is
tantamount to granting their blessings to the rape of Palestine by the
Zionists.  As part of that normalization, a Zionist embassy was opened in
Jordan against the will of the people who have been demanding its closure
especially since the beginning of the second Intifada on September 28, 2000.

The manual by the Student Movement for Resisting Normalization in Jordan was
distributed in Arabic in anticipation of the march on the Zionist embassy in
Jordan that was to take place on April 12, 2002 in support of the Intifada
in Palestine.  The march was supposed to depart after Friday prayers from
the four mosques in Al Rabiyah, the part of Amman where the Zionist embassy
lies.  But despite the fact that the march did not take place because the
capital Amman was put under a state of siege on that day with troops and
road blocks slamming shut the main arteries of the city, and despite the
fact that leaders of the official opposition called off the demonstration
two hours before it was supposed to start, the mini-manual represents the
gist of a burgeoning experience that could be very useful for many a street
activist worldwide when engaging in a protest that may be deemed "illegal"
by an oppressive regime.  It is true that the immediate relevance of the
material below is to the Arab street that is currently undergoing
pro-Intifada reverberations. We have, nevertheless, attempted to adapt it to
non-Arab and non-Muslim countries as well.  For example, if mosques are one
of the main gathering places for Muslims, especially for Friday prayers, it
is easy to take that to mean any other gathering point like universities,
factories, town halls, schools, churches, etc..

The manual then covers the hazy area that lies between soft "legal" protests
and military engagements.  It doesn't attempt to tackle, except in passing,
the question of what to do if bullets were shot at demonstrators as that is
hitherto assumed possible, but not as commonplace as in Zionist practices on
Palestinians.  It does tackle, however, the general code of conduct of the
individual participant in an "illegal" street protest when he or she is open
to beatings, tear gas, arrest, and street clashes with anti-riot troops.
Hence, the material below focuses on the individual participant in the
"illegal" protest rather than the general administration of that protest,
which might require a separate piece.  It is, therefore, more appropriate to
view this manual as a guide for initiating activists into the skills
necessary for the empowerment of the people on the street when facing an
oppressive regime.  It is not meant to be the Clausewitz of street
engagements without firearms.

Two notes of caution before proceeding:

1)	Do not expect your brothers and sisters in the protest to obey all the
rules below to the letter from the first time.  The code of conduct below is
an idealized [first] stage to which you should aspire, not holy text that
they should obey or else.  Changing circumstances should be always factored
in, as well as people's ability and willingness to learn.

2)      Do not play with an "illegal" protest.  When confronting an oppressive
regime, protestors frequently get injured and arrested, even killed in some
cases.  The purpose of this is to make a legitimate point where "legal"
venues are not open to make it.  Thus, do not call for such a protest and
then back out when half your friends are already in the field (which is what
happened on April 12, 2002 in Amman when hundreds were arrested and beaten
up while people headed for the sites of the protest only to have
"opposition" leaders cancel the march at the embassy before it started).
Protestors are willing to pay a dear personal price in order to make a dear
political statement, so do not let their sacrifices go to waste if you can
help it.  Either make a point with the sacrifices that are made, or do not
attempt the protest at all.  By the same token, a protest hastily and
sloppily organized, where the personal costs outweigh the political
benefits, is probably worse than no protest at all.


General Instructions:
====================

1 - Participating in the march on the Zionist embassy is a religious and a
patriotic obligation for every free and honest citizen, no matter what the
cost may be, i.e., even if some of our blood was spilled in the process.  Be
honest and true to yourself.  Stand up for what you believe in.

2 - Leave for the Al Rabiyah mosques several hours before Friday prayer
starts.  It's better to sleep near the area on Thursday night if possible,
but be sure to get your information from trusted sources.  Don't believe
rumors.

3 - Efforts and forces should be organized in groups, for example, students,
professionals, workers, etc.. Stick with your group.

4 -   Every group has to have a leadership that directs group individuals
for the purpose of achieving the tasks involved in the march.  Individuals
have to work in a team.  Be a good team member.

5 - Don't bring ANY papers or phonebooks with you.  Just bring some money
and your national identification card or driver's license.

6 - Members of political organizations should clean their houses and
organizations' offices as they should expect many arrests before, during,
and after the march.

7 -  Stay aware of infiltrators and strange elements around you.  Try to
identify them from common markings, their clothes, the sets they are talking
into.. Alert your group to their presence calmly.

8 - There has to be at least one mobile phone in each group to maintain
contact with other groups (but be aware that phone networks mysteriously
stop working sometimes in the area of the protest).

9 - Wear clothes that make it easy for you to move quickly.  Wear running
shoes if possible, light shoes otherwise.  Avoid distinct clothes that can
make you easily targeted.

10 - If you and your group were blocked at some point from joining the
march, that is NOT the end of the road.  Go to another mosque to try to join
from there.  Find another point of access.  Keep trying.  Do not believe
rumors and lies that will be spread around.  The march is not over yet.

11 - Try to determine when and where you will get together to head for the
protest a few days in advance.  It would be better if one of your group
lives in the area.

12 - Avoid any appearances, signs, and slogans that create divisions between
the ranks of the marchers, no matter how minor.  Focus on the main enemy.

13 - Remember that your eventual purpose is to fight and obliterate the
Zionist enemy.   Don't forget to write your will before you leave home.



Starting the March:
==================

1 - Gather around your brothers and sisters.  Call out: Allahu Akbar (God is
Greater).  Hold hands tightly.  Form lines.  Within yourself, renew your
resolve constantly to go on to the end.

2 -  Expect that there will be elements who will try to sabotage the march
either by starting fights or by frustrating you with rumors and lies.  Do
not give them any attention.  Carry on with your project.

3 - Call on anti-riot troops and policemen to join with you.  They are not
your enemy.  Remind them that you are fighting for a common cause that is
theirs too.

4 - Avoid hostile or provocative contact as much as possible with the
police.  Remember that you are not the only one in the field.  This is not
personal.

5 - Know very well when the march takes off whom you are with and which
banner you are walking under.  Disorganized ranks can be easily led away by
infiltrators from the main course.


When the Clashes with Security Forces Begin:
===========================================

1 - Within yourself, stay calm and in control.. Do not let fear get the
better of you.  Forbearance is the name of the game now.

2 - Be sure to remain with your group and do not leave them under any
circumstance.  In a clash, lone protestors become easy prey.

3 - Remain collected after every clash.  Remind yourself and your brothers
of what's going on in Palestine and of the need to be patient.  Regroup.

4 - Attacking and retreating is the main tactic here.  Be sure to master it
with your group. [Frequently, protestors use rocks and stones since they
have nothing else with which to confront the oppressive machine].

5 - Buckets containing sand or earth must be distributed throughout the area
of the march.  These should be thrown top down over the tear gas shells and
chemical bombs.  Practice throwing back the shells where they came from.  It
is easy once you get the hang of it.

6 -  Onions are good antidote for tear gas, but not necessarily for the
other chemicals.  Keep plenty of onions around.  Chlorine, found in bleach,
is a good antidote for tear gas and the other chemicals.  Keep bottles of
chlorine on hand.  Pour it on a rag, then throw it on the shell emitting the
gas, or pour it directly on the shell if possible.  Please note that "other
chemicals" refers to certain varieties of tear gas bombs which induce
fainting and vomiting.  They are supposed to be illegal worldwide, but hey,
they will get thrown on you anyway, so get ready for them too.

7 - Have plenty of flags around.  Flags are good morale boosters, and good
markers for gathering a group.


When Injured:
============

1 - If you or one of your brothers or sisters in the protest is wounded,
take heart.  This is like a badge of honor.  Most importantly, do not let
everybody rush to aid the wounded protestor out of the field.  Only a couple
of individuals from any group are needed to take care of the injured.
Otherwise, there will be a big hole in our lines, which will induce an
offensive by the troops that causes many more to be injured.

2 - It is better to take the wounded to the clinic of a trusted doctor.
Identify physicians amongst protestors early on if any.  Avoid hospitals as
much as possible.  If not, then avoid government hospitals as much as
possible [lest the wounded protestors be arrested by the government].

3 - There has to be a first aid kit with every group to try to help the
wounded without having to solicit outside medical help if possible.

4 - Conceal the identity of the wounded protestor as much as possible [Note
that in countries with democratic traditions wounded protestors indict the
government, not the other way around].

5 - So far, firing bullets on protestors is not likely, but should it
happen, be prepared to be a martyr for the cause.  [Rubber bullets have been
used on protestors in Al Baqaa Camp in Jordan].  Always stick with your
group no matter what.  This has to be a group decision.  If they scatter,
try to regroup.  Coordinate with other groups.


When Arrested:
=============

1 - Don't be afraid.  Stay in control, and keep your mouth shut.  Keep
running through your mind images of the steadfastedness of the Palestinian
people.

2 - Don't try to provoke security troops while you are under arrest,
especially since emotions will be running high at such a time.

3 - Don't hesitate to make a quick break for it if you get a chance to run
away.

4 - If you are kept with others while under arrest, try to be helpful.  Find
ways to shore up morale, but don't give away any information to any of them.

5 - During interrogation remember that you read the announcement for the
march in the paper, or in a leaflet that somebody tossed away, and just came
to participate on your own.

6 - Pray in your heart if you want, and remember examples of great patience
under stress.

7 - Expect many things like mukhabarat (intelligence service) ordeals and
others.  Remember the greatness of your faith and the justice of your cause.
  Now everything else will seem small and tiny before you.

8 - No matter how long you are arrested don't let your morale break down.
Remember that your friends before you have been through much more than what
you have been through.  Remember that those among them who have not been
arrested are doing their best to get you out.

9 - While under arrest, beware rumors, lies, and mind games.



When the Goal of the Protest is Achieved:
========================================

1 - Leaving is a group decision, not yours alone.  Remember, lone protestors
make easy prey.

2 - Cover your tracks and don't go home if you feel you are being followed
or watched.

3 - Political protests purport to make statements.  Try to get the protest
covered in the alternative media.  Talk about it to trusted friends and
relatives, and counter the misinformation about it in the
government-controlled media (whether private or public) whenever possible.
You have just accomplished a little victory for the cause.  Little victories
add up into a big one under the right plan and organization.

Note:  Despite the fact that oppressive regimes sneeze at protests in
general, note that real power lies with the people eventually.  There is no
regime whatsoever which can withstand two or three hundred thousand
protestors willing to go down to the street daily and take bullets in the
chest.  In fact, that's how the Shah of Iran, as well as the regimes of the
Eastern bloc came down.  Of course, foreign occupiers are a different story.
  The French in Algeria or the Zionists in Palestine have a much easier time
shooting at protestors because they wouldn't be shooting at their own
people.  For those cases, as well as in cases where even "illegal" protests
against oppressive regimes can't be undertaken, please skip this and go read
Che Guevara and von Clausewitz instead.  Better still, go back to the first
paragraph of this message.

FAV

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